Healthcare is quickly embracing mobile technology –– from appointment scheduling to patient portals, healthcare apps offer a wealth of benefits for both patients and providers. However, when it comes to building these apps, ensuring patient privacy and data security is paramount. That's where HIPAA comes in.

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, establishes strict regulations to protect sensitive patient information. The penalties range from $127 to $250,000 depending on the nature of the HIPAA violation.

So, if you're considering developing a healthcare app, choosing the best HIPAA-compliant app builder is crucial.

The good news is that several options are available — but not all app builders are created equal. Some require additional configuration and technical expertise to achieve HIPAA compliance.

What if there was a solution that offered built-in HIPAA compliance right out of the box? 

This guide will explore the top HIPAA-compliant app builders on the market, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and how you can make the right choice for secure healthcare app development.

Essential Features in a HIPAA-Compliant No-Code App Builder

When creating an app that handles sensitive health information, certain features are essential to guarantee both data security and adherence to HIPAA regulations. Here's a breakdown of the key functionalities your no-code platform should provide:

• Encryption: This ensures that patient information remains confidential, even in the event of a data breach. Strong encryption methods safeguard data both while it's stored (data at rest) and while it's being transmitted (data in transit).
  
  
• User authentication and access control: To prevent unauthorized access to health data, robust user authentication and access control features are crucial. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC) are essential tools for verifying user identities and controlling which users can access specific data.
  
  
• Audit logs and activity tracking: HIPAA regulations require comprehensive logging of all activity involving patient information. Your platform should offer thorough audit logs that track user actions. This allows you to monitor user activity, identify any suspicious behavior, and maintain a clear record of all data interactions for compliance purposes.
  
  
• Business Associate Agreement (BAA) availability: A BAA is a legal contract mandated by HIPAA. It ensures that all parties handling protected health information (PHI) are held to the same strict security and privacy standards. The no-code platform you choose should provide BAAs to formally establish and confirm these compliance responsibilities between your organization and the platform provider.
  
  
• Secure data storage and backup: Your platform should offer secure data storage solutions with frequent backups to safeguard against data loss due to system failures, accidental deletions, or cyberattacks. Crucially, these backups should also be encrypted and stored in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
  
  
• Compliance with HIPAA privacy and security rules: Beyond just technical features, the ideal platform should also assist you in adhering to HIPAA's privacy and security rules. This includes providing guidance on implementing policies and procedures to protect PHI, offering training on best practices for compliance, and guaranteeing that the platform itself undergoes regular security assessments and updates to address new vulnerabilities.

Best HIPAA Compliant App Builders in 2024

1. Blaze.tech
2. Appsmith
3. AppMaster
4. Tadabase
5. Appy Pie

1. Blaze.tech 

Blaze.tech is a no-code platform designed to help organizations build custom applications without needing a team of developers. It’s packed with features that make it user-friendly, fast to set up, and highly secure. 

But what really sets Blaze apart is our focus on compliance. Blaze comes with top-tier features like SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance to ensure your data is always protected, making Blaze the perfect choice for building secure applications in regulated industries like healthcare and finance.

You don’t need to manually configure security features — they’re already in place.

Features

• Comprehensive support: With its enterprise model, Blaze provides an implementation team to build out the first version of your application so you can focus on refining the solution instead of learning to navigate the tool. This also speeds up the dev cycle and helps you launch your app much faster.
  
  
• Enterprise-level security: Blaze provides top-tier security with SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance. This ensures that all data is protected, making it an excellent choice for healthcare, finance, and other regulated industries.
  
  
• Ease of use and fast development: With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Blaze allows users to build applications 10 times faster than traditional platforms. This simplicity enables even non-technical users to create custom applications efficiently.
  
  
• Comprehensive integrations: Blaze supports a wide range of out-of-the-box and custom integrations, including any REST API. It’s a full-stack solution that handles front- and back-end needs, ensuring seamless performance and scalability for large-scale applications.
  
