Best Continuous Glucose Monitors · head-to-head

Dexcom Stelo vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Dexcom Stelo is cheaper at $99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Dexcom Stelo or Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Dexcom Stelo is the cheaper at $99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Dexcom Stelo Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus
US price $99 $245.03
BrandDexcomAbbott
Released2024-082023
Wear duration days 15 15
Warmup time hours 0.5 1
Reading interval min 5 1
Water resistance Waterproof to 8 ft (2.4 m) for 24 hours Water-resistant to 3 ft (1 m) for up to 30 min
App platform iOS & Android (Stelo app); syncs with Apple Health and Google Health Connect iOS & Android (FreeStyle Libre 3 app / LibreLink)
Prescription required No Yes
Mard accuracy pct 8.3 8.9
Sensor size 1.1 x 0.9 x 0.2 in 0.11 in height x 0.83 in diameter

Sources — Dexcom Stelo: consumerguide.diabetes.org (verified 2026-08-01). Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: consumerguide.diabetes.org (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Dexcom Stelo and Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Warmup time hours: Dexcom Stelo 0.5 vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 1
  • Reading interval min: Dexcom Stelo 5 vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 1
  • Water resistance: Dexcom Stelo Waterproof to 8 ft (2.4 m) for 24 hours vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Water-resistant to 3 ft (1 m) for up to 30 min
  • App platform: Dexcom Stelo iOS & Android (Stelo app); syncs with Apple Health and Google Health Connect vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus iOS & Android (FreeStyle Libre 3 app / LibreLink)
  • Prescription required: Dexcom Stelo false vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus true
  • Mard accuracy pct: Dexcom Stelo 8.3 vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 8.9
  • Sensor size: Dexcom Stelo 1.1 x 0.9 x 0.2 in vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus 0.11 in height x 0.83 in diameter

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