Quick Answer: Both Keeps and Hims offer the same FDA-approved medications (finasteride and minoxidil) with telehealth consultations. Keeps is slightly cheaper for standard finasteride and is focused exclusively on hair loss. Hims is more versatile, offering a broader men's health platform with more combination/custom formulations. For basic hair loss treatment, Keeps offers better value. For a one-stop men's health solution with more product options, choose Hims. Both are legitimate, licensed telehealth services.
If you're looking to treat hair loss online, you've probably narrowed your options to Keeps and Hims. These two platforms have essentially created the modern telehealth hair loss industry, making it possible to get FDA-approved treatments without an awkward in-person doctor visit.
But which one actually offers better value? Let me compare every aspect so you can make the right choice.
Quick Comparison: Keeps vs Hims
| Factor | Keeps | Hims |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | 2017 |
| Focus | Hair loss only | Men's health (hair, ED, skin, mental health) |
| Finasteride (monthly) | $20-$35 | $25-$40 |
| Minoxidil (monthly) | $10-$15 | $10-$15 |
| Combo pricing | $30-$50/month | $35-$55/month |
| Consultation | Free (included) | Free (included) |
| Topical finasteride | Available | Available (more options) |
| Custom formulations | Limited | More options (sprays, combos) |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
| Subscription model | Quarterly or annual | Monthly, quarterly, or annual |
Medications Offered
Both platforms prescribe the same FDA-approved hair loss medications. Since the active ingredients are identical, the treatment itself is equally effective regardless of which platform you choose.
Finasteride (Propecia Generic)
- What it is: 1mg oral tablet taken daily; blocks DHT by ~70%
- Keeps: Generic finasteride tablets; $20-35/month depending on plan
- Hims: Generic finasteride tablets; $25-40/month depending on plan
- Quality: Both source from FDA-regulated pharmacies; identical medication
Minoxidil (Rogaine Generic)
- What it is: 5% topical solution or foam; stimulates hair growth
- Keeps: Topical 5% minoxidil solution; ~$10-15/month
- Hims: Topical 5% minoxidil solution or foam; ~$10-15/month
- Options: Hims offers slightly more formulation variety (spray, dropper, foam)
Combination and Custom Treatments
This is where Hims has an edge. Beyond standard oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, both platforms have expanded their offerings:
- Topical finasteride + minoxidil combo: Both now offer compounded topical solutions that combine finasteride and minoxidil in one application. Some men prefer this to avoid oral finasteride's systemic effects
- Hims additional options: Minoxidil spray, thickening shampoo with saw palmetto, biotin gummies, and various combination products
- Keeps additional options: Thickening shampoo and conditioner, supplement options
Important: The core treatments (oral finasteride + topical minoxidil) are the same. The add-on products like shampoos and supplements provide marginal benefit compared to the prescription medications. Don't let product variety distract from what actually works.
The Consultation Process
Keeps Consultation
- Format: Asynchronous (upload photos and fill out questionnaire)
- Review time: Typically 24-48 hours
- Provider: Licensed physician or nurse practitioner reviews your submission
- Follow-up: Message your provider through the platform anytime
- Cost: Free (included in subscription)
Hims Consultation
- Format: Asynchronous (photos + questionnaire); video option available
- Review time: Typically 24-48 hours; sometimes faster
- Provider: Licensed physician or nurse practitioner
- Follow-up: Message through platform; periodic check-ins
- Cost: Free (included in subscription)
Both consultations are very similar. You'll upload photos of your hair from multiple angles, fill out a medical history questionnaire, and a provider will review your case. Neither platform requires an in-person visit or video call for standard prescriptions, though both offer messaging with providers.
