Each business starts from an idea. It starts from the startup founder's desire to make a change. However, the metamorphosis from the idea status to a sellable product takes time. There are multiple steps to be executed. And among these steps there are the ones of creating an MVP (minimum viable product) and a prototype. 

Unfortunately, many people confuse these two terms. By doing so, they not only have false expectations from their developing teams but also fail to approach possible investors properly. 

This is why we want to address the matter and help you understand the differences between the two concepts.

So, simply put, both a minimum viable product (MVP) and a prototype are early versions of a product. The reason why they are created is to test and validate the product's concept. And that is before it is fully developed and released to the market. However, their paths change when it comes to their purposes and goals.

Minimum viable product (MVP)

Let’s start by crayoning a simplified minimum viable product definition. An MVP is a version of a product that has just enough features to satisfy early customers so they can provide direct feedback for future product development. The goal of an MVP is to validate the product's concept and gather real intel from users. And thus to create a leaner path for future development. 

In other words, an MVP is usually a simplified version of the final product, one that may have just some features or functionalities. It is a low-cost, low-risk way to test the market's waters and not spend time and money on aspects that don't matter to the final buyer.

For example a correct minimum viable product approach is when developing a new mobile app, to first release just an MVP. This means to release the basic version that includes only the core features and functionalities. With this version available, the company would then release the MVP just to a small group of early adopters. The purpose? To gather feedback and make improvements before developing the full version of the app.

Prototype

On the other hand, a prototype is a preliminary product model used to test and demonstrate the product's design and functionality. The goal of a prototype is to establish the product's usability before it's developed. Naturally, a prototype can be physical or digital. Furthermore, it also may not have all the features or functionalities of the final product. It is solely meant to test the concept of it and see if the design is feasible or not.

For example, suppose that an inventor is developing a new kitchen appliance. In this case, a prototype would be a basic appliance model, demonstrating the design and functionality. The inventor would then use the prototype to test the appliance's usability and gather feedback. And that is before developing the MVP.

With these aspects in mind, let's settle things straight.

As you could have already seen, one of the key differences between an MVP and a prototype is their addressability. An MVP is designed to gather customer feedback, while a prototype is designed to test and evaluate the product's design and usability. MVPs are meant to be released to a small group of early adopters, and prototypes are usually only seen by a select group of people within the company or organization, such as engineers, designers, and executives.

To close things up, I want to address you, the brilliant mind behind your idea. Turning concepts and visions into successful businesses is no walk in the park. But by taking the proper paths and working with the correct tools, you can do it. Taking the proper product discovery road is the key to making your dreams a reality. And both MVPs and prototypes are important tools for product development, as they provide valuable insights for improving the final product. 

We advise you to complete all the steps and understand the importance and differences between MVPs and prototypes. Only by doing so, you can choose the right approach for your product's development. And only by doing so you can find the correct product market fit and have a chance to stand out from the crowd. Still have questions? Let us help you get the directions you need.