MVP vs Prototype vs POC: What Should You Build First?
Founders often use “MVP”, “prototype” and “proof of concept” interchangeably — but they answer different questions and cost very different amounts. Building the wrong one first is one of the most common ways to waste early budget. Here's the difference and how to choose.
Published · 16.04.18
Proof of concept: can it be done?
A proof of concept (POC) answers a technical question: is this even possible? It's throwaway code that de-risks the hardest technical part — a novel AI model, a tricky integration, a performance requirement — before you commit to a full build.
A POC is not for users. It's internal, fast, and disposable. If your risk is technical feasibility, start here.
Prototype: does the experience make sense?
A prototype answers a design question: does this flow feel right? It's usually clickable screens (often in Figma) with no real backend. You use it to test the experience with users, pitch investors, and align your team on what you're building.
A prototype is cheap and fast but fake — nothing actually works under the hood. If your risk is usability or communication, a prototype is the right tool.
MVP: will people actually use it?
An MVP answers a market question: do people want this enough to use (and pay for) it? It's a real, working product — minimal, but genuinely usable — that you put in front of real users to validate demand.
Unlike a prototype, an MVP really works. Unlike a POC, it's built to be used and to grow. If your risk is whether the market wants it, build an MVP.
So what should you build first?
Match the artefact to your biggest unknown:
- Unsure it's technically possible? Start with a POC.
- Unsure the experience works or need something to pitch? Start with a prototype.
- Confident it's possible and want to validate demand? Go straight to an MVP.
- Most funded startups skip straight to an MVP — or a prototype then an MVP — because their real risk is market, not technology.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an MVP and a prototype?
A prototype is a non-functional mockup used to test the experience and pitch the idea. An MVP is a real, working product — minimal but usable — that you launch to real users to validate demand.
Do I need a proof of concept before an MVP?
Only if you have a genuine technical risk — something you're not sure can be built. If feasibility is clear, you can skip the POC and go to an MVP.
Which is cheapest to build?
A prototype is usually cheapest, followed by a POC, then an MVP. But cheapest isn't the goal — the goal is to answer your riskiest question with the least effort.