Medically reviewed by: 
Hims, Nutrafol, and Keeps all offer clinically proven oral hair loss medications, in addition to some topical products. However, each brand may work best for different individuals.
- Hims offers an FDA-approved oral medication called finasteride, as well as OTC gummies that support healthy hair growth, making it a great choice for those who want a combination of OTC and prescription oral treatments.
- Keeps offers the best price for finasteride, making it the perfect choice for those looking for affordable hair loss treatment.
- Nutrafol is the only brand that offers drug-free solutions that claim to not only promote hair growth, but also completely avoid the sexual side effects that other treatments may be associated with.
In this Hims vs. Nutrafol vs. Keeps article, we discuss their oral treatments for male pattern hair loss, how they work, who they may work best for, and potential side effects. In addition, we spoke with Dr. Jonathan Rick, a board certified dermatologist, about the efficacy of oral finasteride, the medication that Hims and Keeps offer, as well as Nutrafol, the OTC option.
Our Top Picks for Best Hair Loss Pills
- Best for Prescription and OTC Options: Hims | Jump to Review
- Best for Drug-Free Solutions: Nutrafol, Amazon | Jump to Review
- Best for Affordability: Keeps | Jump to Review
Compare the Best Hair Loss Pills
Here’s an at-a-glance comparison that illustrates the key differences between the oral hair loss treatments offered by Hims, Nutrafol, and Keeps.
In addition, we’ve included an educational video that discusses finasteride, the medication offered through Hims and Keeps, so you can learn more about this prescription option.
Hims vs. Nutrafol vs. Keeps | Hims | Nutrafol | Keeps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of oral treatment | Oral Finasteride Biotin Gummies | Nutrafol Men | Oral Finasteride |
| Price | From $22/month | $79 for 1-month supply of nutraceutical | $17.78/month |
| Usage | Once-a-day pill | 4 capsules daily | Once-a-day pill |
| Helps with | Hair loss in the middle of the scalp and at crown | Early signs of hair thinning and shedding | Hair loss in the middle of the scalp and at crown |
| Recurring subscription available? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Effectiveness for androgenetic alopecia | High | Low to moderate | High |
| Effectiveness for hair loss due to nutrition/stress | Low to moderate if paired with treatment that addresses underlying condition | High | Low to moderate if paired with treatment that addresses underlying condition |
| DHT blocking effectiveness | High | Low | High |
| Possible side effects of ingredients | Moderate | Low | Moderate |
| Clinically tested? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| FDA-approved ingredients? | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Drug free? | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Additional products | Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray Minoxidil Solution & Foam Shampoos and Conditioners | Hair Loss Serum | Topical Finasteride & Minoxidil Spray Minoxidil Solution & Foam Shampoos and Conditioners |
| Website |
Learn More About Finasteride With Dr. Jonathan Rick
Hims vs. Nutrafol
Both Hims and Nutrafol offer natural treatments for those who would rather avoid taking prescription medication. Hims supplies biotin gummies, while Nutrafol’s flagship nutraceutical combines a variety of supplements proven to help boost hair growth. One difference to note is that Hims can also prescribe and deliver FDA-approved medications like oral finasteride, which Nutrafol doesn’t offer.
Related reading: Hims Review- Is It Legit for Men’s Hair Loss and ED Treatment?
Hims vs. Keeps
Hims and Keeps both have clinicians who can prescribe oral finasteride, the most clinically-backed medication for male pattern baldness (MPB), a.k.a. androgenetic alopecia. You can get it at a slightly lower price point from Keeps, while only Hims can provide a natural oral treatment, as well as finasteride.
Related reading: Keeps Review- Is It a Legit Hair Loss Subscription for Men?
Nutrafol vs. Keeps
Even though Keeps stocks shampoo and conditioner boosted by natural ingredients, they don’t offer any non-pharmaceutical oral treatments. On the flip side, Nutrafol’s only oral treatment is a drug-free hair growth supplement. If you’ve got your heart set on either natural or FDA-approved oral treatment, choosing between these two shouldn’t be tough.
1. Hims Hair Loss Pills Review
Hims Overview
Oral products: Finasteride, biotin gummies
Price: $22 per month or more
Type of hair loss targeted: Androgenetic alopecia
Other products offered: Topical finasteride and minoxidil spray; minoxidil-only solution and foam; shampoo and conditioner
Time it takes to see results: 3 to 6 months
Hims provides a variety of hair loss treatments you can get from the comfort of your own home. To get prescription medication, you’ll need to complete a quick consultation about your health history and current symptoms, which gets reviewed by a Hims clinician. If you qualify, your treatment gets delivered to your door. You can even sign up for recurring deliveries to make sure you never run out of medication.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
For individuals wanting to approach hair loss from several directions, Hims allows quick access to prescription medication and full treatment plans. However, it should be noted that not all hair loss is androgenic and there are several important conditions that can cause hair loss and require attention from a medical professional to diagnose.”
