Logo Codebridge

MVP vs PoC: What’s the Difference and When Should You Use Each?

October 25, 2024
|
5
min read
Share
text
Link copied icon
table of content
photo of Myroslav Budzanivskyi Co-Founder & CTO of Codebridge
Myroslav Budzanivskyi
Co-Founder & CTO

Get your project estimation!

In the world of product development, two important methodologies are often used to test ideas before committing to full-scale development: the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and the Proof of Concept (PoC). While both aim to reduce risk and validate ideas early, they serve different purposes and are used at different stages of the product development cycle. In this article, we will explore the differences between MVP and PoC, when to use each, and how they work together to ensure project success.

Difference between PoC and MVP

What is a Proof of Concept (PoC)?

A Proof of Concept is a small-scale test aimed at validating the feasibility of a particular idea or concept from a technical perspective. The goal is to demonstrate that the concept can be turned into reality before significant resources are invested. PoCs are often used when the project involves new or untested technologies, ensuring that the technical foundation is sound.

Key elements of a PoC include:

  • Technical Feasibility: Can the technology support the product vision?
  • Minimal Functionality: Only the core technological components are developed.
  • Low Investment: A PoC should be quick and inexpensive to build.
  • Limited Audience: Typically shared with a small group of stakeholders for validation.

When to Use a PoC:

1. Exploring New Technologies: If your product relies on a new or emerging technology, a PoC will help determine whether that technology can meet the requirements.

2. High Uncertainty: For projects with technical unknowns or complex algorithms, a PoC helps reduce risk by testing critical components before scaling up.

3. Internal Buy-in: Often used to gain approval or budget from internal stakeholders who may need proof that the technology can work.

Example: A company looking to integrate blockchain technology into its operations might start with a PoC to determine whether blockchain can handle the specific data and transaction volumes they expect.

What is a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a version of the product that includes the essential features necessary to meet the primary needs of early users. The purpose of an MVP is to test the market by releasing a functional version of the product, gathering feedback, and iterating based on real-world use. Unlike a PoC, the MVP is not just a technical experiment—it’s a usable product designed for early adoption and learning.

Key elements of an MVP include:

  • Core Functionality: Includes only the most critical features that address the main user problem.
  • Real User Testing: Released to a broader audience to gather feedback.
  • Iterative Development: Future versions are built based on user feedback and behavior.
  • Business Validation: MVPs are used to test the market viability of the product.

When to Use an MVP:

1. Market Validation: If you need to determine whether there is a demand for your product or whether users find it valuable.

2. Faster Time-to-Market: MVPs are ideal for companies looking to launch quickly and start generating feedback without waiting for a full product build.

3. Resource Efficiency: By focusing on only essential features, you can save time and development costs while gathering valuable insights.

Example: Dropbox’s first MVP was a simple video demonstrating how their cloud storage would work. It wasn’t a fully functional product, but it was enough to gauge interest and secure early adopters, who then helped guide the development of the actual platform.

Key Differences Between MVP and PoC

MVP vs PoC: Key Differences

While both MVP and PoC aim to minimize risk and validate ideas, the differences between them are significant:

1. Purpose:

  • PoC: Proves that a particular technology or concept is feasible from a technical standpoint.
  • MVP: Tests the market by releasing a simplified product version to real users.

2. Stage in Development:

  • PoC: Used early in the project lifecycle, often before any product design or user experience is considered.
  • MVP: Used later, after establishing technical feasibility, to validate user demand and refine the product.

3. Scope:

  • PoC: Limited to a specific technical challenge or capability. It’s usually a small-scale, one-off test.
  • MVP: A fully functional, simplified product version designed for real-world use and feedback.

4. Audience:

  • PoC: Typically presented to internal stakeholders or technical teams to prove feasibility.
  • MVP: Released to early adopters or real users for market feedback.

5. Outcome:

  • PoC: Determines whether the product can be built.
  • MVP: Determines whether the product should be built and refined based on user feedback.

When Should You Use Each?

Choosing between an MVP and a PoC depends on where you are in the development process and what you need to validate.

1. Use a PoC when:

  • You are unsure whether the technology you plan to use can meet the project’s requirements.
  • Some significant technical unknowns or risks need to be addressed.
  • You need to gain internal approval or funding based on technical feasibility.

Example Scenario: A company planning to integrate AI-driven chatbots into customer support might build a PoC to test whether the AI can adequately handle customer inquiries before committing to full development.

2. Use an MVP when:

  • You’ve already validated the technical feasibility and now need to test the market and gather user feedback.
  • You want to launch quickly with a minimal feature set to learn from real users and iterate on the product.
  • Your goal is to determine product-market fit and identify what features should be prioritized in future iterations.

Example Scenario: A startup building an app to connect freelancers with clients might develop an MVP that includes basic profile creation, job posting, and messaging functionality. The MVP would help determine whether freelancers and clients find the platform valuable before adding more advanced features like payment processing or ratings systems.

When to Use PoC vs MVP

How PoC and MVP Work Together

In many projects, PoC and MVP are complementary steps in the product development cycle. A PoC might come first to validate the technology, followed by an MVP to validate the market and refine the product based on user feedback.

