How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Telemedicine App

Telemedicine stands for the use of electronic communication technologies to track and treat patients instead of in-person visits. Simply put, telemedicine is the delivery of medical care to patients remotely. And there is telehealth software to provide it.

Telehealth software enables people to reach physicians from miles away, helping healthcare providers manage their resources effectively and attract new patients without high costs. Also, it provides on-demand access to different medical services for people while lowering doctors' workload.

A telemedicine app connects patients and healthcare providers via a secure digital platform, enabling consultations, diagnoses, and follow-ups without in-person visits. These apps streamline scheduling, medical record management, and communication, making healthcare more accessible, convenient, and efficient. Patients can book appointments, share symptoms, and receive medical advice, while doctors can review patient history, provide treatment, and monitor progress, all within the app.

Here’s how a telemedicine app works step-by-step:

1. User registration: Patients and doctors create accounts and verify identities.
2. Profile and medical history setup: Patients input medical history; doctors set availability.
3. Appointment booking: Patients browse available time slots and schedule consultations.
4. Consultation: Video, audio, or chat sessions.
5. Prescription and treatment: Doctors send instructions directly through the app.
6. Payment processing: Secure in-app payment options handle fees or subscription plans.

Despite the type of healthcare solutions you choose, all the telehealth platforms include both the patient's and the doctor's sides. Below, you will find the required features depending on the user’s role and their share in the telemedicine app cost.

Now, let’s explore the most essential features that empower patients to easily manage their healthcare needs and demands remotely.

Easy registration

Since telemedicine applications store a lot of sensitive information, the registration process should meet EHR integration norms and allow document uploads. To complete registration in 2 clicks, patients can register via email, mobile phone, or third-party services like Facebook.

Video meeting

Video meeting is a key feature in telemedicine software development. Remember that video and audio should be transmitted in high quality to enable doctors to see the symptoms and determine the diagnosis correctly. For this purpose, you can use protocols such as the Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) and Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC).

Text messaging

Minor issues like a runny nose or cough don’t require a video call. Instead, the patients can text a doctor to ask for advice. This option will allow physicians to answer in their spare time without being distracted from other patients. Besides, users should have the opportunity to attach photos and files for visual clues.

Appointment management

Answering the question “How to build a telehealth app?”, appointment management is a critical feature you should pay attention to. It will allow patients to track and manage appointments with doctors. Users should be able to see the physician's available time and their planned meetings and have the ability to cancel their appointments.

Notifications

Apart from calendar notifications, users can get custom ones to get notified about monthly visits, prescription renewals, and physician queries. Besides, they will help you to inform your customers of future updates. Users also receive personalized notifications for monthly check-ups, prescription renewals, and physician consultations.

Reviews

Patients should have an opportunity to leave a review about their visits to doctors. Include the rating system to enable users to rate the doctor (for example, with the help of a scale of one to five) and put a comment. Based on users’ feedback, physicians can monitor their performance and improve the quality of their service if needed.

Payment details

Payment functionality is vital in telemedicine software development. You can integrate payment methods like PayPal, Stripe, and Braintree, create custom payment services, or use third-party services like MasterCard or Visa. The main advantage of payment gateways over third parties is that they take care of fast, secure transactions and are easy to implement.

The doctor's side also has some specific telemedicine app features. Some of them are similar to the patient's side, while others are different. Let’s discuss them.

Dashboard with patient data

The patient dashboard is the primary screen that is shown when physicians access a patient's medical data and displays all the personal as well as health-related details of each patient. It can cover the treatment history, prescriptions, and personal information.

Doctor profile

Physicians also need to set up their profile, entering their specialization, qualifications, experience, and more information. Client's rate reviews and shifts should also be included in the profile. This information helps patients make informed decisions. A complete profile builds trust and attracts new clients.

Electronic Health Records

Before the meeting with the patients, the doctors need to be provided access to the patient's EHR/EMR. Thus, to diagnose clients' health conditions accurately, your app should have integration with EMR. Ensure the physicians can't download users' medical files from your database.