  
• Rich collection of widgets: Blaze comes with an extensive library of pre-built components, such as maps and layouts, which are highly customizable. These widgets enable users to create feature-rich applications quickly and easily.
  
  
• Advanced workflow automation: Blaze's powerful workflow builder allows for the automation of complex business processes. This includes scheduling workflows, triggering notifications, performing calculations, and more, enhancing productivity and streamlining operations.
  
  
• Responsive design and PWAs: Blaze lets you build responsive and mobile-friendly applications, ensuring they are accessible and functional on any device. 

Ideal Users

• Complex App Builders: Blaze empowers users to create feature-rich applications that go beyond basic internal tools. This makes it ideal for businesses that require public-facing functionalities and advanced workflows.
  
  
• Highly Regulated Industries: Blaze prioritizes security and compliance from the start. With built-in HIPAA compliance, it's the perfect choice for organizations in healthcare, finance, or any industry handling sensitive data.
  
  
• Non-Technical Teams: Blaze's intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible to everyone. Even without a dedicated coding team, teams can collaborate and design solutions that address their specific needs.
  
  
• App Development Newcomers: Blaze offers excellent support to help users get started building their first version. This is ideal for businesses that want to get their app off the ground quickly and efficiently.

Pricing

Blaze offers tiered pricing plans to fit your business needs:

• Internal Plan ($400/month): This plan is ideal for internal use cases. It allows unlimited internal users, apps, data storage, and features like multi-source data syncing, robust data security, and role-based permissions. However, it does not include access for external users.
  
  
• Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing): Designed for organizations with complex security requirements and external user needs, this plan offers all the features of the Internal Plan, plus additional functionalities like custom APIs, branding, advanced user management, public web applications, and HIPAA compliance.

The Bottom Line

Blaze empowers you to bridge the gap between your vision and a secure, feature-rich application. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes building HIPAA-compliant apps accessible to anyone, regardless of technical background.

This eliminates the need for a dedicated coding team, allowing healthcare providers, hospitals, and clinics to focus on what they do best — patient care.

Blaze takes care of the complex technical details, ensuring the highest level of data security right out of the box. With built-in HIPAA compliance features, Blaze simplifies development and guarantees sensitive health information remains fully protected.

2. Appsmith

Appsmith is an open-source app builder. This means it is freely available to use and modify, which is great for organizations that have a tight budget for building apps.

Appsmith is open-source, so you can change it and add features to fit your needs. This is especially helpful for businesses that want to customize their apps.

But it needs some technical expertise to use, and it doesn’t come with HIPAA compliance built in.

If you want to have complete control over how your data is stored and transmitted, or need to ensure HIPAA compliance, you will need to self-host Appsmith to ensure you have control of your data.

Features

• Add AI actions to your apps: Seamlessly connect to LLMs from OpenAI, Google AI, Anthropic, and more. Integrate pre-built AI actions like text analysis, image classification, and semantic search to add advanced capabilities to your applications.
• Open-source: Appsmith is free to use, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious organizations. You can download and start using it without any upfront costs.
  
  
• Customizability: As an open-source platform, Appsmith allows for extensive customization. You can modify the source code to fit your specific needs, providing flexibility that proprietary software often lacks.
  
  
• Community support: Appsmith has a strong community support system, including forums, documentation, and tutorials. This community-driven support can be a valuable resource for troubleshooting and finding solutions.

Ideal Users

• Startups and small businesses: Ideal for those with limited budgets who need a robust platform without the high costs associated with commercial software.
  
  
• Tech-savvy teams: Organizations with technical expertise that can leverage the open-source nature of Appsmith to customize and extend its functionality.
  
  
• Developers: Individual developers looking for a cost-effective tool to build internal applications quickly.

Pricing

• Free tier: Appsmith includes a free tier with unlimited users and basic features, perfect for individual developers and small teams.
  
