App evaluation models

App assessment tools provides guide on informed decision-making about apps.

The following are examples of published app assessment tools which provide a framework to inform decision making about apps.

Resource	Description
Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) developed by the Queensland University of Technology (2015)³	Designed to score apps on a few comprehensive dimensions such as engagement, functionality, aesthetics and information quality. Read more about MARS(external link)
RCP Health Informatics Unit checklist (2016)⁴	Comprises an 18-item checklist. Read more about the RCP Health Informatics Unit checklist (external link)
National Library of Medicine (NLM) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2016)	Comprises a yes/no checklist of criteria to consider. Read more about the NLM and NIH model for evaluating mobile apps(external link)
App Chronic Disease Checklist (2016)⁵	Comprises 4 sections with 6 questions in each section. Read more about the app chronic disease checklist(external link)
American Psychiatric Association (APA) app evaluation model (2020)	Comprises a hierarchical rating system and rubric. Read more about the APA app evaluation model(external link) or watch a video(external link).
Boudreaux ED, et al (2014)⁶	Published an article that outlines 7 strategies for evaluating and selecting health-related apps. Read more(external link)
Graded review of dermatology apps (2018)⁷	Evaluated dermatology apps for patient education and identified 5 key criteria. Read more(external link)
mHealth App Trustworthiness checklist (2019)⁸	Identified 23 items groups into 6 categories for evaluating health apps. Read more(external link)

People and process
NZ Health App Library
Consumer guide: how to choose a health app
Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app

References

Stoyanov SR, Hides L, Kavanagh DJ, Zelenko O, et al. Mobile app rating scale: a new tool for assessing the quality of health mobile apps(external link) JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015 Mar 11;3(1):e27.
Jeremy C Wyatt, Harold Thimbleby, et al. What makes a good clinical app? Introducing the RCP Health Informatics Unit checklist(external link) Clin Med (Lond). 2015
Anderson K, Burford O, Emmerton L. App chronic disease checklist: Protocol to evaluate mobile apps for chronic disease self-management.(external link) JMIR Res Protoc. 2016
Boudreaux ED, Waring ME, Hayes RB, Sadasivam RS, et al. Evaluating and selecting mobile health apps: strategies for healthcare providers and healthcare organizations(external link) Transl Behav Med. 2014 Dec;4(4):363-71.
Masud A, Shafi S, Rao BK. Mobile medical apps for patient education: a graded review of available dermatology apps.(external link) Cutis. 2018 Feb;101(2):141-144.
van Haasteren A, Gille F, Fadda M, Vayena E. Development of the mHealth app trustworthiness checklist.(external link) Digit Health. 2019
Singh K, Drouin K, Newmark LP, et al. Developing a framework for evaluating the patient engagement, quality, and safety of mobile health applications(external link) The Commonwealth Fund, February 2016.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Factsheets – using health apps safely

How to choose a health app
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

Privacy and security tips for using health apps
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ

App evaluation models