ARTAS is not the only option for hair restoration, and for many patients, it is not the best one. Manual FUE, Sapphire FUE, DHI, NEOGRAFT, and FUT all deliver comparable or superior results depending on your hair type, budget, and the extent of your hair loss. This guide compares each alternative so you can make an informed choice.
Quick Comparison Table
| Method | Cost/Graft (US) | Cost/Graft (Turkey) | Max Grafts/Session | Graft Survival | Recovery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTAS | $6-10 | $3-5 (limited) | 3,000 | 90-95% | 7-10 days | Straight, dark hair; consistency |
| Manual FUE | $4-6 | $1-2 | 5,000 | 90-95% | 7-10 days | Most patients; best value |
| Sapphire FUE | $5-8 | $1.50-2.50 | 5,000 | 90-95% | 5-8 days | Faster healing; dense packing |
| DHI | $5-8 | $1.50-3 | 3,500 | 90-95% | 7-10 days | Dense areas; no-shave option |
| NEOGRAFT | $5-8 | N/A | 4,000 | 85-93% | 7-10 days | Semi-automated FUE |
| FUT | $3-5 | $0.80-1.50 | 4,000 | 90-95% | 10-14 days | Max grafts; lowest cost |
1. Manual FUE
Manual FUE is the most popular hair transplant method worldwide and the most direct alternative to ARTAS. A surgeon uses a handheld micro-punch (0.7-1.0mm) to extract individual follicular units from the donor area.
Advantages Over ARTAS
- Higher graft ceiling: Up to 5,000 grafts per session vs 3,000 for ARTAS
- Works on all hair types: No limitations with curly, fine, or light-colored hair
- Body hair extraction: Surgeons can harvest from beard, chest, and other body sites
- Lower cost: $4-6 per graft vs $6-10 for ARTAS in the US
- More surgeons available: Thousands of manual FUE surgeons vs fewer than 100 ARTAS clinics
Disadvantages Compared to ARTAS
- Surgeon fatigue can increase transection rates during long sessions (5-15% vs 3-7%)
- Less consistent extraction spacing without robotic mapping
- Results depend heavily on the individual surgeon's skill and stamina
Best Candidates for Manual FUE
Manual FUE suits most patients. It is particularly advantageous for those needing more than 3,000 grafts, those with curly or light hair, and patients who want access to a larger pool of experienced surgeons.
For a deep dive into FUE methodology, see our complete FUE guide.
2. Sapphire FUE
Sapphire FUE uses blades made from synthetic sapphire crystal instead of steel to create recipient site incisions. The extraction method is the same as standard manual FUE.
Advantages Over ARTAS
- Smaller incisions: Sapphire blades create finer, V-shaped channels that heal faster
- Denser packing: Smaller channels allow grafts to be placed closer together
- Faster healing: Reduced tissue trauma means less swelling and faster recovery (5-8 days)
- Lower cost: $5-8 per graft in the US, $1.50-2.50 in Turkey
- Widely available in Turkey: The most popular technique at Turkish clinics
Disadvantages Compared to ARTAS
- No AI-guided extraction mapping
- Still subject to surgeon fatigue during extraction
- Blade quality varies between clinics
Best Candidates for Sapphire FUE
Sapphire FUE is ideal for patients who want the fastest healing time, need dense packing in the hairline zone, or are considering treatment in Turkey where the technique is widely available and affordable.
3. DHI (Direct Hair Implantation)
DHI uses a Choi implanter pen to combine incision creation and graft placement into a single step. The surgeon loads a harvested graft into the pen, then inserts it directly into the scalp at the desired angle and depth.
Advantages Over ARTAS
- Denser placement: The Choi pen allows precise control over angle, depth, and direction of each graft
- No-shave option: DHI can be performed without shaving the recipient area
- Better for hairline refinement: The pen gives surgeons fine control in cosmetically sensitive zones
- Lower cost in Turkey: $1.50-3 per graft vs limited and expensive ARTAS options
Disadvantages Compared to ARTAS
- Maximum 3,500 grafts per session (slightly more than ARTAS but less than manual FUE)
- Technically demanding; requires a highly skilled surgeon
- Longer procedure time per graft
Best Candidates for DHI
DHI is best for patients who prioritize hairline density, want to avoid shaving the recipient area, or are considering a hybrid approach with ARTAS extraction paired with DHI placement.
