Hims vs. Lemonaid for ED: How Do They Compare?

Telehealth platforms like Hims and Lemonaid Health provide access to FDA-approved treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED) from the comfort of home.

If you’re deemed eligible for treatment, you’ll receive ED medications like Viagra® and Cialis®, or their generic versions, sildenafil or tadalafil, directly to your doorstep.

The telehealth platforms also offer access to prescription medications for hair loss, weight loss, mental health, and skin care if you’re approved for treatment. 

Though the platforms share some similarities, there are also key differences, including prices and product offerings.

This guide will answer all your questions about Hims vs. Lemonaid Health so you can make an informed decision you feel good about.

We know that talking about erectile dysfunction can feel uncomfortable, which is why Hims and Lemonaid make it convenient to consult with healthcare professionals online.

However, before you can connect with a healthcare provider at Hims or Lemonaid, you’ll need to fill out an online intake form to share info about your symptoms and medical history. 

This information is vital to your assigned provider, who will determine whether ED medication is safe for you. If you take medication for high blood pressure or have certain health conditions, like heart disease or vision problems, taking ED medications like Viagra or Cialis may increase your risk of side effects. 

After you complete the intake form, your assigned provider will review your health information and follow up with treatment options if you’re eligible. This is not much different from what you’d experience in an in-person doctor's office, except you don’t have to drive anywhere.

Once you both determine the right plan for your needs, you should receive your medication in discreet packaging within a few days.

Different states have different requirements for how online consultations should go on telehealth sites. In most states, communicating via text is sufficient for the provider to determine your eligibility. However, some states may require a phone call or video visit with a provider. This may be the case if you live in:

• Alaska

• Arkansas

• Washington, D.C. 

• Kansas

• Mississippi

• New Mexico

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• West Virginia 

Both Lemonaid and Hims are available in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C. However, Hims is also available in the U.K.

Hims and Lemonaid provide eligible patients access to some of the same FDA-approved ED medications after a consultation with a healthcare provider. These include the generic and brand-name versions of Viagra and Cialis. These drugs belong to a class of medications known as PDE5 inhibitors. They help you get and keep better erections by encouraging blood flow to the penis.

Hims and Lemonaid ED treatments include:

• Viagra. You may know Viagra as “the little blue pill.” It was the first-ever FDA-approved oral medication for ED. Though it was originally developed to manage high blood pressure, researchers quickly realized Viagra had a strange but appealing side effect — it induced erections. This PDE5 inhibitor is taken as needed around 30 minutes before sex and lasts about four hours.

• Sildenafil. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. The two medications are identical and work exactly the same, but sildenafil costs less. Find out more about Viagra vs. sildenafil.

• Cialis. Cialis is another PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis, much like Viagra. However, Cialis has a longer half-life than Viagra, which means it remains in the body longer (up to 36 hours). This means that Cialis can be taken daily for more spontaneous sex, or like Viagra, as needed before sex. Read more about the similarities and differences between Cialis vs. Viagra.

• Tadalafil. Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis. Like sildenafil, tadalafil is more affordable than brand-name, even though they’re chemically identical. Find out more about tadalafil vs. Cialis.

By providing access to both brand-name and generic versions of Viagra and Cialis, Hims and Lemonaid allow customers to choose the treatment they feel most confident about. While brand-name and generic medications work the same, some patients feel more comfortable with a product they’re already familiar with, even if it means paying a higher price.

Beyond Viagra, sildenafil, Cialis, and tadalafil, Lemonaid offers access to another oral ED medication—Stendra®, which contains the active ingredient avanafil. Like Viagra and Cialis, Stendra is a PDE5 inhibitor, but it works in as little as 15 minutes.

Form Factors and Flavors: Hims vs. Lemonaid

Other key differences exist between Hims and Lemonaid in terms of product offerings. Though we both offer access to standard ED tablets, only Hims offers additional form factors and flavors to appeal to various preferences.

In addition to standard, flavorless pills for ED, Hims also offers:

• Mints. If you have trouble swallowing pills or are looking for something different, try chewable ED medications like Hims Hard Mints. These compounded medications contain one or more active ingredients, like tadalafil or sildenafil (or a combination of both + vitamin B12), in personalized dosages. They’re available in a fresh wintergreen mint or wintergreen mint + lemon flavor.

• Chews. Similar to Hims Hard Mints, Hims Sex Chews contain the active ingredients tadalafil or sildenafil (or tadalafil + sildenafil + vitamin B12) in personalized dosages. They come in three flavors: berry, lemon, and berry + lemon.

Other Compounded ED Medications from Lemonaid vs. Hims

While Hims and Lemonaid both offer access to Viagra, Cialis, sildenafil, and tadalafil, Hims also offers access to additional sexual health treatments. These medications simultaneously target ED and other medical conditions that can co-occur with ED, like premature ejaculation (PE), high cholesterol, and hair loss.

These compounded medications contain ingredients like fluoxetine (generic for Prozac®), atorvastatin (generic for Lipitor®), and minoxidil (generic for Rogaine®).

Please note: Compounded medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, though they are not approved by the FDA.

Beyond Hims Hard Mints and Sex Chews, our other compounded sexual health treatments include:

• Sex Rx + Hair Hero. Hair loss and ED are conditions that become more common as you get older. Sex Rx + Hair Hero contains tadalafil to improve your erections in combination with the popular hair loss medications minoxidil or finasteride to target hair loss.

• Sex Rx + Climax Control. Erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation commonly occur together. Sex Rx + Climax Control contains prescription tadalafil for ED and fluoxetine (commonly used off-label for PE).