Hims vs. Rogaine
Rogaine is a popular branded version of minoxidil, an over-the-counter male pattern hair loss treatment that’s clinically proven to stimulate hair growth. Hims doesn’t stock Rogaine, but they do offer their own minoxidil foam, which is likely to work just as well as the brand-name version.
Related reading: Hims vs. Rogaine: What’s the Best Topical Treatment for Hair Loss?
Hims Pros & Cons
Pros
- Offers more than just oral finasteride, including biotin gummies, as well as topical finasteride and minoxidil spray
- Convenient online doctor appointments and home delivery for your treatment
- Likely to be effective for male pattern hair loss
Cons
- May be less effective for hair loss not stemming from male pattern baldness
- More likely to cause side effects than natural treatments
Hims Hair Loss Oral Products
Hims hair loss oral products:
- Oral finasteride is a 1mg daily tablet that helps block production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that contributes to male pattern baldness.
- Biotin gummies are made to provide a daily dose of vitamin B7 (biotin), which may support hair health and thickness.
Does Hims Work for Hair Loss?
No treatment is effective for everyone, but Hims relies on active ingredients that’ve been proven to work in clinical trials. Finasteride, a DHT blocker, is the only FDA-approved oral treatment for male pattern hair loss. Biotin has less scientific backing, but some research suggests that it can contribute to hair health in certain individuals, especially those with a biotin deficiency.
Related reading: Hims vs. Roman vs. Keeps: Which Hair Loss Subscription Works Best?
Hims Hair Loss Treatment Side Effects
Even though the active ingredients included in Hims treatments are generally well-tolerated, they can cause side effects in some people. Finasteride in particular can have a negative impact on your sex life, even after you stop taking it. It’s something to keep in mind, although most individuals who take finasteride never experience those effects.
Side effects of finasteride can include:
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Difficulty maintaining an erection or ejaculating
Biotin doesn’t cause many side effects, but it can interfere with blood tests in high doses.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Care
Reach out to your doctor or emergency medical services immediately if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Itchy rash or hives
- Swelling of the lips and face
Related reading: How to Reduce the Side Effects of Finasteride
Hims Hair Loss Reviews From Their Customers
Overall, Hims customers love their effective treatment and convenient online doctor’s appointments. However, some folks ran into issues with delayed deliveries.
2. Nutrafol Hair Loss Products Review
Nutrafol Overview
Oral products: Nutrafol Men
Price: $79 per month
Type of hair loss targeted: Nutrition or stress-related
Other products offered: Hair loss serum
Time it takes to see results: 4-6 months
Because Nutrafol only offers natural treatments, you won’t need to talk to a doctor (online or otherwise) to get it. Instead, you can simply place a one-time order or choose between monthly, quarterly, and biannual deliveries.
Keep in mind, though, even non-drug treatments can come with risks and side effects, so don’t forget to exercise caution and speak with your healthcare provider to ensure it is appropriate for you to use.
Nutrafol doesn’t contain any pharmacological ingredients, but some of its components are considered natural DHT blockers, such as saw palmetto.
Nutrafol Pros & Cons
Pros
- Natural active ingredients for people who’d rather not take prescription medications
- May be more helpful for people whose hair loss is nutrition-related than finasteride
- Lower risk of side effects thanks to their natural ingredients
Cons
- Less likely to be effective for those with advanced hair loss
- Not as affordable as Keeps or Hims
Nutrafol Hair Loss Products
Nutrafol only offers one oral treatment for assigned males with hair loss, called Nutrafol Men. It’s a daily compound of natural ingredients that address nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle factors, and more that can cause or contribute to hair loss.
Nutrafol is a natural, OTC treatment for hair loss caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress, aging, hormones, and more, while finasteride is an FDA-approved medication for androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss.
Does Nutrafol Work?
Whether Nutrafol works for you will depend on what kind of hair loss you’re dealing with. If you have reason to believe that stress or nutritional deficiencies might be the source of your hair loss, Nutrafol is likely to work for you. Its combination of saw palmetto, ashwagandha, curcumin, and more, which address the most common causes of telogen effluvium, the scientific name for stress or diet-related hair loss.
Do Dermatologists Recommend Nutrafol?
We spoke with Dr. Jonathan Rick, a board-certified dermatologist to find out a bit more about Nutrafol and its effectiveness.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
Of note, nutrafol does actually have some good data behind it -- I think it works but it is quite pricey, and more affordable options should probably be used first, like minoxidil.”
Nutrafol Side Effects
The ingredients in Nutrafol’s treatment don’t tend to cause many side effects, but that doesn’t mean they don’t come with any risks. Even natural ingredients can interact with medications, so be sure to talk to a doctor before adding anything new to your regimen.
