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Looking for a Hims and Hers alternative?
A factual look at how shrinkMD compares to Hims and Hers mental health, and who each one suits.
Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Editorial policy
Hims and Hers offer subscription mental health prescriptions for common conditions. shrinkMD is a physician led psychiatry practice with full evaluations and the same clinician over time. Here's a neutral comparison.
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Hims and Hers and shrinkMD, side by side
| Hims and Hers | shrinkMD | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Does not accept insurance; subscription model. | Cash pay only. We don't bill insurance; a superbill is available on request for possible out-of-network reimbursement. |
| Pricing | Around $49 per month membership; medications from about $85 per month. | From $295 initial, $110 to $215 follow-ups, optional $49 per month membership. |
| Controlled substances | Does not prescribe controlled substances. | Never. No stimulants, benzodiazepines, or other controlled substances. |
| Scope | Non controlled prescriptions; live psychiatry isn't offered in every state. | Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management. |
| Who you see | Affiliated prescribers. | Board certified psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. |
Is shrinkMD a fit?
Who shrinkMD is, and isn't, for
A good fit if: you want a full psychiatric evaluation, a physician led plan, and the same clinician over time, paid cash with clear pricing.
Not the right fit if: you want the lowest cost refill of a single medication. Neither service prescribes controlled substances.
Making the switch
Why choose shrinkMD over Hims and Hers psychiatry
Hims and Hers built a strong consumer facing brand offering subscription based mental health prescriptions alongside their broader wellness and ED products. That model works well for people who want a simple, brand recognized way to get a refill of a stable medication with minimal friction. The clinical scope is narrower than a full psychiatry practice by design, and live psychiatric evaluation isn't offered in every state where the brand is available.
Where people look for an alternative is when they want an actual psychiatric evaluation rather than a prescription intake form, when their situation is more complex than a single medication refill, or when they want the medication decision to come from a physician they'll continue seeing. That's the difference between consumer-brand prescribing and physician-led care.
It's also worth naming the trust angle. shrinkMD was founded by a board certified psychiatrist and the clinical care is provided by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, not affiliated prescribers connected through a marketplace. That structural difference is why the care model itself looks different, not just the branding.
How shrinkMD differs
How shrinkMD's clinical model differs from Hims and Hers
Every shrinkMD patient starts with a full 45 to 60 minute video evaluation with a board certified psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. Follow-ups are with the same clinician, so continuity is built into the model rather than dependent on who happens to be assigned. If medication isn't the right answer, the honest recommendation is therapy first, and we'll say that; we don't have a business incentive to prescribe when it isn't indicated.
Because shrinkMD is transparent cash pay per visit rather than a monthly subscription, you can see exactly what an evaluation costs and what ongoing care costs, and you're never locked in to keep a subscription running to keep your medication coming. If a plan needs to change, it changes clinically, not because a subscription lapsed.
“Dr. Refai is outstanding. He is prompt, intelligent, and great at what he does. He gets me, and I wish I could clone him.”
Individual experiences. Outcomes vary. Care is personalized to each patient.
Frequently asked questions
Good questions, clear answers
Is shrinkMD a subscription like Hims and Hers?
No. shrinkMD charges per visit at a published price. There's an optional $49 per month membership for message based follow-ups and small between-visit needs, and it can be canceled anytime. Visits themselves are billed individually.
Can shrinkMD prescribe the same medications Hims and Hers offers?
For non-controlled psychiatric medications, yes: SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, and other non-controlled options. Neither service prescribes controlled substances. shrinkMD's difference is the evaluation and continuity around the prescription, not the medication list itself.
Do I actually see a psychiatrist at shrinkMD?
You see a board certified psychiatrist or a psychiatric nurse practitioner licensed in your state. Every patient gets a full psychiatric evaluation as the first visit, not a form-based intake.
Which is cheaper, shrinkMD or Hims and Hers?
Hims and Hers subscription pricing is usually lower per month for a simple medication refill. shrinkMD costs more because visits are longer, physician led, and include real evaluation and follow-up. It's a different depth of care, priced accordingly.
Ready to start with shrinkMD?
shrinkMD is physician led, cash pay online psychiatry for adults, with no controlled substances and the same clinician over time. See if it's the right fit, then join the waitlist for your state.
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