The Freestyle Libre 2 and Freestyle Libre 3 are both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems designed to help individuals with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. While they share many similarities, there are key differences in terms of features, technology, and performance. Here’s a detailed comparison :

Libre 3 vs Libre 2: Key Differences In Sensors

Sensor Size and Design Difference

Freestyle Libre 2 Sensors:

• The sensor is slightly larger, with a diameter of about 35mm (1.38 inches) and a thickness of 5mm. The sensor is a bit bulkier compared to the Libre 3.

Freestyle Libre 3 Sensor

The sensor is much smaller and thinner, measuring around 26mm (1.02 inches) in diameter and 4mm in thickness. This compact size makes it more discreet and comfortable to wear.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Features

Freestyle Libre 2 Sensors:

• The sensor provides glucose readings every minute, but it only updates every 15 minutes, which means there may be slight delays in data visibility. The Libre 2 offers optional real-time alarms for high and low blood glucose levels. This feature is particularly helpful in preventing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia

Freestyle Libre 3 Sensors:

• Like the Freestyle Libre 2 Sensor, the Libre 3 offers real-time, continuous glucose readings every minute. However, the Libre 3 provides continuous real-time alarms for high and low glucose levels directly on the app, making the alerts more immediate. These alerts are more integrated and do not require scanning the sensor.

Connectivity and Data Syncing

Freestyle Libre 2 Sensors:

• It scans the sensor using a handheld reader or a smartphone with the LibreLink app to view glucose data. The data syncs via Bluetooth, but manual scanning is required to get updated readings. The Libre 2 offers a Bluetooth range of up to 20 feet

Freestyle Libre 3 Sensors:

• The Libre 3 is designed to work exclusively with smartphones, making it more modern and seamless for users. Data syncs automatically to the smartphone app via Bluetooth, so there’s no need to scan the sensor manually.  The Libre 3 offers a Bluetooth range of up to 33 feet. This automatic syncing means users can see glucose levels in real time without interacting with the device.

Battery Life Difference

Freestyle Libre 2 Sensors:

• The sensor’s battery typically lasts for 14 days before needing replacement.

Freestyle Libre 3 Sensors:

• The Libre 3 sensor also lasts for 14 days but with the added advantage of being more energy-efficient due to its smaller size and enhanced design.

Mard value difference Between Libre 2 and Libre 3 Sensor

The Mean Absolute Relative Difference (MARD) is a statistical measure used to evaluate the accuracy of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). It represents the average percentage difference between the glucose values measured by the CGM and those measured by a blood glucose meter. The lower the MARD value, the more accurate the CGM.
The FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor has a MARD of 7.9%, while the FreeStyle Libre 2 Sensor has a MARD of 9.3%. This means that, on average, the glucose readings from Libre 3 are closer to the blood glucose meter readings than those from Libre 2. While both systems are accurate, the Libre 3 offers slightly improved accuracy over the Libre 2.

App Integration and Features

Freestyle Libre 2 Sensor

• Compatible with the Freestyle Libre 2 Link app, which allows users to scan and track their glucose levels over time. Users can see 8-hour glucose trends and set alarms for out-of-range readings.

Freestyle Libre 3 Sensor

• It is fully app-based with integrated alerts, and the Freestyle Libre 3 app can continuously display glucose data in real time. The app is updated with better trend tracking and more detailed data, including a continuous graphical representation of glucose trends.

Libre 3 vs Libre 2	Freestyle Libre 2 Sensor	Freestyle Libre 3 Sensor
Size	Diameter: 35mm (1.38 inches), Thickness: 5mm	Diameter: 26mm (1.02 inches), Thickness: 4mm
Comfort and Design	Bulkier compared to Libre 3	Smaller and more discreet for increased comfort
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)	Updates glucose readings every minute; requires scanning for updates; alarms for high/low glucose are optional	Continuous real-time alarms directly on the app; no scanning required
Connectivity and Data Syncing	Requires manual scanning via reader or smartphone; Bluetooth range up to 20 feet	Automatic syncing to the app; Bluetooth range up to 33 feet
Battery Life	14 days	14 days, with more energy-efficient design
MARD (Accuracy)	MARD: 9.3%	MARD: 7.9%, offering improved accuracy
App Integration	Compatible with Freestyle Libre 2 Link app; manual scan needed; provides 8-hour trends	Fully app-based; real-time alerts; continuous graphical glucose trends

Data Sharing Difference Between Libre 2 and Libre 3

Both FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 allow you to share your glucose data with others, but there are some differences in how this is done:

Freestyle Libre 2 Sensor

• You can share your glucose data with up to 20 people or healthcare providers through the LibreLinkUp app. To share your data, you need to invite people to connect to your LibreLinkUp account. You can share glucose data via PDF reports, which can be emailed or printed. However, this is typically done manually by the user. You can also use Abbott’s CareLink platform to upload your glucose data and share it with healthcare providers. The Libre 2 requires you to manually scan the sensor with a Freestyle libre 2 reader or smartphone to get the glucose readings.  To share the data, you must first scan the sensor, view the data, and then send the report or data manually. It doesn’t offer real-time automatic data transmission to other devices or people.

