Manual vs Sons vs Numan 2026: UK Hair-Loss Service Comparison
Service-level comparison of Manual, Sons, and Numan for UK hair-loss treatment. Consultation model, clinical features, app experience and other men's-health services compared. UK regulations restrict displaying prescription-medicine prices on consumer pages.
10-second answer
- Sons is usually the lower-cost for hair-loss-only plans, while Manual and Numan cover broader men's health services.
- Compare finasteride, minoxidil and combination-plan prices on the same billing basis.
- Check that prescribing, delivery and cancellation terms are included before subscribing.
Healthcare data note
Sources, review and limits
Main sources
- Published Manual, Sons and Numan price pages
- CQC provider information
- GPhC pharmacy register
- TreatCompare hair-loss price research
Methodology: We compare visible subscription prices, consultation route, delivery, pharmacy checks and treatment range. Prescription suitability must be assessed by the provider before treatment is supplied.
Important context
TreatCompare uses public data, provider-published information, official datasets, structured research and analysis. Figures can change and may not be complete in real time. Use this page for research and comparison only, then verify directly with the relevant provider.
- Source type
- TreatCompare compiled research
- Primary source
- Provider-published information and TreatCompare research
- Reporting period
- 2026-05-13
- Last updated
- 2026-05-13
- Figure type
- Mixed sources
- Use
- Research and comparison only
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If you believe information on this page is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or presented without necessary context, contact us with the page URL and supporting evidence. We review correction requests promptly, but they are not automatically accepted.
How this guide was checked
TreatCompare uses published provider fees, official regulator registers, NHS/PBS/Medicare references where relevant, and the methodology described on our methodology page. If a clinic, provider or reader spots information that is out of date, they can use our corrections page. Prices are point-in-time and can change before booking.
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Important information for UK consumers. Finasteride and dutasteride are prescription-only medicines (POMs) in the UK. UK Human Medicines Regulations 2012 restrict the advertising of prescription medicines to the public, so this article compares Manual, Sons and Numan on service (consultation model, clinical features, app experience, broader men's-health offering) rather than on medicine price. The medicine itself is priced by the dispensing pharmacy at the point of dispensing.
Manual, Sons, and Numan are three of the biggest UK online platforms arranging prescriptions for male pattern hair loss. All three operate on a similar model: an online clinical assessment, a UK-registered prescriber review, and ongoing supply through a GPhC-registered pharmacy. They differ on service, not medicine price.
Here's how they compare in 2026.
Quick service comparison
| Manual | Sons | Numan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service fee model | Monthly subscription | Monthly or quarterly | Monthly subscription |
| Online consultation | Free (included in service fee) | Free (included) | Free (included) |
| Medicine cost | Set by dispensing pharmacy | Set by dispensing pharmacy | Set by dispensing pharmacy |
| Delivery | Free | Free | Free |
| Subscription flexibility | Cancel anytime | Monthly or quarterly | Pause or cancel anytime |
| App | Yes | No (web only) | Yes (clinical dashboard) |
| Other treatments | ED, premature ejaculation, skin, weight loss | Hair-focused (some skin) | ED, weight loss, blood tests |
| Blood-test add-on | No | No | Yes |
| Consultation type | Questionnaire + prescriber review | Questionnaire + prescriber review | Questionnaire + prescriber review |
All three providers include a free online clinical consultation and free delivery in their service fee. The main differences are subscription flexibility, app experience, and what additional health services they offer alongside hair loss.
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 for hair loss, it offers treatments for:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Skin conditions (acne, anti-ageing)
- Weight management
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:
- Premium service fee positioning
- No quarterly subscription option
- No blood-test add-on
Sons: hair-focused, quarterly subscription option
Best for: Men who only need hair-loss treatment and value subscription flexibility.
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 UK prescriber-led finasteride and minoxidil access. The quarterly subscription option gives a small service-fee discount over monthly billing.
Pros:
- Lowest service-fee tier among the three
- Quarterly billing option for further service-fee reduction
- 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-test add-on
- Less clinical infrastructure than Numan
Numan: clinical depth, blood-test add-on 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-test add-on available (useful for monitoring health markers alongside treatment)
- Clinical dashboard for tracking treatment
- Good app experience
- Also covers ED and weight loss
- Subscription is easy to pause or cancel
Cons:
- Higher service-fee tier than Sons
- Blood tests cost extra (not included in the base service fee)
- No quarterly billing discount
Compare Manual, Sons, Numan and other UK hair-loss services on consultation model, clinical features, app and broader men's-health offering.
