Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin: Cost, Units and Differences (2026)

By Natasha Pomelova, Founder of MedicalSpaLocator.com and melov.ai, with 15 years in pharmaceutical commercialization at Takeda, Amgen, Astellas, and Horizon Therapeutics.

The three most-used neuromodulators for frown lines and forehead lines are Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA), Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) and Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA). All three temporarily relax the muscles that cause expression lines, and all three typically last three to four months. They differ in formulation, dosing units and, slightly, in how they behave. For a head-to-head on two, see Botox vs Dysport.

Botox vs Dysport vs Xeomin at a glance

The per-unit ranges for Botox and Dysport are Medical Spa Locator planning estimates carried over from our Botox cost guide and the Botox vs Dysport guide. They are not observed averages or quotes. We do not publish a Xeomin range because we have no sourced figure for it.

Why price per unit is misleading

A unit of one brand is not a unit of another. Manufacturing differs, so the units measure different amounts of activity, and regulators note they should not be compared directly. If Dysport lists at $5 per unit and you need about 2.5 to 3 times as many units as Botox, the cost for the same area ends up much closer than the per-unit numbers suggest. Xeomin is generally dosed about one to one with Botox, so its per-unit price compares more directly.

Ask for the total price for the area and the number of units, not the per-unit rate. That is the only way to compare Botox, Dysport and Xeomin quotes.

How much does a treatment cost with each brand?

Costs depend on the area, the units, the product and the provider. For reference, ASPS reported an average surgeon fee of $466 for botulinum toxin type A injections (Botox, Dysport and Xeomin combined) in its 2020 statistics, a dated, all-brand, all-area figure that excludes facility costs. Our Botox cost guide breaks Botox out by area. Because the three brands are dosed differently, request a written quote for the same area from each provider.

Which is better: Botox, Dysport or Xeomin?

None is better for everyone. Published comparisons find all three effective for frown lines when dosed correctly, and a small study reported that they are not equivalent unit for unit, which confirms that they are not interchangeable. Practical differences are modest:

• Botox: the longest track record and the most familiar dosing for most injectors.
• Dysport: often described as starting to work slightly sooner and spreading more, which some injectors prefer for broad areas like the forehead.
• Xeomin: contains no complexing proteins. Some clinicians favor that in theory for patients who have lost response, but it has not been shown to be better for most people.

Other approved neuromodulators exist, such as Jeuveau, Daxxify and Letybo, and are priced and dosed on their own labels. The choice of product is a conversation with your injector, and a skilled injector with any of these will usually outperform an inexperienced one with another.

Can I switch between Botox, Dysport and Xeomin?

Yes, many patients do, but dosing must be reset because units differ. Tell your provider which product you had last and for how long it worked, and avoid converting units yourself. If a brand seems to wear off sooner, discuss it with your injector rather than assuming the product is the cause.

How do I find a neuromodulator provider?

Browse Botox and neuromodulator providers and compare ratings and prices near you. Before booking, ask which brand they use, how they price (per unit or per area), the expected number of units, and who injects.