In product development, MVP vs Prototype vs POC is one of the most common sources of confusion. While they sound similar, each plays a different role in the journey from an idea to a market-ready product. Knowing their differences helps founders, product managers, and businesses pick the right approach, save time, reduce risk, and move more effectively toward product success.
What is an MVP (Minimum Viable Product)?
An MVP is the simplest version of a product that still delivers value to users. It includes only the essential features needed to solve a key problem and is launched to real users for testing.
Why an MVP Matters
The biggest risk in product development is not building something that fails—it’s building something nobody wants. An MVP reduces that risk by putting a working product in front of real users quickly. This allows teams to validate demand, collect feedback, and improve based on actual data instead of assumptions.
When to Use an MVP
- When the idea and technology are already validated
- When you need to confirm market demand
- When testing pricing or monetization models
- When seeking early adoption and investor traction
Example of an MVP
Imagine you’re launching a fitness app. Instead of including nutrition guidance, gamification, and social features, your MVP only tracks steps and logs activity. This helps you learn if users find enough value in the basic solution before investing in more advanced features.
Benefits of an MVP
- Faster time to market
- Lower upfront cost
- Real feedback from users
- Early opportunity to pivot if needed
- Proof of traction for investors
Challenges of an MVP
An MVP can feel limited or underwhelming to early adopters since it doesn’t include advanced features. Competitors with more polished apps may seem more appealing, so clear communication is important to show that it’s just the starting point.
What is a Prototype?
A prototype is a visual or interactive model of your product. Unlike an MVP, it doesn’t function as a real product—it simply shows how it will look and how users will interact with it. Prototypes can be low-fidelity sketches or high-fidelity clickable designs.
Why a Prototype Matters
Prototypes help teams and stakeholders visualize the product before development begins. Learn more about effective prototyping techniques. They make it easy to test user flows, navigation, and design without investing heavily in coding. By identifying issues early, teams save time and avoid costly redesigns later.
When to Use a Prototype
- At the idea stage, before development starts
- When testing multiple design directions
- To get early feedback from users or stakeholders
- To align product vision across teams
Example of a Prototype
Suppose you’re designing a food delivery app. A prototype could be a clickable mockup showing restaurant browsing, adding items to a cart, and placing an order. Users can test the flow, but the app won’t actually process payments.
Benefits of a Prototype
- Quick and inexpensive testing
- Encourages collaboration and feedback
- Helps identify usability issues early
- Aligns teams on design and vision
Challenges of a Prototype
Prototypes don’t prove whether the product is technically possible or whether there’s real demand. They are best for design validation, not market or technical validation.
What is a POC (Proof of Concept)?
A POC is a small test project that proves whether an idea is technically feasible. Unlike a prototype or MVP, it doesn’t focus on design or usability—it answers one question: Can this be built with the available technology?
Why a POC Matters
Some ideas sound great but may not be achievable with current tools or systems. A POC reduces technical risk by proving feasibility before committing significant resources. For investors, it also builds confidence that the core technology can work.
When to Use a POC
- When building with new or untested technology
- If your product depends on AI, blockchain, IoT, or integrations
- Before scaling development on high-risk features
Example of a POC
Say you want to create a healthcare app that integrates with wearable devices to monitor patient vitals in real time. A POC would test whether wearable data can reliably connect to your system before building the full solution.
Benefits of a POC
- Proves technical feasibility
- Reduces technical risks
- Builds investor and stakeholder confidence
- Helps set development priorities
Challenges of a POC
A POC doesn’t confirm market demand or user experience. It should be combined with prototypes and MVPs to form a complete product development strategy.
MVP vs Prototype vs POC: Key Differences
Each serves a different purpose and is used at different stages.
Purpose
- Prototype: Validate design and user flow
- POC: Test technical feasibility
- MVP: Validate market demand
Stage of Use
- Prototype: Early idea stage
- POC: Feasibility testing stage
- MVP: Market testing stage
Output
- Prototype: Wireframes, sketches, clickable mockups
- POC: Small project proving technical possibility
- MVP: Basic working product launched to users
When to Use MVP vs Prototype vs POC
Choosing between MVP vs Prototype vs POC depends on your product stage:
- Prototype → Use when shaping ideas and testing user flows.
- POC → Use when validating if the technology is feasible.
- MVP → Use when testing market demand with real users.
Example: Ride-Sharing App
- Prototype: Clickable mockups showing booking and payment flow.
- POC: Test GPS tracking with payment integration.
- MVP: Launch a simplified app in one city with only booking and payments.
By following the right sequence for MVP vs Prototype vs POC, teams can reduce risk and increase the chances of product success. A prototype validates design, a POC proves technical feasibility, and an MVP tests real-world demand. Using them in sequence minimizes risk, saves resources, and increases your chances of success. Teams that understand when and how to use each will build smarter and faster.
FAQs
Typically, you start with a prototype, move to a POC if needed, and then build an MVP.
You can, but it’s risky. Prototypes are inexpensive ways to catch design issues early.
Investors prefer MVPs because they show traction. Prototypes and POCs are useful, but MVPs demonstrate market interest.
Not always. If you’re working with proven technology, you may skip it. POCs are most useful for technically uncertain projects.
Usually 3–6 months, depending on complexity. The goal is speed and validation, not perfection.