Communication

Telehealth software development implies two-sided communication between patients and physicians. Doctors should also be able to text or call the patients to ask for test results, treatment process, or state of well-being. In case there is a need for a planned physical examination, the doctor should be granted to schedule an appointment with the client by themselves.

Internal data exchange

The doctors may need to hand their patients to another specialist when, due to unforeseen circumstances, they cannot make an appointment. In this case, they should be able to exchange the clients’ information between departments. Your task is to provide smooth, secure, and reliable internal data exchange.

Creating telemedicine software demands careful preparation because it directly impacts people’s health. As a telehealth software development company experienced in healthcare, we’ll discuss the steps you should take to design a user-centric app while keeping an eye on telemedicine app development cost.

At this stage, you define the purpose of your telemedicine solution and outline its main features. You may aim to build a video conferencing app for patient-doctor communication, a pharmacy management tool, or an all-in-one telehealth platform. Working with a qualified tech team ensures your concept is feasible and aligns with market needs.

The Discovery phase is crucial for aligning client and developer visions. It involves competitor analysis, target audience research, regulatory compliance checks (e.g., HIPAA), integration planning, and preparation of project specifications detailing features, tech stack, and third-party integrations. This phase produces an accurate cost of telemedicine app estimation and a clear roadmap for development.

Designers define core user scenarios, visualize app features, and plan smooth customer journeys for both patients and doctors. They create interactive prototypes and appealing user interface elements. The complexity of design impacts telemedicine development costs, especially when multiple platforms or advanced UX flows are required.

This stage involves server-side development, API integration, and turning the UI design into a working application. It’s recommended to start with an MVP to test the idea and reduce risk. For complex projects, a Proof of Concept (POC) may be created to validate feasibility. This is the main factor affecting how much does it cost to develop a telemedicine app.

QA engineers conduct comprehensive testing to verify functional requirements, security compliance, and bug fixes. They create detailed reports and ensure all app features work as expected. Testing is a critical step that ensures the platform meets user expectations and legal standards without unnecessarily inflating the telemedicine development costs.

After development and testing, the app is delivered for stakeholder review and feedback. Telemedicine platforms require ongoing support to implement new functionality, fix defects, and maintain security and compliance. Proper maintenance helps control the long-term cost of telemedicine app operation and keeps the solution reliable and up-to-date.

We at Cleveroad build custom healthcare solutions that support real clinical workflows and strict security standards. Our clients trust us because we stay transparent, solve problems fast, and take full responsibility for product quality. If you need a reliable telemedicine development partner who understands healthcare and delivers stable results, reach out to our team.

See what one of our clients in the Healthcare domain says about collaboration with Cleveroad's team:

Choosing the right monetization model for the eHealth app depends on your target audience, service type, and long-term growth plans. Often, combining multiple approaches is the best way to maximize revenue and user retention while covering telemedicine development costs.

In the pay-per-consultation model, patients pay a fixed fee for each appointment, either directly to the doctor or via the platform, which may take a small percentage. This model is simple and transparent, ideal for users who only need occasional consultations. It works well for general healthcare advice or minor medical issues where patients do not require long-term treatment plans, helping manage cost of telemedicine app development efficiently.

Pay-per-consultation pros:

• Simple and easy to understand for users
• Scales directly with platform usage

Pay-per-consultation cons:

• Revenue can fluctuate with the number of consultations
• Less suitable for chronic care or recurring treatment plans

Subscription models allow users to pay a recurring monthly or yearly fee for a set number of consultations, unlimited messaging, or premium features. This approach encourages long-term engagement and is particularly effective for chronic care, wellness programs, or preventive health services. Subscriptions provide predictable revenue and help platforms plan capacity, while keeping telemedicine app cost predictable for users.

