MVP vs Prototype: What Your Startup Needs

A prototype demonstrates how something could work; an MVP demonstrates that something should exist. Prototypes test usability, design concepts, and technical approaches. MVPs test market demand and business viability with real users and real transactions. The right choice depends on your current questions.

Many successful products go through both stages — prototype first to refine the concept, then MVP to validate the market. The critical mistake is treating a prototype as market validation or treating an MVP as a finished product. Each tool serves a specific purpose, and using them in the right sequence maximizes learning while minimizing wasted investment.