BetterMe is a legitimate fitness app from a real company, not a scam in the traditional sense. It was founded in 2016 in Kyiv, Ukraine, by Victoria Repa and has grown into one of the most downloaded health apps worldwide, with a 4.7-star rating on the App Store. That said, the reason so many people search “is BetterMe legit” has less to do with the workouts and more to do with billing practices that have frustrated a significant number of users.
The Company Behind the App
BetterMe is a privately held company headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. It’s been operating since 2016 and offers a range of fitness programs, with wall pilates being one of its most popular and heavily marketed categories. The app is available on both iOS and Android, and Good Housekeeping has described it as “beginner-friendly” with “easy-to-follow workouts” that are “intuitive and accessible for all fitness levels.”
One thing worth knowing: the workout videos are AI-generated rather than led by real instructors. This gives the content a less personal feel compared to apps where you’re following an actual trainer. If you’re used to studio-style pilates classes with a coach cueing your form, BetterMe will feel noticeably different.
What Users Actually Complain About
On Trustpilot, BetterMe holds a 3.9 out of 5 rating, which is decent but not stellar. The gap between that number and the 4.7 on the App Store tells part of the story: people who seek out Trustpilot are often there because something went wrong. The most common complaints center on billing, not workout quality.
Multiple users report being charged after they believed they had canceled their subscription. Others describe signing up for what appeared to be a free trial, only to find recurring charges on their credit card. Whether this reflects genuinely deceptive design or user confusion about cancellation steps is debatable, but the pattern shows up repeatedly across review platforms. On the flip side, plenty of users leave glowing reviews about the workouts themselves, particularly beginners who appreciate the structured programs.
How Cancellation and Refunds Work
Canceling BetterMe depends on where you subscribed. If you signed up through the App Store or Google Play, you cancel through your phone’s account settings, not inside the BetterMe app itself. This is standard for subscription apps, but it trips people up. You need to turn off auto-renewal at least 24 hours before your current period ends, or you’ll be charged for the next cycle.
If you subscribed directly through BetterMe’s website, the refund policy has specific conditions. You’re eligible for a money-back guarantee only if you purchased on their site, the money-back option was shown during checkout, and you meet all of the following requirements: you contact them within 30 days of your initial purchase, you’ve followed the program for at least 7 consecutive days (for monthly plans), and you provide screenshots proving you completed at least 7 sessions. If you don’t meet every condition, your fees are non-refundable. Residents of California and Connecticut can cancel within three business days of purchase for a full refund regardless.
The refund requirements are unusually strict compared to most fitness apps. Requiring screenshot proof of completed workouts creates a burden that many users won’t anticipate when they first sign up.
The Workouts Themselves
BetterMe’s pilates content is geared toward beginners and people working out at home. Wall pilates, the category they market most aggressively, uses a wall for support during exercises, making it accessible for people who aren’t ready for traditional mat or reformer work. You don’t need equipment to start, though BetterMe sells its own line of accessories including mats, resistance bands, pilates rings, foam rollers, and even a pilates reformer and chair.
The programs are structured in multi-week plans rather than standalone classes, which can help with consistency if you’re new to exercise. However, the AI-generated format means you won’t get real-time coaching cues or the kind of detailed form corrections that matter in pilates, where small alignment differences can determine whether a movement is effective or potentially irritating to your joints.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The pilates app space has become competitive, and several alternatives offer comparable or better content. Alo Wellness Club, previously $20 per month, is now completely free and includes pilates, barre, and yoga classes with real instructors. Body by Blogilates offers a dedicated pilates library organized by body part and fitness goal. Glo has more than 8,000 classes across yoga, meditation, and pilates.
For more comprehensive fitness platforms that include pilates alongside other workout styles, Sweat costs $25 per month (or $135 per year) and Centr runs $30 per month ($139 per year). BetterMe’s pricing varies depending on the plan and promotional offers at signup, which is part of what creates confusion. Introductory prices can look very low before jumping to a higher renewal rate.
The Bottom Line on Legitimacy
BetterMe is a real company selling real workout programs. The pilates content is functional, especially for beginners who want structured guidance at home. The legitimacy concerns are almost entirely about billing transparency: aggressive marketing funnels, free trials that convert to paid subscriptions, and a refund process with hoops to jump through. If you do subscribe, cancel through your phone’s account settings (not the app) and set a calendar reminder before any trial period ends. And if a free alternative like Alo Wellness Club covers what you need, that removes the billing risk entirely.