Subscription model pros:

• Provides stable, recurring income
• Encourages long-term engagement and loyalty

Subscription model cons:

• Higher upfront cost may discourage new users
• Requires consistent delivery of value to retain subscribers

Partnering with employers or insurance providers allows the platform to offer services to large groups of employees or insured patients. The organization typically covers part or all of the telemedicine costs. This approach helps expand the user base quickly and boosts retention, as users are incentivized to use covered services regularly.

Partnerships model pros:

• Access to a large, stable audience
• Accelerates adoption and retention

Partnership model cons:

• Revenue depends on contracts and negotiations
• Less control over pricing and individual user payments

In the commission-based model, the telemedicine platform takes a percentage of each appointment, test, or service booked through the app. This aligns revenue with platform usage and encourages providers to attract more patients. It is particularly effective for multi-provider platforms or marketplaces where doctors pay for leads and bookings rather than a fixed subscription.

Commission-based model pros:

• Revenue grows with usage
• Easy to scale with more providers

Commission-based model cons:

• Income can fluctuate based on appointments
• May reduce provider margins if commissions are high

This model allows users to pay for additional features, specialized programs, wellness content, or premium health services within the app. In-app purchases create a secondary revenue stream while keeping the core app accessible to all users, offering flexibility for personalized services without inflating overall telemedicine development costs.

In-app purchases pros:

• Adds extra revenue without increasing subscription costs
• Allows personalization and upselling

In-app purchases cons:

• Relies on user engagement for revenue
• Overuse can frustrate users if features feel mandatory

The telemedicine app development cost varies depending on software type, complexity, design, integrations, and rates of the software developers. However, if you consider all of them, the cost of telemedicine software development ranges from $150,000 to $250,000+. Unfortunately, no specialists can tell you the exact price until they know the required functionality, what type of telemedicine app development services you need, and what app you want to create.

If you decide to build a telemedicine app, there is no need to employ in-house specialists. There are a lot of experienced telemedicine software development companies available. To give you a hint, we’ve estimated the cost to start your own medical solution based on the solution complexity.

The estimate is based on development rates in Central and Eastern Europe. The region has a solid reputation in this field. You can outsource healthcare software development to Central and Eastern European countries to get lower rates and highly qualified developers.

There are many reliable development companies that can deliver custom software solutions for approximately $50 to $80 per hour. Moreover, hiring globally opens access to a vast pool of talented experts skilled in various technologies, even rare ones. For example, one of the largest American technological companies, Google, uses outsourcing services for its numerous products and services.

Telehealth and wellness apps stand to gain from several major growth vectors like smarter diagnostics and continuous care, device integration, and long-term chronic care management. Below we’ve listed some of the most promising opportunities ahead.

AI-powered tools are now indispensable in telemedicine. Multiple AI-powered tools enable automated diagnostics, preliminary triage, and predictive health alerts. According to ZipDo, in 202,5 about 65% of telehealth providers have integrated AI tools (chatbots, triage, analytics) into their services. Given the projected surge in the overall market, investing in AI-driven features could give your app a competitive edge while increasing value and efficiency for users and providers.

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) is one of the fastest-growing segments in digital health. Grand View Research claims that the global RPM market, valued at nearly $11.9 billion in 2024, is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.1% through 2030. This reflects rising demand for long-term care, chronic disease management, and home-based health monitoring, which makes RPM integration a major opportunity to transform a telemedicine app into a continuous-care platform rather than a one-time consultation tool.

Global Growth Insights state that in 2024, the overall global wearable-health devices market stood at $37.88 billion, and it is projected to reach $57.16 billion by 2034. Besides, they highlight that more than 60% of adults reportedly use wearable devices for fitness tracking, preventive care, or health monitoring; many also rely on them for sleep and heart-rate monitoring.

Many new wearables support medical-grade or near medical-grade tracking (vital signs, ECG, blood-oxygen, sleep, etc.), which expands app functionality far beyond consultations, enabling wellness tracking, early warning systems, and proactive health management. Such integration aligns well with the ongoing digital-health transformation and appeals to users seeking holistic, data-driven health solutions.

