Building Healthcare Apps: Top Developers and Key Considerations
2 weeks ago
Are you a health-tech entrepreneur in Canada who wants to build an app that becomes successful and makes a difference?
You're at the right place.
And you know what is cheery on the cake—the market is ready for you.
32% of Canadians already use health apps, which keeps growing.
Moreover, the Canadian health market is growing and is expected to reach $4,985.8 million by 2030.
But there is something to notice: Building a mobile application takes more work.
You will need a health tech team to handle compliance, user needs, and tech challenges.
Choosing the wrong app development team can lead to delays, security vulnerabilities, and missed opportunities.
But don't worry, this guide will help you out.
We have listed the top 8 Canadian healthcare app developers who can make your vision a reality.
Why Healthcare Apps Are Booming in Canada: mHealth apps market
The Canadian healthcare app market is growing fast.
In 2023, it generated USD 1,466.7 million in revenue; by 2030, it’s expected to hit USD 4,985.8 million.
That’s a tremendous growth rate of 19.1% per year!
An impressive figure.
But you know who is leading the way in the healthcare segment—medical apps.
It is bringing the most revenue.
The best part is that Canadians are embracing health apps.
32% of adults use them, even though only 28% are in poor health.
Here’s more about who’s using health apps:
- 41% of adults aged 18–30 use them.
- 59% of employed adults track their health with apps.
- 55% of university-educated Canadians rely on apps and smart devices.
- 46% of people earning over $80,000 use health apps, along with 28% of those with chronic conditions.
If you’re planning on launching your own medical app, it's the right time. The demand is there, and the opportunity is massive!
How to Choose the Right Healthcare App Developer
Thousands of healthcare developers in Canada will show you their unique capabilities. But it would help if you had the wisdom to choose the right one.
More than their expertise and knowledge, you should judge them by the parameters that make them a right fit for your idea.
Here are some critical points to look for:
1. Industry Knowledge and Compliance Expertise
Healthcare in Canada comes with unique rules like PIPEDA, HIPAA, and PHIPA.
Work with a team that understands these regulations in and out. Ensure your development team follows the legal standards and saves you from heavy fines & cybercrimes.
2. Customization and Scalability
You don't need a temporary solution; you need an app that grows with your operation.
Ensure you partner with a healthtech team that understands your vision and can create a custom solution.
A solution that grows with future needs and can be scaled without expensive updates.
3. Strong Security Measures
Healthcare is a sensitive field; therefore, security is non-negotiable.
The vendor you're collaborating with should have experience with data encryption, access controls, and regular security checks.
This will save your patient data from fraud & increase their trust in your services.
4. Easy Integration with Existing Systems
Your app should work well with tools like EHRs or hospital systems.
Developers who ensure smooth integration with legacy systems can save you time and improve the app's usability for healthcare professionals.
5. User-Friendly Design and Support
Nobody wants a confusing app. It might cause your user to turn away.
Ensure your medical app developer team has experienced UI&UX designers who understand the user well and create a simple, easy-to-navigate app.
Older patients like the app, which has a big font size and detectable colors.
6. Ongoing Maintenance and Updates
Choose developers who are committed to providing post-launch services.
Most developers promise, but few take care of it.
Select the right one based on their past work and word of mouth. Regular updates keep your app running smoothly and users happy.
How We Selected the Top Canadian Healthcare App Developers
With over 10 years of healthtech experience, we’ve carefully chosen top Canadian healthcare app developers who truly understand the challenges of healthcare apps.
1. Expertise and Industry Focus
We prioritized developers with experience in healthtech, especially those knowledgeable about regulations like HIPAA, PHIPA, and PIPEDA.
2. User-Centric Design
We looked for developers who focus on intuitive, user-friendly designs, ensuring seamless experiences for both healthcare professionals and patients.
3. Track Record of Success
We evaluated developers based on their success in building healthcare apps, considering factors like the number of successful apps and client satisfaction.
4. Comprehensive Evaluation
Our selection process included market share, client reviews, and reputation to ensure the developers had both technical skills and healthcare expertise.
The Top 8: Introducing Canada's Leading Healthcare App Development Companies
Based in Vancouver, BC, Pieoneers Software Inc. is a leading mobile and web app development studio. Since 2009, they’ve worked with universities and businesses in health, clean tech, education, and more.
Pieoneers specialize in building high-load web applications and Android/iOS apps. Their apps are known for superior UX/UI design and smart integrations using AI APIs.
Key Details:
- Team Size: 10–49 employees
- Founded: 2009
- Location: Vancouver, Canada
Service Expertise:
- Mobile App Development (55%)
- Web Development (25%)
- Generative AI (10%)
- Low/No Code Development (10%)
Industries Served:
- Medical (35%)
- Education (25%)
- IT (15%)
- Manufacturing (15%)
- Consumer Products (10%)
Clients:
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 60%
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 40%
MindSea, with offices in Halifax and Toronto, has been enhancing digital health products since 2007. Their team helps clients create impactful mobile and web experiences, improving user outcomes through expert guidance and innovation.
What They Do:
MindSea covers everything from strategy and UX design to development and continuous app improvement. Their focus is on building digital health solutions that make a real difference.
Key Details:
- Team Size: 10–49 employees
- Founded: 2007
- Locations: Halifax and Toronto, Canada
Service Expertise
- Mobile App Development (50%)
- Custom Software Development (20%)
- Web Development (20%)
- UX/UI Design (10%)
Industries Served
- Medical (55%)
- Dental (20%)
- Education (15%)
- Consumer Products (10%)
Clients:
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 70%
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 30%
Toronto-based 247 Labs Inc. is a recognized team of certified app developers, UX/UI designers, and business analysts. Since 2013, they’ve delivered high-quality mobile and web apps using an agile approach that prioritizes client satisfaction and project success.
