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

When you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED), talking about your sex life with your primary care doctor (or with anyone) is probably the last thing you want to do.

Fortunately, telehealth platforms like Hims and Roman make it convenient to get a prescription for FDA-approved erectile dysfunction medications, including sildenafil citrate (generic Viagra®) and tadalafil (generic Cialis®), if you’re deemed eligible by a healthcare provider.

At first glance, there are many similarities between our telehealth platforms. We both allow customers to consult licensed healthcare professionals who can prescribe prescription treatments for erectile dysfunction, hair loss, weight loss, and skincare. We also both operate on a subscription-based model to make it simple to stay on top of refills.

However, some key differences exist regarding product offerings, pricing, and more.

If you’ve been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction or you’re looking for help getting or maintaining erections, this guide will answer all your questions about Hims vs. Roman so you can make an informed choice about which one suits you best.

Before you can connect with a healthcare provider at Hims or Roman, you’ll need to complete an online intake form to answer questions about your symptoms, medical history, and treatment preferences. 

Gathering your health information allows your assigned provider to determine the best treatment for your needs and see if you have any other health conditions beyond ED that could benefit from treatment. For instance, at Hims, we offer access to combination treatments for ED and premature ejaculation or ED and hair loss, which may be more convenient for you. We’ll get into how those combination treatments work later.

The intake form also lets providers know if ED medication is safe for you. Some medications, including those for high blood pressure, can have harmful interactions with ED treatments. And certain health conditions, like heart disease or vision problems, can increase your risk of experiencing undesirable side effects. 

Both Hims and Roman provide access to prescription medication for ED following an online consultation with a provider to determine eligibility.

After you fill out the intake form, a provider will review all of your health information and follow up with any questions, just like they would in an in-person doctor's office.

If you qualify and decide to proceed, you should receive your order in discreet packaging within a few days.

States have varying requirements for how practitioners and patients can interact through telehealth sites. In most states, a text conversation is sufficient for the provider to determine if a prescription is appropriate for your needs. You may be prompted to have a phone call or video visit with a provider if you reside in one of these states:

• Alaska

• Arkansas

• Washington D.C. 

• Kansas

• Mississippi

• New Mexico

• North Dakota

• Oklahoma

• Rhode Island

• Vermont

• West Virginia 

You can order medication through our platform in all 50 states, as well as Washington D.C. The Hims platform is also available in the U.K.

Roman is available in all 50 states but not the U.K.

Hims and Roman provide access to some of the same FDA-approved ED medications after a consultation with a provider to determine eligibility. These include select brand-name and generic phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (or PDE5 inhibitors), which improve blood flow to the penis to help you get and maintain better erections.

The treatments include:

• Viagra. Viagra was the first FDA-approved oral ED medication on the market. Originally developed to manage high blood pressure, its trials revealed an unexpected side effect: the medication frequently induced erections, birthing a new generation of ED medications. This PDE5 inhibitor is taken as needed around 30 minutes before sex.

• Sildenafil. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra. The two medications are chemically identical, but sildenafil is more affordable. Read more about Viagra vs. sildenafil.

• Cialis. Like Viagra and sildenafil, Cialis is a PDE5 inhibitor that increases blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. Cialis has a longer half-life than Viagra. It lasts up to 36 hours in the body, while Viagra only lasts around four hours. This means that Cialis can be taken as needed or daily, allowing for more spontaneous sex. Compare more similarities and differences re: Cialis vs. Viagra.

• Tadalafil. Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. Like sildenafil, tadalafil typically runs less expensive than its brand-name counterpart, even though they’re chemically the same. Read more about tadalafil vs. Cialis.

By providing access to both brand-name and generic versions of popular ED medications, Hims and Roman offer customers flexible treatment options. When discussing eligibility with your provider, you can let them know if you prefer the classic branded option or generic medication.

Despite these similarities, the product lines available at Roman differ in a few key ways from the ones we offer at Hims in terms of additional ED treatments available, dosage options, flavors, and more.

Other Single-Ingredient ED Medications: Hims vs. Roman

Hims and Roman both provide eligible patients access to brand-name and generic medications as well as compounded medications. However, we offer access to more options for ED beyond sildenafil and tadalafil.