For example:

  • Step 1: PoC: A team building a new e-commerce platform might start with a PoC to ensure the chosen payment gateway can handle the expected transaction volumes securely.
  • Step 2: MVP: Once the payment gateway has been validated, the team builds an MVP with core features like product listings, checkout functionality, and basic customer accounts, releasing it to a small group of users to gather feedback on the shopping experience.
MVP vs. PoC

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While both PoC and MVP can be powerful tools, common mistakes can undermine their effectiveness:

For PoC:

  • Overcomplicating the scope: A PoC should focus only on the core technical challenge and not try to solve every problem upfront.
  • Neglecting stakeholder input: Ensure that the stakeholders who will ultimately approve the project are involved in evaluating the PoC.

For MVP:

  • Trying to build too much: An MVP should include only the most essential features. Adding too much complexity defeats the purpose.
  • Ignoring feedback: The goal of an MVP is to learn from users, so make sure to gather and act on that feedback to improve the product.
While a Proof of Concept validates technical feasibility, an MVP tests market demand—both are essential steps to minimize risk and guide successful product development.

Conclusion

Both PoC and MVP play critical roles in modern product development, but they serve very different purposes. A PoC helps validate technical feasibility, ensuring that the foundation for your product is sound. An MVP, on the other hand, is designed to test the market, gather feedback, and iteratively improve the product. By understanding when and how to use each, you can significantly reduce the risks of building new products and ensure a smoother path from idea to market success.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript

Rate this article!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
23
ratings, average
4.9
out of 5
October 25, 2024
Share
text
Link copied icon

LATEST ARTICLES

The ROI of Educational Technology Tools: Reshaping Learning for a Smarter Future
July 9, 2025
|
11
min read

The ROI of Educational Technology Tools: Reshaping Learning for a Smarter Future

Explore how educational technology tools transform learning experiences, improve outcomes, and provide a strong ROI. Discover the benefits of digital learning.

by Konstantin Karpushin
EdTech
Read more
Read more
What to Look for in a Fintech Software Developer to Build Scalable Financial Solutions
July 7, 2025
|
6
min read

What to Look for in a Fintech Software Developer to Build Scalable Financial Solutions

Discover the key qualities and skills to look for in a fintech software developer when building scalable, secure, and efficient financial solutions for your business.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Fintech
Read more
Read more
op Cloud Migration Service Providers: Ensuring a Seamless Transition to the Cloud
July 4, 2025
|
8
min read

Top Cloud Migration Service Providers: Ensuring a Seamless Transition to the Cloud

Discover top cloud migration service providers and learn how they can help you transition smoothly to the cloud, along with key benefits and considerations.

by Myroslav Budzanivskyi
DevOps
Read more
Read more
Digital Product Design Strategy That Drives Revenue
July 2, 2025
|
10
min read

Digital Product Design Strategy That Drives Revenue

Discover how a strong digital product design strategy enhances user experience, boosts engagement, and drives revenue. Explore the key components for success.

by Ananga Thapaliya
UI/UX
Read more
Read more
How to Build a Custom Sales Automation Tool
June 30, 2025
|
5
min read

How to Build a Custom Sales Automation Tool When Off-the-Shelf Isn’t Enough

Learn when to build a custom sales automation tool vs using CRMs like Salesforce. Explore key benefits, best practices, and how to scale your sales process smarter.

by Myroslav Budzanivskyi
Automation Tools
Read more
Read more
Must-Have Travel Apps for Agencies & Custom Booking App Guide
June 27, 2025
|
5
min read

Must-Have Travel Apps for Agencies & Custom Booking App Guide

Discover the best apps for travel agents and learn when to build a custom booking app to scale your business, boost efficiency, and deliver standout experiences.

by Dmytro Maloroshvylo
Travel & Hospitality
Read more
Read more
How to Build a Scalable Software Testing and Quality Assurance Process for Your MVP
June 25, 2025
|
6
min read

How to Build a Scalable Software Testing and Quality Assurance Process for Your MVP

Learn how to build a scalable software testing and QA process for your MVP. Discover the right tools, strategies, and best practices to ship fast, without bugs.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Read more
Read more
How to Make an App for Your Business
June 23, 2025
|
4
min read

How to Make an App for Your Business

Learn how to make a business app — from planning and choosing tools to UX design and launch. A complete, step-by-step guide for startups and enterprises alike.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Read more
Read more
How AI and Low-Code/No-Code Tools Are Changing Software Development
June 20, 2025
|
6
min read

How AI and Low-Code/No-Code Tools Are Changing Software Development

Explore how AI and no-code/low-code tools are transforming software development. Discover key benefits, top use cases, and how to build smarter, without coding.

by Myroslav Budzanivskyi
Read more
Read more
Person working in Technical Customer Support
June 18, 2025
|
6
min read

When to Outsource Technical Customer Support (and How to Do It Right)

Learn when and how to outsource technical customer support. Discover expert tips, best practices, and how to scale efficiently without sacrificing quality.

by Dmytro Maloroshvylo
Read more
Read more
Logo Codebridge

Let’s collaborate

Have a project in mind?
Tell us everything about your project or product, we’ll be glad to help.
call icon
+1 302 688 70 80
email icon
business@codebridge.tech
Attach file
By submitting this form, you consent to the processing of your personal data uploaded through the contact form above, in accordance with the terms of Codebridge Technology, Inc.'s  Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

Your submission has been received!

What’s next?

1
Our experts will analyse your requirements and contact you within 1-2 business days.
2
Out team will collect all requirements for your project, and if needed, we will sign an NDA to ensure the highest level of privacy.
3
We will develop a comprehensive proposal and an action plan for your project with estimates, timelines, CVs, etc.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.