4. NEOGRAFT
NEOGRAFT is a semi-automated pneumatic FUE system. It uses suction to assist with graft extraction and reduce manual effort, but the surgeon retains direct control over punch placement and angle.
Advantages Over ARTAS
- More surgeon control: The operator guides extraction manually while the device assists with suction and collection
- Works on more hair types: No AI vision limitations with curly or light hair
- More widely available: More US clinics offer NEOGRAFT than ARTAS
- Lower cost: $5-8 per graft vs $6-10 for ARTAS
Disadvantages Compared to ARTAS
- Less precise extraction mapping than ARTAS AI system
- Graft survival rates slightly lower in published data (85-93% vs 90-95%)
- More dependent on operator skill for consistency
Best Candidates for NEOGRAFT
NEOGRAFT suits patients who want some automation benefits without the full ARTAS premium. It works well for patients with curly or fine hair who are not ideal ARTAS candidates but still want technology-assisted extraction.
5. FUT (Strip Method)
FUT removes a strip of skin from the donor area, and individual follicular units are dissected under microscopes. It is the oldest modern hair transplant technique and remains relevant for specific cases.
Advantages Over ARTAS
- Highest graft yield per session: Up to 4,000 grafts from a single strip
- Lowest cost: $3-5 per graft in the US, under $1.50 in Turkey
- No donor area shaving required: The strip is removed beneath existing hair
- Microscopic dissection: Grafts are prepared under magnification, potentially improving quality
Disadvantages Compared to ARTAS
- Linear scar in the donor area (requires hair length of at least 1-2cm to conceal)
- Longer recovery time (10-14 days vs 7-10)
- More post-operative discomfort
- Cannot wear very short hairstyles without scar visibility
Best Candidates for FUT
FUT is best for patients at Norwood 5-7 who need maximum grafts in a single session, patients on a tight budget, or those who always wear their hair long enough to cover the donor scar.
For a detailed FUE vs FUT analysis, see our FUE vs FUT comparison.
How to Decide
The right method depends on your specific situation:
- Budget is the priority: Manual FUE or FUT
- Fastest healing: Sapphire FUE
- Maximum density in hairline: DHI
- Most consistent extraction: ARTAS
- Largest single-session graft count: Manual FUE or FUT
- Curly, fine, or light hair: Manual FUE, Sapphire FUE, or DHI
- Want to avoid a linear scar: Any FUE method (including ARTAS)
Get Your Method Recommendation
Not sure which technique is right for your hair loss pattern and goals? Upload a photo at myhairline.ai for an AI-powered assessment of your Norwood stage and personalized method recommendations.
FAQ
What is the best alternative to ARTAS robotic hair transplant?
Manual FUE is the most direct alternative to ARTAS. It uses the same extraction technique (individual follicular unit harvesting with a 0.7-1.0mm punch) but is performed by a surgeon rather than a robot. Manual FUE costs $4-6 per graft in the US vs $6-10 for ARTAS, can handle up to 5,000 grafts per session, and works on all hair types including curly and light-colored hair.
Is DHI better than ARTAS?
DHI and ARTAS address different parts of the hair transplant process. ARTAS automates extraction while DHI (using a Choi implanter pen) improves placement by combining incision and implantation into one step. Some clinics combine both: ARTAS for extraction and DHI for placement. DHI handles up to 3,500 grafts per session with 90-95% survival at $5-8 per graft in the US.
Should I choose NEOGRAFT or ARTAS?
NEOGRAFT is a semi-automated pneumatic FUE device that costs $5-8 per graft, while ARTAS is a fully robotic AI-guided system at $6-10 per graft. NEOGRAFT gives the surgeon more manual control and works on more hair types. ARTAS offers more consistent extraction through AI guidance. Both require a skilled surgeon for optimal results. NEOGRAFT is more widely available in US clinics.