An All-inclusive Guide on How To
Develop a Stellar Healthcare App
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Healthcare has seen unprecedented growth in recent years.
With the ever-increasing adoption of technology that
burgeoned during COVID-19, the healthcare industry is taking
giant strides toward a digital-first approach. One of the most
significant advancements in this regard is the development of
healthcare apps. And almost every touchpoint in healthcare –
be it for the patient or the healthcare providers, is finding

application as an easier and more convenient way to manage
healthcare needs.
The demand for healthcare apps has snowballed, and the
market for healthcare apps is expected to reach over $111
billion by 2025. This surge in need is not surprising, given the
benefits and convenience that healthcare apps offer. The
very nature of healthcare requires knowledge and awareness
patients have of their well-being and facilitating medical
professionals in better patient healthcare management.
What are Healthcare
Apps?
Health/Healthcare/mHealth app solutions are all about
connecting patients with their doctors through measurable
outcomes. Despite the rapid market growth and potential,
many policies and compliances are set in motion, leading to
confusion among developers and companies as they
navigate the complex regulatory landscape. For better clarity,
it is imperative to know that there are
Wellness/Health apps:
Wellness or health apps are designed to promote healthy
living and well-being, often focusing on lifestyle factors such
as nutrition, exercise, and stress management. These apps
typically provide users with tools to track their progress
toward health goals, such as counting calories or monitoring
physical activity and may include features such as reminders,
social support, and gamification to motivate users to adopt
healthy behaviors. Examples of wellness/health apps include
Fitbit, MyFitnessPal, and Headspace.
Healthcare/mHealth apps:
Healthcare or mHealth (mobile health) apps are designed to
support healthcare professionals in providing medical care
and treatment to patients. In addition, these apps can
facilitate communication between healthcare providers and
patients, provide access to medical information and health

records, and support the delivery of healthcare services, such
as telemedicine or remote monitoring. Examples of
healthcare/mHealth apps include Medscape, Epocrates, and
Zocdoc.
Medical devices/apps:
Medical devices or apps are built to diagnose, monitor, or
treat medical conditions. These apps often require regulatory
approval from agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) before being marketed to consumers.
Medical devices/apps can include hardware devices such as
glucose meters or blood pressure monitors that communicate
with mobile apps and software-only apps that use sensors or
other data inputs to monitor health conditions or provide
medical guidance. Examples of medical devices/apps include
ECG monitors, insulin pumps, and hearing aids that can be
controlled via mobile apps.

Fail-proof ways to build a
scalable healthcare app
Building a scalable healthcare app can be challenging due to
the complex regulatory requirements and security concerns in
the healthcare industry. However, with careful planning and
execution, it is possible to build a healthcare app that is
scalable and secure. Here are five steps to follow:
The first step in building a scalable healthcare app is to define
the problem you are trying to solve and identify your target
audience. Next, conduct market research and gather user
feedback to understand your target audience’s needs and
pain points.
Once you have a clear understanding of the problem and
target audience, it’s time to plan the architecture and features
of your healthcare app. Work with experienced healthcare
app developers to design a scalable, secure, and compliant
architecture with healthcare regulations. Determine the
essential features that your app must have to solve the
problem and meet the needs of your target audience.
Selecting the right technology stack is crucial for building a
scalable healthcare app. Consider your app’s scalability,
security, and regulatory compliance requirements when
choosing the technology stack. Also, choose technologies
compatible with the healthcare industry standards and
regulations.
Security is of utmost importance when building a healthcare
app. Implement robust security measures, such as
encryption, secure authentication, and data protection, to
protect sensitive patient information. Make sure your app
complies with regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR.
Testing, iterating, and improving your app is essential to
ensure its scalability and usability. Conduct thorough testing
to identify bugs, errors, and potential security vulnerabilities.

Gather user feedback to identify areas of improvement and
new features that can be added to your app.
What are the Monetization
Models in Healthcare
Apps?
No matter the type of healthcare app you are set on
developing, one thing needs to be clear. Is your healthcare
app going to follow any monetization model? It is important to
choose a monetization model that aligns with the app’s goals
and the target audience’s preferences.
Through fair and transparent practices, your users can help
generate revenue. The choice of monetization model will
depend on the app’s goals and the users’ preferences. Here
are some standard monetization models for healthcare apps:
Freemium Model: In this model, the app is free, but some
features or services are only available to users who pay a

