Comparison of Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) in Singapore
In Singapore, the Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) market has expanded beyond the standard hospital-issued brands. If you are looking to track how your bak chor mee or bubble tea affects your blood sugar, you now have three main contenders: the medical-grade FreeStyle Libre, the locally-distributed Buzud, and the budget-friendly Ottai. As someone who is diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, I wanted to find an option that can monitor my glucose accurately without burning a hole in my wallet.
Here is a breakdown of how they compare in the local context.
The Quick Comparison
| Feature | Buzud CGM 2.0 Buy here | Ottai CGM Buy here | |
| Est. Price (S$) | ~S$103 per sensor | ~S$85–S$95 per sensor | <S$40 per sensor |
| Wear Time | 14 Days | 15 Days | 14 Days |
| Warm-up Time | 60 Minutes | 60 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
| Calibration | Factory calibrated | Manual calibration | No calibration required |
| HSA Status | Fully Registered | Fully Registered | Consumer/Grey Market |
| Best For | T1/T2 Medical Dosing | Precision + Local Support | Budget Lifestyle Tracking, the set comes with an overlay patch for added protection, real-time alerts from the mobile app |
1. FreeStyle Libre: The Reliable "Gold Standard"
The FreeStyle Libre is what most Singaporean doctors (NUH, SGH, TTSH) will recommend.
The App (LibreLink): It is the most "medical" of the three. It generates an Ambulatory Glucose Profile (AGP), which is a standardized report doctors use to adjust medication.
Reliability: It is extremely stable. If a sensor fails (the dreaded "Sensor Ended" early), Abbott Singapore has a 1800-hotline and usually courier-delivers a free replacement to your home within 2-3 days.
The Catch: It is the most expensive. Also, Libre 1 and 2 still technically require "scanning" with your phone, whereas the others are "always-on."
2. Buzud: The Local Challenger
Buzud is a Singapore-based medical brand (with a massive showroom in Raffles Hospital). Their CGM 2.0 is gaining popularity because it bridges the gap between clinical and consumer.
The App (Buzud CGM): Offers real-time Bluetooth updates (no scanning needed). It includes features like meal logging and "remote monitoring" for family members.
Accuracy Features: Unlike the Libre, Buzud allows for manual calibration. If you do a finger-prick and find the sensor is off, you can "tell" the app the correct number to align it.
Availability: You can find them at their Raffles Hospital outlet or major local pharmacies.
3. Ottai: The "Shopee King" Budget Choice
Ottai is currently the talk of local Facebook groups and forums because of its price. At under S$50, it is half the price of the Libre.
The App (Ottai Health): Surprisingly modern. It features a very "tech-forward" UI, dark mode, and even "AI analysis" of your glucose trends. However, it is not linked to Singapore’s clinical systems (LibreView), so your doctor won't be able to log in and see your data remotely.
Functionality: It behaves like a high-end CGM—sending data to your phone every few minutes via Bluetooth.
The Trade-off: Accuracy can be hit-or-miss in the first 24 hours. Because it’s mostly sold via Shopee/Lazada, "warranty" is just the platform's return policy. If it fails on Day 10, you likely just have to swallow the loss.
Comparing the App Experience
For Data Nerds (Buzud/Ottai): Both apps provide a "live" graph that updates every minute. This is much more satisfying than the Libre’s "scan-to-see" method.
For Medical Use (Libre): If you need to show data to an endocrinologist, the Libre is the only one they can officially "import" into their clinical software.
For Habit Change (Ottai): The Ottai app is very good at "gamifying" health, showing you clearly how many hours you stayed "in range" with colorful, easy-to-read charts.
Final Verdict: Which should you buy?
Buy FreeStyle Libre if: You are on insulin and your life depends on 100% accuracy and doctor-verified reports. The S$103 is worth the safety and the "no-questions-asked" replacement policy.
Buy Buzud if: You want a 15-day wear time and the ability to calibrate the sensor yourself, with the comfort of a physical shop in Singapore you can visit for help.
Buy Ottai if: You are a Type 2 or pre-diabetic user paying out-of-pocket. It is the only way to do "permanent" monitoring in Singapore without spending S$200+ a month. Just be prepared for the occasional "dud" sensor.
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