Key Details
- Team Size: 50–249 employees
- Founded: 2013
- Locations: Toronto and Richmond Hill, Canada
Service Expertise
- Mobile App Development (20%)
- Web Development (20%)
- AI Consulting (15%)
- AI Development (15%)
- Custom Software Development (10%)
- Low/No Code Development (10%)
Industries Served
- Medical (10%)
- Dental (10%)
- Education (10%)
- Financial Services (10%)
- GPS & Navigation (10%)
- Manufacturing (10%)
Clients
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 45%
- Enterprise (>$1B): 30%
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 25%
Founded in 2008, Essential Designs has established itself as a reliable provider of custom software, mobile apps, and web development solutions. With offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and Calgary, they serve a wide range of industries, including medical, financial services, and energy.
Key Details:
- Team Size: 10–49 employees
- Founded: 2008
- Locations: Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Canada
- Service Expertise:
Custom Software Development (30%)
- Mobile App Development (30%)
- Web Development (25%)
- IT Managed Services (15%)
Industries Served:
- Business Services (10%)
- Energy & Natural Resources (10%)
- Financial Services (10%)
- Government (10%)
- Medical (10%)
- Advertising & Marketing (5%)
Clients:
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 40%
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 40%
- Enterprise (>$1B): 20%
Founded in 2011, Guaraná Technologies has become a leading mobile app development agency in Canada. With offices in Montréal and Toronto, they specialize in building native iOS and Android applications. Their team develops over 40 apps annually, with a focus on innovative technologies like IoT, AR, Apple Pay, and Apple Watch.
Key Details
- Team Size: 10–49 employees
- Founded: 2011
- Locations: Toronto and Montréal, Canada
Service Expertise
- Mobile App Development (50%)
- IoT Development (20%)
- UX/UI Design (15%)
- Web Development (15%)
Industries Served
- Business Services (50%)
- Consumer Products & Services (20%)
- Education (10%)
- Medical (10%)
- Financial Services (5%)
- Information Technology (5%)
Clients
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 50%
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 40%
- Enterprise (>$1B): 10%
Based in Mississauga, Ontario, CS Web Solutions has been serving North American clients for over a decade. They specialize in web design, development, and SEO, helping businesses achieve digital success through effective and innovative solutions.
Key Details
- Team Size: 2–9 employees
- Founded: 2015
- Location: Mississauga, Canada
Service Expertise
- Search Engine Optimization (30%)
- Web Design (30%)
- Web Development (20%)
- AR/VR Development (10%)
- Mobile App Development (10%)
Industries Served
- Medical (25%)
- Advertising & Marketing (10%)
- Business Services (10%)
- Consumer Products & Services (10%)
- Dental (10%)
- Education (10%)
Clients
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 45%
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 45%
- Enterprise (>$1B): 10%
Architech, based in Toronto, specializes in modernizing legacy systems and developing AI-driven, cloud-native applications. With their award-winning approach, they deliver results 87% faster than traditional methods, enabling organizations to swiftly adapt to changing market conditions.
Key Details
- Team Size: 50–249 employees
- Founded: 2004
- Location: Toronto, Canada
Service Expertise
- Cloud Consulting & SI (20%)
- Enterprise App Modernization (20%)
- AI Development (15%)
- IT Staff Augmentation (15%)
- Custom Software Development (10%)
- Mobile App Development (10%)
- Web Development (10%)
Industries Served
- Financial Services (15%)
- Medical (15%)
- Telecommunications (15%)
- Business Services (10%)
- Consumer Products & Services (10%)
- Information Technology (10%)
Clients
- Enterprise (>$1B): 60%
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 40%
1. SyS Creations: Specializing Exclusively in Healthcare (100%)
SyS Creations is a leading healthcare IT company based in Burlington, Ontario, with over 10 years of experience.
Specializing in custom software, mobile apps, and telemedicine platforms, they focus exclusively on creating solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers.
Key Details
- Team Size: 50+ employees
- Founded: 2014
- Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Service Expertise
- Healthcare IT Support: Ensuring faster, more efficient care.
- Enterprise Healthcare Consulting: Tailored solutions to meet your organization’s needs.
- VoIP & Collaboration: Improving communication for better patient care.
- Marketplace App Development: Seamlessly integrating with EMR systems.
- Dedicated Tech Team: Experts available to innovate and implement.
- Startup Product Development: Helping startups take off with the essentials.
- Mobile App Development: Bringing patient data directly to your fingertips.
- Software Development: Turning your healthcare tech ideas into reality.
- EMR & EHR Integrations: Creating unified, seamless systems.
- Telehealth & Telemedicine: Customizing telehealth solutions to your needs.
Industries Served
- Healthcare 100%
Clients
- Midmarket ($10M–$1B): 45%
- Small Businesses (<$10M): 45%
- Enterprise (>$1B): 10%
Why Choosing a Healthcare-Specific App Developer is Crucial for Success
Choosing a specialized healthcare IT company over a generic IT provider is crucial when developing a healthcare app.
Healthcare has its unique challenges and needs.
While a generic IT company can build an app, only a healthcare-focused developer truly understands the industry’s complexities.
They know the market, the pain points, and most importantly, the specific regulations you need to navigate, like PHIPA/PIPEDA/HIPAA compliance.
Generic app developers may promise they can help with compliance, but the reality is different. They often lack the expertise needed to navigate healthcare laws and regulations.
On the other hand, healthcare-specific developers have the experience to handle these legal requirements, protecting you from costly fines and damage to your reputation.
Choosing the right partner is not just about building an app, it’s about building a compliant, effective, and successful solution that truly meets the needs of the healthcare industry.