  
• Business tier: The business tier is priced at $40 per month for 100 hours of usage, and includes more advanced features such as granular access controls, custom branding, and priority support.
  
  
• Enterprise tier: For more security and scale needs, Appsmith has an enterprise tier with features like continuous delivery, custom integrations, and managed hosting.
  
  However, if your usage scales, costs can add up, especially for larger teams. You’ll need to contact their sales team to get information on pricing for this tier.

The Bottom Line

Appsmith is a cost-effective and flexible app builder, particularly well-suited for small teams and those with coding expertise. Although it doesn't offer the same level of features or ease of use as some other platforms, its open-source nature provides extensive customizability.

If you need to ensure HIPAA compliance or want complete control over how your data is stored and transmitted, self-hosting Appsmith within your Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is recommended to keep all data within your infrastructure.

3. AppMaster

AppMaster is a no-code platform designed to help businesses create production-level applications with automatic code generation. 

It offers a broad range of functionalities, including database creation, complex business logic management, API handling, web dashboard development, and native app design — all without writing a single line of code.

Features

• Visual programming for mobile and web apps: With AppMaster, you can build native mobile apps and web applications using a drag-and-drop interface. This visual programming approach simplifies app development, making it accessible even for users without coding experience. You can create triggers, automate actions, and design user interfaces effortlessly.
  
  
• Multiple view components: AppMaster offers versatile components like dynamic tables, kanban boards, calendars, and interactive charts. These tools help you display and manage data effectively, enhancing the user experience and operational efficiency.
  
  
• Automation and Integration: With powerful automation features, you can streamline business processes and reduce manual tasks. AppMaster also supports integrations with popular services like Zapier, Stripe, and Twilio, extending the functionality of your apps.
  
  
• HIPAA compliance: AppMaster provides built-in support for encryption, secure data storage, and access control mechanisms to meet privacy and security requirements. Rigorous auditing capabilities allow developers to monitor and analyze user activities, ensuring adherence to HIPAA standards.
• Responsive design and real-time preview: AppMaster ensures your applications deliver a consistent user experience across devices and screen sizes. The real-time preview feature allows you to test updates immediately, ensuring your app performs well before deployment.
  
  
• Secure and scalable infrastructure: AppMaster provides secure data storage and regular backups, protecting your applications from data loss. Its scalable infrastructure can accommodate growing user bases, making it a reliable choice for businesses looking to expand.

Ideal Users

• Those that need to build a healthcare app: Medical professionals and healthcare organizations that need HIPAA-compliant applications will benefit from AppMaster’s built-in encryption, secure data storage, access control mechanisms, and auditing capabilities.
  
  
• Those that need a powerful app: Large organizations looking to automate and streamline their business processes can benefit from AppMaster's robust business logic management and API handling capabilities.
  
  
• Freelancers and consultants: Independent professionals looking to deliver high-quality applications to their clients quickly and efficiently will appreciate AppMaster's wide range of functionalities and ease of use.
  
  
• Organizations that need internal apps: AppMaster's drag-and-drop logic builder lets you automate complex workflows and integrate with APIs. It’s best suited for streamlining operations, automating data tasks, and building custom enterprise applications.
  

Pricing

• Learn & Explore (Free): Great for initial testing and familiarization. Includes community support, 2 web apps, 1 mobile app, 1 project developer, and max installed modules.
  
  
• Startup (from $165/month): Ideal for startups. Features community support, 2 web apps, 1 mobile app, 3 project developers, max installed modules, database export, and file storage export.
  
  
• Business (from $855/month): Best for growing businesses. Offers email and phone support, 3 web apps, 2 mobile apps, 5 project developers, backend files, Docker images, database, and file storage export.
  
  
• Enterprise (Get a Quote): For large enterprises needing extensive capabilities. Provides 24/7 support, 10,000 web apps, mobile apps, unlimited developers, backend files, Docker images, source code, and full export options.

