Comparison

Hims vs Ro: Which Telehealth Service for ED?

The two largest men's telehealth platforms in the US operate very similar models. The differences are real but narrower than the marketing suggests — and neither is the cheapest way to buy generic sildenafil.

By EDTG editorialUpdated 18 NOV 20252 min read

Key takeaways

Both use the same fundamental model: online intake, asynchronous clinician review, prescription, delivery.
Hims has the broader product range and the more refined experience.
Ro operates its own pharmacy, which is a genuine structural difference.
Pricing moves frequently — compare on the day, for your dose.
Neither is usually the cheapest route to generic medication.

Side by side

Attribute	Hims	Ro
Model	Telehealth + partner pharmacies	Telehealth + in-house pharmacy
Product breadth	Very broad across men's health	Broad, more clinically framed
Generic options	Sildenafil, tadalafil	Sildenafil, tadalafil
Brand-name options	Yes	Yes
Compounded formulations	Yes, in some products	Varies
Consultation type	Mostly asynchronous	Mostly asynchronous
Experience	Most polished in the category	Clean, less upsell-heavy
Pricing	Competitive; verify current	Competitive; verify current

The verdict

These two are close enough that the decision usually comes down to current pricing for your specific medication and dose, and which interface you prefer. Hims has the more polished experience and a wider product range; Ro's in-house pharmacy gives it more supply-chain control and its platform pushes fewer additional products. Check both prices on the day you buy — and check them against a retail generic before you commit.

Where they genuinely differ

Pharmacy control: Ro operates its own pharmacy; Hims works substantially through partner pharmacies. In a category with a real counterfeit problem, direct control over dispensing is a meaningful structural advantage — though both are legitimate, licensed operations.
Product breadth: Hims spans a wider range of men's health categories. If you want one account for several concerns, that is convenient. If you want a single condition treated, it is noise.
Tone and upselling: Hims leans harder into lifestyle branding and cross-selling. Ro's platform is generally more restrained. This is a matter of preference, not quality.
Formulations: Compounded and novelty formats appear more prominently at Hims. Compounded products are not FDA-approved formulations — know which category you are buying.

How to decide in five minutes

Decide which medication and dose you actually want — sildenafil or tadalafil, on-demand or daily.
Price that exact medication and dose on both services, including what it costs at renewal rather than in month one.
Check whether each is offering an FDA-approved generic or a compounded product.
Price the same generic at a local pharmacy with a free discount card.
Pick the cheapest option that you will actually keep using.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Hims or Ro?

Neither is clearly better. Hims has the broader range and more polished experience; Ro has its own pharmacy and a more restrained platform. Compare current pricing for your specific medication.

Do both require a prescription?

Yes. Both arrange a licensed clinician review, and a prescription is issued only if it is appropriate.

Are they cheaper than a pharmacy?

Usually not for the medication itself. They are selling convenience, privacy and access to a prescription.

Sources

What this is based on

We link to primary sources — clinical guidelines, regulator publications and peer-reviewed research — wherever possible. Links open on third-party sites we do not control.

[01]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information.
[02]National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Digital Pharmacy Accreditation and safe site listings.
[03]Federal Trade Commission. FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking.

Not medical advice:This article is general information. Talk to a licensed clinician about your own situation. Full disclaimer.

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