Hims vs. Friday Plans for ED 2024: How Do They Compare?

With telehealth platforms like Friday Plans and Hims, you can access erectile dysfunction (ED) medications like sildenafil citrate (generic Viagra®) and tadalafil (generic Cialis®) without having to talk about your sex life with your primary care doctor.

`There’s no need to take time off work or wait until an appointment opens to receive high-quality FDA-approved medications.

However, knowing you can access prescription ED treatments online and knowing which online healthcare provider to use are very different things. Two options you may want to compare are Friday Plans and Hims.

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction or you’re just starting to notice symptoms, we’ll answer all your questions about Hims and Friday Plans to help you understand what differentiates these telehealth platforms.

In this article, we’ll compare products, pricing, subscription models, and more so you can make an informed decision.

To start, Hims and Friday Plans both require you to complete an online intake form before you can be connected to a medical provider.

The Friday Plans form includes questions about your preferred dosage and subscription preferences.

At Hims, our intake form gathers more information about your health goals and treatment preferences before asking about your medical history and symptoms to build out your health profile.

Because we offer access to several different products and compounded formulas, having this information upfront ensures your healthcare provider will have everything they need to design an individualized plan.

It also helps them determine if you’re a suitable candidate, as ED medication can cause serious side effects for those with certain health conditions like low blood pressure or those taking medication for hypertension (high blood pressure) or nitrates for chest pain.

The Friday Plans and Hims platforms both provide access to prescription medication for ED following an online consultation with a provider to determine eligibility.

After submitting the online intake form, a licensed provider designated by Hims or Friday Plans will review your health information and treatment preferences, just like in an in-person doctor's office.

Depending on where you live, the online form may be all the provider needs to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for treatment via a secure messaging portal.

Some states require a phone call or video visit with a healthcare provider before you can access treatment. If you reside in one of these states, you may be asked to schedule a video visit or phone call after completing the intake form:

• Alaska

• Arkansas

• Washington D.C. 

• Kansas

• Mississippi

• New Mexico

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• West Virginia

The Hims platform is available in all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C., and the U.K. 

Friday Plans is available only in select states. You may not be able to access medication with Friday Plans if you live in Alaska, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Virginia, or Washington, D.C.

Both Friday Plans and Hims offer access to some of the same FDA-approved generic ED medications to help you get and maintain an erection (if you’re deemed eligible).

The products Hims and Friday Plans both offer include:

• Sildenafil. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra. It belongs to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (or PDE5 inhibitors), which widen your blood vessels to increase blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. It’s taken as needed before sexual activity.

• Tadalafil. Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. It’s also a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis. The main difference between these medications is that tadalafil works for up to 36 hours, while sildenafil works for around four hours. This allows tadalafil to be taken as needed or daily for better erections with less prep time.

Though Friday Plans and Hims both offer access to these generic medications, the product lines differ in key ways regarding other types of treatment available, dosage options, and more.

Generic vs. Brand Name ED Pills: Friday Plans vs. Hims

Generic medications contain the same active ingredient as their brand-name counterparts but are generally more affordable.

By offering access to generic ED medications, both Friday Plans and Hims are able to provide popular treatments at an affordable cost to the consumer if you’re eligible for treatment.

However, not everyone wants to take the generic version of a drug. For those who prefer a brand-name drug, we offer Viagra and Cialis in addition to generic options if you’re deemed eligible by a healthcare provider.

Friday Plans pills are all generic. The company does not offer brand-name Viagra or Cialis.

We also provide access to Stendra®, another PDE5 inhibitor if you’re eligible.  Stendra contains the active ingredient avanafil. Like Viagra, Stendra is an as-needed medication, but it starts working within 15 to 30 minutes, faster than other ED treatments. Its effects last for up to six hours. At this time, only Stendra's brand-name version is available.

Form Factors and Flavors: Hims vs. Friday Plans

Both Hims and Friday Plans offer oral ED pills following an online consultation with a healthcare provider to determine eligibility. But at Hims, we offer a variety of formulations and flavors.

