How To Build A Doctor Appointment App Like HotDoc? Cost & Features 2025

In this digital healthcare era, online doctor appointment apps have become essential for streamlining patient engagement and improving healthcare access. One platform leading this transformation in Australia is HotDoc is a widely used medical appointment app that simplifies booking, telehealth consultations, reminders, and patient feedback.

If you're considering developing a doctor appointment app like HotDoc, you're stepping into a rapidly growing market. The increasing demand for virtual care and the convenience of telemedicine has driven healthcare providers, clinics, and entrepreneurs to invest in custom telehealth app solutions.

In 2025, user expectations are higher than ever. Patients want intuitive interfaces, real-time appointment slots, secure communication, and online medical consultations at their fingertips. For healthcare providers, having a robust and scalable platform to manage appointments and patient flow is critical.

This blog is your complete guide to HotDoc-like app development. From market insights and features to cost breakdowns and the tech stack, you’ll gain clarity on how to build a healthcare app tailored for the Australian market or beyond. 

What is HotDoc? Overview & Market Insights

HotDoc is one of the most popular doctor appointment apps in Australia, used by over 18,000 practitioners and millions of patients. It offers seamless scheduling, online check-ins, SMS reminders, repeat prescriptions, and telehealth consultations making it a trusted online doctor appointment app across general practices, dental clinics, and specialists.

The app not only benefits patients but also boosts clinic efficiency by automating administrative workflows. From reducing no-shows to streamlining front-desk operations, HotDoc has become a key player in Australian healthcare apps.

Market Opportunity:

• The global telehealth app development market is expected to reach $250 billion by 2030.
   

• In Australia alone, post-COVID digital health adoption has surged by 65%, increasing the need for medical practice app development.
   

• With more Australians seeking digital-first healthcare, there's rising demand for HotDoc alternatives offering similar or better features.

These insights prove that now is the right time to invest in a HotDoc clone app development project. The market isn’t saturated, it's growing and clinics are looking for solutions that match or exceed what HotDoc delivers.

Whether you're targeting local GP clinics, dental practices, or large hospitals, building a doctor booking app like HotDoc gives you a competitive edge in the healthcare mobile app development industry.

Why Build a Doctor Appointment App Like HotDoc?

Building a doctor appointment app like HotDoc offers numerous benefits for healthcare providers, patients, and business owners.

1. Improved Patient Experience

Patients can easily find available doctors, book appointments, receive reminders, and attend telehealth sessions, leading to higher satisfaction and retention.

2. Reduced Administrative Load

Automating tasks like scheduling, appointment confirmations, and feedback collection reduces the workload on clinic staff.

3. Real-Time Access

A well-designed medical appointment app development project enables users to access live availability, reschedule, or cancel appointments anytime.

4. Digital Health Transformation

With Australia prioritizing digital healthcare, having your own online doctor appointment app aligns with national trends and telehealth policies.

5. Revenue Generation

Through in-app services like prescription renewals, video consultations, and targeted health promotions, app owners can monetize their platform effectively.

6. Data-Driven Insights

An integrated healthcare app can provide valuable analytics for doctors and clinics to improve services and patient engagement.

Investing in a HotDoc-like app development project is more than a tech upgrade, it's a strategic move to modernize healthcare access. From urban centers to rural Australia, telemedicine is bridging the care gap.

Whether you're a healthcare startup or a doctor appointment app development company, the demand for secure, HIPAA-compliant digital health solutions is skyrocketing in 2025.

Top Features of a Doctor Appointment App Like HotDoc

When developing a HotDoc clone app, it's crucial to include core features that meet user expectations and ensure platform scalability.

1. Patient Registration & Profiles

Let users create detailed medical profiles, insurance info, and preferred doctor lists.

2. Doctor Listings & Filters

Enable browsing doctors by specialty, location, availability, language, or ratings.

3. Real-Time Appointment Booking

Sync with doctors’ calendars to offer instant slot visibility and confirmation.

4. Telehealth Integration

Offer secure video consultations, chat-based medical support, and document sharing.

5. Automated Reminders

Send SMS, email, or in-app push notifications for upcoming appointments and follow-ups.

6. E-Prescriptions & Referrals

Doctors can issue prescriptions and specialist referrals digitally.

7. Online Payments

Integrate multiple payment gateways for consultation fees, prescriptions, and more.

8. Ratings & Reviews

Allow patients to review doctors and services post-consultation.

9. Practice Management Dashboard

Clinics get admin access to manage doctor availability, appointments, billing, and reports.

10. Patient Feedback & Forms

Digital intake forms and post-visit surveys for improved engagement.

These features lay the foundation for a high-performing doctor booking app. Whether you're targeting GPs, specialists, or multi-practice chains, a robust feature set ensures you compete with the best healthcare apps in Australia.

Advanced & Trending Features (2025 Edition)

To future-proof your HotDoc-like app, consider integrating these trending features:

• AI Chatbots for Triage: Guide patients to the right service or provider through smart symptom-checkers.
   

• Voice Appointment Booking: Use voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant.
   

• Wearable Integration: Sync with smartwatches to monitor vitals pre or post-consultation.
   

• EHR/EMR Integration: Securely connect with Electronic Health Records.
   

• Virtual Waiting Rooms: For telehealth consultations with real-time updates.