Bottom Line

AppMaster empowers users to build secure, feature-rich applications without coding, ideal for internal tools, HIPAA-compliant healthcare apps, or niche mobile and web applications. 

Its drag-and-drop interface and robust functionalities streamline development, but design customization might be limited for complex public-facing apps.

4. Tadabase

Tadabase is a no-code platform that lets you build secure, database-driven web applications. Like other no-code tools, it has a drag-and-drop interface and pre-built templates that make it easy to create professional-looking apps.

Collaboration tools and integrations with popular services like Dropbox and Gmail enhance its functionality for data management and teamwork.

While Tadabase offers HIPAA-compliant features like field-level encryption and Business Associate Agreements (BAA), these are not included in the default plan. To ensure HIPAA compliance for healthcare data, you'll need to specifically choose a HIPAA-compliant edition.

Features

• Drag-and-drop builder: Tadabase’s drag-and-drop builder allows users to create web apps quickly from scratch or by importing data from Excel. It supports various components such as dynamic tables, forms with automated emails and data validation, kanban boards, interactive charts, and more.
  
  
• Multiple views (Components): Users can display their data using various components, including dynamic tables, lists/galleries, kanban boards, calendars, interactive charts, maps, cards, and accordions. These views help in organizing and visualizing data effectively.
  
  
• Automation: Tadabase offers powerful automation features like record rules, scheduled tasks, and action links. These tools help users streamline their workflows and automate repetitive tasks without needing to code.
  
  
• Collaboration: The platform supports unlimited users and roles, allowing for extensive collaboration. Custom login pages and routes enhance user management and security.
  
  
• Integration: Tadabase integrates seamlessly with third-party apps and services, including Zapier, Stripe, Dropbox, Cloudinary, Twilio, and more. This extends the functionality of the web apps and enables easy data exchange.
  
  
• Security: Tadabase includes features like SSL certificates, login logs, and the ability to assign roles and permissions to users. It also supports white labeling and custom domains.

Ideal Users

• Business professionals: Ideal for professionals looking to build web-based business solutions quickly and cost-effectively without hiring developers.
  
  
• Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Perfect for SMEs needing to create custom database applications to manage their operations efficiently.
  
  
• Industry-specific solutions: Beneficial for industries like real estate, automotive, and education, where tailored data management and workflow automation are crucial.
  
  
• Teams and organizations: Suitable for teams of all sizes that require collaborative tools and customizable data views for effective project management and data handling.

Pricing

AppMaster offers several pricing plans to cater to different needs:

• Starter ($42/month): Includes 3 apps, 30,000 records, and 5 GB storage. Ideal for small projects or initial testing.
  
  
• Growth ($105/month): Offers 5 apps, 125,000 records, and 10 GB storage. Suitable for growing businesses.
  
  
• Professional ($210/month): Provides 10 apps, 250,000 records, and 50 GB storage. Designed for businesses with larger data needs.
  
  
• Elite ($375/month): Features 15 apps, 500,000 records, and 100 GB storage. Best for enterprises requiring extensive app capabilities and storage.
  
  
• Enterprise (Contact for pricing): HIPAA-compliant plans tailored to your company's security, capacity, and processing requirements. For enterprise apps, the HIPAA compliance features cost an extra $450/month.

Bottom Line

Tadabase stands out as a database-driven no-code platform. It lets you build feature-rich web applications with a focus on data organization and manipulation.

Its drag-and-drop interface and pre-built components simplify creating professional, secure apps. HIPAA compliance is an optional add-on with additional monthly costs.

5. Appy Pie

Appy Pie is a straightforward, no-code app builder designed to help users create native mobile and web applications quickly and easily. Its simplicity is its main strength, making it accessible to those without coding skills. 

