Most hair loss brands are selling you a subscription before you even know what stage you’re at. That’s backwards. Here’s what actually matters, ranked by usefulness.

Quick Comparison Table

#	Brand / Tool	Type	Cost to Start	Rx Available	Best For
1	HairLine AI	AI analysis tool	Free	No	Knowing your Norwood stage first
2	Hims	Telehealth + pharmacy	~$35/mo	Yes	Widest medication menu
3	Keeps	Telehealth + pharmacy	~$10/mo (fin)	Yes	Budget-conscious men
4	Roman/Ro	Telehealth + pharmacy	~$16/mo	Yes	Simple generic options
5	Happy Head	Compounding pharmacy	Varies	Yes	Custom topical formulas
6	BosleyRx	Telehealth + transplant	Varies	Yes	Transplant heritage + Rx
7	HairClub	In-person programs	Clinic quote	Referral	Non-surgical + surgical programs
8	Keranique	OTC women’s line	~$30/mo	No	Women, early-stage thinning
9	Generic Minoxidil + Ketoconazole	OTC pharmacy	Under $15	No	Proven basics, zero markup
10	Derma-rolling + Supplements	DIY adjuncts	Under $30	No	Adding on, not replacing

1. HairLine AI

Start here. Seriously. Before you hand a telehealth company your credit card, it helps to know what you’re actually dealing with, and this free browser tool gives you a Norwood classification from a photo or webcam shot in under a minute. No account. No payment prompt.

The single most useful thing it does: pairs your Norwood stage with a rough graft count and cost estimate, so you walk into any brand conversation with real context instead of marketing language. It does not sell medication or replace a dermatologist visit. Think of it as a mirror that talks back, then points you somewhere useful.

2. Hims

Hims is the only major telehealth brand I know of that offers topical finasteride, which some men prefer because systemic absorption is lower than the oral pill. They also carry oral and topical minoxidil, plus combination plans. Pricing varies by formula and plan length. The product range is genuinely wider than competitors.

3. Keeps

Keeps keeps things focused. Finasteride and minoxidil, that’s the whole menu, and that’s fine because those are the two treatments with the strongest clinical track record. Three-month plans run cheaper per unit than month-to-month, and shipping is around $5. Good pick if you already know what you need and want to spend less.

4. Roman/Ro

Roman’s hair category is narrower. Oral finasteride generic and solution-form minoxidil, no foam version. Pricing is competitive on the finasteride side. The platform is clean and the clinical intake is straightforward. Not the most flexible option, but it works for men who want something simple without too many choices.

5. Happy Head

Happy Head writes prescriptions for compounded topical treatments, meaning a formula can combine finasteride and minoxidil in one solution mixed to specific concentrations. Custom compounding appeals to people who want to minimize oral systemic exposure or who’ve had tolerability issues with standard formulations. Pricing varies because formulas are personalized.

*(Quick honest aside: finasteride, no matter the delivery method, carries a real, minority-level risk of sexual side effects, and results from any treatment require months of consistent use before you see anything meaningful.)*

6. BosleyRx

Bosley has been in hair transplant surgery since the 1970s. Their telehealth arm, BosleyRx, layers Rx access onto that transplant heritage. If you’re considering both medication and eventual surgical restoration, having one brand that does both is convenient. Not the cheapest entry point.

7. HairClub

HairClub operates physical clinics and offers a spectrum of programs from non-surgical hair systems to transplant procedures. In-person assessment is their model. Pricing comes from a consultation, not a website, which means comparison shopping takes more effort.

8. Keranique

Keranique targets women specifically with OTC 2% minoxidil formulas and supporting products. Women’s pattern loss is under-discussed, and the marketing here at least speaks to that audience. It’s not magic, it’s minoxidil repackaged, but the branding and community angle can matter for some buyers.

9. Generic Minoxidil and Ketoconazole Shampoo

A 3-month supply of generic 5% minoxidil foam from a pharmacy costs around $12 to $15. Ketoconazole 1% shampoo runs under $10. Both have decades of use behind them. If you’re early stage and cost-conscious, this combination is the unsexy correct answer before spending more.

10. Derma-Rolling and Supplements

Derma-rolling (0.5 to 1.5mm needles on the scalp) has a small but real body of research suggesting it may improve minoxidil uptake. Biotin, saw palmetto, and similar supplements have far weaker evidence. They belong in the “adjunct, not anchor” category. Cheap to try, should not be your whole strategy.

Common Questions

Does it actually matter which telehealth brand you pick, or is finasteride just finasteride?

The active ingredient is the same across Hims, Keeps, and Roman. What differs is formula availability, pricing structure, and how easy the platform makes dose adjustments or follow-ups. If you want topical finasteride specifically, only Hims currently offers it among these three. Otherwise, generic is generic.

Is Happy Head’s compounded topical finasteride safer than the oral pill from Keeps or Roman?

Topical delivery does reduce systemic absorption compared to oral finasteride, but it does not eliminate side effect risk entirely. The evidence base for oral finasteride is larger and older. Compounded formulas are not FDA-approved as finished products, which is worth understanding before choosing them.

When does it make sense to go with BosleyRx instead of a pure telehealth option like Hims or Keeps?

BosleyRx makes more sense if you’re already thinking about surgical restoration down the line and want a single provider tracking your history across both medication and procedure stages. For someone at Norwood 2 who just wants finasteride, the added complexity of BosleyRx offers no real advantage.

Can women use any of the telehealth brands listed here, or is Keranique the only option?

Finasteride is not approved for women with androgenetic alopecia, and the telehealth brands built around it are not appropriate for most women. Keranique’s 2% minoxidil is FDA-approved for women. Women with significant or rapidly progressing loss should see a dermatologist rather than relying on any OTC brand.

How useful is HairLine AI’s Norwood staging compared to what a dermatologist would tell you?

A photo-based AI tool gives you a reasonable starting point, not a clinical diagnosis. It is useful for understanding roughly where you fall on the scale before spending money, and for estimating graft counts if transplant is a future consideration. A dermatologist can assess scalp health, miniaturization patterns, and causes that a photo cannot capture.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology, Hair Loss guidelines (aad.org)
• Cochrane Reviews on minoxidil and finasteride efficacy
• FDA prescribing and approval records for finasteride and minoxidil
• Hims, Keeps, Roman, Happy Head, Bosley, HairClub public pricing pages (accessed 2025)
• Sinclair R, “Male pattern androgenetic alopecia,” BMJ, 1998 (foundational background)