A PoC (proof of concept) checks whether something can technically be done. A prototype shows how it will look and flow, before any code exists. An MVP is a working product that validates whether anyone needs it. Three different questions and three different tools. Below are the differences and how to pick the right one for your stage.
These three terms are the ones most often confused, and the mistake can be costly: building an MVP where a prototype would do is a burned budget. For the wider picture, start with the guide on how to build an MVP.
PoC: can it be done
A proof of concept answers a technical question: is this idea feasible. You build one when there is real technology risk, for example an unusual integration or performance on large data. A PoC is narrow, often throwaway, and has no polished interface. Its goal is the answer "yes, it can be done" or "no, this path does not lead anywhere".
Prototype: how it will look
A prototype shows the look and the flow, usually with no working code underneath. It is a clickable mock-up on which you can walk the user path and gather feedback before you build anything. A prototype is cheap and fast, great for talks with users and investors, but it validates nothing in practice, because it is not a real product.
MVP: does anyone need it
An MVP is a working application with one or a few key features that real users actually use. It answers the most important question: does the idea solve a problem someone will pay for with attention, time or money. It is the only one of the three that validates demand, not just feasibility or looks.
How to choose for your stage
- You have technology risk - start with a PoC to remove it before investing more.
- You want feedback on the idea and flow - make a prototype, cheaply and fast.
- You want to check if there is demand - build an MVP.
They often go in order: a PoC removes technical risk, a prototype settles the idea, an MVP validates the market. You do not always need all three, but it helps to know which question you are answering right now.
Frequently asked questions
A prototype shows the look and flow but does not really work. An MVP is a working product that people actually use, so it validates demand, not just the idea.
No. A PoC only makes sense with real technology risk. Sometimes a prototype or an MVP straight away is enough. The choice depends on which question matters most to you.
A prototype, because it needs no working code. A PoC can be narrow but technical. An MVP is the most expensive of the three, because it is a real product, but it is the only one that validates demand.