Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Kim Langdon M.D.
TL;DR: Are Hims, Roman and Keeps Legit?
First of all, yes, all three of these telemedicine providers offer legit medicine. Which is best for you will depend on what you are trying to accomplish. We’ll dig into the details below, but cutting to the chase, here are our picks for best hair loss provider (and best ED service, which many people may be interested in if they are comparing Hims vs Roman):
Best Hair Loss Bundle for Beginners
Hims offers an amazing Prescription Hair Power Pack to help you tackle thinning from multiple angles. It includes oral finasteride, topical minoxidil, biotin gummies, and a thickening shampoo all for less than $50 per month.
It’s our top choice for those who are brand new to hair loss treatment and unsure where to start. For guys who want to avoid Rx meds, they also offer a Non-prescription hair kit. Keep reading to learn how each of these hair loss meds works to help keep hair on your head.
Best Overall Value for Hair Loss
In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with any of these three players, but right now your best bet is Keeps – mainly driven by their generous introductory offer of 50% off your first three months.
That’s enough time to see if it works for you. Their finasteride and minoxidil have helped me keep my hair, but check out these Keeps before and after photos to see the results it’s driven for others, too.
As a happy and long-term customer myself, I can vouch for both the results (thicker hair) and convenience (low-cost meds delivered discreetly) that Keeps not only promises, but delivers. Give it a shot and claim your discount today.
Best for ED & Sexual Health
Of the three, Roman is our #1 pick for sexual health, but not hair loss. While their hair loss medications are legit and clinically proven, they don’t offer topical finasteride, our preferred method of application.
Ro stands out more in the sexual performance category with a wide range of options — Rx and over the counter — for:
Hims vs Roman vs Keeps: Which is Best for Hair Loss?
After a brief online consultation with a licensed doctor, Hims, Roman, and Keeps will recommend a personal hair loss treatment plan. All three generally offer the same remedies to be taken daily:
- Finasteride — 1mg pills ingested orally or topical solution, cream, or gel applied to scalp to stop hereditary balding.
- Minoxidil — the generic version of Rogaine, typically applied topically to the scalp to fight alopecia.
- Biotin — a chewable gummy vitamin that guards against any diet deficiencies that may be at the root of your thinning.
Here’s a quick price comparison and more details on how each of these three common treatments works to stem hair loss:
Hims vs Roman vs Keeps: Which is Best for Hair Loss? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Online Doctor's Visit? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Finasteride Price (Oral 1mg generic Propecia®) | $26 per month | $20 per month (50% off your first order) | $20 per month ($40 off your first order) |
| 5% Minoxidil Price (Topical 2 fl oz bottle) | $15 per month | $7-10 per month (Liquid solution OR aerosol foam) | $16 per month (Liquid solution) |
| Bundled Price (Topical Minoxidil + Oral Finasteride) | $44 per month (includes biotin gummies + thickening shampoo) | $35 per month | $35 per month |
| 2-in-1 Price (Topical Finasteride + Minoxidil) | ✅ Spray ($50 per month) | ✅ Gel ($40 per month) | ❌ |
| Biotin Gummies (Vitamin B7) | $16 per month | ❌ | ❌ |
| Refund Policy | 90 day money back guarantee | ❌ | ❌ |
| Website |
How Does Finasteride Work to Stop Hair Loss
Finasteride works by blocking DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone derived from testosterone that is known to shrink hair follicles and cause male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
While some patients have reported experiencing partial regrowth for a brief period immediately after starting treatment, finasteride is generally intended to maintain one’s current head of hair, not promote regrowth after it’s already fallen out.
Hair follicles begin shrinking again the minute you stop taking finasteride, which is why patients often report hair loss immediately after pausing treatment. The key takeaway is that while you’re likely to see results from diligent application, continued use of finasteride is required to maintain your results. Since you have to take it likely indefinitely, the choice of who to buy it from — Hims, Keeps, or Roman — is that much more important.
Do studies show that Finasteride is effective?
In one clinical study from 1998 involving ~1500 balding men over two years, 1 mg/d of finasteride slowed the progression of hair loss and increased hair growth in the balding vertex (i.e. the crown area most commonly associated with male pattern hair loss). Meanwhile, the control group experienced progressive hair loss. Efficacy was evaluated by scalp hair counts, patient and investigator assessments, and review of photographs by an expert panel.
A similar study from 1999 demonstrated an equally significant increase in the hair count in the frontal scalp of finasteride-treated patients (i.e. the hair line neat the forehead region, not just below the crown).
How Minoxidil works for hair loss prevention
Do studies show that Minoxidil is effective?
My personal experience with Hims, Roman, and Keeps.
