Keeps and PlushCare score similarly, so your pick should come down to pricing and specific needs.
Provider Overview
9.0(230 reviews on Trustpilot)
Keeps specializes in hair loss treatment for men, offering FDA-approved finasteride and minoxidil at affordable prices. Known for their focused approach to preventing and treating male pattern baldness.
PlushCare is a full-service telehealth platform offering virtual urgent care, primary care, and treatment for various conditions including ED, weight loss, and women's health.
Men seeking ED medication who want to compare costs and options across multiple online providers before committing.
Men comparing prescription availability, pricing, and dosage options across telehealth services in their state.
Men who want a licensed prescriber and pharmacy, but prefer an independent comparison over going direct to one brand.
Not for
If you take nitrates for heart conditions, online ED treatment is not safe - see a cardiologist first.
Sudden or unexplained ED alongside chest pain or shortness of breath needs in-person cardiac evaluation, not telehealth.
An erection lasting over 4 hours requires emergency care, not an online consultation.
About This Comparison
Our Editorial Standards
This keeps vs plushcare provider comparison is independently researched by our editorial team. We compare telehealth services based on publicly available information including pricing, available treatments, service areas, and verified customer reviews.
Independent Research: We do not accept payment for rankings or favorable reviews
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you
Regular Updates: Content is reviewed and updated monthly for accuracy
Licensed Providers Only: All listed services employ US-licensed healthcare providers
Not Medical Advice: This comparison is for informational purposes only. We are not healthcare providers. Always consult with a licensed physician before starting any treatment. Read our full medical disclaimer and editorial policy.
Independent ResearchUnbiased provider comparisons
Fact-Checked InformationVerified against official sources
Regularly UpdatedLast updated March 18, 2026
Licensed Providers OnlyAll listed services are US-licensed
Keeps vs PlushCare: Complete Comparison Guide
Written by Ben KowalskiStaff Writer
13 min readUpdated March 18, 2026
complete analysis comparing Keeps and PlushCare across pricing, features, treatments, and user experience.
Platform Overview
Keeps launched in 2017 as specialized men's hair loss platform offering prescription finasteride and minoxidil through asynchronous telemedicine model. The platform focuses exclusively on male pattern baldness treatment with streamlined evaluation process optimized for androgenetic alopecia assessment. Keeps physicians review patient questionnaires and scalp photographs without requiring synchronous video appointments, prescribing FDA-approved medications at $20-60 monthly through efficient messaging-based consultation model. The specialized approach targets men seeking convenient access to evidence-based hair loss pharmaceuticals without traditional dermatology appointment overhead or multi-category health platform complexity. Source: Keeps platform analysis 2025
PlushCare operates complete primary care telemedicine platform serving both men and women across diverse medical conditions including hair loss, chronic disease management, mental health, acute illness, and preventive care. The platform employs board-certified physicians providing synchronous video consultations (typically 15-minute appointments) for diagnostic evaluation and treatment planning across broad medical spectrum. Hair loss treatment represents one clinical offering among extensive primary care services, with providers prescribing finasteride, minoxidil, and other medications as clinically appropriate during real-time video visits. PlushCare accepts most major insurance plans and charges visit fees ($129-199 without insurance) rather than subscription model, positioning as virtual primary care clinic rather than specialized hair loss service. Source: PlushCare platform analysis 2025
This comparison examines fundamentally different telemedicine models: Keeps' specialized asynchronous hair loss service versus PlushCare's complete synchronous primary care platform. The platforms differ in clinical scope (specialized vs generalist), consultation format (messaging-based vs video appointments), pricing structure (subscription vs per-visit), and provider interaction depth (asynchronous review vs real-time diagnostic consultation). Selection depends on whether patients seek focused hair loss prescription access or complete medical evaluation within broader primary care relationship.
