Hims vs Keeps for Hair Loss: Which Platform Supports Better Treatment Tracking?
Hims and Keeps have collectively prescribed finasteride to over 2 million men, yet none of those men receive objective density tracking with their subscription. This comparison breaks down what each platform actually delivers, where they fall short, and how to fill the tracking gap.
What Hims and Keeps Actually Are
Both Hims and Keeps are telehealth platforms that connect you with a licensed physician for a virtual consultation, then ship prescription hair loss medications to your door. They are treatment delivery services, not treatment monitoring services.
This distinction matters because getting a prescription is only the first step. Knowing whether that prescription is working requires objective measurement over time.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Medications Offered
| Medication | Hims | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Finasteride 1mg (oral) | Yes | Yes |
| Minoxidil 5% (topical) | Yes | Yes |
| Minoxidil 2% (topical) | Yes | Limited |
| Topical finasteride | Yes (compounded) | Yes (compounded) |
| Finasteride + minoxidil combo | Yes (topical spray) | Yes (topical solution) |
| Dutasteride | No | No |
| Biotin supplements | Yes | Yes |
| Ketoconazole shampoo | Yes | Yes |
Both platforms offer the same core FDA-approved medications. The differences lie in formulations and combinations, not in the active ingredients themselves.
Pricing Comparison (2026)
| Product | Hims (Monthly) | Keeps (Monthly) |
|---|---|---|
| Finasteride 1mg (generic) | $22 to $30 | $18 to $25 |
| Minoxidil 5% solution | $15 to $22 | $12 to $20 |
| Topical finasteride + minoxidil combo | $45 to $55 | $40 to $50 |
| Full bundle (oral + topical + shampoo) | $60 to $80 | $50 to $70 |
Keeps generally prices 10 to 15% lower on comparable products. Hims offers more premium branded options at higher price points. Both offer discounts for quarterly and annual subscriptions.
Consultation Process
Hims:
- Photo upload and questionnaire
- Asynchronous physician review (typically within 24 hours)
- Follow-up messages available through the app
- No video consultation required for hair loss prescriptions
Keeps:
- Photo upload and questionnaire
- Asynchronous physician review (typically within 24 hours)
- Follow-up messages available
- Optional video consultation for complex cases
The consultation process is nearly identical. Both platforms use photos and a questionnaire rather than in-person examination. Neither platform uses AI density measurement as part of their assessment.
Product Range Beyond Hair
Hims: Expanded into sexual health (ED, PE), skincare, mental health, and weight management. The broader product line means your Hims account can serve as a one-stop telehealth platform.
Keeps: Focused primarily on hair loss. This narrower focus can mean more specialized expertise and resources dedicated to hair-specific formulations.
Subscription Model
Both platforms use auto-ship subscription models. Medications arrive monthly or quarterly depending on your plan.
| Feature | Hims | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | Yes | Yes |
| Quarterly (discounted) | Yes | Yes |
| Annual (most discounted) | Yes | Yes |
| Cancel anytime | Yes | Yes |
| Refund policy | Within 90 days for first shipment | Within 30 days |
| Pause option | Yes | Yes |
The Critical Gap Both Platforms Share
Neither Hims nor Keeps answers the most important question: is the treatment working?
Both platforms will:
- Prescribe your medication
- Ship it to your door
- Offer follow-up consultations if you request them
- Send refill reminders
Neither platform will:
- Measure your hair density objectively
- Track density changes over time
- Alert you if your treatment is not producing measurable results
- Provide data to support switching treatments or adjusting dosage
- Give you before/after measurements that a surgeon can use for transplant planning
This gap exists because both Hims and Keeps are built on prescription delivery, not treatment monitoring. They are optimized for the initial sale and ongoing subscription retention, not for measuring treatment outcomes.
