Medically reviewed by: 
Minoxidil is the generic form of Rogaine, a branded, topical hair loss treatment that can be found online and in your local drug and grocery stores. While Rogaine may be more accessible, generic minoxidil is often more affordable and can be purchased via several different providers, including Keeps, Hims, and Kirkland.
Rogaine and minoxidil may contain the same active ingredient, however, they can differ in terms of price point, inactive ingredients, strengths, availability, and more.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Rogaine and minoxidil, including the services that provide them. In addition, we spoke with Dr. Jonathan Rick, a board-certified dermatologist, about the similarities and differences between Rogaine and generic minoxidil from various providers.
Comparison Chart: Are All Minoxidil Products the Same?
Here’s an at-a-glance comparison of the minoxidil providers we’ll be covering in this article–namely Rogaine, Hims, Keeps, and Kirkland.
Rogaine vs. Minoxidil | Rogaine | Hims | Keeps | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How to purchase | Amazon Brand's website In-person pharmacies | Brand's website | Brand's website | Brand's website Amazon In-person pharmacies |
| Brand or generic | Brand | Generic | Generic | Generic store brand |
| Price | Starting at $32.99/month | Starting at $15/month | Starting at $7.33/month | About $31 for 6/months supply (about $5.17/month) |
| Form | Solution and foam | Solution and foam | Solution and foam | Solution and foam |
| Minoxidil concentration | 5% for men 2% and 5% for women | 5% for men 2%, 5%, and 7% for women | 5% | 5% |
| Combines minoxidil with other hair loss meds? | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Propylene glycol free option? | ✅ | 🟡 Only in men's version | ✅ | ✅ |
| Prescription required? | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| FDA-approved | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free at-home shipping? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Website |
Rogaine vs. Hims
Hoping to save yourself a trip to the store? Hims is one of many online providers that’ll ship minoxidil straight to your door, no pharmacy visit required. It’s also cheaper than brand-name Rogaine at about $15 per month. On the other hand, if you prefer to pick something up while you’re already shopping for other necessities, you should know that unlike Rogaine, you won’t find Hims treatments on the shelf.
Related reading: Hims vs. Rogaine: What’s the Best Topical Treatment for Hair Loss?
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
Topical minoxidil is a cost-effective treatment for several types of hair loss. This was initially sold as Rogaine, but there are several generic alternatives on the market now. There is a wealth of data and experience showing that this is an effective product, especially for androgenic alopecia. Services such as Hims offer minoxidil, but can also prescribe other products aimed to slow hair loss, namely topical or oral finasteride. For individuals wanting to approach hair loss from several directions, Hims allows quick access to prescription medication and full treatment plans.”
Rogaine vs. Keeps
Another convenient online provider, Keeps, ships minoxidil to your door for a fraction of the price of the brand-name stuff. You can even get topical treatment that combines minoxidil with other clinically-proven hair loss meds. But, keep in mind that that’s the only way to strengthen your Keeps regimen. Unlike Rogaine, Keeps only offers one concentration, a standard 5%.
Related reading: Rogaine vs. Keeps: Comparing Hair Loss Prevention Treatments for Men
Rogaine vs. Kirkland Minoxidil
Love the convenience of in-store shopping but not the brand-name pricing? Kirkland may be the one for you. At just over $5 per month, Kirkland’s minoxidil is the cheapest of these providers, and certainly the lowest price you’ll find at a brick and mortar store. However, that price point comes at the cost of customization, as you won’t be able to choose the strength of Kirkland’s minoxidil, nor do they combine it with other hair loss meds.
Is Kirkland minoxidil the same as Rogaine?
Rogaine and Kirkland’s treatment share the same active ingredient, minoxidil. That means that unless you’re sensitive to one of their inactive ingredients, you’re likely to see similar results with either treatment.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
Kirkland minoxidil is fantastic and one of my key recommendations. It has the same scientifically proven active ingredient as Rogaine and is very affordable. It needs to be applied twice a day. In general, this is probably the most cost-effective treatment for androgenic alopecia.”
Related reading: Kirkland Minoxidil Review: Is It Legit for Hair Loss?
What’s The Difference Between Rogaine and Minoxidil?
Because minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine, they work the same way and are highly likely to produce similar results. But, that doesn’t mean there’s no distinguishing between the two. They’re available in different locations, for different prices, and at different strengths.
Learn more about generic minoxidil and Rogaine from Dr. Jonathan Rick.
