The rapid digital transformation of Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector has made apps like Sehhaty crucial for improving patient care, appointment scheduling, and medical record access. As the demand for secure and user-friendly healthcare solutions continues to grow, many organizations and entrepreneurs are looking to create similar platforms. But what does it actually cost to build a healthcare app like Sehhaty in Saudi Arabia?
The cost can vary greatly, typically ranging from SAR 100,000 to over SAR 1,125,000 ($30,000–$300,000+). This depends on the complexity of the app, the features you want to include, and how it needs to integrate with existing systems. Basic apps with essential features like appointment booking and user profiles are more affordable, while advanced apps that include AI diagnostics, wearable tech integration, and government API connections require a larger investment. Other factors, such as regulatory compliance, data security, easy-to-use design, and ongoing support, also affect the final cost.
In this blog, we’ll break down the key cost drivers, uncover hidden expenses, and offer expert advice on how to plan your healthcare app development project. By understanding the full picture, you’ll be empowered to make smart decisions and get the most out of your investment in Saudi Arabia’s growing digital health ecosystem.
The Sehhaty App, built by the Ministry of Health, is a major step in shaping the future of healthcare in Saudi Arabia. Serving over 24 million users, it plays a central role in achieving the goals of Vision 2030, making healthcare easier to access, faster to deliver, and better for every citizen and resident.
Sehhaty connects people to vital health services from booking doctor visits to online consultations and daily health tracking all through one easy-to-use platform. It brings healthcare closer to the people, saving time and raising the quality of care across the Kingdom.
One of the smart tools behind Sehhaty is the use of a digital twin. Simply put, a digital twin is a virtual copy of a person’s health records. It helps doctors and users to track health, predict risks, and take action early without always needing a hospital visit.
If you are a technology provider aiming to build a healthcare app for Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC, the mission is clear: build something secure, simple, and deeply connected to the national healthcare system. Based on Sehhaty’s success, here are the 12 essential features you must have to create a platform that leads in this market:
First, everything begins with strong and personalized user profiles. A user should be able to log in easily using their National ID, verified instantly through platforms like Absher or Nafath. Security must be tight, with options like fingerprint, SMS, or password protection. At the same time, the experience must feel personal, allowing users to manage family profiles, including for children or elderly parents. And because the Gulf is diverse, the app must offer Arabic, English, and additional language options to truly be for everyone.
Appointment scheduling must be seamless and fast. No one wants to spend hours waiting at hospitals. The app should allow users to easily book, reschedule, or cancel appointments with doctors, clinics, or hospitals, whether for in-person visits or virtual consultations. Real-time integration with national platforms like Mawid ensures availability is always accurate. Timely push notifications for reminders will keep both patients and hospitals running smoothly, saving time across the system.
In a region as vast and varied as Saudi Arabia, teleconsultation services are essential. Your app must allow real-time video, voice, or chat consultations with certified doctors. For non-urgent cases, even asynchronous consultation options should be available. Strict security standards aligned with local healthcare regulations must protect all user data. Teleconsultations are not just convenient; they are critical for reaching patients in rural or underserved areas, ensuring that healthcare knows no boundaries.
Access to electronic health records (EHR) must be simple and unified. Users should have full control over their medical history, from lab reports and radiology scans to prescriptions, in one secure place. Integration with national health databases allows for easy sharing with healthcare providers when needed. Even offline access should be available, because health information must be ready anytime, anywhere, especially in emergencies.
Managing medications should be hassle-free. Users must be able to search for medicines, check availability at nearby pharmacies, and track their prescriptions. Adding features like barcode scanning for medicines and refill reminders removes the stress from managing health routines, helping patients stay on track with their treatments.
Health monitoring through wearable devices can turn users’ daily activities into powerful health tools. The app should connect easily to smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health apps like Apple HealthKit and Google Fit. Vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, or glucose levels must be tracked automatically. With AI, the app can even provide personalized health tips, helping users prevent issues before they start, turning daily life into daily care.
Any modern healthcare app must be ready to support public health emergencies like COVID-19. It should offer users the ability to book PCR tests, vaccine doses, and view or download vaccination certificates in both Arabic and English. A quick self-assessment tool for symptoms can guide users to the right next steps. Sehhaty’s role in managing over 50 million vaccine doses shows just how critical such services are in building trust.
Taking it a step further, an AI-powered Digital Twin brings healthcare into the future. By creating a virtual model of each user’s health based on their data, the app can offer proactive, customized advice. When paired with a smart symptom checker, users can catch potential health risks early and seek care before problems grow. Predictive healthcare like this represents the next big leap toward population-wide wellness.
Education must be part of the platform, too. Users need access to trusted information — articles, videos, and interactive content about chronic diseases, preventive care, and healthy living. Gamified challenges like step-count contests or hydration goals can turn learning into action, making wellness a natural part of life. When users are empowered with knowledge, they make better choices for themselves and their families.
Trust is the foundation of digital healthcare, and protecting user data must be a top priority. The app must guarantee full end-to-end encryption, comply with the Saudi Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), and conduct regular security audits to prevent breaches. Without strong privacy, users will hesitate to engage fully, and no healthcare ecosystem can survive without trust.
A world-class healthcare app must also integrate smoothly with national health systems. Seamless connection to platforms like Mawid, Tetamman, and the Council of Health Insurance is essential. Using APIs and offering single sign-on through trusted platforms like Absher ensures a fluid user experience. Integration strengthens the app’s credibility and helps deliver a unified healthcare journey for users.
The app must be ready for emergencies. Users should be able to instantly connect with the 937 Call Center for medical advice or the Red Crescent’s Asafny service for ambulances. A 24/7 chatbot, a detailed FAQ section, and accessible support channels must be available, so users feel safe, heard, and supported, no matter the time or situation.