Detailed Pricing Breakdown
Pricing fluctuates with promotions, but here's a representative comparison:
| Treatment | Keeps (Monthly) | Hims (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Finasteride only | $20-$35 | $25-$40 |
| Minoxidil only | $10-$15 | $10-$15 |
| Finasteride + minoxidil | $30-$50 | $35-$55 |
| Topical fin/min combo | $40-$60 | $40-$65 |
| Hair supplement | $20-$30 | $20-$35 |
Savings Tips for Both Platforms
- Choose longer plans: 6-month and annual plans are significantly cheaper per month than monthly billing
- Look for first-order discounts: Both frequently offer 50-70% off the first month or quarter
- Consider generic finasteride locally: With a GoodRx coupon, generic finasteride at a local pharmacy can be $5-15/month
- Buy minoxidil separately: Kirkland (Costco) minoxidil is ~$4/month—much cheaper than either platform
Cost-optimization strategy: Use Keeps or Hims for the telehealth consultation and finasteride prescription, but buy generic minoxidil separately from Costco or Walmart. This gives you the convenience of online prescribing with the savings of bulk generic minoxidil.
User Experience Comparison
Website and App
- Keeps: Clean, straightforward website. More focused on hair loss with less noise from other product categories. Mobile-friendly but the app experience is simpler
- Hims: Polished, modern website and app. More products to browse, which some find overwhelming for hair-only needs. Better app with photo tracking features
Shipping and Packaging
- Both: Free shipping in discreet packaging
- Keeps: Ships every 3 months (quarterly); reduces frequency of deliveries
- Hims: Monthly, quarterly, or custom shipping options; more flexibility
- Speed: Both typically deliver within 3-7 business days
Cancellation and Flexibility
- Keeps: Cancel anytime online; prepaid plans can be refunded for unused portions (varies by policy)
- Hims: Cancel anytime online; may need to cancel before next billing cycle
- Both: Easy to pause, skip shipments, or modify orders through the website
Should You Use Either? Alternatives to Consider
While Keeps and Hims are convenient, they're not your only options:
Local Doctor + Pharmacy
- Pros: Insurance may cover consultation; GoodRx makes generic finasteride very cheap ($5-15/month); personal relationship with provider
- Cons: Requires in-person visit; some doctors unfamiliar with hair loss treatment; less convenient for refills
- Best for: People who want insurance coverage or the cheapest possible option
Other Telehealth Platforms
- Ro (Roman): Similar to Hims with broader men's health offerings
- Lemonaid Health: Lower consultation fees; generic medications
- Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban): Extremely low medication prices; need your own prescription
DIY Approach
- Get prescription: From your primary care doctor or dermatologist
- Fill at Cost Plus Drugs or with GoodRx: Finasteride for $3-10/month
- Buy Kirkland minoxidil: $4/month from Costco
- Total: $7-14/month for both medications—the cheapest option
Who Should Choose Which Service?
Choose Keeps If:
- You only need hair loss treatment—not interested in other men's health products
- You want the most affordable standard finasteride subscription
- You prefer a focused, no-frills experience without upsells
- You're comfortable with quarterly shipping
- You want to keep things simple: finasteride, minoxidil, done
Choose Hims If:
- You want more product variety and combination options
- You're interested in topical finasteride or custom compounded formulations
- You might also use the platform for other health needs (ED, skincare, mental health)
- You want a more polished app experience with progress tracking
- You prefer flexible shipping schedules (monthly, quarterly, etc.)
The Bottom Line
- Same medications: Both Keeps and Hims prescribe identical FDA-approved finasteride and minoxidil
- Keeps is slightly cheaper: Especially for standard oral finasteride plans
- Hims has more options: More formulations, combo products, and a broader health platform
- Both are legitimate: Licensed telehealth services with real doctors prescribing real medications
- Convenience is the main value: You're paying for easy online access; the medications themselves can be found cheaper
- Neither is the cheapest option: A local doctor + GoodRx + Kirkland minoxidil costs significantly less
- Start early, be consistent: Regardless of platform, early treatment and daily consistency drive results
Here's the honest truth: the difference between Keeps and Hims is marginal. The medications are identical, the consultations are similar, and pricing is competitive. Your results depend on the treatment, not the platform. Pick whichever has a better current promotion, fits your budget, and feels more comfortable to use—then commit to consistent daily treatment for at least 6-12 months.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Finasteride is a prescription medication with potential side effects including sexual dysfunction (2-4% of users). Both Keeps and Hims connect you with licensed providers, but consult your own doctor if you have concerns about medication interactions, pre-existing conditions, or side effects.