Consultation Models: Asynchronous vs Synchronous Care
Keeps utilizes asynchronous consultation model where patients complete medical questionnaires, upload scalp photographs, and submit treatment requests without scheduled appointments. Licensed physicians review submitted information within 24-48 hours, prescribing finasteride and minoxidil if medically appropriate or requesting additional information if contraindications exist. The asynchronous approach eliminates appointment scheduling, wait times, and real-time conversation requirements—patients receive prescriptions via platform messaging without video interaction. This model prioritizes convenience and cost efficiency for straightforward androgenetic alopecia cases where photograph-based assessment and medical history screening sufficiently determine treatment appropriateness. Source: Asynchronous telemedicine models
PlushCare employs synchronous video consultation model requiring scheduled appointments with board-certified physicians. Patients book 15-minute video visits where providers conduct real-time clinical interviews, visual assessments, and diagnostic discussions before prescribing treatments. The synchronous format enables bidirectional conversation, clarification questions, differential diagnosis consideration, and complete medical evaluation beyond photograph review. Physicians can assess patient concerns holistically, identify potential underlying causes of hair loss, coordinate with existing medical conditions, and provide personalized treatment recommendations during face-to-face (virtual) interaction. This consultation depth comes with appointment scheduling requirements, defined visit windows, and higher per-encounter costs compared to asynchronous models. Source: Synchronous telemedicine effectiveness
The consultation format distinction significantly impacts patient experience and clinical thoroughness. Asynchronous care at Keeps maximizes convenience—patients submit information anytime without appointment coordination—but limits provider interaction to one-way review rather than bidirectional diagnostic conversation. Synchronous care at PlushCare requires appointment scheduling and dedicated visit time but enables complete clinical evaluation, real-time questions, and diagnostic depth impossible through photograph review alone. Patients with straightforward male pattern baldness seeking prescription access often find asynchronous model sufficient; those desiring thorough medical evaluation, differential diagnosis, or complex clinical discussions benefit from synchronous video consultations. Source: Patient preferences in telemedicine formats
Pricing Models: Subscription vs Fee-Per-Visit
Keeps operates subscription pricing model charging $20-60 monthly depending on medication selection (minoxidil alone $20, finasteride alone $35, combination therapy $60). These monthly fees include both medications and provider oversight with no additional consultation charges—initial evaluation and ongoing prescription management fall within subscription cost. The predictable monthly pricing creates straightforward budgeting for long-term hair loss treatment, with patients paying consistent fees regardless of provider communication frequency. Keeps accepts some insurance for prescription drugs but primarily operates as self-pay subscription service with transparent pricing independent of insurance status. Annual treatment costs reach $240-720 depending on medication combination selected. Source: Keeps pricing structure 2025
PlushCare charges per-visit fees ranging $129-199 for new patient consultations and $99-149 for follow-up appointments when paying without insurance. With insurance, patients pay standard copays (typically $10-50) depending on plan benefits, as PlushCare accepts most major insurance including Medicare. The fee-per-visit model means hair loss consultations require payment for each appointment—initial evaluation, follow-up visits, prescription renewals beyond automated refills all incur separate charges. Medication costs additional through patient's pharmacy or mail-order service. Total first-year costs vary substantially based on insurance coverage and visit frequency but can reach $400-800 for initial consultation plus quarterly follow-ups, excluding medication expenses. Source: PlushCare pricing structure 2025
Pricing model differences create distinct cost structures for long-term care. Keeps' subscription approach bundles medications and oversight into predictable monthly fees advantageous for patients committed to ongoing treatment without insurance coverage complications. PlushCare's per-visit model costs more for uninsured patients but potentially less for those with complete insurance reducing appointment fees to copay levels. Medication costs at PlushCare purchased separately through traditional pharmacies, allowing insurance formulary coverage but adding prescription expense beyond consultation fees. Over multi-year treatment horizons typical for hair loss management, Keeps' subscription model often produces lower total costs for self-pay patients, while PlushCare may cost less for patients with excellent insurance coverage offsetting higher visit fees. Source: Telemedicine pricing model comparison
Clinical Scope: Specialized vs Primary Care Integration
Keeps maintains exclusive focus on male androgenetic alopecia treatment without broader medical services. The platform prescribes only finasteride and minoxidil for hair loss, operating single-purpose infrastructure optimized for this narrow clinical indication. Providers review hair loss medical history, cardiovascular contraindications for finasteride, and pattern baldness characteristics without conducting complete health assessments or managing comorbid conditions. This specialization limits care coordination with other health issues but enables streamlined prescribing for straightforward pattern baldness. Patients requiring broader medical evaluation, laboratory testing for underlying hair loss causes, or integration with complex medical histories need traditional healthcare relationships beyond Keeps' specialized scope. Source: Specialized telemedicine limitations
PlushCare provides complete primary care services including but extending far beyond hair loss treatment. Physicians can order laboratory tests, diagnose underlying medical conditions affecting hair loss (thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances), coordinate treatment with existing medications and conditions, and provide holistic medical care beyond isolated prescription writing. The primary care integration enables identification of hair loss causes requiring intervention beyond finasteride/minoxidil, management of medication interactions with existing prescriptions, and complete health optimization. Patients receive care from licensed physicians capable of addressing full medical spectrum, with hair loss treatment coordinated within broader health management rather than isolated single-indication service. Source: Primary care telemedicine scope