These products include:

• Hard Mints. Hims Hard Mints are personalized ED medications that contain the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis (or a combination of both + vitamin B12) in varying dosages. They’re available in a fresh wintergreen mint or wintergreen mint + lemon flavor. This chewable medication comes in a discreet tin case you won’t mind taking out in public.

• Sex Chews. Sex Chews contain one or more active ingredients to treat ED, such as tadalafil or sildenafil (or tadalafil + sildenafil + vitamin B12) in personalized dosages. They’re available in three flavors: berry, lemon, and berry + lemon.

Friday Plans medications are only available as standard tablets with no added flavors.

Blended Products from Hims vs. Friday Plans

Both Hims and Friday Plans offer access to single-ingredient products like sildenafil and tadalafil, but we also provide access to compounded products that treat various medical conditions simultaneously. Compounded products contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, though they are not approved by the FDA.

Since ED often occurs alongside other health issues like cardiovascular disease, premature ejaculation (PE), and hair loss, compounded products are an efficient way to treat multiple symptoms at once if you’re deemed eligible for treatment. 

In addition to Hard Mints and Sex Chews, other compounded sexual health treatments available include:

• Sex Rx + Climax Control. Sex Rx + Climax Control is a 2-in-1 treatment for better erections and longer-lasting sex. The product contains prescription tadalafil for ED and fluoxetine (the active ingredient in Prozac®), which is commonly prescribed off-label for premature ejaculation. Studies show that PE and ED commonly occur together, and this medication is an efficient option for people experiencing both issues. 

• ED + Heart Health. ED + Heart Health is another 2-in-1 personalized medication that can improve erections while lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke. The compounded medication contains tadalafil for ED and atorvastatin (the active ingredient in Lipitor®), which is commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks in people without a known history of heart disease. Many studies consider erectile dysfunction to be an early sign of cardiovascular disease.

• Sex Rx + Hair Hero. Sex Rx + Hair Hero contains tadalafil alongside other well-known hair loss medications like minoxidil and finasteride in personalized dosages. Minoxidil and finasteride have been shown to help hair regrow in as little as three to six months. Hair loss and ED aren’t directly linked, but they both become more common as you get older. They can also be related to other health conditions like low testosterone. For these reasons, it’s not unusual to experience hair loss and ED at the same time. 

Personalized Dosages: Friday Plans vs. Hims

We’ve mentioned personalized dosages several times now. But why is this important?

No two patients have the same exact needs, which is why various dosage options exist for most medications.

Both Friday Plans and Hims offer multiple dosage strengths. At Hims, dosages are personalized based on the customer's needs and wants. Providers can customize dosages to ensure patients get the most efficient treatment plan.

We also offer various different dosing options per month:

• Daily use

• 4x per month

• 6x per month

• 8x per month

• 10x per month

• 12x per month

• 14x per month

• 16x per month

This variety of dosage strengths and quantities per month allows you and your provider to design a treatment plan that suits your unique needs.

Health Products Beyond ED: Hims vs. Friday Plans

While both Friday Plans and Hims provide access to prescription medications for erectile dysfunction, we offer access to a wider range of over-the-counter and prescription products for numerous health issues beyond ED.

Beyond erectile dysfunction treatments, we provide access to OTC products, supplements, and prescription medication for issues like premature ejaculation, weight loss, acne, mental health conditions, and hair loss. We also have a robust line of sex toys, including penis rings (which may support better erections), male vibrators, condoms, personal lubricants, and more.

While both Hims and Friday Plans specialize in men’s health, we have a partner brand called Hers geared toward women’s wellness.

Though Friday Plans and Hims both provide access to high-quality generic medications at significantly lower prices than traditional pharmacies if you’re deemed eligible, Friday Plans products are slightly less expensive per dose.

At Hims, we offer access to ED treatments starting at less than $2 per dose if you’re eligible for treatment, with different price points for different dosages. The online consultation and shipping costs are included, and there are various shipping frequencies, dosage strengths, and dosing options. Our generic medications are up to 95 percent more affordable than brand-name medications.

