The healthcare industry has adopted digitization on a supreme level. From diagnosis, treatment, and operations; everything is happening through mHealth apps and software.
In the Q2 of 2024, we had a total of 36260 healthcare apps on the Google Play Store and 35019 healthcare apps on the App Store. However, the global mHealth app market size was valued at USD 33.17 Billion in 2023, which is anticipated to grow from USD 36.68 Billion in 2024 to USD 88.70 Billion by 2032 (CAGR – 11.7%).
With the supposed growth, entrepreneurs are showing more interest towards custom healthcare app development. However, the first concern is the cost of mHealth app development.
Every country, every app development company, every developer; they all have different costs for healthcare development. Most often; folks choose the USA or India for development.
So this blog is an icebreaker, where you will get the cost of healthcare app development in the USA & India. Read thoroughly and get a cost estimation for your customized healthcare app development.
What’s The Average Cost of Building Healthcare Apps in the USA and India?
There is no fixed cost of app development to be said, yet one can estimate a range. The average healthcare app development cost ranges between $30000-$500000 with basic features and functionalities.
In case the client demands for extra features, high-end security, changes in designs, agile development methodologies, native or hybrid app development, and more customization; that’ll increase the cost of development in the end. You need to be precise about your own requirements to get a close cost estimation.
However, the cost of developing healthcare apps is different in the USA and India. The mHealth app development cost in the USA ranges between $70000 – $500000.
On the other hand, healthcare app development cost in India ranges between $18000 – $100000. Rest a discussion about requirements with the healthcare app development company will come to a close estimation.
Cost Breakdown for Healthcare App Development in The USA
| Development Phase | Estimated Hours | Hourly Rate (USD) | Healthcare Application Development Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation & Planning | 50 – 100 | $100 – $150 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| UI/UX Design | 100 – 250 | $100 – $150 | $10,000 – $25,000 |
| Backend Development | 400 – 800 | $100 – $150 | $40,000 – $120,000 |
| Frontend Development | 300 – 600 | $100 – $150 | $30,000 – $90,000 |
| API Integration | 100 – 200 | $100 – $150 | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Testing & QA | 100 – 300 | $100 – $150 | $10,000 – $30,000 |
| Deployment | 50 – 100 | $100 – $150 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Maintenance (Annual) | 150 – 400 | $100 – $150 | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $90,000 – $260,000 |
Cost Breakdown for Healthcare App Development in India
| Development Phase | Estimated Hours | Hourly Rate (USD) | Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation & Planning | 50 – 100 | $20 – $50 | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| UI/UX Design | 100 – 250 | $20 – $50 | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| Backend Development | 400 – 800 | $20 – $50 | $8,000 – $40,000 |
| Frontend Development | 300 – 600 | $20 – $50 | $6,000 – $30,000 |
| API Integration | 100 – 200 | $20 – $50 | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Testing & QA | 100 – 300 | $20 – $50 | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Deployment | 50 – 100 | $20 – $50 | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Maintenance (Annual) | 150 – 400 | $20 – $50 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $26,000 – $86,000 |
Cost to Develop Healthcare App Based on Its Types and Features in the USA and India
When we evaluate the cost of healthcare app development, the significant factor we must consider is “App Types and Complexities”. In the USA and India, the cost of different healthcare apps is different. So giving a table below with various healthcare app types and their cost in the USA and India:
Cost Based on App’s Complexity
| Healthcare App Types | Healthcare App Development Cost in the USA | Healthcare App Development Cost in India |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Healthcare Apps | $40,000–$70,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Mid-Level Healthcare Apps | $70,000–$150,000 | $20,000–$50,000 |
| Complex Healthcare Apps | $150,000–$500,000+ | $50,000–$150,000 |
The Average Cost of Developing Healthcare Apps in USA and India
| Healthcare App Types | Cost of Healthcare App Development in USA | Cost of Healthcare App Development in India |
|---|---|---|
| Telemedicine Apps | $75,000–$250,000 | $25,000–$75,000 |
| Doctor Appointment Apps | $30,000–$80,000 | $8,000–$25,000 |
| Wearable Health Apps | $50,000–$150,000 | $15,000–$50,000 |
| Patient Monitoring Apps | $100,000–$300,000 | $30,000–$100,000 |
| Electronic Health Record (EHR) Apps | $150,000–$500,000+ | $50,000–$150,000 |
| Fitness Tracking Apps | $40,000–$120,000 | $15,000–$50,000 |
| Health Data Analysis Apps (AI/ML-based) | $150,000–$500,000+ | $50,000–$200,000 |
| Mental Health Apps | $50,000–$150,000 | $15,000–$50,000 |
| Pharmacy App Development & Medication Reminder Apps | $20,000–$60,000 | $8,000–$20,000 |
Also Read: The Comprehensive Guide to Healthcare App Development
Cost-Based on Features of Healthcare App Development
