Doctors rely on smartphones for almost everything, so it’s no surprise they’re also using them in the clinic. Mobile apps for physicians can enable communication with patients and other providers, enhance medical education, inform clinical decision-making, and streamline documentation.
But with thousands of medical apps available for Apple and Android smartphones, where should you start? Below, we’ve compiled some of the best medical apps doctors use to solve everyday clinical needs in 2025.
Top Medical Apps for Physicians in 2025
Apps for Clinical Communication
Doximity is one of the most widely used apps among physicians. It functions as a secure professional network with built-in tools for clinical communication. It offers HIPAA-compliant messaging, free digital faxing, and telehealth capabilities. Doctors use Doximity to connect with colleagues, stay informed on medical news, and even conduct virtual visits.
What providers are saying:
“I especially appreciate how Doximity continues to innovate and seek new solutions to the challenges that medical professionals face. The AI-powered ask-a-question and letter-writing functionality is amazing and quite helpful.” – App Store Review
Popular Alternatives: TigerConnect (secure hospital team messaging), OhMD (HIPAA-compliant patient texting).
Medical Education & Training Apps
Medscape remains a go-to resource for medical education, providing CME courses, drug interaction checkers, and clinical news. Physicians use it to stay updated on new guidelines and access expert reviews of emerging treatments.
What providers are saying:
“As a medical student wrapping up my third year, this was my GO-TO reference source for clinical rotations. A lot of people will say resources like UpToDate and Epocrates are the gold standards, and while they are incredible, neither possesses the ease of use, scope of information, or clinical tools that this app has.” – App Store Review
Popular Alternatives: AAFP App (for family medicine CME), AMBOSS Medical Knowledge (adaptive learning for board prep).
Clinical Decision Support
UpToDate continues to be the gold standard for evidence-based decision support. Physicians rely on this medical app for peer-reviewed clinical recommendations that are frequently updated and integrated into many EHR systems. Whether you’re confirming a treatment plan or reviewing differential diagnoses, having the UpToDate app on your smartphone improves decision-making at the point of care.
What providers are saying:
“UpToDate is an excellent resource for healthcare providers to access current information relevant to clinical practice. The app allows for easy mobile access to UpToDate’s exceptional content from well-regarded authors.”
Popular Alternatives: MDCalc (medical calculators for risk stratification), ACP Clinical Guidelines (evidence-based internal medicine guidelines).
Reference Tools for Physicians
Epocrates is a widely used drug reference app that physicians use to quickly review dosing guidelines, drug interactions, and formulary information. Its simplicity and offline access make it a staple for quick medication checks.
What providers are saying:
“Epocrates is my go-to app because it is clear and concise and to the point, and I can find what I need quickly.” – App Store Review
Other Popular Reference Tools: Sanford Guide (infectious disease treatment guidelines), Prevention TaskForce (USPSTF screening recommendations).
Smartphone Apps for Medical Documentation
Mobius MD’s Conveyor AI is a leading AI medical scribe that uses speech-recognition technology to automatically turn any patient-provider conversation into a structured clinical note. Physicians can also access Mobius Conveyor’s leading dictation software to dictate notes on their smartphones and seamlessly transfer them into any EHR. Unlike built-in EHR voice tools, Conveyor is designed for interoperability, making it a powerful choice for doctors who want to streamline documentation within any software and on any computer.
What providers are saying:
“MobiusMD is a game-changer for my practice! The intuitive UI/UX makes navigation a breeze, allowing me to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks. The combination of dictation and AI scribing features are beyond outstanding—what could be better? They seamlessly integrate into my workflow, significantly reducing documentation time.” – App Store Review
Popular Alternatives: Dragon Medical One (EHR-integrated voice dictation), Suki AI (AI-powered voice assistant for notes).
Emerging Medical App Trends in 2025
App developers are integrating artificial intelligence and automation into most software. One popular emerging example is Open Evidence, an app that uses AI to summarize new medical research into concise, evidence-based takeaways for physicians. This type of real-time literature analysis is becoming essential for staying ahead of rapidly evolving guidelines.
Remote patient monitoring and AI-enabled clinical documentation are also expanding. More apps are integrating with wearables to track chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and sleep disorders. And AI-powered digital scribes–like Conveyor AI, discussed above–are becoming more common as a powerful way to reduce the burden of manual charting.
Finally, Augmented reality (AR) is beginning to enter medical training, with apps like Touch Surgery offering interactive surgical simulations.
How to Safely Integrate Medical Apps into Practice
Physicians should be mindful of privacy, security, and regulatory considerations when using mobile apps in clinical care. Here are a few tips to ensure you use physician medical apps as safely and effectively as possible:
- Prioritize patient privacy. Only use HIPAA-compliant apps for messaging and documentation.
- Choose evidence-based apps. Stick to tools developed by trusted medical organizations. If you’re unsure whether an app is reputable, consult colleagues or ask your professional organization.
- Follow regulations. Any app accessing patient data should comply with HIPAA and institutional policies.
- Discuss app usage with patients. If you use an app in the exam room, clearly explain this to patients. Transparency builds trust when integrating new technology into care.
- Opt for seamless integration. Choose apps that work well with your EHR and existing workflows. Apps that work across platforms or workstations are generally more flexible and valuable than those constrained to a specific EHR.
Medical apps are improving every month. As they do, more physicians are realizing their smartphones can be an indispensable clinical tool. Staying informed about the latest apps and software solutions will help you stay efficient and effective as a leading provider in your field.