Disclosure: This guide is published by August (meetaugust.ai). August runs a free AI symptom checker and a flat-fee online urgent care service for general health issues; it does not provide ED, hair-loss, or weight-loss subscriptions and is not ranked among the men's health services below. We compare the real platforms on their own merits. No company paid for placement. Verify pricing on each provider's site before signing up.
Hims is the biggest name in men's telehealth, but it is rarely the cheapest, and its prices can climb once you add bundles and renewals. That is why men go looking for a Hims alternative: for the same finasteride, ED medication, or mental-health prescription at a lower price or with fewer strings. The right replacement depends on what you treat with Hims, whether that is hair loss, ED, weight, or mental health. This guide compares six strong alternatives to Hims and matches each to a specific need.
Why people switch from Hims
The main reason is price. For equivalent treatments, Hims is often the most expensive major option, and the headline "from $20 a month" rates usually apply only to the cheapest single medication on the longest commitment. Most subscribers pay more once products bundle and renew. Two other reasons come up: Hims does not bill insurance for the consultation, and its mental-health offering is medication only, with no therapy. None of this makes Hims a bad service. It just means a different platform may cost less or fit better. See our Hims review for the full breakdown.
A note on GLP-1 weight-loss claims
Some services here offer compounded GLP-1 weight-loss medication. Following FTC and LegitScript guidance: compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not FDA-approved and are not equivalent to brand-name Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, and the FDA has warned telehealth companies over marketing that calls compounded drugs the "same as" branded versions. Before choosing, check that a provider names its compounding pharmacy, holds LegitScript certification, and is clear about total monthly cost.
How we compared these Hims alternatives
We weighed cost and fee structure, whether the service takes insurance, treatment range, and flexibility. Prices come from public pages and recent 2026 reviews and change often, so verify before signing up.
The 6 best Hims alternatives in 2026
1. Ro: best broad men's health alternative
Ro (formerly Roman) is the closest apps-like-Hims competitor, covering ED, hair loss, testosterone, and weight loss. Its oral finasteride starts around $20 a month and minoxidil around $16, competitive with Hims, and it adds structured coaching in its Ro Body weight-loss program. The trade-off is that Ro Body charges a $145 monthly program fee on top of medication. For men who want breadth plus coaching, it is the natural switch. See our Ro review.
Best for: a broad men's platform with weight-loss coaching.
2. Keeps: best for hair loss on a budget
If hair loss is your main Hims use, Keeps is focused and cheaper. Oral finasteride starts around $20 to $25 a month, and a finasteride-plus-minoxidil kit runs roughly $30 to $40, usually undercutting Hims's bundled hair kit, with a free consultation. Its narrow focus makes for a simple, lower-cost hair-loss experience.
Best for: the lowest price on finasteride and minoxidil.
3. BlueChew: best for ED convenience
BlueChew specializes in chewable ED medication, sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, on a simple subscription. The chewable format and single focus appeal to men who want discreet, convenient ED treatment without a broader platform or pill-swallowing. It does one thing and does it well.
Best for: convenient, chewable ED treatment.
4. Sesame: best transparent cash-pay value
Sesame is a cash-pay marketplace with upfront prices and no subscription. It handles ED and general visits from about $29, and for weight loss it offers lower cash prices on GLP-1s without markups, plus insurance prior-authorization help that most DTC platforms skip. For men who dislike subscriptions and bundles, it is the best value pick. See our Sesame Care review.
Best for: transparent cash pricing with no subscription.
5. Brightside Health: best for mental health with therapy
Hims mental health is medication only. Brightside Health offers both therapy and psychiatric medication management, accepts many insurance plans, and is built specifically for anxiety and depression. If your reason for leaving Hims is that you want real therapy alongside any prescription, Brightside is the stronger and often better-covered choice.
Best for: combined therapy and medication for mental health.
6. Henry Meds: best for affordable GLP-1
If you use Hims for weight loss, Henry Meds offers compounded GLP-1 medication at flat monthly pricing that often beats program-fee models. The flat rate keeps budgeting simple. Apply the GLP-1 cautions above, since compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and confirm the pharmacy and pricing. See our Henry Meds review.
Best for: lower-cost, flat-rate GLP-1 programs.
Hims alternatives compared
| Service | Model | Best use | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ro | Subscription | Broad men's health | Coaching, $145 program fee for weight loss |
| Keeps | Subscription | Hair loss | Cheapest fin + min |
| BlueChew | Subscription | ED | Chewable tablets |
| Sesame | Cash marketplace | Value, GLP-1 | No markup, prior-auth help |
| Brightside Health | Insurance/cash | Mental health | Therapy + medication |
| Henry Meds | Subscription | GLP-1 | Flat-rate compounded |
Prices reflect 2026 public info and change often. Verify on each provider's site.
How to choose the right alternative to Hims
Start with what you treat. For a broad platform, Ro fits. For cheap hair loss, Keeps wins. For ED only, BlueChew is simplest. For transparent cash pricing, Sesame leads. For mental health with therapy, Brightside is best. For affordable GLP-1, compare Henry Meds. With any GLP-1 service, run the FDA and LegitScript checks above first.
If a general, non-lifestyle issue comes up alongside your men's health care, like a sinus infection or a UTI, August's flat-fee online urgent care and free AI symptom checker can handle everyday concerns at $39 with no insurance, though it does not provide ED, hair-loss, or weight-loss subscriptions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Hims alternative in 2026?
It depends on what you use Hims for. For a broad men's platform, Ro is closest. For budget hair loss, Keeps leads. For ED, BlueChew is simplest. For mental health with therapy, Brightside Health wins. Match the alternative to your specific treatment rather than expecting one winner for everyone.
Are there cheaper alternatives to Hims?
Yes. For equivalent treatments, Hims is often the priciest major option. Keeps and Ro typically beat it on finasteride and minoxidil, Sesame offers transparent cash visits from about $29, and filling generic finasteride at a pharmacy with a discount card can be cheaper still if you already have a prescription.
Which Hims alternative is best for mental health?
Brightside Health, because it offers therapy plus medication management and accepts many insurance plans, while Hims mental health is medication only. For combined counseling and prescriptions, a dedicated mental-health platform usually provides better care and better coverage than a generalist men's health service.
Do any Hims alternatives take insurance?
Yes. Brightside Health accepts many plans for mental health, and Sesame can help with GLP-1 insurance prior authorization. Most men's lifestyle platforms, including Ro, Keeps, and BlueChew, are cash-pay and do not bill insurance for the consultation. If coverage matters, start with the insurance-friendly options.
Is Ro or Hims better for men's health?
Both are legitimate and overlap heavily. Hims often has a slightly broader menu, while Ro adds structured coaching in weight loss. On price, the two trade blows by category, so compare the specific treatment you need rather than the brand overall, and check current prices since both change often.
Can I avoid a subscription with these services?
Yes. Sesame uses a cash-pay model with no mandatory subscription, which is the main draw for men leaving Hims's recurring plans. The other lifestyle platforms here are subscription-based, so review cancellation terms before signing up to avoid an unwanted renewal. For a one-off general visit, August's online urgent care charges a flat $39 with no membership.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Prices, coverage, and availability change, so verify with each provider. Prescriptions require a licensed clinician's review, and not every treatment suits every person. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are not equivalent to branded drugs. Always discuss benefits and risks with a qualified clinician. For a medical emergency, call 911.