Compare UK hair-loss services pricesWhen to choose each
Choose Sons if:
- You only need hair-loss treatment
- You don't need an app or blood-test monitoring
- You prefer quarterly billing for a small service-fee discount
- Service simplicity matters more than breadth
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
- Breadth matters more than service simplicity
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 Sons' simplicity and Manual's breadth
- You may also want ED or weight-loss treatment in future
Are they all legitimate?
Yes. All three providers operate within UK regulatory frameworks:
- Where required, registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
- Dispense medicines through GPhC-registered pharmacies
- Prescriptions reviewed by GMC-registered doctors or qualified UK prescribers
- Use MHRA-licensed medicines with decades of clinical evidence
The verdict
All three are legitimate, convenient and clinically sound. The right choice depends on what you prioritise:
- Service simplicity → Sons. Hair-loss only, lowest service-fee tier, quarterly option.
- Breadth of services → Manual. Hair, ED, skin, weight loss on one platform.
- Clinical depth → Numan. Blood-test add-on, clinical dashboard, broader monitoring.
The medicine itself is priced by the dispensing pharmacy at the point of dispensing and is not something we display on this page. Ask each provider for a written breakdown of (a) the service fee covering consultation and review and (b) the typical dispensing cost for the licensed product they prescribe.
Compare every verified UK hair-loss service on consultation, clinical features and broader offering.
Compare all UK hair-loss services pricesRelated guides
- Finasteride Patient Information UK 2026 — service-cost framework, NHS options
- Hair Transplant Cost UK 2026 — when medication isn't enough
- All Hair Loss Services — full provider directory
Frequently asked questions
How do Manual, Sons and Numan compare on service?
All three are UK-registered services that arrange prescription medicines for male pattern hair loss through GPhC-registered dispensing pharmacies. They differ on consultation model, clinical infrastructure (blood-test add-ons, dashboard, app), subscription flexibility, and the range of other men's-health services they offer beyond hair. UK Human Medicines Regulations 2012 restrict the advertising of prescription medicines to the public, so TreatCompare compares them on service rather than medicine price.
How are private hair-loss costs structured at these providers?
Each provider charges a service-level fee covering the online clinical assessment, prescriber review and ongoing review consultations. The medicine itself (finasteride, dutasteride) is priced by the dispensing pharmacy at the point of dispensing and is not advertised on consumer pages under UK rules. Ask each provider for a written breakdown of the service fee and the dispensing pharmacy used.
What's the difference between the three providers beyond hair loss?
Manual offers the broadest range — hair loss, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, skin (acne, anti-ageing) and weight loss. Numan covers hair loss, erectile dysfunction and weight loss, with blood tests as an add-on. Sons is hair-focused with some skincare; biotin supplements and DHT-blocking shampoo are available as add-ons.
Which provider offers blood tests for treatment monitoring?
Only Numan offers blood tests as an add-on, useful for monitoring health markers alongside treatment. Numan also provides a clinical dashboard. Neither Manual nor Sons offer blood testing as part of the hair-loss service.
Are Manual, Sons, and Numan legitimate UK providers?
Yes — all three are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) where required and dispense medication through GPhC-registered pharmacies. Prescriptions are reviewed by GMC-registered doctors or qualified UK prescribers. Finasteride and minoxidil are MHRA-licensed medicines with decades of clinical evidence.
Do all three providers offer apps?
Manual and Numan have apps (Numan's includes a clinical dashboard for tracking treatment); Sons is web-based only. All three use a questionnaire plus prescriber consultation model and offer monthly subscriptions, with Sons also offering a quarterly billing model that gives a small discount on the service fee.
Which provider is suited for managing multiple men's health concerns in one place?
Manual has the broadest treatment range covering hair loss, ED, premature ejaculation, skin and weight loss in one platform. Numan also covers hair loss, ED and weight loss. Sons remains hair-focused with limited options outside that category.
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