subscription fee. This model allows users to try the app
before committing to a paid subscription.
Paid App Model: In this model, the app is sold for a one-time
fee. This model is best suited for apps with a specific target
audience that is willing to pay for the app.
In-App Purchases Model: This model allows users to
purchase additional features or services within the app. For
example, a healthcare app may offer a fee for additional
coaching services or personalized treatment plans.
Advertising Model: This allows the app to generate revenue
by displaying ads to users. However, it is important to ensure
that the ads do not interfere with the user experience or
compromise the privacy and security of the users.
Data Licensing Model: This model allows the app to
generate revenue by selling or licensing user data to third-
party companies such as insurance providers or
pharmaceutical companies. However, ensuring the data is
anonymized, and the users’ privacy is protected is essential.
Globally Successful
Healthcare Apps
By benchmarking against the best in the world, you can learn
more about relevant and up-to-date healthcare apps out
there. And this is where we have to put in a casual disclaimer!
By no means is this list exhaustive. Instead, we are exploring
the top features in some of the globally acclaimed healthcare
brands worldwide.
• Babylon Health is a UK-based telemedicine app that allows
patients to consult with doctors through video calls. It uses AI-
powered symptom checker technology to provide instant medical
advice.
• Practo is a healthcare app based in India that allows users to
search for and book appointments with doctors and healthcare
providers. It also provides medical information, health tips, and
personalized health records.
• Zocdoc is a healthcare app based in the United States that allows
patients to book appointments with doctors, dentists, and other

healthcare providers. It also provides reviews and ratings of
healthcare providers to help patients make informed decisions.
• Medisafe is a medication management app that reminds users to
take their medication on time and provides information about
potential drug interactions and side effects. It also allows users to
track their health metrics and share information with healthcare
providers.
• Ping An Good Doctor is a healthcare app based in China that
provides users with access to medical consultations, prescriptions,
and healthcare services. It also uses AI to provide personalized
health advice and to help users manage chronic conditions.
How to Develop Next-Gen
Healthcare Apps?
Recent advancements in AI, machine learning, diagnostic,
and integrated medical tools have aided the healthcare
industry. Many target demographics can be reached through
the medium of apps (generally capped as mHealth apps).
This article will take a closer look at the essential aspects
of healthcare app development.
AI and machine learning could enable health applications to
provide personalized recommendations based on a user’s
health data, lifestyle choices, and medical history. These
technologies could predict health issues and provide early
intervention.
AR could be used to provide interactive visualizations of
the human body, allowing users to learn about anatomy and
physiology in a more immersive and engaging way. VR could
be used to provide immersive experiences that simulate
medical procedures, allowing healthcare professionals and
students to practice in a safe and controlled environment.
Blockchain technology could enable secure
and decentralized storage of health data, giving users
more control over their data and enabling better collaboration
between healthcare providers.
Quantum computing could enable faster and more accurate
analysis of large amounts of health data, enabling earlier

diagnosis and more effective treatments. Another
advancement that is already seen and felt these days is
the IoT phenomenon. UI UX for wearable devices needs to
be finetuned in order to comprehend the real-time data
pouring in from health indicators.
How Much Does it Cost to
Create a Healthcare App?
The cost of developing a healthcare app can vary depending
on several factors such as the complexity of the app, the
number of features, the platform it is being developed for, and
the location of the development team. Here are some of the
key cost components involved in developing a healthcare
app:
1. Development team: The cost of hiring developers, designers, and
other professionals involved in the development process can vary
depending on their location, expertise, and experience.

2. Features and functionality: The more features and functionality
you want to include in your app, the more expensive it will be to
develop.
3. Platform: The cost of developing an app for iOS, Android, or both
can vary. If we were to develop an app for both platforms, it will
obviously cost more.
4. Security: Healthcare apps require a high level of security to
protect sensitive patient data. Implementing security measures can
increase the cost of development.
5. Testing and maintenance: Testing the app and ensuring it works
correctly can be time-consuming and expensive. Ongoing
maintenance is also required to ensure the app continues to
function correctly.
Based on these factors, the cost of developing a healthcare
app can range from $10,000 to $500,000 or more. However,
it is essential to keep in mind that the cost of developing an
app is not the only factor to consider. Other factors such as
marketing, regulatory compliance, and ongoing support and
maintenance also need to be considered.
Our Experience in
Developing Healthcare
Applications
Developing a healthcare app is a complex process that
requires careful planning and execution. It involves identifying
the purpose of the app, conducting market research, defining
the app’s features, choosing the right development team,
designing and developing the app, testing and validating the
app, launching the app, and providing ongoing support.
By following these steps, healthcare providers can develop
healthcare apps that are user-friendly, secure, and able to
meet the needs of patients. As one of the leading UX UI
design agencies, Pepper Square has had the opportunity to
create scalable healthcare apps for some of the top
healthcare institutions and pharma companies that fall under

the Fortune 50. Experience the difference by contacting us
and getting a personalized, intuitive healthcare app.
FAQs
How long does it take to build a healthcare app?
The time it takes to build a healthcare app can vary widely
depending on various factors such as the app’s complexity,
features, platform(s), and the development team’s experience
and resources. It may vary anywhere between 6 to 9 months
in most cases.
Do health apps make money?
Yes, health apps can make money in various ways. We’ve
discussed the various monetization models in detail in this
article. Not all health apps are profitable, and many start-ups
in the health tech space struggle to generate revenue.
However, many successful health apps have found
sustainable revenue models and are profitable.