Freestyle Libre 3 Sensor

• You can share your glucose data with up to 20 people through the Libre 3 app. You can also share your data with your healthcare provider through LibreView. The Freestyle Libre 3 Sensor automatically transmits data in real-time to the FreeStyle Libre 3 app. Family members, caregivers, or other trusted individuals can track glucose levels in real time without requiring active involvement from the primary user.

Data Sharing Difference	Freestyle Libre 2	Freestyle Libre 3
Data Transmission	Manual scanning is required, and Bluetooth enabled for scanning	Continuous, automatic transmission via Bluetooth
Data Sharing Process	Manual upload and sharing via PDF or CareLink	Automatic sharing in real-time with caregivers, healthcare providers
Caregiver Access	Caregivers can only view data after a manual scan	Real-time access to glucose data via app or cloud-based platform
Healthcare Provider Access	Upload data manually to CareLink	Continuous, automatic data sharing via LibreView and app
Real-Time Alerts	Available for high/low readings (manual trigger)	Continuous alerts for high/low glucose levels, real-time notifications
Seamless Data Transfer	No automatic data transfer	Seamless, ongoing data transfer to app and cloud

Freestyle Libre 2 Plus Sensor Vs Freestyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor

The Libre 3 Plus and Libre 2 Plus are both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems from Abbott, but the Libre 3 offers several improvements over the Libre 2 in functionality and features. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two:

Freestyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor

The FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor can be worn for up to 15 days and is suitable for people aged 2 and up, including pregnant women. It is compatible with the FreeStyle Libre 3 app or Freestyle Libre 3 reader and can be integrated with insulin pumps. Sach As mylife Loop (mylife CamAPS FX app and mylife YpsoPump)  and Ilet Beta Bionics.

Mard Value Of Libre 3 Plus

The MARD value for a Libre 3 Plus sensor is 7.9%. This means that, on average, the sensor’s readings are within 8.2% of the actual blood glucose level.

Size

The FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensor is the world’s smallest CGM sensor, measuring 21 mm x 2.9 mm, the same size as two stacked pennies.

Water resistance

The water-resistant sensor should not be submerged in more than 3 feet of water for more than 30 minutes at a time.

Bluetooth Range

The Freestyle Libre 3 plus sensor bluetooth range is 33 feet

Freestyle Libre 2 Plus Sensor

The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device for measuring glucose levels in people with diabetes. It can be worn for up to 15 days and is suitable for people aged two and older.

Work With Insulin pumps

The Freestyle Libre 2 Plus sensor tracks blood sugar but doesn’t deliver insulin. Insulin pumps, like the Tandem t: slim X2 and Omnipod 5, manage diabetes by delivering insulin. These pumps can work with the Freestyle Libre sensor to adjust insulin delivery based on glucose levels.

Mard Value Of Libre 2 Plus

The MARD value for a Libre 2 Plus sensor is 8.2%. This means that, on average, the sensor’s readings are within 8.2% of the actual blood glucose level.

Size

The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor is the size of two stacked quarters, measuring 5 mm tall and 35 mm wide. The part that goes under the skin is less than 0.4 mm wide and is inserted about 5 mm beneath the surface.

Bluetooth Range

The Freestyle Libre 3 plus sensor bluetooth range is 20 feet.

Water resistance

The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor is water-resistant and can be worn while swimming, showering, or bathing.It can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter (3 ft) of water for up to 30 minutes.

Libre 2 Plus vs Libre 3 Plus	Freestyle Libre 2 Plus Sensor	Freestyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor
Wear Duration	Up to 15 days	Up to 15 days
Age Suitability	2 years and older	2 years and older, including pregnant women
Insulin Pump Integration	Compatible with Tandem t: slim X2 and Omnipod 5	Compatible with mylife Loop and iLet Beta Bionics
Size	35 mm x 5 mm (two stacked quarters)	21 mm x 2.9 mm (two stacked pennies)
Bluetooth Range	20 feet	33 feet
Water Resistance	Up to 3 feet (1 meter) for 30 minutes	Up to 3 feet for 30 minutes
Compatibility	Works with the FreeStyle Libre 2 app  or Libre 2 Reader	Works with FreeStyle Libre 3 app or Libre 3 reader

 

Conclusion

The Freestyle Libre 2 and Freestyle Libre 3 systems, along with their respective Plus versions, offer innovative CGM solutions tailored to diverse needs. The Libre 3 stands out for its compact size, improved accuracy (MARD), seamless real-time data transmission, and enhanced connectivity, making it a more modern and convenient option. Meanwhile, the Libre 2 provides reliable performance with optional features that suit users preferring manual scanning. Both systems cater to individuals aged two and above, with extended wear durations and water resistance, ensuring versatility and comfort. The advancements in the Libre 3, including broader Bluetooth range and app-based functionality, reflect Abbott’s commitment to enhancing diabetes management.