How to Build a Health Coaching App in 2025

The health coaching app market is experiencing rapid growth. In 2024 alone, health and fitness apps saw around 850 million global downloads, showing that users are increasingly turning to digital health solutions.

Health coaching apps continue to grow rapidly. Health & Fitness apps reached record highs in 2024 for both downloads and in-app purchase revenue, with a strong start to 2025. One estimate places 2024 downloads at roughly 850 million, and around 345 million people used fitness apps during the year.

Adoption of connected devices also keeps increasing. Nearly one in two US internet households now owns and uses a wearable, and global shipments reached 534.6 million units in 2024. Behaviourally, about 28% of US internet users used mobile apps to track fitness or health in late 2024.

This momentum shows up in market figures too: the mHealth apps market was about $37.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $80 billion by 2030.

This guide covers everything you need to know to develop a health coaching app, from setting your goals and identifying your target audience to selecting features, choosing the right technology, and planning how to generate revenue.

What Goals Should a Health Coaching App Address?

Health coaching apps help people achieve their wellness goals, such as getting fitter, eating healthier, reducing stress, or developing healthy habits. Unlike basic workout or diet apps, coaching apps focus on:

Personalisation – tailored programmes to fit the user’s lifestyle and goals.
Consistency – encouraging long-term habits with reminders and nudges.
Results – helping users actually achieve measurable improvements in health.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital tools: when 22% of gyms in the US closed their doors in 2020, many people turned to digital alternatives for staying fit and healthy. What began as a crisis response has since evolved into a long-term habit.

Today, in 2025, health coaching apps are no longer just a substitute for the gym — they’ve become a core part of people’s daily routines. With wearables, AI-driven personalisation, and integrated wellness platforms, users expect apps to deliver flexible, affordable, and measurable support for both physical and mental health.

People turn to health coaching apps for many reasons, but the most common ones are:

Flexibility – whether it’s squeezing in a short workout before work, tracking meals on the go, or practising mindfulness at night, everything fits around daily life.

Affordability – instead of costly memberships or one-to-one sessions, users get access to expert advice and structured programmes at a fraction of the price.

Visible progress – seeing goals, charts, and small wins along the way helps people stay motivated and committed to lasting change.

Connection – community features make it easier to share achievements, find accountability partners, and feel supported by others on the same journey.

Approaching Health Coaching App Development

Building a health coaching app follows many of the same steps as creating any other digital product, but the emphasis on health, your users’ needs, and connecting with devices and data makes the process unique.

1. Approve the App Concept

Start by defining exactly what kind of coaching app you want to build. It’s often best to begin with one clear function and expand as you grow. Some common categories include:

Nutrition & Diet Planning Apps: Track meals, calories, nutrients, and food diaries.
Weight Management Apps: Support users with structured plans, progress tracking, and motivational tools.
Exercise Coaching Apps: Deliver personalised training programmes with video demonstrations.
Gym & Training Companion Apps: Guide users through various exercises, including lifting, stretching, and cardio routines, often supported by data tracking.
Mental Wellbeing Apps: Offer guided meditation, breathing exercises, and stress management tools.
Comprehensive Coaching Platforms: Combine nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress tracking into one integrated experience.

Once you’ve chosen your focus, look closely at what competitors are offering, define how your app will stand out, and document the concept clearly for your team.

2. Identify the Target Audience

Understanding your audience is key. You might be building for:

Everyday users looking to live healthier lives.
Athletes and trainees who need structured training and detailed monitoring.
Coaches and trainers who want tools to manage clients and track progress more effectively.

Market research — from surveys to focus groups — helps validate these assumptions. It’s also important to think about devices:

Will users rely on a mobile app for day-to-day coaching?
Will coaches prefer a web dashboard to oversee multiple clients?
Should the app integrate with wearable devices like the Apple Watch, Garmin, or Fitbit?

3. Define Must-Have Features

Your app’s core features will depend on its focus and audience, but some essentials include:

For users (trainees, clients):

Simple registration and onboarding.
A personalised coaching programme.
Goal-setting and habit tracking.
The ability to upload progress photos or videos.
Sharing achievements with others.
Integration with wearables (steps, heart rate, sleep).

For coaches and trainers:

Scheduling online coaching sessions.
Live-streaming or video calls.
Remote assignment and adjustment of plans.
Detailed statistics, progress charts, and reports.
Secure in-app messaging.
Notifications and reminders.
Payment processing.

4. Build a Prototype

A prototype is the best way to test your idea before committing to full development. A clickable version allows you to see:

How screens connect and flow.
Where buttons and navigation sit.
How users will interact with coaching features.

Validating these early helps prevent expensive changes later.

5. Decide on the Tech Stack

The technology you choose should reflect your features, budget, and target platforms. Options include:

Native apps (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android).
Cross-platform apps (Flutter, React Native).
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) for browser-based access.
Platform-specific apps for wearables (Apple Watch, Samsung Health).

For health coaching apps, integrations matter — whether that’s Apple Health, Google Fit, Samsung Health, or third-party devices like Fitbit.

6. Initiate the Development Process

Development usually follows a clear path:

Frontend development: Designing and coding the UI/UX.
Backend development: Setting up APIs, databases, and infrastructure.
Integrations: Connecting wearables, payments, and notifications.
Testing: Covering usability, security, and compliance.

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) can often be launched within 1–3 months, depending on the complexity of the app.

7. Launch & Maintain the App

Going live is only the beginning. To keep your app relevant and engaging, you’ll need to:

Release updates regularly.
Listen to user feedback and act on it.
Fix bugs quickly.
Add new features to keep people engaged.

Because health data is involved, privacy and compliance are non-negotiable. Ensure your app complies with GDPR standards in Europe and HIPAA requirements in the United States.

Beyond the technical side, think about how you’ll attract and retain users. The health and wellness app space is competitive, so having an acquisition strategy from day one helps. Early traction often comes from referral programmes, partnerships with trainers, clinics, or gyms, and integrations with wearables that put your app directly into users’ daily routines.

Monetisation Strategies

Your health coaching app should provide users with real value and also generate a steady income. Here are some ways to do that:

Free apps with limited features.
Advertisement-based apps (best for large audiences).
In-app purchases (premium content, digital tools).
Paid apps or subscriptions (recurring revenue for ongoing coaching).
Freemium model: A free basic version and a premium tier.

Expected Costs

The cost of a health coaching app can range from $60,000 to $160,000+, depending on:

Team size (in-house, freelancers, or agency).
Scope of services (full-cycle vs. partial).
Complexity (number of features, platforms, integrations).
Timeframe (short deadlines raise costs).

Diversido’s Experience

At Diversido, we’ve developed multiple health and wellness applications:

Health Mentor: Supports coaches and trainers in tracking clients’ progress (diet, sleep, workouts).
Visual Gains: Connects with wearable bands to monitor muscle activity in real time.
Eatiquette: Helps users make healthier grocery choices with ingredient scanning and nutrition analysis.

Our experience covers mobile apps, wearables, backend platforms, and integration with external health systems.

Time to Build Your Health Coaching App

Building a health coaching app requires careful planning, a user-centric approach, and robust technology. With the right team, you can create something that helps people live healthier and encourages them to come back.

At Diversido, we help startups and growing companies bring their ideas to life as impactful digital health solutions.

Let’s talk about your project!

How to Build a Health Coaching App: Steps to Follow