Hims vs. Rex MD for ED: How Do They Compare?

If you’re having difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, telehealth companies like Hims and Rex MD make it convenient to get support for erectile dysfunction from the comfort of your home.

While the two platforms are similar, there are some key differences you should know about.

Below, we’ll share everything you need to know about Hims vs. Rex MD to help you determine the best choice for your needs. 

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

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual issues facing men, affecting as many as 30 to 50 million people in the U.S. alone.

Despite its prevalence, ED can still be difficult to discuss, which is why Hims and Rex MD make it convenient to get support from healthcare professionals online. No drive to your doctor’s office, no waiting room, no hassle.

However, before you can connect with a healthcare provider at Hims or Rex MD, you’ll need to submit an online intake form to share important information about your symptoms, medical history, and health goals. 

Gathering your health info upfront is crucial to your assigned provider, who will determine which erectile dysfunction treatments are safe for you. For example, men with certain health conditions, like heart disease, may not be able to take ED medications like Viagra or Cialis due to an increased risk of side effects. 

Much like in a brick-and-mortar doctor’s office, after a medical provider from Hims and Rex MD reviews your health information, they’ll let you know if you’re eligible for prescription ED medication.

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

Please note that different states have different requirements for how online consultations should proceed on telehealth sites. In most states, a text conversation is sufficient for the provider to determine your eligibility for treatment and prescribe medication. 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 Rex MD and Hims are available in all 50 states, including Washington, D.C. Hims is also available in the U.K.

After a consultation to determine eligibility, both Hims and Rex MD provide access to some of the same FDA-approved ED treatments. These include brand-name and generic Cialis® and Viagra®. These drugs belong to a class of medications known as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, or PDE5 inhibitors. They help you get and keep better erections by blocking the PDE5 enzyme, which eventually widens the blood vessels and encourages better blood flow to the penis.

Hims and Rex MD erectile dysfunction treatments include:

• Cialis. Cialis is an ED medication that can be taken as needed before sex or daily for more spontaneous sex. Like other PDE5 inhibitors, Cialis increases blood flow to the penis, but it has a long half-life, which means it remains in the body longer (up to 36 hours). This long half-life gave Cialis the nickname “the weekend pill.”

• Tadalafil. Tadalafil is the generic version of Cialis. It works exactly the same as brand-name Cialis but costs less. Learn more about tadalafil vs. Cialis.

• Viagra. Cialis is the weekend pill, but Viagra is the famous “little blue pill.” It was the first FDA-approved oral medication for ED and was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. This PDE5 inhibitor is taken as needed around 30 minutes before sex and lasts for about four hours.

• Sildenafil. Sildenafil citrate is generic Viagra. Like Cialis and tadalafil, sildenafil and Viagra are chemically identical, but sildenafil costs about 95 percent less than brand-name Viagra. Find out more about Viagra vs. sildenafil.

Why offer generic and brand-name versions of Viagra and Cialis? Both Hims and Rex MD give customers the flexibility to choose the treatment they feel best about. Brand-name and generic medications work the same, but some patients feel more confident with a product they’re already familiar with, even if it means a higher price tag.

Form Factors and Flavors: Hims vs. Rex MD

If you have trouble swallowing standard tablets, chewable ED medications may be more appealing. Only Hims offers additional form factors and flavors to suit your preference.

In addition to standard ED tablets, Hims also offers:

• Hard Mints. Hims Hard Mints are chewable ED medications that contain one or more active ingredients, like tadalafil or sildenafil (or a combination of both + vitamin B12), in personalized dosages. They come in a fresh wintergreen mint or wintergreen mint + lemon flavor.

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

Other Compounded ED Medications from Rex MD vs. Hims

Erectile dysfunction commonly co-occurs with other medical conditions, like premature ejaculation (PE) and high cholesterol, and ED might also occur alongside hair loss (even though there’s no direct link between hair loss and ED). Only Hims offers sexual health treatments that target ED in addition to these other conditions.

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

Please note: Compounded medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, but they are not approved by the FDA. Though they’re not FDA-approved, Hims’ compounded medications are produced in FDA-regulated facilities.

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

• Sex Rx + Climax Control. Approximately one-third of patients who struggle with ED also suffer from premature ejaculation. Sex Rx + Climax Control contains prescription tadalafil for ED and fluoxetine (commonly used off-label for PE).

• Sex Rx + Hair Health. Hair loss and ED are not directly linked, but they tend to become more common as you get older. Sex Rx + Hair Health contains tadalafil to support better erections alongside the popular hair loss medications minoxidil or finasteride to slow hair loss and promote hair growth.

