How Much Does It Cost To Build A Medicine Delivery App Like 1mg?

On-demand medicine delivery applications have changed the way people access healthcare services. An application like 1mg allows users to order prescription medicines, book lab tests, consult a doctor, and have these delivered directly to their doorstep in a matter of seconds. On-demand medicine delivery applications have made accessing healthcare simple and convenient, and their popularity is continually increasing. As the demand for a similar app increases, many entrepreneurs and healthcare companies are attempting to build their own on-demand medicine delivery apps. An important question arises, however: how much does it cost to build an app like 1mg? In this blog, we will highlight the estimated cost of building a medicine delivery app like 1mg and its features, as well as important factors that we must know about. So, let's get this blog started. 

What is 1mg?

1mg is one of the most popular digital healthcare platforms in India, offering online pharmacy, lab tests, consultation, and health information. Since being founded in 2015, 1mg has allowed users to order medicines, book diagnosis-based lab tests, and access reliable health content online and from the comfort of their homes. Tata Digital now owns 1mg and has expanded offerings with an aim to simplify access to healthcare throughout India with faster delivery, guaranteed quality and clear pricing for consumers.

How Much Does it Cost to Build an App like 1mg?

The cost to build a medicine delivery app like 1mg can range from $15,000 to $49,000 (or more). The cost varies depending on the complexity and features of the app, what platform it will be published to, and where the development team is located. If you are looking to build a basic app with features to order medicine, allow users to register, upload prescriptions, etc., the cost to develop a medicine delivery app like 1mg might range between $15,000 to $25,000. 

However, if you are hoping to build a full-fledged, scalable application with advanced features, such as video consultation, real-time tracking, multilingual support, etc., the cost to build a medicine delivery app like 1mg could exceed $50,000 or more. In addition to the initial build, an investment in monthly maintenance, regular updating, ongoing stay adhering to app store guidelines/regulatory issues, and third-party integration can all add to your overall investment Cost to build a medicine delivery app like 1mg. Having an accurate estimate of the cost will be impossible without consulting with a professional mobile app development company for an actual, detailed estimate based on your requirements.

Factors Affecting the Cost To Develop 1mg Like App

Now that you know the cost to develop an app like 1mg you must know about its factors affecting it. In the segment of our blog we have tried to compile a list of factors that affect the Medicine delivery app development cost. 

App Platform (iOS, Android, or Both)

Building the app only for one platform, such as Android, is a smarter investment while building for both iOS and Android requires duplicating efforts on the developer's side. There are also cross-platform development environments (using tools such as Flutter or React Native) that may potentially reduce the cost to build a medicine delivery app like 1mg, but there is a trade-off that must be understood with performance and native-like experience. 

App Design & User Experience (UX/UI)

A great design with intuitive elements, creative graphics, and effectiveness will lead to better user experience, however, a great design will cost more to Medicine doorstep delivery apps like 1mg. A design that has customized animations, high-end graphics, user persona UI elements, etc will take significantly more time and expertise than using a basic template, and this added investment impacts your Medicine delivery app development cost.

Feature Set & Functionality

The number and complexity of features—such as a medicine search, e-prescription upload, chat with doctors, and real-time tracking—increase costs. Standard features typically take the least amount of overall Medicine doorstep delivery app, like 1mg time, while more advanced features like AI-driven recommendations, multilingual, or video conferences would require more development hours, significantly increasing the total Medicine delivery app development cost.

Backend Infrastructure & Database

You will need to have a proper backend in place to manage orders, user data, prescriptions, analytics, and everything else securely and reliably.  The backend may facilitate scalable infrastructure with real-time updating (e.g., cloud hosting with AWS or Azure), and/or integration with third-party APIs, which will increase the development time required and total Telemedicine app development cost.

Third-Party Integrations

Integration of payment gateways, pharmacy databases, SMS/OTP services, mapping for delivery tracing, and video-conferencing APIs will maximize user convenience. However, depending on the services chosen, integration may also mean licensing or usage fees for some of these long-term integrations and potential technical integration costs, which will have a huge influence on the overall Telemedicine app development cost.

Security & Compliance

Handling sensitive medical information should involve layer encryption, an excellent security protocol with login protocols, and concerns surrounding health regulations that may apply to a particular use case of a target user (e.g., the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in North America, or the Government of India's Information Technology Act) will require high-level security features on the front end of the 1mg app, and facilities management of the platform's data privacy which creates additional time and cost to build a medicine delivery app like 1mg.

Development Team & Location

Hiring a Pharmacy app development company from North America or Western Europe is far more expensive than hiring a development team in India or Eastern Europe. Many variables also exist in terms of unskilled vs. skilled labour, senior vs. junior developers, office employees' salaries vs. independent contractor salaries, the size and skill needed for the team (project manager and/or potential design roles may also count towards the development effort, and, cost to develop 1mg like app. 

Maintenance & Updates

Post-launch maintenance, bug fixes, feature upgrades, and server monitoring are all continuing costs. To keep a tata 1mg app scalable it takes a lot of cost to maintain regular updates, including personal or business needs and system upgrades adding to the long-term costs of maintenance, involved beyond the initial cost to build a medicine delivery app like 1mg. 

Must-Have Features Of Pharmacy App Like 1mg

Here is the list of Top Medicine delivery apps features which you must need to learn about. We have covered it all for you. 

User Registration & Profiles

Secure options for sign-up and sign-in within the app with options for phone, email or social media accounts, enabling users to maintain personal preferences, prescriptions, and order history all in one place.

