Hims Cold Sores vs Ro — Genital Herpes
Both Hims Cold Sores and Ro — Genital Herpes compete in cold sores & herpes. Here's how they differ on the things that actually matter.
Hims Cold Sores
Hims — valacyclovir for cold sores & genital herpes
Ro — Genital Herpes
Ro — antiviral therapy for genital herpes & cold sores
At a glance
| Feature | Hims Cold Sores | Ro — Genital Herpes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $15/mo$12/mo | |
| Rating | ★ ·★ · | |
| Reviews tracked | 00 | |
| State exclusions | NoneNone | |
| Category | Cold Sores & HerpesCold Sores & Herpes |
Where they differ
- · Ro — Genital Herpes's listed starting price is $3 a month lower than Hims Cold Sores's ($12 vs $15). Check whether medication is included before comparing.
Which one fits?
Choose Hims Cold Sores if…
Users who want a recognizable brand and don't need same-day turnaround.
Strengths
- · Established brand, large reviewer base
- · Daily suppressive or episodic
- · Online provider review
Drawbacks
- · Slower turnaround than Wisp for first prescription
Our take: Hims' herpes/cold-sore program is straightforward — valacyclovir, episodic or daily suppressive. No surprises, established brand. Pick this if discreetness is less critical than reliability.
Choose Ro — Genital Herpes if…
Existing Ro users adding herpes management, or anyone prioritizing the lowest cost.
Strengths
- · Lowest cost per dose in the cohort
- · Daily or as-needed dosing
- · Free shipping
Drawbacks
- · Slightly slower turnaround than Wisp
Our take: Ro's herpes program is the cheapest among the three options here. Same clinical model as their other categories — non-controlled, clinician-supervised. Best for users already on the Ro platform.
Frequently asked
Is Hims Cold Sores or Ro — Genital Herpes better for cold sores & herpes?+
Both Hims Cold Sores and Ro — Genital Herpes are US-licensed telehealth programs for cold sores & herpes. Hims Cold Sores: Hims — valacyclovir for cold sores & genital herpes. Ro — Genital Herpes: Ro — antiviral therapy for genital herpes & cold sores. The right pick depends on whether you want insurance handling, brand availability, async vs sync clinical model, and cancellation flexibility — see the side-by-side comparison above.
How much do Hims Cold Sores and Ro — Genital Herpes cost per month?+
Hims Cold Sores starts at $15/month. Ro — Genital Herpes starts at $12/month. Stated prices are subscription fees; the actual cost depends on whether the medication is included, whether insurance applies, and current promotions. Compare the full pricing breakdown in the side-by-side table.
Can I switch from Hims Cold Sores to Ro — Genital Herpes?+
Yes — telehealth programs can be cancelled and the same prescription often re-routed through a new provider. The new provider will typically require their own clinical assessment, and you may pay for two months of subscriptions during the transition. Document your cancellation in writing.
Do Hims Cold Sores and Ro — Genital Herpes accept insurance?+
Insurance acceptance varies. Some programs file prior authorizations on your behalf as a concierge service; others operate cash-pay only. Check the comparison rows for "insurance handling" — that's usually the biggest differentiator.