• ED + Heart Health. Studies show a relationship between high cholesterol and erectile dysfunction (ED), 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 and lower your risk of heart disease.

Taking compounded products like these can streamline your daily regimen, allowing you to address multiple symptoms with fewer pills.

Personalized Dosages: Hims vs. Rex MD

Both Hims and Rex MD offer multiple dosage strengths for daily use and as-needed medications. We also have various quantity and refill options, depending on how you want to take the medication. But Hims also offers personalized dosages, allowing your provider to tailor your treatment plan to meet your health goals.

If you select Hims Hard Mints, Sex Chews, or one of our other compounded medications for sexual health, you can also receive personalized dosages of active ingredients like sildenafil and tadalafil in a formulation that targets multiple symptoms at once. Rex MD does not offer compounded products in personalized dosages.

Health Products Beyond ED: Hims vs. Rex MD

Hims and Rex MD aren’t just known for ED medications. They also offer access to prescription medications for various other health issues.

Both Hims and Rex MD offer:

• Treatments for premature ejaculation

• Hair loss treatments like finasteride

• Weight loss treatments

• Herpes medications

In addition to these prescription medications, Hims offers prescription skin care medication and mental health treatments for anxiety and depression. We also carry an array of over-the-counter products, including premature ejaculation wipes with benzocaine, water-based lube, sex toys, condoms, and wellness supplements.

Rex MD does appear to sell premature ejaculation wipes with benzocaine, but no other OTC products or supplements. However, they do offer access to prescription drugs for low testosterone and insomnia.

While Hims and Rex MD both offer access to men’s health treatments, Hims also has a partner site for women’s health at Hers.

Rex MD and Hims provide access to affordable erectile dysfunction treatments after a free consultation with a medical professional to determine eligibility.

Though pricing depends on treatment, dosage, and frequency, brand-name and generic ED medications are generally cheaper than what you might get from your local pharmacy, starting at just $2 per day.

Rex MD offers discounts when you buy more than one month, with up to 40 percent off when buying a 12-month supply. They also offer a sample pack of Viagra and sometimes provide a free gift with your purchase.

Rex MD’s monthly supply starts at $36 for the first order of generic sildenafil (six doses) or $54 for 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 your medication costs may qualify for reimbursement if you have an FSA or HSA plan, potentially saving up to 30 percent by using pre-tax dollars. 

Hims also allows customers to save if they have co-existing conditions like hair loss, premature ejaculation, or high cholesterol in addition to ED. Our compounded 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 medications prevent you from having to fill multiple prescriptions.

Hims and Rex MD have some similarities regarding shipping costs and quality.

We both offer:

• Free, rush shipping

• Discreet packaging

• Ability to cancel and pause shipments online

• Numerous shipping frequencies

Both Hims and Rex MD ship anywhere in the United States, including Washington, D.C. Similar treatment options are available on the Hims U.K. platform.

Hims and Rex MD are subscription-based services. Signing up for a subscription ensures you never run out of medication. However, Hims offers more subscription options.

Hims ships:

• Monthly 

• Every 3 months 

• Every 5 months 

• Every 6 months 

• Every 12 months

Rex MD ships:

• Monthly 

• Every 3 months 

• Every 6 months 

• Every 12 months 

With Hims and Rex MD, messaging your provider and ordering medication through our online portals is easy. But there are a few distinctions.

Hims offers:

• 24/7 support and access to healthcare providers 

• A live chat function in the Hims app

Rex MD offers:

• Customer support 9 AM to 9 PM EST, Monday through Friday, and 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday

• An email and chat option on the website

• Same-day appointments, if necessary

Hims and Rex MD both provide access to licensed healthcare providers.

Hims-affiliated providers must undergo a rigorous vetting process when onboarded. They also have to complete licensing verification and ongoing training. You can view credentials easily on our website.

Rex MD provides limited information about their providers, though some of their advisors can be viewed here. 

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition, but it can still be hard to talk about. Skipping the in-person doctor’s visit to get quality healthcare online helps to make the process easier.

While both Hims and Rex MD provide access to some of the same products, there are some key differences to consider.

• Product Range. After a thorough medical review with a provider, Hims and Rex MD offer access to brand-name and generic Viagra and Cialis. Hims also offers patients access to compounded ED medications that treat multiple health issues at once, such as high cholesterol, premature ejaculation, and hair loss.

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

• Formulations. Both Rex MD and Hims provide access to standard, flavorless ED pills. Hims also offers approved patients chewable ED medications in mint, lemon, and berry flavors.

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

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

• Cost. While Rex MD 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.