As a guy who started noticing my thinning scalp at age 16, I’ve (unfortunately) had lots of experience with various hair loss treatments. In fact, I’ve tried all three brands personally — Hims, Roman, and Keeps — and can attest that each offers quality medications that worked for me, as they do for most men.
I initially started my hair loss journey with simple topical minoxidil (Rogaine, then hims, then Keep’s foam option) before graduating to an oral Finasteride prescription (Roman, then Keeps). I noticed more results using finasteride than just minoxidil, and my best regrowth resulted from using both active ingredients in combination.
Wary of potential long-term side effects like ED and low sex drive, I recently switch from oral finasteride pills to the topical version (that doesn’t enter your blood stream). Even though it’s a bit more expensive, I’ve been using a 2-in-1 topical finasteride + minoxidil (i.e. “finoxidil”) ever since because I only have to apply it once to get healthy doses of both.
Compare Hims vs Keeps Finoxidil →
Unboxing hair loss meds: How discreet is it?
We 100% get not want to scream out to your neighbors that you’re using anti-balding meds… so what does it look like to get a package from Hims, Ro, or Keeps? And what does the medicine inside look like, does it seem legit?
Hims, Keeps, and Ro have thought a lot about the appearance of their deliveries, and luckily all three send medicines in discreet packages. We created a few “unboxing videos” of both Hims and Keep’s products so you can see for yourself. The basic gist is that they are well branded – so they’ve got that quality feel that you want when you are taking a medicine. Plus, they are packaged in a way that they shouldn’t get damaged or tip anyone off.
The Verdict - Which is Best for your Hims, Roman, or Keeps?
Source: Reddit
Parting thoughts from a life-long finasteride user
While the idea of scrambling to secure every last fiber to one’s scalp may seem funny, I assure you hair loss is no laughing matter to most grown men. With two-thirds of American males experiencing “appreciable hair loss” by age 35, and 85% noticing full-blown “thinning” by age 50, it’s an extremely pervasive source of insecurity and stress.
As a result, Hims, Keeps, and Roman are vying for their share of a massive market. While there seems to be consensus that finasteride and minoxidil work as their hair loss prevention supplements, just know that – unfortunately – these treatments don’t help regrow hair if you’re already bald. (Sorry bro.)
They also both stop working the moment you pause treatment, so if you’re unable to follow a strict daily routine, you are unlikely to see results. In the case of minoxidil, you likely won’t notice results for the first 6 months of diligent application. There have been cases of adverse sexual effects linked to steady finasteride use, but they typically occur in 2-3% of users, and no causal relationship has been established. In the clinical study reviews that we’ve seen, the typical side effect ranges falls within or below the 2-3% number we just mentioned, and those plummet for users of non-oral finasteride.
These are some basic facts to help you adjust your expectations. I hope this post helps you compare roman vs hims vs keeps and determine which provider is best for you! To help you further decide if they offer solutions that could work for you, you might just have to give each a shot like I did 🤷 There’s always the option to embrace your baldness, shave your head, and call it a day. But as someone whose successfully fended off hair loss from an early age, that sounds like quitting too early.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Keeps vs Hims - Which is better?
We’ve been asked a lot about the differences between two of the major online hair loss providers, Keeps and Hims. Since we’ve reviewed (and personally tried) both, we’ll lay out the difference between these two major players. You can see the Keeps and Hims unboxing videos above, but the primary differences that you’ll find between the two companies are:
- Focus on Hair vs the entire body – By far the biggest difference between Hims and Keeps is that Keeps ONLY does hair loss, whereas Hims offers ED treatment, primary care, dermatology, and therapy, among other online treatments.
- Price – Hims is $44 per month for the “complete hair kit“, which includes finasteride + minoxidil + biotin gummies + thickening shampoo. If you want to get fin and liquid minoxidil from Keeps, it’s only $35 per month. Depending on how tight your pocketbook is, and what you’re looking for, Keeps can help you squirrel away a healthy savings over time.
- Biotin and other supplements – Hims has supplements beyond the FDA approved drugs: biotin gummies (which are yummy!) and a special shampoo. If you review the medical research, neither has the same level of scientific backing as the FDA approved meds, but you can only get them from Hims.
- Types of minoxidil available – This is kind of a big deal if you prefer a topical FOAM aerosol to apply your minoxidil instead of a liquid dropper. Only Keeps offers foaming minoxidil, while you can get the same concentration (5%) topical solution at either Hims or Keeps.
- Topical Finasteride – Hims and Keeps now offer 2-in-1 Topical Finasteride, which is a less-risky, non-pill way to treat your scalp directly without any chemicals getting into your blood stream. Keeps recently launched their own topical fin in gel format. If you prefer a spray, consider Hims. Long story short: if a gel that you rub in sounds just as good, go with Keeps.