Hims also offers access to Stendra® if you’re deemed eligible for prescription medication. Newer than Viagra and Cialis, Stendra is another PDE5 inhibitor that contains the active ingredient avanafil. It works similarly to Viagra as an as-needed medication but generally faster. Its effects may be felt within 15 to 30 minutes and last up to six hours. Unlike Viagra and Cialis, Stendra doesn’t have a generic version available for purchase at this time.

Roman does not offer access to Stendra.

Form Factors and Flavors: Hims vs. Roman

Both Hims and Roman offer access to standard ED pills as well as different formulations and flavors that may be more appealing to those who can’t swallow standard pills.

In addition to standard tablets for ED, Roman also offers:

• Gummies. Roman’s Daily Rise Gummies contain 7 mg of tadalafil and have a tropical fruit flavor. As the name suggests, these gummies are taken once daily and stay active in the body for over 24 hours.

• Sublingual. Ro Sparks is a sublingual tablet with a tropical fruit flavor that you hold under your tongue. It’s a compounded medication containing 55 mg of sildenafil and 22 mg of Cialis. One benefit of taking a sublingual formulation is that it enters the bloodstream faster, which means you may feel its effects more quickly than with pills. However, some may find it difficult to keep a sublingual tablet under the tongue for the necessary amount of time. The tablet takes around 10 minutes to dissolve completely.

At Hims, we also offer standard pills in addition to:

• Mints. Hims Hard Mints are chewable ED treatments that 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 cool wintergreen mint or wintergreen mint + lemon flavor. This compounded medication comes in a discreet case, so you can carry it around with ease.

• 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.

Beyond being available in multiple flavors, a unique advantage of taking Hims chewable ED meds is that multiple dosage strengths are available. This allows your provider to design a personalized treatment plan based on your exact needs. We’ll expand on this later when we discuss dosages.

Roman’s Daily Rise Gummies and Ro Sparks have standardized dosages.

Other Compounded ED Medications from Roman vs. Hims

Both Hims and Roman offer compounded products that combine sildenafil and tadalafil, but Hims also offers sexual health treatments that target ED and other medical conditions that can co-occur with ED, like premature ejaculation (PE), hair loss, and high cholesterol if you’re deemed eligible for treatment.

These combination products streamline your daily regimen to address multiple symptoms at once. 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 + Climax Control. Studies show that 30-60 percent of patients with ED also experience premature ejaculation. Sex Rx + Climax Control is a 2-in-1 treatment for both conditions. The compound medication contains prescription tadalafil for ED and fluoxetine (the active ingredient in Prozac®), which is a common off-label treatment for PE.

• Sex Rx + Hair Hero. While hair loss and ED aren’t directly linked, these conditions both become more common as you age. Sex Rx + Hair Hero includes ingredients that can help both. The medication contains tadalafil in combination with the hair loss medications minoxidil or finasteride in personalized dosages.

• ED + Heart Health. ED is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, especially in younger men. ED + Heart Health is a compounded 2-in-1 medication that contains tadalafil for ED and the statin atorvastatin (the active ingredient in Lipitor®). Used together, these active ingredients improve your erections while potentially lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Personalized Dosages: Roman vs. Hims

Both Roman and Hims offer multiple dosage strengths. But Hims offers personalized dosages, which allows your provider to tailor your treatment plan to meet your health goals.

If you opt for Hims Hard Mints or Sex Chews, you can also receive personalized dosages of active ingredients like sildenafil and tadalafil in a formulation that meets your needs and preferences as determined by your healthcare provider.

Both Hims and Roman also allow you to choose from various different dosing options per month:

Roman:

• Daily use

• 4x per month

• 6x per month

• 8x per month

• 10x per month

Hims:

• 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 develop a treatment plan that suits your unique needs.

Health Products Beyond ED: Hims vs. Roman

Beyond erectile dysfunction treatments, Hims and Roman both offer access to an extensive range of over-the-counter and prescription products for various other health issues.

Both Hims and Roman offer:

• Hair loss treatments like oral finasteride

• Hair care products

• Weight loss treatments

• Wellness supplements

• Genital herpes medications

• Premature ejaculation treatments

• Non-prescription PE wipes with benzocaine

• Skincare products

In addition to these products, Hims offers access to an array of mental health treatments and sex toys. Some of these sex toys, like penis rings and the OMG male vibrator, support better erections. Hims also sells water-based lube and climax delay condoms to help you last longer while protecting you from STIs and unintended pregnancies. Explore our full range of sexual health products.