You must know that every feature costs during healthcare app development. If you are building a mHealth app; ensure you are prepared with the shortlisted feature list to get a close estimation of the cost of development; such as:
| Healthcare App Features | Cost to develop Healthcare App in USA | Cost to develop Healthcare App in India |
|---|---|---|
| User Authentication (Login/Sign Up) | $3,000–$10,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Appointment Scheduling | $5,000–$15,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Telemedicine Integration (Video Calls) | $10,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$20,000 |
| Push Notifications | $3,000–$8,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Doctor Profiles | $5,000–$12,000 | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Payment Gateway Integration | $5,000–$15,000 | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Prescription Management | $8,000–$25,000 | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Health Data Analytics (AI/ML) | $30,000–$100,000+ | $10,000–$50,000 |
| Health Monitoring (Sensors/IoT) | $20,000–$75,000 | $5,000–$25,000 |
| Electronic Health Records (EHR) | $50,000–$150,000 | $15,000–$50,000 |
| Real-Time Chat with Doctors | $5,000–$20,000 | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Multi-Language Support | $3,000–$12,000 | $1,000–$4,000 |
| Wearable Device Integration | $10,000–$40,000 | $3,000–$15,000 |
| Reporting and Dashboards | $10,000–$30,000 | $3,000–$12,000 |
| Compliance (HIPAA, GDPR) | $15,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$20,000 |
Key Notes:
- User Authentication includes secure login systems such as email, social logins, or multi-factor authentication.
- Telemedicine Integration covers video consultations and chat features for remote diagnosis.
- Health Data Analytics involves AI/ML-based features like predictive health models, trend analysis, or customized care recommendations.
- Health Monitoring involves integrating with medical sensors or IoT devices (e.g., for tracking vitals).
- Wearable technology Integration is focused on syncing with devices like smartwatches or fitness trackers for health data tracking.
- Compliance ensures the app meets necessary regulations such as HIPAA (USA) or GDPR (Europe).
Costs depend on the app’s scale, complexity, and the geographical location of the mobile app developers. Let me know if you’d like further elaboration on any features or additional aspects!
Factors Influencing The Healthcare App Development Cost
The cost of healthcare software development varies upon N number of factors. Depending on the size and features of the healthcare application development, the budget fluctuates. Therefore, we suggest you consider some prominent factors, which give you a close estimation for your mHealth app development.
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Type of Healthcare App
The type of healthcare app you wish to develop is a significant cost determinant. Whether you’re building a fitness tracker, telemedicine app, EHR system, or mental health app, the functionalities required will differ.
For example, a best fitness workout app may require activity monitoring and gamification, while an EHR app needs secure data handling and integrations with medical systems. These variations influence the development time, resources, and ultimately the cost.
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App’s Purpose and Complexities
The cost to create a healthcare application depends upon the app’s purpose and its complexity level.
If the application is integrated with some advanced functions, additional features in healthcare apps, and required intricate algorithms; that’s going to increase its complexity level.
However, the complex algorithms implied require an iterative development approach for continuous refinement that fluctuates the cost to develop a healthcare application.
Not just the complexity, but the purpose of the mHealth app matters very much during cost calculation. For instance, building wearable applications will be harder compared to doctor appointment apps; because wearable one’s require hardware integration, more real-time requirements, etc. That is why, look at what the purpose and requirements are for the cost evaluation.
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Location of Healthcare App Development Company
Where you choose to develop your healthcare app also plays a major role in cost estimation. Development costs vary widely depending on the geographic region.
For instance, developers in North America charge between $100-$250 per hour, whereas in regions like Eastern Europe or South Asia, rates range from $25-$75 per hour. While cost-efficiency is tempting, it’s essential to balance affordability with quality.
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Compliances and Security
The sensitive nature of patient data requires strict security regulations to be put in place by health application developers. The real intention might be to include features such as custom-tailored encryption of filing documents, APIs-level secured application access, and ensuring access only by an approved person.
There is a big cost associated with such compliance, but if this cost is incurred, the developers will be saved from a major headache later in handling legal problems while safeguarding their users’ trust.
