Arnaud Gilbert 
Applications for healthcare are more prevalent than ever. If you’re an entrepreneur, this trend may be a good time to start working on your own health application. App development, on the other hand, isn’t as simple as you may believe.
You must consider a number of factors, including the functionality you want to add, the style you would like it to have, and, most crucially, the application development method you’ll use. You must normally choose between a no-code or a custom-made strategy for this, but if you don’t know what these terms mean, you will be perplexed. On that topic, you might want to keep reading because this article will clarify the differences between these two approaches.
Table of Contents
What is a No-Code Platform, and How Does it Work?
It’s a website interface that lets you make applications utilizing simple drag-and-drop tools. Because there is no programming or coding involved, no application developers are required. An intuitive interface allows you to build, modify, and manage digital health programmes. You collaborate closely with the programme management team and subject matter experts to construct your app in an organized, collaborative process that is simple, enjoyable, and tailored to assure the success of your digital health programme. The setup, configuration, and continuing maintenance are all handled by the programme management team.
For a myriad of purposes, including cost, time, and hazard, using a no-code platform is preferable to custom development.
What Is Custom App Development?
No-code development is the polar opposite of custom app development. Unlike no-code apps, where you may easily reproduce the format if you use the same NCDP as the developer, custom app development necessitates a significant amount of coding, and the end result is frequently unique.
In addition, the majority of custom-made apps are created to meet the demands of a certain set of people. If you want to create a healthcare app for your employees, for example, a custom application would be the ideal option. If that’s the case, here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a healthcare app. But, for the time being, you might wish to know how these two approaches differ.
What’s the Difference Between No-Code and Custom Apps?
Whenever it comes to developing a healthcare application, it’s important to consider the big picture challenges like money, schedule, and upkeep. Here’s how Pattern Health’s no-code platform stacks up against custom developers.
The app’s development costs are as follows:
The cost of developing a custom mobile health app varies greatly. According to Research 2 Guidance, development expenditures average $425,000 from start to finish. This was the price a few years ago. Costs were expected to rise, they said. Maintenance and further post-launch development are not included in these prices. Most Pattern Health customers, on the other hand, spend less than $3,000 a month plus a minor one-time setup fee to license the platform.In absolute terms, those with very complicated programmes or those providing a large number of customers pay more, but it is a proportionately efficient trade.
Compare the $425,000 cost of developing an app (but not maintaining it) to the annual cost of less than $36,000. It’s a significant distinction; a no-code platform could be used by a larger number of people. Even if the Pattern Health app is utilized for a decade, the cost of launching the bespoke app is still too high.
Time to Start Working on the App
According to the Research 2 Guidance study, it takes 12 to 24 months to establish a conventional digital health application. That, too, is just up to the launch point. After launch, most mobile health apps require extra development and maintenance. That’s a year or two without collecting digital data if employed for research. Several firms may have an application up and operating in less than six weeks using Pattern Health’s no-code platform. In less than six weeks, the process was repeated. This enables the company to easily create and launch its digital health services.
Obstacles to Launching the App in a Healthcare System Include
Deploying a digital health application within a health system is a time-consuming procedure that includes negotiating legal agreements, integrating IT systems, and conducting information security audits, which could potentially take another six to twelve months. This process is much easier and faster if you ‘re utilizing a no-code platform that has previously been deployed and approved in a health system. When growing the adoption of a digital health product across different enterprises, a no-code platform like Pattern Health that already has a network of contacts has a tremendous multiplier impact.
Making a New Wheel
Each individual application requires app developers to reinvent the wheel. They may need to interact with the organization’s EHR, give log-in modules with accounts/profiles, include communication channels such as APIs to other parties, and add other administrative and analytical functions to a healthcare app. Security, compliance, and privacy must all be addressed in the app. Many features are already incorporated into Pattern Health, and they are frequently utilized for patients research and information gathering to assist chronic illnesses, perioperative treatment, wellbeing, and other disorders. Security, compliance, and privacy are, of course, at the top of every list.
Profitability
If you can come up with a unique idea for a personalized health app, there’s a good chance you’ll reap the advantages in the future. However, there is a chance of losing money, particularly if you invested a lot of money on the development.
Creating a no-code programme, on the other hand, has a very limited possibility of making money. You don’t have much to lose, especially since it’ll be the same as everybody else’s health app. Simply put, custom-made apps come with a lot of risks and a lot of rewards, whereas no-code apps offer a lot of risks and a lot of gains. So, which is better based on these factors?
Conclusion
If you don’t have a lot of time and believe your idea is distinctive and will be successful irrespective of how it looks, a no-code application is your best bet. A custom-made app is the ideal option if you have money to spare and just would like to design a health app for your employees. At the end of the day, it is up to you and your staff to decide
