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You might have heard about BlueChew and Hims, but you might not know the difference. Check out our side by side comparison of the two brands and see which one sounds best to you.
Since the first treatments hit the market more than 20 years ago, erectile dysfunction (ED) medications have become a multibillion dollar industry. There are many treatments available, and with the popularity of online and mail order services in recent years, two emerging leaders are BlueChew and Hims.
Both companies offer several different ED treatments and a similar business model, but exactly what are the differences between BlueChew and Hims, and which one might be right for you?
BlueChew
Starting an order with BlueChew requires going to their website. There, you will select your preferred medication and plan and fill out a medical profile. The questions cover basic information about your age and health. They also have more specific ones that help their doctors make sure BlueChew’s medications will be safe for you to use.
You will also have to send them a picture of you holding a photo ID to verify your identity. Most medical reviews take just 1–2 days. After that, you will get a supply of pills sent each month. You can also choose to have your prescriptions filled at a compounding pharmacy near you.
Hims
The ordering and consultation process for Hims is very similar to BlueChew’s. The main difference is that after filling out the form on the Hims website, you can get an immediate video, phone, or online chat consultation with a doctor.
Once they have determined the right medication for you, they will write a prescription that you can use to order either from the Hims website or take to your preferred local or mail-order pharmacy.
All prices are accurate as of August 2023.
BlueChew
As of this writing, BlueChew offers each of their three products in four tiers: Active, Busy, Popular, and Pro. See the breakdown below.
Hims
Pricing for Hims ED products will vary depending on your dosage and if you order from the website or have the prescription sent to another pharmacy. Costs will range from a few dollars per pill to close to $1,000 for a monthly supply of a name-brand ED medication.
BlueChew
BlueChew doesn’t offer any products other than the chewable sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil tablets. They are the generic equivalents of Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra.
Hims
Hims offers products covering a range of needs beyond ED. Sertraline and paroxetine are offered to treat premature ejaculation, along with sildenafil PE and a topical treatment that is available in a spray or towelette form. They also offer generic valacyclovir to treat genital herpes.
Alongside their ED treatments, Hims sells spray and liquid versions of finasteride and minoxidil, two medications used to help prevent hair loss. They also offer a minoxidil foam and special thickening shampoo and conditioner, and they also offer a pack that you can customize for specific needs.
Recently, Hims expanded their offerings to include a line of skin care products. They include anti-aging, moisturizing, and anti-wrinkle creams as well as a vitamin C serum, a skin cleanser, and an SPF 50+ sunscreen. A custom formula gel cream is also available to treat acne.
Hims is also branching out to offer primary care services and mental health counseling.
BlueChew
BlueChew has been in business since 2014 and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), even though customers seem to give it an average of 1 out of 5 stars. Most of the customer complaints seem to be related to shipping issues.
Hims
Hims has been available since 2017 — and parent company Hims & Hers, Inc. — enjoys the same A+ rating from the BBB that BlueChew does. There are lots of negative reports from Hims customers who were unhappy about canceled or delayed appointments or persistent charges for medications they don’t want.
Both BlueChew and Hims take several measures to make sure your medical information is kept private. They’re bound by the same HIPAA laws as any other medical professionals, so all consultations are as confidential as in-office chats. Both companies also ship their products in plain packaging, ensuring your privacy.
BlueChew
As of this writing, BlueChew has very few customer reviews available online other than the glowing ones on their own website. Two people submitted reviews to the Better Business Bureau site, giving BlueChew 1 out of 5 stars. The three customers who rated BlueChew on Trustpilot gave identical scores.
Hims
Hims has many more customer reviews online, but they’re mixed. As of our last review of the service, their reviews and rating have gone up, with over 1,150 customer reviews and a rating of 3.96 out of 5 stars. That seems to be on par with their rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, although 12% of the more than 1,000 reviewers there gave only 1 star.
| BlueChew | Hims | |
|---|---|---|
| Products | chewable sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil tablets | generic and name-brand treatments for erectile dysfunction; also premature ejaculation, hair loss, and skin care products; online mental health and primary care |
| Recent price ranges | $20–$120 per month | $3–$139 per dose, $82–$958 per month |
| Available since | 2014 | 2017 |
| Availability | BlueChew website and compound pharmacies | Hims website and nationwide pharmacies |
| Insurance coverage | none; might be able to use health savings account (HSA) funds | none; might be able to use HSA funds |
| Availability | all U.S. states except North Dakota and South Carolina | all 50 U.S. states |
| FDA approval | active ingredients only; products not approved | yes |
| Returns accepted | no | no |
The main competitor to Hims and BlueChew is Roman. Roman sells generic and name-brand Viagra and Cialis as well as other products to treat hair loss, genital herpes, low testosterone, allergies, eczema, and excessive sweating.
They also sell a dandruff shampoo and treatments for premature ejaculation, making Roman much more similar to Hims than BlueChew. While both Hims and BlueChew ship monthly, Roman offers monthly and quarterly options. Like Hims, Roman started selling to the public in 2017.
How can you choose between BlueChew and Hims?
If you have other conditions you want to address, like hair loss or skin concerns, you might want to try Hims because they have a much bigger product line. If you live in North Dakota or South Carolina, the choice has been made for you since only Hims products are available in those two states.
If you have trouble swallowing whole pills, BlueChew’s chewable tablets might be best for you. BlueChew will likely also be less expensive for most ED treatment options.
Do you need a prescription to use BlueChew or Hims?
You don’t need to bring a prescription to BlueChew or Hims to buy their products. With both services, you will have an online consultation with a doctor who will write a prescription that you can fill on their website or at a pharmacy of your choice. With BlueChew, you’ll have to use a compounding pharmacy.
Are BlueChew treatments approved by the FDA?
BlueChew sells custom formulations of existing medications. While the active ingredients are FDA approved, the tablets you get from BlueChew are not.
Are Hims treatments approved by the FDA?
Hims ED treatments are all FDA approved, unlike some of their products used to treat other conditions like hair loss.
Where is BlueChew available?
BlueChew products are available through their website or at compounding pharmacies nationwide.
Where is Hims available?
Hims products are available at their website. You can also take the prescription the Hims doctor gives you to your own pharmacist, since the medications they offer are identical to those found in most pharmacies.
Both Hims and BlueChew offer a confidential and safe way to get treatment for erectile dysfunction. Hims offers many other products as well, but BlueChew has been around a few years longer.
BlueChew’s pricing is generally lower, although both will vary depending on where you choose to get your prescriptions filled and which medication you want.