Incorporating these will position your platform among the most innovative Australian healthcare apps in 2025.

Step-by-Step Process to Build a Doctor Appointment App Like HotDoc

Developing a HotDoc-like doctor appointment app involves a structured and agile approach. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Market Research & Requirement Gathering

Start by identifying your target audience, competitors, and business goals. Define core features based on user needs and compliance standards like HIPAA or Australian data regulations. This phase sets the foundation for user-centric and legally compliant app development.

2. Wireframing & UI/UX Design

Create wireframes and app flow structures to visualize the user journey. Focus on intuitive navigation, accessibility, and clean design - especially for patients and clinics. A compelling design ensures better user retention and smooth interaction with core app features.

3. Frontend & Backend Development

Develop mobile (iOS/Android) and web interfaces using the chosen tech stack. Backend developers set up databases, APIs, and logic to manage bookings, users, and notifications. Use frameworks like Flutter, Node.js, and cloud infrastructure for scalability and performance.

4. Telehealth & Payment Integration

Integrate third-party APIs for video calling (like Twilio), real-time chat, and secure payment gateways (e.g., Stripe or Razorpay). Ensure smooth, encrypted communication and transaction flows to offer patients a seamless remote consultation experience within the app.

5. Compliance & Security Implementation

Implement robust data protection protocols end-to-end encryption, user authentication, access control, and GDPR/HIPAA compliance. Ensure your platform meets national healthcare regulations, especially when handling patient records or offering online medical consultations.

6. QA Testing & Bug Fixing

Perform extensive functional, UI, and security testing across multiple devices and OS versions. Identify and fix bugs to ensure the app performs flawlessly. This includes unit tests, manual testing, and load testing to ensure app stability.

7. Deployment & Launch

Deploy the app to Play Store, App Store, or as a web platform. Configure backend servers (like AWS or Azure), set up analytics, and monitor real-time performance. Launch with a soft rollout or beta to gather early user feedback.

8. Post-Launch Support & Updates

Offer ongoing support, including performance monitoring, bug resolution, and regular feature updates. Continuously collect user feedback to enhance functionality. Maintain compliance and security as healthcare policies and tech standards evolve.

Tech Stack Required for HotDoc-Like App Development

Choosing the right tech stack ensures your doctor appointment app is scalable, secure, and high-performing:

Frontend

• Mobile: Flutter / React Native / Swift (iOS) / Kotlin (Android)

• Web: React.js / Angular

Backend

• Node.js / Django / Laravel

• Database: PostgreSQL / MongoDB / MySQL

• Cloud: AWS / Google Cloud / Azure

APIs & Integrations

• Video Calling: Twilio / Agora

• Payments: Stripe / Razorpay

• SMS/Notifications: Firebase / OneSignal

• EMR/EHR: Redox / Cerner / MediRecords (Australia)
   

Security

• OAuth 2.0

• End-to-End Encryption

• Role-Based Access Controls (RBAC)
   

This stack supports robust healthcare app development, ensuring fast load times, high uptime, and secure data handling vital for any medical appointment app development.

Cost to Develop a Doctor Appointment App Like HotDoc

The cost to develop an app like HotDoc in 2025 depends on complexity, features, tech stack, and region.

Estimated Cost Breakdown:

• Basic App: $15,000 – $25,000

• Mid-Level App: $25,000 – $45,000

• Advanced App with Telehealth & AI: $50,000+
   

Add ongoing costs for maintenance, hosting, marketing, and compliance updates.

For an exact quote, you can get a quote for a doctor booking app from IMG Global Infotech, a leading healthcare app development company in Australia.

How IMG Global Infotech Can Help You Build a HotDoc-Like App

At IMG Global Infotech, we specialize in building custom, secure, and scalable doctor appointment apps like HotDoc tailored for modern healthcare needs. As a leading healthcare mobile app development company in Australia, we understand the unique challenges and compliance requirements of the medical industry.

Whether you're a solo practitioner, clinic, or healthcare startup, our team delivers end-to-end solutions from wireframes to app deployment and post-launch support.

Why Choose IMG Global Infotech?

Custom Telehealth App Solutions
We develop feature-rich platforms with video consultations, e-prescriptions, appointment scheduling, and patient engagement tools.

Expertise in Australian Healthcare Apps
We build apps that align with Australian healthcare compliance like HIPAA, GDPR, and My Health Record integration.

Affordable HotDoc Clone App Development
Looking for a cost-effective yet powerful HotDoc alternative? We offer tailored pricing for every business size.

Dedicated Support & Maintenance
From app updates to performance monitoring, we ensure your platform stays competitive and secure.

Hire our expert team to build a healthcare app that meets your goals and stands out in the growing digital health market. Let’s create the next best app for doctor appointments in Australia together.

Conclusion

In a tech-forward world, launching a doctor appointment app like HotDoc positions your business at the forefront of digital healthcare. From efficient appointment booking and telehealth to personalized patient journeys, the opportunities are immense.

With the right features, compliance, and a skilled development team like IMG Global Infotech, you can build a secure, user-friendly, and scalable app that rivals or even surpasses HotDoc.

Whether you're aiming to serve urban medical centers or regional clinics, investing in healthcare mobile app development in Australia is a future-proof move.

Need a tailored quote or want expert consultation? Hire app developers in Australia with proven experience in medical practice app development today.