Side effects of ashwagandha can include:
- Diarrhea
- Liver problems (in large doses)
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
Side effects of saw palmetto can include:
- Headache
- Upset stomach
Get in touch with a doctor or seek emergency care immediately if you experience any of these potentially serious symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Hives or itchy rash
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Pain in the upper right abdomen
Nutrafol Hair Loss Reviews From Their Customers
Nutrafol customers love how simple and effective their treatment is, but some complained that they faced difficulties canceling their subscriptions when they no longer needed them.
3. Keeps Oral Hair Loss Products Review
Keeps Overview
Oral products: Finasteride
Price: $17 per month
Type of hair loss targeted: Male pattern hair loss
Other products offered: Minoxidil foam and solution, shampoo and conditioner
Time it takes to see results: 3-6 months
Keeps is a telemedicine brand that specializes in male pattern hair loss. You can get over-the-counter topical treatment like minoxidil through them, or complete a quick consultation to get a doctor’s approval to start finasteride, if appropriate. They ship your treatment to your door on a monthly or quarterly basis.
Related reading: Keeps vs. Propecia- What’s the Difference?
Keeps Pros & Cons
Pros
- More affordable than Hims for prescription finasteride
- Convenient home delivery and online doctor visits
- Likely to be effective for hair loss stemming from male pattern baldness
Cons
- May not help with nutrition-related hair loss in some individuals
- No one-time purchase option for folks who don’t prefer subscriptions
Keeps Oral Hair Loss Products
Keeps only offers one oral treatment for hair loss: finasteride, a 1mg FDA-approved prescription pill that works by blocking DHT production.
A Word From Our Expert
— Dr. Jonathan Rick
Oral finasteride has a proven track record of efficacy. When used exclusively for hair loss, low doses appear to be effective (1 mg daily). However, this is still a systemic medication and the topical approach appears to have less impact on your body's hormones.”
Does Keeps Work for Hair Loss?
When it comes to their offerings, Keeps sticks to the science. Finasteride is the only FDA-approved oral treatment for male pattern hair loss, an effective, clinically-proven choice for individuals who qualify for this prescription.
Related reading: Keeps Before and After- See Results From Real Keeps Customers
Keeps wins this one at a slightly more affordable price point of just $17 per month.
Keeps Hair Loss Treatments Side Effects
Side effects of finasteride can include:
- Decreased libido
- Depression
- Difficulty maintaining an erection or ejaculating
Head to the emergency room if you experience any of these symptoms of an allergic reaction while taking finasteride:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Itchy rash or hives
- Swelling of the lips and face
Related reading: Best Oral Finasteride Alternatives for Male Hair Loss
Keeps Hair Loss Reviews From Their Customers
Keeps customers are satisfied with their effective treatments, low prices, and fast shipping. However, some people had trouble canceling subscriptions or finding deliveries.
The Verdict: Which Hair Loss Pill Works Best?
Keeps is the most affordable option.
If you’re only interested in FDA-approved oral medication for male pattern hair loss, Keeps is your most affordable option.
Nutrafol is the best drug-free solution.
For natural, drug-free treatment for nutrition, hormone, or stress-related hair loss, Nutrafol may be the best option for you.
Hims is ideal for those who want prescription and OTC hair loss treatment options.
If you’re looking for prescription and OTC options for hair loss, Hims might be the right match for you, as they offer oral finasteride and OTC gummies, as well as several topical hair loss solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I take Nutrafol with finasteride?
According to the FDA label, finasteride doesn’t have any known interactions with other treatments. Still, make sure you check in with your doctor before trying anything new
Why is Nutrafol not FDA-approved?
Since Nutrafol doesn’t contain any pharmacological ingredients, it’s not subject to FDA review.
How can I regrow my thinning hair?
That depends on what’s causing your hair to thin. If you’ve experienced intense physical or mental stress lately, or made a big change in your diet, your hair could be thinning due to nutritional deficiencies, in which case the right vitamin or supplement could be all you need. If your hair has been slowly but steadily thinning at the crown and hairline, you’re probably dealing with male pattern baldness. The best way to manage that is with oral finasteride and topical minoxidil.
What is the best prescription pill for hair loss?
The only FDA-approved pill for male pattern hair loss is finasteride (a.k.a. Propecia).
Which vitamin deficiency can cause hair loss?
Plenty of deficiencies can contribute to hair loss, including iron, biotin, and collagen.
Methodology
To find the best oral treatment for hair loss, we started by searching online for any providers that specifically focused on treating hair loss in assigned males. Next, we narrowed our list down to only the highest-rated and most popular, effective, and useful options. We then evaluated each service based on its features, ease of use, reputation, customer service, and reviews. We also considered additional costs and subscription options. We ultimately made our decision based on the comparative convenience, affordability, and efficacy of each treatment.
| 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→