Friday Plans offers plans starting at just $1.99 per dose for all dosages, with a free online consultation and free shipping. With prices around 97 percent less expensive than brand-name medications and the same price point for all dosages, Friday Plans is more affordable, but they do not offer as many shipping frequencies or dosage options.

We also offer access to 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 compounded medications, which can treat a variety of symptoms at once. If you are interested in treating multiple health conditions at once and are determined eligible by a provider, you can save time and money by not having to fill multiple prescriptions.

Friday Plans and Hims have a few similarities when it comes to shipping.

They include:

• Free shipping

• Discreet packaging

• Online portal to change/cancel shipments

At Hims, we ship anywhere within the United States, including Washington D.C., and the U.K. Hims platform offers access to similar medications. Friday Plans products are only available in select U.S. states.

Both Friday Plans and Hims require you to sign up for a subscription for prescription products if you’re deemed eligible for treatment. This allows you to have uninterrupted access to the medications that you need. You’re also able to make changes to your subscription and shipping frequency online at any time.

However, there are some key differences between the platforms regarding shipping frequencies and subscription options.

Hims ships:

• Every month

• Every 3 months

• Every 5 months

• Every 6 months

• Every 12 months

Friday Plans ships:

• Every month

• Every 3 months

Subscription Flexibility: Friday Plans vs. Hims

With a Friday Plans subscription, you’ll be paying a lower cost per dose, but Hims has some notable advantages:

• More shipping frequencies. We extend a wider range of shipping options, allowing users to select monthly and annual frequencies.

• More dosage options. We feature diverse dosage strengths and dosing options so a healthcare provider can customize your treatment plan. Compounded products also allow you to further personalize your subscription and address multiple health concerns at once.

Both Hims and Friday Plans let you “snooze” your subscription if you don’t need your next shipment just yet.

Friday Plans and Hims both have online portals where you can make changes to your subscription and contact your provider.

At Hims, you’ll also receive:

• 24/7 customer support

• Unlimited, free follow-up messaging between patients and providers 

• A live chat function in the app

At Friday Plans, you’ll receive:

• Support Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET

• A toll-free number and multiple email addresses (for the provider and support team) 

If you’re experiencing ED, using a telehealth platform like Friday Plans or Hims makes it convenient to get the solutions you need from the comfort of home. This can be helpful for those who don’t have much time or just don’t want to talk about their erections in person.

While both telehealth platforms can help simplify accessing ED medication, there are also some noteworthy differences to consider when deciding which one to use:

• Availability. Hims is accessible in all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C., and the U.K., while Friday Plans is limited to select U.S. states.

• Shipping Flexibility. Hims offers a wider range of shipping frequencies (monthly, every 3, 5, 6, or 12 months) compared to Friday Plans (monthly or every 3 months).

• Dosage Options. Hims provides access to a greater variety of dosage strengths and dosing options, allowing for more tailored treatment plans.

• Product Range. Both Friday Plans and Hims offer access to generic Viagra and Cialis if eligible. Hims also offers access to brand-name ED medications and compounded medications to treat multiple health issues at once (heart health, premature ejaculation, hair loss, etc.) if you’re deemed eligible by a healthcare provider.

• Formulations. Hims provides access to innovative options like chewable mints and compounded medications, while Friday Plans offers standard tablets.

• Customer Support. Both platforms have online access to providers and allow customers to change their subscriptions online. At Hims, we also offer 24/7 customer support and unlimited messaging with providers.

• Cost. While Friday Plans may have slightly lower prices per dose, Hims offers diverse treatment options and more subscription flexibility.

Want to explore Hims offerings or learn more about your options for erectile dysfunction or other sexual health issues? Connect with a healthcare professional to get a recommendation. They can assess your symptoms and health goals to help you get back to having the sex life you deserve.

Quick note: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or endorsement of one brand over another.