In their description of "N. ovata", Andreas Wistuba and Joachim Nerz compared the species to "N. singalana". They noted that "N. ovata" differs in having an lamina apex, whereas "N. singalana" has a rounded apex. The two species also differ in the distribution of nectar glands on the underside of the lid. "Nepenthes ovata" has numerous glands near the midrib and is densely glandular near and on the hook-shaped appendage. In comparison, "N. singalana" is only sparsely glandular near the midrib and bears no glands near the lid apex.