HelloBetter
Hamburg provider of CBT-based online programmes that doctors can prescribe in Germany, plus the Ello AI companion
Quick Overview
| Company | GET.ON Institut für Online Gesundheitstrainings GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Online Therapy Platforms |
| Headquarters | Hamburg, Germany |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Not stated on the pages checked |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Programmes for stress and burnout, sleep, panic, chronic pain, vaginismus and diabetes distress; six DiGA; Ello AI companion in five languages; business offer |
| Pricing | Programmes free on prescription in Germany; Ello AI companion 7 days free, then EUR 19.99 per month |
| Best For | German-insured patients wanting a prescribable programme, and anyone wanting a low-cost AI companion |
| Replaces | BetterHelp |
Detailed Review
HelloBetter is a different animal from a therapist marketplace. Its homepage describes online therapy programmes for 12 diagnoses and says six of them are approved as DiGA, the German "apps on prescription" reviewed by BfArM.
The brand is registered to GET.ON Institut für Online Gesundheitstrainings GmbH in Hamburg. For people without a prescription there is Ello, an AI companion available in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian.
Programmes versus Ello
The programmes are in German and rest on cognitive behavioural therapy. Ello is a separate chat product for everyday worries, trialled for seven days and then billed at EUR 19.99 per month according to the site.
A security incident notice
The German site carries a notice, dated 6 October 2026, about a security incident under Art. 34 GDPR. It says personal data of users up to 6 September is presumed affected, caused by a vulnerability in third-party software that gave access to its business-intelligence system and database. Readers should read that notice before registering.
Research claims
HelloBetter states that it has 30 randomised controlled studies and 20,000 prescribing doctors and therapists. These are vendor figures.
Limitations to Consider
The programmes are German-language and tied to the German prescription route. Ello is an AI, not a human therapist. HelloBetter's own site carries a security incident notice dated 6 October 2026, issued under Article 34 of the GDPR, which is a relevant consideration for a health-data service. Live human sessions are not the format; for those see Instahelp or It's Complicated.
Who Should Use HelloBetter
Patients in Germany with a doctor's prescription, and users who want an inexpensive AI conversation partner in several languages.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Six programmes approved as DiGA
- Free on prescription in Germany
- Ello available in five languages
- Published research programme
- Clear price for Ello
Cons
- Programmes only in German
- AI companion is not a therapist
- Security incident notice dated October 2026
- No live therapist sessions
Alternatives to HelloBetter
Other European online therapy platforms worth comparing before you decide:
Instahelp
Austria · Pay-per-session counselling with psychologists by video, phone or chat
It's Complicated
Germany · Therapist marketplace with free matching and 60+ session languages
Mindler
Sweden · Swedish app with licensed psychologists, video sessions and ICBT programmes
Therapyside
Spain · Madrid-run platform with weekly psychologist plans, priced per session
See all European online therapy platforms or compare them directly against BetterHelp on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
The online therapy programmes are free on prescription in Germany. The Ello AI companion is free for seven days and then EUR 19.99 per month.
No. The site describes it as a psychological AI companion for everyday worries, not a human therapist.
Yes. A notice dated 6 October 2026 describes a security incident affecting users up to 6 September, and is published on its German site.