Hims and Roman (Ro) are the two largest telehealth ED platforms in the United States. They have nearly identical business models, similar pricing, and overlapping medication selections. So which one should you actually choose?
This is a genuinely neutral comparison — we have no affiliate relationship with either Hims or Roman. Both are solid platforms. The differences are in the details, and those details matter depending on your specific situation.
The Two Giants, Compared
Both Hims and Roman launched in 2017 to capitalize on the expiring Viagra patent and the growing acceptance of telehealth. Both are now large, publicly traded or venture-backed companies with millions of customers. The core experience is remarkably similar: complete an online questionnaire, get a prescription from a licensed provider, receive medication by mail.
Medication Options
| Medication | Hims | Roman (Ro) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic sildenafil | ✓ 25/50/100mg | ✓ 25/50/100mg |
| Generic tadalafil | ✓ Multiple doses | ✓ Multiple doses |
| Brand Viagra | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brand Cialis | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chewable/Mint | ✓ Hard Mints | — |
| Gummies | — | ✓ Daily Rise (7mg tadalafil) |
| Sublingual | — | ✓ Ro Sparks (sildenafil + tadalafil) |
| Multi-condition combos | ✓ 2-in-1, 3-in-1 | — |
Both platforms offer the standard generics that most men need. The difference is in the innovative formats. Hims has Hard Mints (chewable) and multi-condition combos. Roman has Daily Rise gummies and Ro Sparks sublingual tablets. If you want a specific format, that may decide the platform for you.
Pricing Head-to-Head
| Medication | Hims | Roman (Ro) |
|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil (as-needed) | From ~$4/dose | From ~$4/dose |
| Tadalafil (daily tablets) | From ~$6/dose | From ~$8/dose |
| Daily tadalafil (innovative) | Hard Mints from ~$2/day | Daily Rise gummies from ~$2/dose |
| Consultation fee | Free | Free |
| Shipping | Free | Free |
| Insurance accepted | No (FSA/HSA ok) | No (FSA/HSA ok) |
For standard generic sildenafil, pricing is essentially identical. For daily tadalafil, Roman's Daily Rise gummies offer a slight edge at approximately $2/dose versus Hims' standard tadalafil tablets at $6+/dose. However, Hims' daily Hard Mints can come down to around $2/day with longer billing commitments.
The bottom line: if you commit to longer billing periods, both platforms can deliver daily ED treatment in the $2/day range. Month-to-month, you'll pay more on either platform.
Consultation Experience
Both platforms use asynchronous consultations — you fill out a health questionnaire, and a licensed provider reviews it. Neither offers live video consultations for ED as a standard feature. Both provide messaging access to your provider for follow-up questions.
The consultation quality is comparable. Both questionnaires screen for contraindications (heart disease, nitrate use, etc.), and both platforms employ licensed physicians and nurse practitioners. Neither provides the depth of evaluation you'd get from an in-person doctor visit.
Innovative Formats: Where They Diverge
Roman's Daily Rise Gummies
Roman's standout product is the Daily Rise gummy — 7mg tadalafil in a tropical fruit chew taken once daily. It's convenient, tastes decent by medication standards, and delivers continuous erectile support without planning around sex. At approximately $2/dose, it's one of the most affordable daily tadalafil options available.
Roman's Ro Sparks
Ro Sparks is a sublingual tablet combining 55mg sildenafil and 22mg tadalafil. You hold it under your tongue for about 10 minutes until it dissolves. The sublingual delivery may speed absorption compared to swallowing a pill, though holding a tablet under your tongue for 10 minutes isn't the most seamless experience.
Hims Hard Mints
Hims' chewable Hard Mints come in several formulations including sildenafil-only, tadalafil-only, and a combined version with vitamin B12. The mint format is discreet and convenient, with pricing starting under $2/day for daily use.
Hims Multi-Condition Combos
Unique to Hims: compounded medications that combine ED treatment with hair loss medication (finasteride), PE treatment, or cholesterol management in a single pill. This is genuinely convenient if you're managing multiple conditions, though all combo medications are compounded and not FDA-approved as formulations.
The Verdict: Hims or Roman?
For most men, the choice between Hims and Roman comes down to preference rather than a clear winner. Both are legitimate, both offer competitive pricing on standard generics, and both provide a reliable telehealth experience.
Choose Roman if: You want the cheapest daily tadalafil option (Daily Rise gummies), you're interested in sublingual delivery (Ro Sparks), or you prefer a slightly more streamlined product selection.
Choose Hims if: You want the widest medication selection, you're interested in multi-condition combo medications, you prefer chewable Hard Mints, or you value the most flexible subscription billing options.
But Here's the Thing — There Are Cheaper Options
Hims and Roman are the biggest names in telehealth ED, but they're not the cheapest. Both charge a premium for brand recognition and user experience. If you're primarily cost-driven, alternatives exist that deliver the same medications for less.