Question:
Is hell worse than hades for a believer? Or are they the same?

Answer:

Hades is a Greek word that means “unseen.” It is not a place, but is a condition of the soul without the body—just as death is the condition of the body. The soul of every person whose body is dead is in the condition of hades which is the same as the Hebrew word sheol. The Lord was in the condition of hades after He died until He rose from the dead (Acts 2:27).

Hell, however, is a “place” of torment. The Greek word translated hell is “geenna,” sometimes called “gehenna,” which is the place unbelievers will be tormented in for all eternity. The Lord said: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [geenna]” (Matthew 10:28).