The market for mHealth mobile apps hit US$718 million in 2011, marking the first time that mobile health services delivered via smartphones generated substantial revenues. According to analyst firm research2guidance, the market increased seven-fold during the twelve months.

The company's Mobile Health Market Report 2011-2016 attributes the accelerated growth of the market to an increase in the smartphone user base and a doubling in the number of mHealth apps available. Many big healthcare companies started to deliver mHealth apps in 2011 beyond basic pill reminders and allergy trackers.

research2guidance noted that the market remains in an “embryonic state”. With the global healthcare market estimated to be worth US$6 trillion by the World Health Organisation, the potential uses cases and benefits of mobile patient healthcare support mean the mHealth market is potentially vast.