Building a healthcare app involves many critical components. Here’s a simplified and detailed view of the cost factors with explanations, tables, and real-world examples.
The number and complexity of features, such as profiles, appointments, teleconsultations, EHR access, wearables integration, and AI tools, are the main drivers of app development cost.
Healthcare apps in Saudi Arabia must comply with PDPL, HIPAA, and MoH regulations. This demands encryption, audits, and secure data storage, raising costs.
Integrating with platforms like Mawid, Absher, and Tetamman ensures a seamless user experience but requires custom API development and ongoing support.
Users expect the app to work on iOS, Android, wearables, tablets, and even web portals. Cross-platform development helps reduce cost but needs optimization.
An intuitive, Arabic-first, accessible interface greatly improves user adoption across Saudi Arabia’s diverse population.
The development team’s expertise (especially in AI, healthcare security) and their location impact the hourly rates and project costs.
Integrating AI features like Digital Twins, predictive analytics, or smart symptom checkers adds complexity and increases cloud and R&D costs.
Testing ensures reliability for critical health features, from functional and usability testing to security testing.
Healthcare apps require regular bug fixes, security patches, and feature upgrades to stay compliant and competitive.
The estimated cost to build a Sehhaty-like healthcare app in Saudi Arabia ranges from $30,000 to $300,000 (around SAR 112,500 to SAR 1,125,000). The final cost depends on the app’s features, like appointment booking, teleconsultations, AI health insights, and connecting with national health systems. It also depends on how advanced the design is and meeting strict Saudi data protection rules (like PDPL) and Ministry of Health standards.
A basic app with simple features like booking appointments and viewing health records can cost between $8,000 and $15,000 (SAR 30,000 to SAR 56,250). Adding more complex features, like real-time health tracking, pharmacy location search, or AI-powered health models, can push the cost higher.
You should also plan for extra costs like cloud servers to handle millions of users (Sehhaty serves over 24 million), ongoing maintenance, and strong security testing to protect patient data. Working with an experienced Saudi healthcare app developer can save money, avoid mistakes, and help you align with Vision 2030’s digital health goals.
Building a healthcare app like Sehhaty requires a strategic, multi-phase approach that ensures regulatory compliance, robust functionality, and a seamless user experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Start by studying popular healthcare apps like Sehhaty. See what users like—such as easy doctor appointment booking and telemedicine and where they face problems. Check user reviews and market trends; Saudi Arabia’s healthcare market is expected to grow big by 2032. Next, define your audience: patients, doctors, or both? Set clear goals for your app, whether it’s making appointments easier, improving telemedicine, or managing health records better.
Decide if your app will be for patients, healthcare providers, or both. For patient apps, must-have features include secure login, easy appointment booking, telemedicine, and access to medical records. Adding things like prescription tracking, health monitoring, reminders, and alerts can keep users more engaged. Advanced options like AI symptom checkers and wearable device links are good for future updates.
Choose between building a native app (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) or a cross-platform one (Flutter, React Native) for faster, cheaper development. For the backend, use Django, Node.js, or Java, and safe databases like MongoDB or PostgreSQL. Use cloud services like AWS or Google Cloud to help the app grow. Always focus on security with strong encryption, safe APIs, and user verification.
Your app must meet healthcare laws like HIPAA (U.S.), GDPR (Europe), and NHC (Saudi Arabia). Protect patient data with encryption, multi-factor logins, regular security checks, and safe handling of telemedicine info. Work with legal experts early to make sure your app stays compliant and trusted.
Good design is key. Make the app simple and clear so anyone can use it easily. Start with basic wireframes to map the flow, then build clean and attractive screens. Use tools like Figma and Adobe XD for fast design updates. Test often with real users to catch problems early.
Start by building a basic version (MVP) with core features: sign-up, booking, telemedicine, and health record access. Keep the code flexible for future updates. Test everything—functionality, security, usability, and speed—especially for users with slow internet. Use tools like Selenium and Postman for better results.
Once ready, submit your app to the App Store and Google Play with good descriptions, keywords, and screenshots. Promote it through social media, healthcare groups, ads, and hospital partnerships. Gather user feedback to fix bugs and improve. Keep updating the app to stay useful and competitive.
Building a healthcare app like Sehhaty in Saudi Arabia offers an exciting opportunity to improve patient care and support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 health goals. As a leading healthcare app development company, we understand that costs can range from SAR 112,500 to SAR 1,125,000 ($30,000–$300,000), depending on the features, regulatory requirements, and integration with national systems. By focusing on secure user profiles, teleconsultations, AI-driven insights, and a seamless user experience, developers can create a platform that positively impacts millions of lives. Strategic planning, skilled development, and continuous support are crucial to delivering a successful, user-friendly app that meets Saudi Arabia’s growing healthcare needs and helps build a healthier future.
At Zealous System, a trusted healthcare app development company, we have a proven track record of delivering secure, scalable, and user-friendly apps. Our team specializes in integrating AI, teleconsultations, and national health systems while ensuring compliance with Saudi Arabia’s privacy and health standards. Using advanced technologies like Flutter, AWS, and top-level encryption, we build apps that empower millions. Partner with Zealous System to bring your healthcare platform to life, driving innovation and success in Saudi Arabia’s digital health transformation.
Our team is always eager to know what you are looking for. Drop them a Hi!
Raj Kewlani is the Project Manager and Mobile & Open Source Development Lead at Zealous System. With extensive experience in mobile app development and open-source technologies, Raj drives successful project deliveries while ensuring top-notch quality and innovation
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