Manual vs Sons vs Numan 2026: Hair Loss Treatment Compared

Manual, Sons, and Numan are the three biggest online hair loss treatment providers in the UK. All three offer finasteride, minoxidil, and combination plans via online consultation — but they differ on price, features, and what else they offer.

Here's how they compare in 2026.

Quick comparison

| | Manual | Sons | Numan | |--|--------|------|-------| | Finasteride from | £18/month | £12/month | £16/month | | Minoxidil available | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Combination plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Online consultation | Free (included) | Free (included) | Free (included) | | Delivery | Free | Free | Free | | Subscription model | Monthly, cancel anytime | Monthly or quarterly | Monthly, cancel anytime | | App | Yes | No | Yes (clinical dashboard) | | Other treatments | ED, skin, weight loss | Hair-focused (some skin) | ED, blood tests, weight | | Blood tests | No | No | Yes (add-on) | | Consultation type | Questionnaire + prescriber | Questionnaire + prescriber | Questionnaire + prescriber |

Pricing breakdown

Finasteride only

| Provider | Monthly | Quarterly | Annual saving | |---|---|---|---| | Sons | £12/month | £10/month (paid quarterly) | Best value | | Numan | £16/month | N/A | — | | Manual | £18/month | N/A | — |

Minoxidil only

| Provider | Monthly | |---|---| | Sons | From £14/month | | Numan | From £16/month | | Manual | From £18/month |

Combination (finasteride + minoxidil)

| Provider | Monthly | |---|---| | Sons | From £22/month | | Numan | From £28/month | | Manual | From £30/month |

Manual: widest range, premium positioning

Best for: Men who want a single platform for multiple health concerns.

Manual positions itself as a men's health platform rather than just a hair loss service. Beyond finasteride and minoxidil, it offers treatments for:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Premature ejaculation
• Skin conditions (acne, anti-ageing)
• Weight management (GLP-1 prescriptions)

Pros:

• Broadest treatment range of the three
• Clean app with treatment tracking
• Well-designed educational content
• Good for managing multiple health areas in one place

Cons:

• Most expensive for hair loss specifically
• No quarterly discount
• No blood testing

Sons: cheapest, hair-focused

Best for: Men who want effective hair loss treatment at the lowest price.

Sons is laser-focused on hair. It launched as a hair loss brand and while it has expanded slightly (some skincare), its core offering is still finasteride, minoxidil, and combination plans at the lowest price in the UK market.

Pros:

• Cheapest provider across all hair loss treatments
• Quarterly billing option reduces cost further
• Straightforward — no upselling across health categories
• Biotin supplements and DHT-blocking shampoo available as add-ons

Cons:

• No app (web-based only)
• Narrower range — limited options beyond hair
• No blood tests
• Less clinical infrastructure than Numan

Numan: clinical depth, blood tests available

Best for: Men who want clinical monitoring alongside their treatment.

Numan sits between Manual and Sons. It offers a clinical dashboard, optional blood tests, and a broader men's health offering including erectile dysfunction and weight management.

Pros:

• Blood tests available as an add-on (useful for monitoring health markers)
• Clinical dashboard for tracking treatment
• Good app experience
• Also covers ED and weight loss
• Subscription is easy to pause or cancel

Cons:

• More expensive than Sons
• Blood tests cost extra (not included in the base plan)
• No quarterly billing discount

When to choose each

Choose Sons if:

• You want the cheapest hair loss treatment available
• You only need finasteride, minoxidil, or both
• You don't need an app or blood tests
• You prefer quarterly billing to reduce monthly cost

Choose Manual if:

• You also want treatment for ED, skin, or weight loss
• You prefer a single platform for all men's health needs
• You value a polished app and content experience
• Price is less important than breadth of service

Choose Numan if:

• You want the option of blood tests to monitor your treatment
• You like having a clinical dashboard
• You want a middle ground between the cheapest option and the broadest platform
• You may also want ED or weight loss treatment in future

Are they all legitimate?

Yes. All three providers are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and dispense medication through GPhC-registered pharmacies. Prescriptions are reviewed by GMC-registered doctors or qualified prescribers.

The medications themselves — finasteride and minoxidil — are MHRA-approved, well-studied treatments with decades of clinical evidence behind them.

The verdict

On price alone, Sons wins. At £12/month for finasteride, it is the cheapest reputable option and does the job without frills.

If you want a broader health platform, Manual offers the widest range of treatments in one place, making it convenient if you also want to address ED, skin, or weight.

If you value clinical depth, Numan's blood test add-on and clinical dashboard give you more visibility into how treatment is affecting your health.

All three are legitimate, convenient, and clinically sound. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise price, breadth, or monitoring.

Related guides

• Finasteride Cost UK 2026 — complete pricing guide including NHS options
• Hair Transplant Cost UK 2026 — when medication isn't enough
• All Hair Loss Treatments — full provider comparison