The clinical scope distinction affects which patients benefit most from each platform. Men with straightforward male pattern baldness, no complex medical history, and clear treatment goals find Keeps' specialized focus sufficient and efficient. Patients desiring complete evaluation to rule out underlying causes (thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, nutritional deficiencies), those with complex medication regimens requiring interaction review, or those seeking ongoing primary care relationship benefit from PlushCare's medical breadth. Keeps excels at efficient prescription access for typical androgenetic alopecia; PlushCare excels at diagnostic evaluation and coordinated care for complex presentations or patients wanting integrated medical management beyond isolated hair loss treatment. Source: Matching telemedicine models to patient needs
Provider Credentials and Expertise Concentration
Keeps employs licensed physicians specializing in men's hair loss treatment through repeated exposure to male pattern baldness cases. The concentrated practice in single condition creates expertise depth—Keeps physicians evaluate hundreds of androgenetic alopecia cases, developing pattern recognition and treatment optimization experience in narrow therapeutic area. However, these providers function within limited scope focused exclusively on finasteride/minoxidil prescribing without broader dermatologic training or complete medical practice. The specialization produces efficient evaluation for typical presentations but limits diagnostic breadth for atypical hair loss patterns requiring broader medical knowledge. Source: Telemedicine provider specialization
PlushCare employs board-certified family medicine and internal medicine physicians with complete medical training and broad clinical scope. These providers practice full-spectrum primary care including but not limited to hair loss treatment, bringing extensive diagnostic training and clinical experience across medical specialties. While individual physicians may see fewer hair loss cases than Keeps specialists, they possess broader diagnostic capabilities to identify uncommon causes, complex presentations, and systemic conditions manifesting as hair loss. The complete medical education enables holistic patient assessment, though individual hair loss case volume may be lower than specialized platforms focused exclusively on androgenetic alopecia. Source: Primary care physician training and scope
The provider expertise trade-off involves depth versus breadth: Keeps physicians develop concentrated hair loss expertise through volume repetition in narrow indication, while PlushCare physicians bring complete medical training with broader diagnostic capabilities but potentially less hair loss case concentration. For typical male pattern baldness, Keeps' focused expertise suffices and may provide efficiency advantages. For complex presentations, atypical patterns, or cases potentially involving systemic disease, PlushCare's broadly trained primary care physicians offer diagnostic depth and medical knowledge breadth exceeding specialized hair loss platforms. Patient clinical complexity and diagnostic needs should guide provider model selection. Source: Specialist vs generalist telemedicine effectiveness
Insurance Integration and Payment Flexibility
Keeps operates primarily as self-pay subscription service with transparent out-of-pocket pricing. The platform accepts some insurance plans for prescription drug coverage but consultation and platform fees typically fall outside insurance benefits. Most patients pay advertised subscription rates ($20-60 monthly) directly without insurance claims or reimbursement processes. This simplified payment model creates predictable costs but offers limited insurance benefit for patients with complete health coverage. The subscription structure suits patients comfortable with self-pay direct-to-consumer model or those with insurance plans providing minimal telemedicine or prescription drug benefits. Source: Direct-to-consumer telemedicine payment models
PlushCare maintains extensive insurance integration accepting most major plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, and others. Patients with insurance typically pay standard specialist copays ($10-50 depending on plan) rather than full visit fees, substantially reducing out-of-pocket costs. The platform processes insurance claims directly, enabling patients to utilize existing health benefits for telemedicine visits. This integration makes PlushCare cost-effective for insured patients whose coverage includes telemedicine benefits, though uninsured patients face higher per-visit charges ($129-199) than Keeps' subscription fees. The insurance acceptance expands accessibility for patients preferring traditional insurance-based healthcare rather than direct-pay models. Source: PlushCare insurance coverage 2025
Insurance integration dramatically affects relative cost competitiveness between platforms. Patients without insurance or with high-deductible plans paying full out-of-pocket costs typically find Keeps' subscription model more affordable for ongoing hair loss treatment. Patients with complete insurance providing low copays for specialist visits often pay less through PlushCare, with $30 copays for quarterly visits totaling $120 annually plus pharmacy-covered medications potentially costing less than Keeps' $240-720 annual subscriptions. Insurance benefits determination requires reviewing individual plan telemedicine coverage, specialist copay amounts, and prescription drug formularies. Keeps advantages self-pay patients; PlushCare advantages well-insured patients with telemedicine benefits. Source: Insurance vs self-pay telemedicine cost analysis
How We Tested Keeps vs PlushCare
Methodology & Clinical Evidence
This comparison synthesizes publicly available information about Keeps and PlushCare service models, consultation formats, pricing structures, and clinical scope as of January 2026. Analysis incorporates platform marketing materials, provider credential disclosures, pricing schedules, insurance acceptance policies, and terms of service from official websites. Clinical effectiveness assessments reference FDA approval data for finasteride and minoxidil in male pattern hair loss treatment, with efficacy expectations derived from landmark clinical trials establishing these medications as evidence-based interventions. Consultation model comparisons incorporate telemedicine literature evaluating asynchronous versus synchronous care formats, patient satisfaction research, and clinical outcome studies. Cost analyses reflect advertised pricing without accounting for individual insurance variables, promotional discounts, or pharmacy pricing variations for medications purchased separately. The specialized versus complete primary care distinction represents structural difference observable through provider credentials, clinical scope statements, and service offerings. This analysis does not constitute medical advice; patients should consult licensed healthcare providers to determine appropriate hair loss treatment based on individual medical history, underlying conditions, and diagnostic evaluation requirements.