However, the platform comes with limited design customization, and its templates can result in dated-looking apps. Despite these limitations, Appy Pie remains a cost-effective option for Android users and offers competitive pricing.

Features

• Pre-made templates: You can jumpstart development with a library of templates for common app types like restaurants, salons, and online stores.
  
  
• Drag-and-drop builder: Appy Pie is a good tool for beginners. You can simplify app creation with a visual interface for adding features, text, icons, and images.
  
  
• Limited design control: While you can customize colors and elements, extensive design changes or moving pre-built elements is not possible.
  
  
• 1800+ integrations: You can connect your app to popular services like MailChimp, Airtable, and Shopify to expand functionality.
  
  
• HIPAA compliance (paid add-n): Appy Pie offers HIPAA compliance features for healthcare professionals building medical apps. This is an optional extra cost.
  
  

• Native mobile app publishing: Users can create apps that are ready to be published on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  
  
• Appy Pie Academy: The platform includes a comprehensive library of tutorials and courses available to help users learn various skills, though many are not free.

Ideal users

• Small businesses on a budget: Appy Pie's affordability and pre-built templates for restaurants, salons, and stores make it suitable for local businesses creating their first app on a tight budget.
  
  
• Sole entrepreneurs with basic needs: Entrepreneurs with a simple app idea (e.g., appointment booking, product showcase) can leverage Appy Pie's drag-and-drop builder and integrations to get a basic app running quickly.
  
  
• Fast prototyping & MVP creation: Appy Pie's speed and affordability make it a good option for prototyping app ideas or building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to test market response before investing in more complex development.

Pricing

• Standard Version ($16/month): Allows building up to 5 apps with up to 40 integrations.
  
  
• Professional Version ($36/month): Includes all Standard features, unlimited app creation, and integrations.
  
  
• Business Version ($60/month): Necessary for iOS users, includes all Professional features plus collaboration tools for multiple users.
  
  
• Enterprise Version: Custom pricing available upon request.

Bottom Line

Appy Pie is a good choice for users who need to build apps quickly and affordably. Its simplicity and low cost make it especially attractive to Android users and beginners who want to get started with app development without a steep learning curve.

While it lacks design flexibility and produces less visually appealing apps, the platform's competitive pricing offers good value for budget-conscious users.

While HIPAA compliance is available, Appy Pie's design limitations might not be ideal for complex healthcare apps. Consider it for simpler apps like appointment scheduling, but be aware of potential customization drawbacks.

Which App Builder is Best For You?

Finding the perfect HIPAA-compliant app builder depends on your specific needs and priorities. Here's a breakdown to help you make an informed decision:

• Need lightning-fast development with no technical expertise? Blaze is your best bet here. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface empowers you to build complex apps swiftly, even without a programming background.
  
  Our implementation team builds out the first version of your app to get your idea off the ground even faster.
  
  
• Looking for an option with a free plan? Appsmith might be a good fit. However, keep in mind it might require some technical expertise and lacks built-in HIPAA compliance.
  
  

• Is built-in HIPAA compliance a must-have? Blaze stands out. It has SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance right out of the box, giving you peace of mind and ensuring the highest level of data protection for your patients' information.
  
  AppMaster also offers HIPAA compliance features, but additional setup might be needed. Tadabase provides HIPAA compliance as an add-on with extra monthly costs.
  
  

• Need to build a powerful customer-facing app? Blaze has the flexibility to build powerful apps. You don’t need to worry about performance, functionality, or data security when handling customer or patient data.
  
  
• Need a highly customizable platform? Appsmith might be worth a look. As an open-source platform, it offers the most extensive customization options, but keep in mind it demands technical knowledge to unlock its full potential.
  
  

• Need strong integration capabilities? Tadabase is a solid choice. AppMaster also offers integrations, but depending on your specific needs, additional configuration might be necessary. Appy Pie's integration capabilities might require further exploration.
  