Smart Search & Filters

An advanced Search Bar which has Voice Options built in, AutoSuggestions, Filters (brand, category, price), that enables the user to find the medicines or products.

Online Medicine Ordering

A seamless flow through the application to browse on medicines or OTC medicines, with dosage information, and information on substitutes, add to cart and order.

Prescription Upload

Accepts valid prescriptions uploaded from the application so pharmacists can review them for regulations before confirmation of order.

Doctor Consultation

Provides Virtual Consultation with registered doctors across specialties through chat, voice, or video options allowing the user medical advice and prescriptions inside the tata 1mg app.

Lab Test Booking

Allows the user to book diagnostic tests, and health packages with home sample collection option; while allowing the user to track reports with access to digital reports from labs.

Real-Time Order Tracking 

Tracking of medicine delivery and sample collection with live GPS capabilities, notifications, estimated time of arrival, and rider contact in case of issues.

Medicine Reminder

With the 1mg medicine app it has a built-in notification system to remind users to take medication on schedule, refill prescriptions, or schedule medications automatically for chronic illnesses.  

Offers & Discounts

Promotes current deals, coupon codes, and loyalty rewards for medicines, health products, lab tests, and consultations to entice users and boost loyalty.

Secure Payment Gateway

Multiple payment options, including UPI, cards, wallets, cash-on-delivery, and transaction encryption, are used to secure data and ensure reliability.

In-App Chat Support

Provide customers instant support 24/7 through live chat or chatbot for issues with orders, needs for prescription clarification, and general assistance.

Multi-Language Support

A user interface in multiple regional languages to make access to healthcare relatable to users based on linguistic backgrounds across India. 

Health Content & Blogs

Regularly updated articles, videos, and FAQs encompassing healthy tips, medication use, diet, and wellness to inform and engage users with the 1mg medicine app.

Order History & Reorder Option

Users can view past purchases and quickly reorder frequently purchased items or prescriptions to ease repeat purchases and manage medication.

Admin & Pharmacist Dashboard

A backend panel for pharmacists  admins to manage inventory of medicines and other health-related products as well as prescriptions, orders, and analytics for a fluid operational flow and delivery.

Steps To Build An App Like 1mg

Now that you know 1mg like app development cost you should know about its development process. Here is the step by step guide to Develop an app like 1mg. 

Requirement Analysis & Market Research

In the first stage to develop an app like 1mg , you must uncover your business objectives, targeted customers, and competition. The professional app development team will help you conduct extensive market research and analysis of the user's needs to finalize the app's core functions. This first stage is critical to the development of your app and ensures that the app will meet market demand while sticking with the plan, cost, and, eventually, the long-term growth strategy for your business.

Choosing the Right Tech Stack

The On-demand medicine delivery app development company will choose the right technologies, frameworks, and platforms based on your specifications (iOS, Android, or both). They will choose a native approach or a cross-platform approach. The correct tech stack ensures your application is secure, scalable, and high-performing. Your tech stack will also influence future upgrades, maintenance, and integration with third-party services (for example, with payment gateways, GPS, and teleconsultation APIs). 

UI/UX Design & Prototyping

This is the third stage to develop an app like 1mg in which designers create wireframes and UI prototypes to visualize the user journey and layout for the app like 1mg. A well-thought-out user interface is essential to retain users and ensure seamless navigation. Prototypes are distributed and adjusted for feedback to users.  This phase will ensure your application meets the functional requirements and is easy to use, visually appealing, and aligned with your brand identity and tone.

Frontend & Backend Development

The front end (user interface) and back end (server, database, APIs) are constructed in parallel. Frontend developers focus on providing screens for users to interact with, and backend developers construct the logic that governs the data flow and integration with databases and APIs. This phase is essential to building your app with all your planned functionality (order placement, prescription upload, and user account management). 

Third-Party Integration & Testing

In this phase, you will integrate the essential services (payment gateway, SMS/OTP, map services, and Teleconsultation tools). The app is exhaustively verified with multiple tests, including functional, performance, security, and device compatibility. We will address bugs to ensure the user experience is as smooth and reliable as possible. This phase confirms that the app performs well after users download it in real-world use cases and meets the industry standard concerning data protection and usability.

Deployment & Launch

When the app has been thoroughly tested and approved, we will launch it in places like the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The team will ensure the installation goes smoothly, the necessary optimizations are performed, and the cloud services are correctly configured. Any promotional details must be coordinated with the launch. An effective promotion will help with the 1mg health app for India's visibility and enhance the initial uptake and downloads by those intended users from day one.

Post-Launch Support & Maintenance

After launch, the pharmacy app, like 1mg, will need continuous maintenance, updates, and technical support. The development company will maintain the app's performance, resolve bugs and bug fixes, introduce functionalities, and ensure continued OS compatibility. This is a vital phase that is needed to "keep" users using the 1mg com app over time, as well as ensure the app security and functionality are not affected, so the pharmacy app like 1mg can scale and be successful within an increasingly competitive new digital healthcare space.

Conclusion

Building a medicine delivery app similar to 1mg is a big investment in a growing and heavily capitalized healthcare technology space. The bulk of your costs will depend on the features the 1mg pharmacy app has, the platform you are using, and the organization you hire to do the development. By concentrating on key functionalities and security and working with an experienced development partner, you can deliver a platform that is user-friendly and compliant with the healthcare needs of its users, thus ensuring a solid footing in this important industry.