Pros and Cons of Rogaine
Pros
- Plenty of purchasing options, including in-person and online
- Multiple concentrations available from 2%-5%
Cons
- More expensive than generic counterparts, which may be just as effective
- Doesn’t contain any additional hair loss medications, which may not be ideal for some individuals
Pros and Cons of Generic Minoxidil
Pros
- More affordable than brand-name treatment and just as likely to be effective
- Highly customizable in terms of different strengths and multiple medication formulations
Cons
- Tougher to find at most in-person stores and pharmacies
- Subscription sign-up can be a requirement for purchase
Is Generic Minoxidil as Effective as Rogaine?
Because they contain the same active ingredients, generic minoxidil is just as likely to work for you as Rogaine, assuming you’re not sensitive to any of the inactive ingredients.
Pricing
This one couldn’t be clearer–generic minoxidil is almost always cheaper than Rogaine, which is why so many online providers offer it.
Dosages Offered
Rogaine comes in a few standard strengths: 5% for assigned females and assigned males (the recommended dose for male pattern hair loss), and an additional 2% option for assigned females.
You can get a customized dose of up to 7% with generic minoxidil, but more doesn’t always mean better. In fact, you’re more likely to experience side effects if you use a higher strength, and it may not change or speed up your results.
Ingredients
Aside from its main ingredient, minoxidil, Rogaine includes plenty of inactive ingredients, namely:
- Butane
- Butylated hydroxytoluene
- Isobutane
- Cetyl alcohol
- SD alcohol 40-B
- Stearyl alcohol
- Citric acid
- Lactic acid
- Glycerin
- Polysorbate 60
- Propane
- Purified water
If you’re allergic to any of these ingredients, try one of Rogaine’s generic competitors instead. You also may want to go that route if you’re interested in trying topical finasteride or dutasteride, two other hair loss treatments that can be compounded with minoxidil for you by brands like Hims and Keeps.
Minoxidil is the generic equivalent of Rogaine, so both work the same way–by increasing blood flow to your scalp. Finasteride is a prescription treatment that fights hair loss by blocking the hormone that causes it. It’s usually taken orally, but topical finasteride is also available.
Onset of Action
Whether you go with Rogaine or minoxidil, it’ll take at least a few months before you see the results of your treatment. Be patient, as growing hair can be a slow process.
Related reading: How Fast Does Hair Grow in a Month? (And How to Speed It Up!)
How to Obtain
Picking up your hair loss treatment in-store? Then you probably already know the drill–you’ll find your product, wait in line, then pay for it. Depending on the travel time to your nearest pharmacy, it might be your fastest option for getting minoxidil.
If you’re willing to wait a little longer in exchange for the convenience of shopping from home (I know I am), then your experience is going to be a bit different. Although you don’t need a prescription for minoxidil, some online providers might still ask you to verify your identity or describe your symptoms to make sure everything’s good from a legal and medical perspective. Once that’s done, you’ll probably have to wait a few days for shipping. Not your quickest route to fuller hair, but certainly your most discreet.
Medication Form
Rogaine and generic minoxidil are available as a solution or foam. Which is better depends on how comfortable you are with getting your hands dirty. The foam needs to be spread with your fingers, but the solution typically comes with a dropper for application. Oral minoxidil exists, but it doesn’t have as much clinical backing as the topical varieties.
Is Rogaine foam better than their drops?
Both forms work the same way, so it just depends on your preference. If you’re comfortable using a dropper, go with the solution. But if you’d rather just use your fingers, stick with foam.
Availability
Online clinics like Hims and Keeps are generally limited to specific states because of local laws regarding telemedicine. Kirkland minoxidil can be purchased both online and at your local Costco, which can be found in nearly every state. Pharmacies and grocery stores can be found no matter where you live, making Rogaine an easier to access minoxidil option, with Kirkland minoxidil coming in as a close second.
Regulation
Topical minoxidil is FDA-approved for hair loss, specifically male and female pattern hair loss. However, it’s important to note that if topical minoxidil is combined with another active ingredient, such as finasteride, that product would not be considered FDA-approved, even though it may use FDA-approved ingredients.
Yep, Rogaine and generic minoxidil are available over-the-counter, meaning you won’t need a doctor’s permission to get them.
Who Can Use It?
Topical minoxidil is approved for male and female pattern hair loss. It works best for individuals who are just beginning to experience hair loss, who are under 40 years old. It may not work well for those with a receding hairline.
Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or who have certain conditions involving the scalp, liver, heart, or kidney should speak with their healthcare provider prior to using minoxidil. Those who are taking vitamins or medications for high blood pressure should also let their provider know prior to trying this treatment.
Rogaine (Minoxidil) Side Effects
Topical minoxidil doesn’t tend to cause health risks. Let your doctor know if these side effects don’t go away or become bothersome for you:
- Burning, itching, or irritation of the scalp
- Dryness, flaking, or scaling
Call your doctor or emergency services immediately if you experience any of these symptoms while using minoxidil:
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Swelling of the face, hands, or stomach
- Weight gain
The Verdict: Is Rogaine or Minoxidil Better for Hair Loss?
Since Rogaine and minoxidil work the same way to treat hair loss, which treatment you go with will depend mostly on your personal preferences.
Minoxidil is best for those looking for the most affordable option.
If you would rather shop online than in-person and like the convenience of a subscription, generic minoxidil from an online clinic like Hims or Keeps might be the way to go. They also tend to offer more customized formulations and additional hair loss products to help support your treatment. Kirkland minoxidil, a generic store brand, is available online and in-person.
In general, generic minoxidil tends to be more affordable than Rogaine, however, with some providers you may be waiting a bit for your order to ship, instead of easily picking up this over-the-counter product in a local store.
Rogaine works best for those looking for easier accessibility.
Rogaine offers minoxidil as foams or solutions, and is available at many pharmacies and grocery stores, making it an incredibly convenient option. While it doesn’t tend to be as affordable as generic minoxidil, it is certainly one of the most readily available minoxidil options that can be found in a variety of local stores.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Rogaine better than other minoxidil options?
Rogaine works the same as any other minoxidil. However, compared to the generic versions, they can differ in terms of their inactive ingredients, pricing, accessibility, strengths, and more.
Will Rogaine make hair thicker?
Yup, Rogaine can make hair thicker. Used properly, Rogaine can strengthen individual hair follicles as well as increase their number.
Related reading: 14 Ways to Get Thicker Hair Using Natural and Scientifically Proven Methods
Can minoxidil regrow hair in bald spots?
For some folks, minoxidil certainly can regrow hair in bald spots. In fact, topical minoxidil is what hair loss experts recommend for bald spots.
Related reading: Tretinoin and Hair Loss – Does It Help Regrow Hair?
Does minoxidil affect testosterone?
Nope–minoxidil works by increasing blood flow to the scalp, not by interfering with your hormones.
When is it too late to use minoxidil?
While it’s never too late to start treating your hair loss, those with advanced male pattern baldness may want to boost their regimen to include more than minoxidil alone. For example, finasteride can help you target hair loss at the hormonal level too, bettering your chances of keeping the hair you still have and regrowing more.
Methodology
To find the best topical hair loss treatment, we started by searching online and in-store for any that were specifically designed for pattern baldness. Next, we narrowed our list down to only the highest-rated and most popular options. We then evaluated Rogaine and its competitors based on their effectiveness, ease of use, reputation, customer service, and reviews. We also considered additional costs and discounts. Finally, we tested Rogaine, as well as the other generic brands to see how easy they were to use.
We ultimately made our decision based on the reputation and effectiveness of Rogaine compared to the affordability and convenience of generic options.
| Review Process | Key Metrics | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up online | – ease to complete intake form – affordability – upfront commitment or subscription required? – money back guarantee or refund policy? | 0.5 |
| Vitual consult with provider / determine eligibility | – ease to get appointment to determine eligibility – need to leave house for labs or other in-person care? | 1 |
| Shipping + unboxing | – shipping cost – time from order to treatment delivery – discreet packaging to maintain privacy | 0.5 |
| Test + journal for 1-3 months | – ease of application – transition into habitual use – taste / smell / feel / pain | 1.5 |
| Results after 3 months of use | – efficacy / results – lack of side effects – ease of refill / reordering – quality of ongoing clinical support – responsive customer support – willingness to recommend to a friend | 1.5 |
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Dense Hair Experts Overview Price: £59.99 (or £47.99 on subscription) Prescription products: Finasteride, dutasteride OTC products: Minoxidil, shampoo, conditioner, vitamins, styling products Active ingredients: Finasteride, dutasteride, minoxidil Potential side effects: Itching, redness, flaking Who it’s best for: Individuals experiencing male pattern baldness Go to Site→