  

• Considering long-term value? Blaze offers tiered pricing plans that scale with your needs. While it might not be the cheapest option upfront, its ease of use, robust security features, and comprehensive functionalities can lead to faster development times and cost savings in the long run.

Remember, the best choice depends on your unique priorities. We highly recommend checking out a few product demos offered by several platforms on this list. This will allow you to get a hands-on feel for their functionalities and see which one best aligns with your vision.

Try Blaze: A Powerful, No-Code HIPAA-Compliant App Builder 

Blaze offers a powerful solution, enabling you to leverage the benefits of a robust platform without sacrificing patient data security. We provide:

• Rapid development: Quickly build and deploy complex custom applications with our intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Blaze enables you to launch applications 10 times faster than traditional development methods, saving you time and resources.
  
  
• Enterprise-level security: Protect your sensitive data with built-in SOC2 and HIPAA compliance. Our platform ensures robust security features such as 2FA, single sign-on, and automatic audit logs, providing peace of mind for you and your stakeholders.
  
  
• Seamless integrations: Connect with a wide range of tools and databases through our extensive out-of-the-box and custom integrations. Blaze supports any REST API, making it easy to integrate with existing systems and workflows.
  
  
• Effortless customization: Empower your team to make basic updates and changes independently, while our experts handle complex modifications. Our implementation team guarantees a fully launched first version of your application tailored to your unique business needs.
  
  
• Enhanced productivity: Automate workflows, trigger notifications, and perform complex calculations with our powerful workflow builder. Blaze simplifies the management of business processes, allowing you to focus on what matters most.

Schedule a Free Demo Today.

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FAQ on Hipaa Compliant App Builder

Q 1: What is HIPAA compliance, and why is it important for app builders?

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliance ensures the protection of sensitive patient data. For app builders, adhering to HIPAA regulations is crucial because it guarantees that the app handles health information securely, protecting both the patients' privacy and the app developer from legal liabilities.

Q 2: What key features should a HIPAA-compliant app include?

A HIPAA-compliant app should include features such as:

• Encryption: Data encryption both in transit and at rest.

• Access Controls: User authentication and role-based access controls.

• Audit Trails: Detailed logging of access and modifications to patient data.

• Data Backup: Regular backups to ensure data integrity and availability.

• Secure Communication: Use of secure channels (e.g., SSL/TLS) for data transmission.

Q 3: How can I ensure my app meets HIPAA requirements during development?

To ensure HIPAA compliance during development, follow these steps:

• Conduct a Risk Assessment: Identify potential vulnerabilities and mitigate them.

• Implement Necessary Safeguards: Use encryption, secure authentication, and access controls.

• Regular Audits: Perform regular audits and compliance checks.

• Employee Training: Train your team on HIPAA regulations and best practices.

• Documentation: Maintain thorough documentation of compliance efforts and security measures.

Q 4: What are the penalties for non-compliance with HIPAA regulations?

Penalties for HIPAA non-compliance can be severe and are categorized based on the level of negligence:

• Tier 1: Up to $100 per violation, with an annual maximum of $25,000 for repeat violations.

• Tier 2: $1,000 per violation, with an annual maximum of $100,000 for repeat violations.

• Tier 3: $10,000 per violation, with an annual maximum of $250,000 for repeat violations.

• Tier 4: $50,000 per violation, with an annual maximum of $1.5 million for repeat violations. In addition to financial penalties, non-compliance can result in reputational damage and loss of business.

Q 5: How do I verify that my app is HIPAA-compliant?

To verify HIPAA compliance, you should:

• Engage with Compliance Experts: Work with legal and IT experts specializing in HIPAA.

• Conduct Regular Audits: Perform regular internal and external audits of your app.

• Certifications and Attestations: Obtain relevant certifications from third-party auditors.

• User Feedback: Gather and respond to user feedback regarding privacy and security concerns.

• Continuous Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring and improvement processes to address new security threats and regulatory updates.

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