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You’ve got the idea. Now what?
Maybe it’s a late-night lightbulb moment or something that’s been simmering for months. Either way, you’re ready to take action—but you’re stuck on one big question:
Do I build a prototype first… or an MVP?
Let’s break it all down together, using real talk and simple words—because this stuff doesn’t need to feel overwhelming.
MVP vs Prototype: What’s the Difference & When Should You Use Each?
What Is a Prototype?
Imagine having a vision of your product, but you’re not ready to build the whole thing yet. You want to show someone how it might look, without spending tons of time or money.
That’s where a prototype comes in.
It’s basically a visual mockup—a sketch, a series of wireframes, or a clickable design. It shows the idea, but it’s not functional yet.
That’s where a prototype comes in.
It’s basically a visual mockup—a sketch, a series of wireframes, or a clickable design. It shows the idea, but it’s not functional yet.
A Prototype Helps You:
Show your idea to others
Collect early feedback on design and flow
Visualize the product before building anything
What Is an MVP?
Okay, so now you’re feeling confident. You know your idea has legs, and you’re ready to build something people can actually use.
That’s your MVP, or Minimum Viable Product.
It’s the simplest working version of your product—just enough functionality to solve a real problem, gather feedback, and test your idea in the real world.
That’s your MVP, or Minimum Viable Product.
It’s the simplest working version of your product—just enough functionality to solve a real problem, gather feedback, and test your idea in the real world.
An MVP Helps You:
Test your idea with real users
Get feedback before scaling
Start small and grow based on data
MVP vs Prototype: What's the Difference?
Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to compare:
Which One Should You Use?
Most successful products use both.
Start with a prototype. Test. Learn. Then move to an MVP when you’re ready.
Start with a prototype. Test. Learn. Then move to an MVP when you’re ready.
You’re still exploring your idea, working on the design, or trying to explain your vision to others.
Choose a Prototype if...
You’re ready to put your product in front of real users and test if it solves a problem they care about.
Choose an MVP if...
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Airbnb – Prototype
Airbnb’s first version? Just a simple website with a few photos of their apartment. They wanted to test if people would pay to stay in someone’s home.
Dropbox started with a short video that looked like their product existed. But it didn’t. That video alone helped them validate demand before writing a single line of code.
Dropbox – MVP
Real-Life Examples
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcomplicating your prototype
Keep it simple!
Building an MVP with too many features
Start small.
Skipping the prototype entirely
You could miss valuable early feedback.
A Prototype is a visual, non-functional model of your product.
An MVP is a simple, working version of your product.
Start with a prototype to clarify your idea.
Build an MVP when you’re ready to test it with real users.
Quick Recap
Do I want to test how it looks or if it works?
Before you decide what to build first, ask:
If you’re still in the idea phase, go with a prototype.
If you’re ready to test in the real world, it’s MVP time.
If you’re ready to test in the real world, it’s MVP time.
Who’s this for—investors or real users?
Am I still shaping the idea, or am I ready to launch something?
Ask Yourself These 3 Questions
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Starting small is smart. Whether it’s a quick sketch or a basic app, every step forward counts.
Your idea matters—and bringing it to life doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start. Learn. Adjust. And keep going.
Your idea matters—and bringing it to life doesn’t have to be complicated. Just start. Learn. Adjust. And keep going.
Ready to Build Your MVP?
If you’ve got the vision, Softvoya has the team to bring it to life. Our experts help startups and businesses build smart, scalable MVPs—fast.
Let’s talk MVP — and turn your idea into something real. Contact us for a free consultation today!
Let’s talk MVP — and turn your idea into something real. Contact us for a free consultation today!