• ED + Heart Health. Studies show that ED can be an early sign of cardiovascular disease. ED + Heart Health is a 2-in-1 medication that contains tadalafil for ED and the statin atorvastatin to lower cholesterol.

These compounded products make your daily regimen easier, allowing you to address multiple symptoms without needing to take multiple pills.

Custom Dosing: Lemonaid vs. Hims

Both Lemonaid and Hims offer multiple dosage strengths. But Hims offers access to a broader range of dosage options — particularly with our personalized options — to ensure you can find the treatment plan that’s right for you after a consultation with a medical professional.

Both Hims and Lemonaid also allow you to choose from various quantity and refill options depending on how often you plan to take the medication, but Lemonaid does not offer compounded products in personalized dosages.

Health Products Beyond ED: Hims vs. Lemonaid

Both Hims and Lemonaid offer access to a range of prescription medications for various other health issues beyond ED.

Both Hims and Lemonaid offer:

• Premature ejaculation treatments

• Hair loss treatments like finasteride and minoxidil

• Weight loss treatments like compounded semaglutide

• Genital herpes medications

• Anti-acne skin care medication

• Mental health treatments for anxiety and depression

In addition to these prescription medications, Hims offers an array of over-the-counter products, including wellness supplements, premature ejaculation wipes with benzocaine, water-based lube, and climax control condoms. Explore our full range of sexual health products.

Lemonaid does not sell over-the-counter products or supplements, but they do offer access to prescription drugs for insomnia, asthma, sinus infections, migraines, acid reflux, and hypothyroidism. They also sell a variety of testing kits for STDs, blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood type.

Hims and Lemonaid aren’t just men’s health platforms. We both offer access to women’s wellness products, including birth control. For Hims, our partner site is Hers. Lemonaid’s range of products for men and women is available on the LemonaidHealth.com site.

Lemonaid and Hims provide access to affordable options for erectile dysfunction, with prices generally lower than traditional doctor visits and local pharmacy costs.

Though pricing depends on treatment, dosage, and frequency, both Lemonaid and Hims offer access to ED medications starting at around $2 per day.

Lemonaid’s monthly supply starts at $30 for the first order of generic sildenafil or daily tadalafil.

At Hims, a monthly supply starts at $16 for four doses of generic sildenafil or $32 for daily tadalafil.

Neither company takes insurance, but if you have an FSA or HSA plan, your medication costs may qualify for reimbursement. 

Another key difference between Hims and Lemonaid is that the Him online consultation is free, but Lemonaid charges a one-time $25 consultation fee.

Hims also allows consumers to save if they have ED in addition to hair loss, premature ejaculation, or high cholesterol because our compounded 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 medications prevent you from having to fill multiple prescriptions.

Hims and Lemonaid have some similarities regarding shipping costs and quality.

We both offer:

• Free, fast shipping

• Discreet packaging

• Ability to cancel shipments online via message or by phone (although Hims also allows you to cancel/edit your order through our online portal)

Both Hims and Lemonaid ship anywhere within the United States, including Washington, D.C. Similar treatment options are also available on the Hims U.K. platform.

Lemonaid and Hims use a subscription service, which ensures you never run out of necessary medication. However, there are some notable differences regarding subscription options and shipping frequencies.

Hims ships:

• Monthly

• Every 3 months

• Every 5 months

• Every 6 months

• Every 12 months

Lemonaid ships:

• Monthly, with up to 11 refills 

As we said before, Hims offers access to various dosage strengths and dosing options per month. You and your provider will work together to find the right treatment plan and shipping cadence for you.

Lemonaid and Hims both have online portals where you can message your provider and order medication. But there are some notable differences.

Hims offers:

• 24/7 support and access to healthcare providers

• Unlimited, free messaging between patients and providers 

• A live chat function in the Hims app

Lemonaid offers:

• Daily support from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST

• Live consultations with the medical team

• Local and mail-order pharmacies

• Lab tests to further understand potential underlying causes of ED

Hims and Lemonaid both provide access to licensed providers.

Hims requires providers to undergo a rigorous vetting process when onboarded. They also have to complete licensing verification and ongoing training. Credentials are available for viewing on our website.

We could not find much information about Lemonaid providers aside from the titles and headshots of each physician or nurse practitioner.

Erectile dysfunction is probably more common than you think, affecting as many 30 million men in the U.S. If you’d like to improve your erection quality, using telehealth services like those from Hims and Lemonaid makes it more convenient than ever.

While both telehealth companies provide access to some of the same products, there are some crucial differences to consider:

• Product Range. If you’re deemed eligible for treatment, Lemonaid and Hims offer access to brand-name and generic Viagra and Cialis. Hims also offers approved patients access to compounded ED medications that treat multiple health issues at once, such as hair loss, high cholesterol, and premature ejaculation. Lemonaid also carries the ED medication Stendra.

• Dosage Options. Both platforms offer access to a variety of dosage options, but Hims also provides personalized dosages.

• Shipping Flexibility. Each platform allows you to order medication on a monthly basis, but Hims offers a wider range of shipping frequencies.

• Formulations. Both Lemonaid and Hims provide standard, flavorless ED pills. Hims also offers eligible patients chewable ED medication in mint, lemon, and berry flavors.

• Accessibility. Both platforms are available in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C. Hims is also available in the U.K.

• Cost. While Lemonaid and Hims both offer plans starting at $2 per day, Hims offers more affordable monthly subscription plans.

For more ways to treat erectile dysfunction and other sexual health issues with Hims, get a recommendation from a healthcare professional today.

To learn more about how Hims compares to other brands that offer access to treatments for ED, check out our guides to Hims vs. Roman, Hims vs. BlueChew, Hims vs. Rocket RX, and Hims vs. Friday Plans.