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Custom Features Added
Different features customized according to the purpose of your app can have enormous ramifications on the overall value of the development process. Some examples include AI-based chatbots, real-time statistics, or teleconsultation tools.
Each one requires its share of time and effort: for example, an AI diagnosis tool would require more advanced algorithms and testing, thus incurring development costs. Remember to always implement features that serve to meet initial business goals.
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UI/UX Designs
User engagement mainly depends on the UI/UX design of your app. This makes it an important consideration in development. A well-designed healthcare app is largely accessible and usable for various users-from elderly patients to young adults.
Involving multiplicity through customizable elements, animations, and responsive layout implies needing a skilled design team; this comes with increased costs.
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Third-Party Integrations
A large number of the top healthcare apps in the USA are reliant on third-party services to boost their functionality. Whether it happens in payment gateways, cloud storage, or wearable device integration, all these add-ons carry additional development and subscription costs.
To drive home this point, integrating a payment gateway for an online consultation fee would require API configuration and compliance with financial security standards, yet again putting a squeeze on the already tight budget.
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Deployment Platform and Technology Stack
The choice of platform (Android, iOS, or both) and technology stack will distort development costs as well. The development of native apps for each platform can cost more but is the preferred choice for performance.
To some extent, platform-specific optimization is sacrificed in hybrid app development due to the cost factor. Advanced technologies such as AI, ML, or blockchain; present a cost higher than traditional ones.
Also Read: Top Trends In Healthcare App Development
Tech Stack for Healthcare App Development
The technology stack for healthcare app development comprises different programming languages, databases, frameworks, etc that profoundly influence the app’s performance, scalability, and security.
Every technology has its own separate cost for implementation. So it’s wise you must be aware of different tech-stacks of healthcare app development:
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Programming Languages
Programming languages are the foundation of app development. Popular choices like Java, Kotlin (for Android), and Swift (for iOS) ensure the app runs smoothly.
For cross-platform development, frameworks like Flutter development or React Native are used. Choosing the right language impacts the app’s performance and compatibility.
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Frameworks
Frameworks provide pre-built tools to simplify app development. Examples include Django and Ruby on Rails for backend development or Flutter for cross-platform apps. They help developers speed up the process while maintaining quality and scalability.
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Databases
Databases store all the critical app data, such as patient records and appointment schedules. Popular options include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. A reliable database ensures data is organized, secure, and easily accessible.
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Cloud Services
Cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure enable efficient data storage and processing. They are scalable and ensure your app can handle large amounts of data without performance issues.
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APIs and Interoperability
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) allow your app to connect with other systems, like hospital management software or wearable devices. For example, using FHIR or HL7 APIs ensures smooth data exchange between systems.
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Security Protocols
Strong security protocols protect sensitive patient data. This includes encryption, multi-factor authentication, and firewalls. Compliance with standards like HIPAA Compliance in mobile health apps and GDPR ensures the app is both safe and legally compliant.
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AI and Machine Learning
AI and ML enable features like diagnosis assistance, patient monitoring, and predictive analytics. Libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch are commonly used to build intelligent, data-driven functionalities.
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Telemedicine and Communication Tools
For apps offering teleconsultation, tools like WebRTC support video and voice communication. These tools ensure high-quality, real-time interactions between doctors and patients, improving user experience.
Discuss with your shortlisted healthcare app development company and ask them which technologies should be implemented and how much that will cost. Once you get the cost quotations from healthcare software development companies; compare the cost and quality to finalize the project deal with one.
Cost Breakdown of Healthcare App Development: USA & India
To know the cost differentiation, let’s compare the cost of healthcare app development in the USA and India. Below shown is the table that will help you to acknowledge the difference:
| Development Phase | USA (Cost in USD) | India (Cost in USD) | Key Insights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation & Planning | $5,000 – $15,000 | $1,000 – $5,000 | Indian firms typically offer lower consultation costs due to reduced hourly rates. |
| UI/UX Design | $10,000 – $25,000 | $3,000 – $8,000 | Both regions emphasize user-centric designs, but India offers more cost-effective solutions. |
| App Development | $50,000 – $150,000 | $15,000 – $50,000 | Development in India is substantially cheaper due to lower labor costs. |
| Testing & QA | $10,000 – $30,000 | $2,000 – $8,000 | High-quality testing is available in both regions; India offers competitive rates. |
| Maintenance (Annual) | $15,000 – $40,000 | $5,000 – $15,000 | Maintenance in India remains cost-effective without compromising quality. |
| Total Cost Estimate | $90,000 – $260,000 | $26,000 – $86,000 | Indian firms provide a cost advantage, especially for startup app development or smaller budgets. |
Trending Technologies for Healthcare App Development Affecting Cost
The above-mentioned tech stack was the basic technologies that were a must to use for healthcare app development. If you want to make the mHealth App much more robust, secure, and customized; that will require the integration of trending technologies.