So, which do we ultimately recommend, since both Him and Keeps are pretty legit? Hims is better for guys who are new to hair loss and don’t know where to start. Their complete hair kit offers a smorgasbord of treatments at a reasonable cost and can help you learn what works for you, and their 90 day money back guarantee allows you to experiment risk-free.
Keeps is better for guys looking to save in the long-run. After all, hair loss prevention is a marathon, not a sprint. Once you find a regimen that works, Keeps can likely help you save.
Keeps vs Roman - Which is better?
Keeps is focused on keeping men from going bald, with online doctor’s visits and FDA approved medicines. Their 1st doctor’s visit is free, and a Finasteride and Minoxidil bundle is pretty affordable. Keeps also has a foam Minoxidil, which is a big differentiator vs Roman, which only offers liquid droplet form, as well as a topical finasteride in a gel form, which Ro does not.
Roman offers a variety of doctor consultations and treatment options for men beyond just male pattern hair loss, including problems in the bedroom. Roman’s first online doctor’s visit is free, as is the first month of treatment. Fin and Minoxidil together are $96, or just $36 a month ($24 a month for the 1st three months, with the introductory offer). Both companies offer 3 month subscriptions. Thus Roman offers quality hair loss meds, but is more expensive than Keeps given a more generous discount.
Roman vs Hims - Which is better?
Roman or Hims – pretty tough comparison; they both provide online doctor visits for a variety of medical conditions affecting men. When comparing Hims vs Roman, one of the biggest differences is the variety of conditions they treat. Hims has evolved to offer a number of Primary Care services, while Roman has stayed more focused on ED and hair loss.
Conditions Treated Costs – Hims vs Roman | ||
| Sexual Health Conditions Treated | Erectile dysfunction Premature ejaculation Testosterone support Cold sores & herpes | Erectile dysfunction Premature ejaculation Testosterone support Cold sores & herpes |
| Dermatological/Skin Conditions Treated | Hair Loss Acne Anti-aging Dark spots Eczema Hives Bug bites | Hair Loss Acne Anti-aging Dark spots Eczema Dandruff Hyperhidrosis |
| Mental Health Conditions Treated | Anxiety Depression Individual support Group therapy | ❌ |
| Other Conditions | Primary Care – $39 per visit Bronchitis Sore throat Hives Allergies Pink eye Ear infection Toenail fungus Migraines | Allergies Weight loss |
| Supplements Available | Collagen protein Immunity Sleep Biotin | Heart Health Bone Health Prostate Health |
| Online consultation cost | Varies | Free |
| Subscription Frequency | Generally monthly | Usually quarterly |
| Website |
For men going bald, Roman’s hair loss offering has a zero cost (free!) doctor’s visit, and can prescribe FDA approved Finasteride, as well as FDA approved Minoxidil – together $96, or just $35 a month.
For just $7 more per month, Hims offers a more robust bundle that includes biotin gummies and DHT blocking shampoo (in addition to Fin and Minoxidil). Thus if you’re brand new to hair loss, I’d choose hims. But if you want to save on finasteride, Roman is better. If you only want minoxidil, roman and hims cost the same. If you want topical finasteride, Hims is best. Their 2-in-1 topical combines finasteride and minoxidil in an easy-to-apply spray, offering a lower-side-effect-risk option NOT yet offered by Ro.
Which is better for ED, Hims or Roman?
Hims and Roman are both well known for their erectile dysfunction treatment options. The main drug they offer is basically generic Viagra – a medicine called Sildenafil.
We’ve tried both (no, not the same time!) It was simple and easy to get a prescription from both telemedicine companies after completing a quick online questionnaire. The medicine arrived quickly and in discreet packaging.
We slightly preferred Roman, as the ED pills came in tiny little pouches that would be easy to carry around (if we were cool enough to go out, this would be helpful!)
We got generic Sildenafil from both Roman and Hims so that we could compare the two head to head… but to be honest, we didn’t notice a difference! Each did it’s job. And while Sildenafil has a long list of possible side effects, the only one we felt is that we got a little congested about an hour after taking the medicines.
Other possible side effects that the providers mention include facial flushing (red face), headaches, stomach pain, nausea and dizziness. You can get a full run down on the ED meds in our review of Roman vs Viagra. Or go straight to Roman, as we like their pricing and packaging best:
What are the potential side effects of finasteride?
1. Loss of Libido and Sexual Dysfunction
2. Breast Cancer
3. Other Potential Side Effects
What are the potential side effects of minoxidil?
What's inside Hims hair loss meds?
The active ingredients in Hims’ two FDA approved medicines are Finasteride and Minoxidil. The Biotin gummies contain, well, Biotin, and the shampoo has a variety of DHT blocking ingredients like Salicylic Acid.