Why Tracking Matters for Hims and Keeps Users
Finasteride works for 80 to 90% of men by halting further loss, and 65% experience some degree of regrowth. Minoxidil works for 40 to 60% of users. These are strong success rates, but they also mean:
- 10 to 20% of men on finasteride are paying monthly for a medication that is not helping them
- 40 to 60% of men using minoxidil alone are not seeing meaningful results
- Without objective measurement, non-responders may continue paying for 12+ months before recognizing treatment failure
The math is straightforward:
| Scenario | Monthly Cost | Months Before Subjective Recognition | Wasted Spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finasteride non-responder | $20 to $30 | 9 to 12 months | $180 to $360 |
| Minoxidil non-responder | $15 to $22 | 6 to 9 months | $90 to $198 |
| Combo non-responder | $45 to $55 | 9 to 12 months | $405 to $660 |
AI density tracking can identify non-response within 3 to 6 months, potentially saving half the wasted expenditure.
How to Add Tracking to Your Hims or Keeps Subscription
Regardless of which platform you choose for medication delivery, here is how to add objective tracking:
Step 1: Establish Your Baseline Before Starting Medication
Before your first dose, take density scans with myhairline.ai across these zones:
- Frontal hairline (left temple, center, right temple)
- Mid-scalp
- Crown/vertex
- Donor zone (occipital area, as a control)
This baseline is irreplaceable. Once you start medication, you can never go back and capture it.
Step 2: Scan Every 2 Weeks
Set a recurring reminder. Consistency matters more than frequency. Every 2 weeks with the same conditions (clean hair, same lighting, same camera angle) produces reliable trend data.
Step 3: Evaluate at Key Milestones
| Milestone | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Month 1 to 3 | Possible shed (normal on finasteride/minoxidil) |
| Month 3 to 6 | Density stabilization (shedding stops, decline slows) |
| Month 6 to 9 | Early improvement signs (density at or above baseline) |
| Month 9 to 12 | Clear treatment response (density trend positive or stable) |
| Month 12+ | Long-term maintenance (density holds or continues to improve) |
Step 4: Make Data-Driven Decisions
If your density data shows clear non-response after 6 to 9 months:
- Discuss switching medications with your Hims or Keeps physician
- Consider adding a second treatment (e.g., adding minoxidil to finasteride)
- Evaluate PRP therapy ($500 to $2,000 per session, 30 to 40% density increase)
- Begin transplant planning if appropriate (FUE: 7 to 10 day recovery, 90 to 95% graft survival)
Hims vs Keeps: The Verdict
Both platforms are competent medication delivery services. The differences between them are minor:
Choose Hims if:
- You want a broader telehealth platform for multiple health needs
- You prefer branded topical combination products
- You value the larger product ecosystem
Choose Keeps if:
- You want the lowest price on core hair loss medications
- You prefer a platform focused exclusively on hair
- You are budget-conscious and want straightforward options
Regardless of which you choose:
- Neither platform tracks whether your treatment is working
- Both deliver the same core medications (finasteride, minoxidil)
- The most important factor for your outcome is treatment response, which requires separate tracking
The Missing Layer
Hims and Keeps solve the access problem. Getting finasteride or minoxidil no longer requires an in-person dermatologist visit. That is a genuine improvement in convenience and cost.
But access without accountability is incomplete. You would not take blood pressure medication for a year without checking your blood pressure. Hair loss medication deserves the same standard of measurement.
AI density tracking is the monitoring layer that turns prescription delivery into data-driven treatment management. It works with whatever platform delivers your medication, whether that is Hims, Keeps, a local pharmacy, or any other source.
Start Tracking Your Treatment
If you are already on Hims or Keeps, you can add objective tracking today. If you are considering starting treatment, establish your baseline first.
Get your free density analysis at myhairline.ai/analyze and add the measurement layer that your treatment subscription is missing.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or an endorsement of any specific telehealth platform. Hims and Keeps are independent companies not affiliated with myhairline.ai. Finasteride and minoxidil are prescription and over-the-counter medications respectively, with potential side effects. Always consult a board-certified dermatologist or physician for personalized treatment recommendations.