These technology integrations will cost you more. However, acknowledge the demonstration beneath to know what are the trending technologies that can be integrated:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
AI and ML in healthcare enable features like predictive analytics, virtual health assistants, and automated diagnostics. These require advanced algorithms, training datasets, and testing, increasing the development cost by 20-30%, depending on the complexity.
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Blockchain
Blockchain ensures secure and tamper-proof patient data storage and sharing. It’s particularly useful for managing medical records and transactions. Implementing blockchain technology can raise costs by $20,000–$50,000 due to its specialized development requirements.
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Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)
IoMT connects wearable devices and sensors to healthcare apps, enabling real-time monitoring of health metrics like heart rate or glucose levels. Hardware integration, connectivity protocols, and real-time data handling increase costs by 15-25%.
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Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
AR and VR are used in telemedicine, medical training, and therapy apps to provide immersive experiences. Developing these features can add $30,000–$70,000 to your app budget due to the need for custom hardware support and 3D modeling.
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Telemedicine Tools
Advanced telemedicine features like high-definition video consultations, screen sharing, and session recording require integration with platforms like WebRTC or custom-built communication tools. This can increase development costs by 10-20%.
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Big Data and Analytics
Healthcare apps with data analytics capabilities can analyze patient data for trends, helping in better treatment plans and decision-making. The inclusion of analytics dashboards and visualization tools can add $15,000–$40,000 to the cost.
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Cloud Computing
Cloud technology enhances scalability and storage capabilities while reducing infrastructure costs. Integration with platforms like AWS or Azure requires an initial investment of $10,000–$25,000, depending on usage needs.
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Voice Assistants and NLP
Voice-enabled features using Natural Language Processing (NLP) simplify app usage for patients, particularly the elderly or visually impaired. Developing a voice assistant can cost an additional $20,000–$40,000 based on its complexity.
Choose the Right Healthcare App Development Company
When it comes to evaluating the cost of healthcare app development; that’s very important you choose the best healthcare app development company. The right healthcare developers will process quality work within competitive and reasonable cost.
To choose the best healthcare app development company; consider the factors given below:
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Experience in Healthcare Projects
During shortlisting the mobile app development company for mHealth application; ensure the developers must have years of experience in the healthcare domain. Check whether the company has dedicated healthcare app developers or not to work on the projects.
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Knowledge of Regulatory Compliances
Healthcare app development requires the implementation of regulatory companies for data security and other security purposes; Therefore the healthcare mobile developers you choose to work on your project must have knowledge about the regulatory compliances.
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Technical Expertise
The knowledge isn’t enough; because hands-on technologies are a must for robust medical app development. When you choose the mHealth app development company or the dedicated healthcare mobile app developers; ensure they have good experience with the technologies useful for the development.
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Customization Capabilities
Choose a company that excels in tailoring solutions to meet your specific needs. Customized features like unique workflows, branding, and integrations ensure the app aligns with your business goals. A flexible development team can adapt to your vision, delivering a personalized and competitive healthcare app.
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Post Deployment Support
The right development company provides reliable post-deployment support, including bug fixes, updates, and performance optimization. Ongoing maintenance ensures your app remains functional, secure, and compatible with new technologies, helping you offer a seamless user experience even after the app goes live.
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Future Ready Solutions
Ensure the company develops scalable and adaptable solutions that accommodate future technological advancements and feature expansions. A future-ready app saves long-term redevelopment costs and keeps your product competitive in a rapidly evolving healthcare market.
Final Verdict
The healthcare industry has gained vast exposure to the tech evolution. The medical organization and healthcare services are investing more in medical & healthcare applications software development. The primary question before development arises is the budget.
This blog has given you a brief on the average cost, and the number of factors that influence the cost. Also now you know the differentiation of cost to build a healthcare app compared between the USA and India. Find the right development company to build an aligned and useful mHealth application.
In case you have any doubts, we will advise you to consult with Comfygen’s healthcare app developers. We have experienced and expert developers; who will tell you what best to do for the development. On the contrary, the company will also give you a cost estimation based on your idea.
Do not wait anymore. Get your custom idea from our healthcare app development company. We will bring the best that caters to the needs of the industry.