Roman does not sell mental health products or sex toys, but they do offer access to testosterone supplements and fertility health products, which Hims does not currently offer.

While you may think of Hims and Roman as men’s health platforms, both companies also have offerings geared toward women’s wellness. For Hims, our partner site is Hers. Roman’s range of products for men and women is available on the Ro.co site.

Both Roman and Hims provide access to high-quality brand-name and generic medications for ED at competitive prices. Neither company takes insurance. However, your medication expenses may qualify for reimbursement if you have an FSA or HSA plan. 

Pricing depends on treatment, dosage, and frequency, but it seems comparable on both sites if you opt for a longer subscription plan. 

At Hims, generic sildenafil starts at $4/dose and daily tadalafil is less than $2/dose. The online consultation and shipping costs are included, and there are numerous shipping frequencies and dosage options.

According to the Ro.co website, plans start at $4/dose for generic sildenafil and a little over $2/dose for daily tadalafil if you opt for the 7 mg Daily Rise gummies. Standard tadalafil tablets with more dosage options start at $8/dose. Like Hims, they include the online consultation and shipping, but fewer shipping frequencies are available. We’ll get into more detail about shipping and subscription options below. 

For products that combine ED medications, like Hims Hard Mints, our pricing is more affordable than Roman sildenafil + tadalafil combos, Ro Sparks. Daily use plans at Hims start at $39/month and Ro Sparks starts at $48/month and goes up to $120/month. However, Roman does offer a $15 discount on the first order.

If you are interested in treating multiple health conditions at once and are determined eligible by a provider, you can avoid having to fill more than one prescription at your local pharmacy by opting for Hims’ 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 compounded medications for hair growth, premature ejaculation, and heart health.

While shipping frequencies vary, Roman and Hims share a few similarities in terms of shipping costs and quality.

We both offer:

• Free, fast shipping

• Discreet packaging to protect your privacy

• Online access for changing or canceling shipments

Both Hims and Roman ship anywhere within the United States, including Washington D.C., The Hims platform is also available in the U.K. with similar treatment options.

Roman and Hims use a subscription model to ensure you never run out of necessary medication. Subscriptions are managed through online portals and are simple to change or cancel.

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

Roman ships:

• Monthly

• Every 3 months 

• Every 6 months 

As we mentioned before, Hims provides access to various dosage strengths and dosing options per month. You can work with your provider to find the treatment plan and shipping cadence that best serves you.

Roman and Hims have online portals where you can contact your provider and update subscription preferences.

We both offer:

• Free, unlimited follow-up messaging with providers  

• A live chat function in the app

• Easy-to-use online portal

• Educational resources on various health topics on their websites

Providers at Hims vs. Roman

Medical providers at Hims are all licensed and undergo a rigorous vetting process when onboarded. They must also complete licensing verification and ongoing training. Credentials are available for viewing on our website.

Like at Hims, Roman providers are licensed healthcare professionals. Each professional undergoes an extensive background check and license verification process. You can view their resume, medical license, and credentials when messaging. 

Erectile dysfunction is common, affecting around 30 million men in the U.S. If you’re one of these men, you can probably appreciate having convenient access to high-quality ED treatments like those provided by Hims and Roman after a consultation with a healthcare provider.

While both telehealth companies provide access to some of the same products, there are some key differences to consider when deciding which one to use:

• Product Range. Both Roman and Hims offer access to brand-name and generic Viagra and Cialis if you’re deemed eligible for treatment by a healthcare provider. At Hims, we also offer eligible patients access to other ED medications like Stendra and compounded medications that treat multiple health issues at once.

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

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

• Formulations. Both Roman and Hims provide standard tablets along with unique formulations and flavors. We offer eligible patients chewable ED meds in mint, lemon, and berry flavors, while Roman offers gummies and sublingual tablets with a tropical fruit flavor.

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

• Cost. While Roman and Hims offer comparable prices, Hims’ compounded offerings, like Hims Hard Mints and Sex Chews, are slightly less expensive than Roman’s blended treatments.

Want to learn more about how to treat erectile dysfunction or other sexual health issues with Hims? Get a recommendation from a healthcare professional to design a plan that fits 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.