Breaking it down further, hims shampoo’s ingredients contain:
Purified Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Trideceth Sulfate, Methyl Paraben, Sodium Benzoate, Glycerin, Salicylic Acid, Stimulating Growth Complex (Cocoamide MEA, Lavender Oil, Peppermint Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Citric Acid, Nettle Extract, Hops Extract, Grapefruit Extract, Biotin, Folic Acid, Yeast Brewer’s Extract, Yeast Extract, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, Rosemary Oil, Cedarwood Oil), Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Polyquaternium-7, Phenoxyethanol, Water & Saccharomyces / Zinc Ferment & Saccharomyces / Copper Ferment & Saccharomyces / Magnesium Ferment & Saccharomyces/Iron Ferment & Saccharomyces / Silicon Ferment, & Blue #1
Is 4Hims the same company as hims?
Yes – if you hear 4Hims radio ads for ED or anti-balding medicine, 4Hims is the company we talk about in this review. The confusion in the name is likely because their website is forhims(dot)com, which sounds like “4 hims” in a radio advertisement. Hims, forhims, 4hims…all the same from our perspective.
Does Keeps Work for hair loss?
Clinical trials show that the generic, FDA-approved medicines Keeps uses are legit and do really work for the majority of otherwise healthy men experiencing a receding hairline, diffuse thinning caused by male pattern baldness.
Finasteride and Minoxidil are well researched, FDA approved hair loss medicines that work for the majority of men when taken as instructed by a doctor; in fact, studies have shown that if used together in the dosage recommended by Keeps, 94% of men see results.
After testing the company’s finasteride + minoxidil products myself and seeing its results on my own head, I strongly believe that they are a solid and trustworthy hair loss treatment provider with products that really work. Thousands of happy customer testimonials on the web echo my lived experience as well.
Get 50% off Keeps →
How do you get hair loss refills from Hims, Roman or Keeps?
It’s actually surprisingly easy to get a refill for your Finasteride prescription from Hims, Roman or Keeps. The cost for a refill prescription is zero; it’s included in your subscription cost. And these companies are going to reach out to you to let you know that your it’s time for an online follow up doctor’s appointment to get a refill.
For example, Hims and Roman email and text to remind you that it’s time for a telemedicine doctor’s exam, which can usually be completed in a simple online questionnaire for most men.
Is Keeps Legit?
No review of Keeps is complete without mentioning that they are the only online hair loss player to offer both foam and regular liquid Minoxidil. So if you like the foam option, they are a great choice. Keeps is for men, not women, and their medicines have been shown to work for the majority of men losing their hair. And unlike Hims and Roman, they are 100% focused on combating male pattern baldness – no ED meds or anti-depression meds offered as well. So if you are trying to decide between Hims or Keeps, the foaming Minoxidil may be a good reason to look at the latter.
Another key difference is Keep’s new topical finasteride GEL. No other hair loss provider that we know of offers it in this format (Hims comes as a spray).
Our experience using Keeps was seamless, and that seems to be what we read in most Keeps reviews online as well. You can read our full Keeps Review to see how it’s worked for us. Click below to get 50% off for your first order — an exclusive discount we’ve negotiated for Fin vs Fin readers:
Is Ro legit for Hair Loss?
The medicines that Roman prescribes to fight male pattern baldness are legit and have been shown to stop or even reverse hair loss around 90% of men. And that’s vs a placebo, so using the best form of clinical trials available to modern medicine. They are FDA approved, and the company’s telemedicine specialists will help you determine if prescription hair loss meds are right for you. Read our full Roman review for even more details, but rest assured that Ro is one of the most popular hair loss treatment providers in the US.
For seasoned finasteride or minoxidil users looking for convenience at an affordable price, Roman offers a more cost-effective option than other legit competitors like hims. They take customer discretion seriously, and help maintain your privacy by sending meds in nondescript envelopes. Plus they offer steep discounts for buying in bulk. We recommend Ro for guys looking for inexpensive finasteride online.
Is Hims Legit for hair loss?
Hims (NYSE: HIMS) is one of the most popular mens health clinics online, helping thousands of balding men every day. They offer FDA-approved meds (prescription and over the counter) that clinical trials have shown work to prevent hair loss for over 90% of men. The company’s online reviews are mostly positive, and our own personal experience using Hims hair loss products has been extremely positive as well.
If you’ve just started to notice your hair thinning and don’t know where to start, Hims is an ideal place to start. With beautiful branding, a great user experience, and full cabinet of treatments available in topical, chewable, and swallowable forms, they offer the perfect way to ease into hair loss treatment.
Hims is for men, although their “sister” brand Hers offers treatments for women. Read our full Hims review, or click below to explore him’
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