The telemedicine app market is booming, with experts predicting massive growth in the coming years. In 2024, the global market was valued at $104.64 billion, but by 2032, it’s expected to skyrocket to $334.80 billion—growing at a 16.9% CAGR. This surge is driven by increasing demand for convenient, remote healthcare solutions.
North America currently dominates the industry, holding 48% of the global market share in 2024. However, other regions, including Asia-Pacific and Europe, are rapidly catching up as digital healthcare becomes more widely adopted.
For entrepreneurs and healthcare providers, this presents a golden opportunity. But to succeed, choosing the right revenue model is crucial. A well-planned monetization strategy ensures long-term profitability while meeting patient needs.
In this blog, we’ll explore 10 proven revenue models for telemedicine apps and why Zipprr’s ready-made solution is the smartest choice for launching a successful platform.
1. Subscription-Based Model
The subscription-based model is one of the most popular revenue strategies for telemedicine apps. Users pay a monthly or yearly fee to access unlimited or premium consultations. This model ensures steady recurring revenue, making it financially predictable for businesses.
It’s ideal for patients who require frequent medical advice, such as those with chronic conditions. By offering different subscription tiers, apps can cater to various budgets and needs. For example, a basic plan may include general consultations, while premium plans could offer specialist access.
Leading platforms like Teladoc and Amwell use this model successfully. Their subscription plans provide convenience for users while ensuring a stable income stream for the business. If your target audience includes regular healthcare seekers, this model could be a perfect fit.
2. Pay-Per-Consultation Model
The pay-per-consultation model is straightforward—patients pay only when they book a session with a doctor. This approach is great for occasional users who don’t need ongoing medical support. It removes the commitment barrier, making the app more accessible.
This model works well for general health queries, urgent care, or second opinions. Since users pay per use, they feel they’re only spending money when they need it. However, the downside is that revenue isn’t as predictable as with subscriptions.
Doctor on Demand is a prime example of this model in action. Patients book video consultations and pay per visit, making it a flexible option. If your app targets users who prefer on-demand services, this could be the right monetization strategy.
3. Freemium Model
The freemium model offers basic services for free while charging for advanced features. This strategy helps attract a large user base, some of whom can later convert into paying customers. For example, free users might get general consultations, while premium features could include specialist access or faster responses.
This model is excellent for building brand loyalty and engagement. Users get a taste of the service before committing financially. However, it requires a strong value proposition to convince free users to upgrade.
Practo uses this model effectively—offering free doctor listings while charging for consultations. If your goal is rapid user acquisition with monetization potential, freemium could be a smart choice.
4. Commission-Based Model
In a commission-based model, the telemedicine platform takes a percentage fee from each transaction. This works well for marketplace-style apps that connect patients with multiple healthcare providers. The platform earns money with every booking without charging users upfront.
This model is scalable since revenue grows with user activity. However, it requires a high volume of transactions to be profitable. Doctors may also prefer lower commission rates, so competitive pricing is key.
Zocdoc operates on this model, taking a fee for each appointment scheduled. If your app acts as an intermediary between patients and doctors, this could be a lucrative approach.
5. Advertising & Sponsorships
Advertising allows telemedicine apps to generate revenue by displaying pharmaceutical ads, medical device promotions, or sponsored health content. This model works best for apps with a large, engaged user base, as advertisers pay for visibility.
While ads can be profitable, they must be non-intrusive to avoid disrupting the user experience. Sponsored content should also be relevant, such as wellness tips from healthcare brands.
Apps like WebMD successfully use ads alongside their services. If your platform attracts significant traffic, advertising can be a strong secondary revenue stream.
6. White-Label Solutions
White-label telemedicine apps allow hospitals, clinics, or healthcare startups to launch their own branded platforms. The developer provides a ready-made solution that clients can customize and license.
This model generates recurring revenue through licensing fees. It’s ideal for businesses that want to offer telemedicine without building an app from scratch.
Many healthcare providers prefer white-label solutions for quick deployment. If you have development expertise, selling customizable telemedicine apps can be highly profitable.
7. Corporate Partnerships
Corporate partnerships involve offering telemedicine services as an employee healthcare benefit. Companies pay for bulk subscriptions, giving their staff access to virtual doctors.
This B2B model ensures steady revenue through long-term contracts. It’s a win-win—businesses improve employee wellness, while the app gains a large user base.
Platforms like Teladoc Health partner with corporations for employee healthcare programs. If you can secure corporate clients, this model provides stable, high-value income.
8. In-App Purchases
In-app purchases allow users to buy additional services like lab tests, prescription deliveries, or wellness programs. This enhances user experience while boosting revenue.
For example, after a consultation, a patient might order medicines or book diagnostic tests through the app. These microtransactions add up over time.
Apps like Practo offer pharmacy and lab integrations. If your platform can provide supplementary healthcare services, in-app purchases can significantly increase earnings.
9. Data Monetization
Telemedicine apps collect vast amounts of anonymized health data, which can be valuable for research institutions, insurers, or public health studies. This data must be HIPAA/GDPR-compliant to protect privacy.
While controversial, ethical data monetization can be lucrative. However, transparency with users is crucial to maintain trust.
If handled responsibly, selling aggregated health insights can be a secondary revenue stream without compromising user privacy.
10. Hybrid Model
A hybrid model combines multiple revenue streams, such as subscriptions, ads, and commissions. This diversification reduces reliance on a single income source, making the business more resilient.
For example, an app might offer freemium consultations, charge for premium features, and display non-intrusive ads. This maximizes profitability while catering to different user preferences.
Many successful telemedicine apps use hybrid models to balance user accessibility with revenue generation. Flexibility is key to long-term sustainability.
Why Choose Zipprr’s Readymade Telemedicine App?
Launching a telemedicine app from scratch requires significant time, technical expertise, and financial investment. Zipprr’s ready-made solution eliminates these hurdles by offering a fully customizable, feature-packed telemedicine platform at a fraction of the cost. With pre-built integrations for video consultations, appointment scheduling, and EHR systems, you can go live in days rather than months. Our solution is HIPAA/GDPR-compliant, ensuring patient data security while meeting global healthcare regulations.
What sets Zipprr apart is our end-to-end support. From free technical assistance to app store submissions, our team guides you at every step. The platform boasts a modern UI/UX design that enhances patient engagement, along with 24/7 customer support to resolve issues instantly. Whether you’re a startup or an established healthcare provider, our scalable architecture grows with your business needs.
Choosing Zipprr means faster time-to-market, reduced development costs, and a proven business model. Instead of spending months building an app, you can focus on acquiring users and scaling operations. With AI-powered features, multi-language support, and cross-platform compatibility, our solution gives you a competitive edge in the booming telemedicine industry.
Conclusion
The telemedicine industry offers immense growth potential, but success depends on choosing the right revenue model and technology partner. Whether you opt for subscriptions, pay-per-consultation, or hybrid monetization, aligning your strategy with user needs is key to profitability.
Zipprr’s ready-made telemedicine app provides the perfect launchpad with cutting-edge features, compliance assurance, and unparalleled support. Start your telemedicine journey today and capitalize on the digital healthcare revolution with a proven, scalable solution.