Final Verdict: Keeps vs PlushCare
Final Verdict: Specialized Convenience vs Complete Medical Evaluation
Keeps and PlushCare represent fundamentally different telemedicine approaches to hair loss treatment—specialized asynchronous prescription service versus complete synchronous primary care platform. Optimal selection depends on clinical complexity, desire for diagnostic depth, insurance coverage, and preference for convenient prescription access versus thorough medical evaluation.
Keeps excels for men with straightforward male pattern baldness seeking efficient, affordable access to FDA-approved medications without appointment scheduling or complete medical evaluation. The asynchronous model, specialized focus, and transparent subscription pricing ($20-60 monthly all-inclusive) provide maximum convenience and cost-effectiveness for typical androgenetic alopecia cases where photograph-based assessment suffices. Patients comfortable with self-pay direct-to-consumer model and those without complete insurance benefit most from Keeps' streamlined approach.
PlushCare excels for patients desiring thorough medical evaluation, diagnostic investigation of potential underlying causes, or integration of hair loss treatment within broader primary care relationship. The synchronous video consultation format enables complete clinical assessment, differential diagnosis, laboratory testing, and holistic medical management beyond isolated prescription writing. Patients with excellent insurance coverage reducing visit fees to copay levels often pay less through PlushCare than Keeps subscriptions over multi-year treatment horizons. The platform serves both men and women with full primary care capabilities.
Clinical complexity represents key selection factor: straightforward male pattern baldness requires only the focused evaluation Keeps provides efficiently, while atypical presentations, sudden onset, or suspected systemic causes necessitate PlushCare's complete diagnostic capabilities. Insurance coverage dramatically affects relative costs—uninsured patients typically save substantially with Keeps' subscription model, while well-insured patients may pay less through PlushCare's per-visit fees covered by insurance benefits.
Choose Keeps if:
You have straightforward male pattern baldness without complex medical history
You prioritize convenient prescription access without appointment scheduling requirements
You prefer asynchronous care completed on your timeline rather than scheduled video visits
You pay out-of-pocket without insurance (subscription model typically less expensive)
You want specialized hair loss focus without broader medical services
You seek lowest-cost entry point for FDA-approved hair loss medications
You value predictable monthly subscription pricing over per-visit fee structure
Choose PlushCare if:
You desire complete medical evaluation investigating potential underlying causes
You prefer thorough diagnostic conversation with board-certified physician via video
You have excellent insurance coverage providing low copays for specialist visits
You seek integrated primary care relationship managing hair loss within broader health context
You have atypical hair loss patterns, sudden onset, or complex medical history requiring diagnostic depth
You value ongoing physician-patient relationship with scheduled follow-up appointments
You are female seeking hair loss treatment (Keeps serves men only)
Bottom line: Keeps and PlushCare serve different patient needs through distinct telemedicine models—specialized convenient prescription access versus complete primary care evaluation. Men with typical androgenetic alopecia and limited insurance benefit most from Keeps' efficient subscription approach; patients desiring diagnostic depth, those with complex presentations, and well-insured individuals seeking integrated medical care benefit from PlushCare's physician consultation model. Neither replaces board-certified dermatologist evaluation for complex diagnostic cases, but both provide legitimate paths to evidence-based hair loss treatment matching different patient preferences, clinical needs, and financial circumstances.
Sources & References
Our comparisons are informed by official sources and regulatory guidelines. We encourage readers to verify information with authoritative sources.
KeepsTelehealth platform specializing in men's hair loss treatment
PlushCareComprehensive primary care telehealth platform
Keeps - PricingKeeps hair loss treatment pricing and subscription plans
Editorial Note: Researched and edited by our editorial team. AI tools assist with initial research and drafting; all content is fact-checked and edited by humans before publication. Learn more about our editorial standards
Ben Kowalski is a writer and researcher who covers men's health, sexual wellness, and online healthcare services. He stumbled into health writing after realizing how much bad information exists online about topics men are too embarrassed to ask their doctor about. Ben thinks that needs to change. When he is not untangling medical jargon or stress-testing telehealth apps, he is watching Premier League football, grilling something, or losing at trivia nights with the same group of friends he has had since college.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before starting any treatment. Read our full medical disclaimer.