At Cleveroad, we developed a mobile IoT-based solution for a US healthcare manufacturer, integrating EKG monitors and pulse oximeters with iOS and Android apps to track heart activity and blood oxygen levels. The platform ensures HIPAA compliance, meets FDA 510(k) requirements, and connects seamlessly with wearable devices via Bluetooth. Additionally, we created an e-commerce module and a professional medical forum, enabling the client to sell devices online and build a social community for practitioners.

• Explore out the full IoT-based system case in more detail

A recent telehealth benchmark survey shows that among organizations already offering telehealth, 71% plan to expand virtual care, including chronic condition management and remote monitoring. While offering long-term care, regular check-ups, remote monitoring, and wellness coaching, telemedicine apps can also significantly evolve into essential tools for managing chronic conditions. This shift transforms telehealth from occasional consultations into a continuous, preventive-care ecosystem.

Cleveroad is a skilled healthcare software development company with 15+ years of experience in the domain, located in the EU, Estonia. We help businesses create software solutions of any scale across multiple domains, with Healthcare as a leading focus.

Our team has proven expertise in developing medical solutions such as EHR, EMR, ERX, mHealth apps, remote patient monitoring software, telehealth platforms, and other custom Healthcare solutions. We help hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies provide personalized care, reduce operational load, and elevate user experience.

By collaborating with us, you’ll benefit from:

• Free Solution Workshop with our solution architects to identify the optimal technical approach and tailor a telemedicine platform that meets your healthcare business needs.
• Seamless AI integration into telemedicine software for features like symptom checkers, and predictive analytics, fully compliant with HIPAA, HL7, and FDA 510(k) requirements.
• We are ISO certified partner and align with ISO 9001:2015 for quality management and ISO/IEC 27001:2013 for information security, ensuring reliable and secure development.
• Custom telemedicine solutions built to scale, maintain regulatory compliance, and optimize patient-doctor workflows for long-term business impact.

Our team developed and released many healthcare software solutions. One recent project is a telemedicine appointment management system, providing 24/7 access to healthcare services, including video and audio consultations. To represent our expertise, we’d like to show you our vibrant case – telemedicine system with appointment scheduling.

Our customer is a UK-based provider of healthcare consultations from NHS-trained general practitioners and clinicians, registered with the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and Care Quality Commission.

They needed a telemedicine appointment scheduling system to automate their business processes and strengthen their position in the telemedicine niche.

We’ve successfully delivered a turnkey system compliant with core healthcare regulations (namely MNRA and CQC), including the following modules (but not limited to them):

• The appointment management module allows the administration to view and control the details of each Appointment, including appointments booked for children.
• Patient KYC procedures module enables patients to register into the system by uploading identification documents and taking selfies. We have also added the selfie comparison mode to simplify the verification process.
• The patient management module contains detailed and secure patient data and allows patients to schedule/reschedule meetings with doctors and review appointment history.
• The booking system helps patients book an appointment with doctors, starting from selecting the needed specialist and ending with confirmation and payment.
• Online meeting functionality allows receiving consultation via voice and audio calls. To deliver high-quality processing, we’ve integrated a video conferencing API (Twilio).

As a result, the client received a custom, scalable telemedicine platform that significantly improved their healthcare operations. The system automates appointment booking and patient verification, reducing manual work and saving staff time. It enables secure, high-quality remote consultations accessible on both mobile and desktop, ensuring timely and compliant care. Administrative tasks are centralized and streamlined, allowing healthcare staff to focus more on patients, while the intuitive interface and seamless doctor-patient communication enhance engagement, satisfaction, and overall user experience.

A complex project like telemedicine software can be properly developed only with the help of competent experts. Our team is prepared to help you architect a top-notch custom software solution of any degree of complexity and make it modern, profitable, and competitive on the market. So, let's cooperate and develop a powerful medical solution in tune with your time, budget, and expectations.

The Cleveroad team designed a demo version of the Telemedicine app, so you can see how the Telemedicine platform can look and feel on the example of patient-side and provider-side solutions.