PoC vs Prototype vs MVP: What’s the Difference? How to Choose?

Common Misconceptions about Validation Approaches

One of the biggest traps we see: treating MVPs as early experiments when no real problem has been validated. Or skipping straight to development with a “working prototype” that was never tested with actual users.

Another common myth? That a PoC or prototype is “just design work”, when in fact, it’s your cheapest insurance against failure.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Companies that skip proper validation pay the price.

Example 1: A funded fintech startup spent over $400k building a “launch-ready” platform, only to realize their core workflow wasn’t compatible with user behavior in real banking environments.

Example 2: A SaaS product launched without validating integrations, resulting in six months of rework and lost momentum.

Skipping validation doesn’t just risk product failure; it can delay market entry, erode team morale, and burn through cash fast.

To avoid these costly mistakes, it’s essential to understand what each validation method is for, when to use it, and how it helps de-risk your product journey. Let’s break down the four key approaches to help you choose the right tool at the right time.

Spike – The Technical Reconnaissance Mission

A Spike is a focused technical investigation—your first line of defense against investing in the wrong stack or approach.

The goal is simple: answer the question “Can we build this?” before writing production-level code or committing to architecture decisions.

Think of it as R&D in sprint form – a short, high-intensity deep dive into a specific technical unknown.

Key Characteristics and Deliverables

Time-boxed (typically 1–5 days)
Narrow in scope—targets one or two specific technical risks
Produces findings, documentation, or proof-of-concept code
Not meant to be production-ready
Owned by senior engineers or solution architects

The output isn’t a polished feature—it’s clarity. You walk away knowing whether a proposed technology or integration is viable, and what trade-offs to expect.

Spikes are especially useful at pre-MVP or early architectural stages, where decisions have long-term impact.

Time & Resource Investment

Spikes are low-cost, high-leverage exercises.

Time: 1–5 days
Team: 1–2 experienced engineers
Output: Clear go/no-go insights, risk assessments, and next steps

Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Trying to solve too many things at once: Spikes should answer a single focused question. Break bigger concerns into multiple Spikes if needed.
Treating Spikes like full-feature builds: Don’t overengineer. The goal is learning, not shipping.
Skipping documentation: Capture what was learned—future you (or your team) will thank you.
Failing to act on findings: A Spike is only valuable if it informs the next step. Make sure there’s a clear decision or pivot based on the result.

Proof of Concept (PoC) – Validating Technical Feasibility

A Proof of Concept (PoC) is a focused experiment designed to answer one critical question:

“Does this solution work as intended in a controlled, but realistic, context?”

Unlike a Spike, which explores if something is technically possible, a PoC proves that it works. It’s the bridge between a raw idea and an investable solution.

Key Characteristics and Deliverables

Narrow in functionality but end-to-end in logic
Built with real data, real architecture, and real conditions (just not production-ready)
Designed to validate core functionality or integrations
Includes documentation of findings, risks, and technical decisions
Helps secure stakeholder confidence or unlock further budget

A good PoC shows HOW the concept works, not just that it could work.

When to Use a PoC

You’ve already vetted the concept at a technical level (e.g., via Spike)
You need to test a critical integration, like connecting multiple APIs, data pipelines, or third-party systems
The solution’s feasibility is uncertain due to complexity, data volume, or performance expectations
Investors or stakeholders need a tangible result before funding the next phase
You’re preparing to build an MVP, but want to de-risk one or two key components first

PoC is the right choice when the technical “how” still needs proof, but there’s enough confidence in the “why.”

Time & Resource Investment

Time: 1–3 weeks, depending on complexity
Team: 2–3 engineers + architect or tech lead
Output: Working demo or prototype, tech validation doc, risk analysis

Creating an Effective PoC: Step-by-Step

Define the core hypothesis: What must be proven true?
Limit the scope: Focus on one or two critical features or flows
Simulate real-world conditions: Use realistic data and constraints
Build lean, but traceable code: Focus on architecture, not polish
Document findings: Tech feasibility, performance, and blockers
Review with stakeholders: Clarify next steps based on outcomes

Prototype – Visualizing the User Experience

A prototype is a visual and interactive representation of your future product, not built to function, but to feel real. It helps teams and stakeholders see and test how a product could work before any code is written.

The goal:

Validate user flows, design logic, and core UX assumptions.

It’s where your product starts to come to life visually, without burning engineering hours.

Types of Prototypes

Low-Fidelity (Lo-Fi)

Quick wireframes or sketches
Focus on structure and layout
Ideal for early brainstorming

High-Fidelity (Hi-Fi)

Pixel-perfect design
Includes branding, colors, fonts
Can feel indistinguishable from a real product

Static vs. Clickable

Static: Non-interactive screen designs
Clickable: Simulated interactions and flows (via tools like Figma, InVision, or Axure)

At 28software, we often use high-fidelity clickable prototypes—fast to test, easy to share, and perfect for feedback loops.

When Prototyping Delivers the Most Value

You want to align stakeholders before development
You’re refining a product concept or pitching to investors
You need to validate UX assumptions with real users
You’re unsure about user flows, hierarchy, or messaging
You want to test multiple design directions or features before committing

In short: prototype when UX decisions are high-stakes, and development costs are still avoidable.

Time & Resource Investment

Time: 1–2 weeks
Team: Product designer + UX strategist (optionally PM)
Output: Clickable prototype, user flow map, testing report

MVP – Validating Market Demand

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a functional version of your product with just enough features to solve a core problem and deliver value to early users.

The goal:

Validate if real users will actually use and pay for your solution.

An MVP isn’t about launching something unfinished. It’s about strategically limiting scope to accelerate learning and reduce risk.

The Critical “Viable” Component

Too many MVPs fail because they forget the “V”:

Viable means it must deliver real value from Day 1
Users should understand the product’s core promise
Even in its simplest form, it should be usable, useful, and desirable

Your MVP doesn’t need bells and whistles—but it does need a beating heart.

When to Build an MVP (and When Not To)

Time & Resource Investment

Time: 6–12 weeks
Team: Cross-functional – Product, Design, Engineering, QA
Output: Working product + early user feedback + metrics

Post-MVP Strategy: What Comes Next?

Iterate: Use real feedback to refine features
Pivot: If users engage differently than expected, adjust focus
Scale: Gradually increase user base and platform capabilities
Automate: Replace manual processes once you’ve nailed the workflow
Market-fit metrics: Track retention, activation, and referrals

Strategic Selection Framework

Choosing the right validation method isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It’s about aligning your business objectives, constraints, and risk profile with the right tool at the right time.
To make this easier, we use a decision-making framework that helps teams confidently choose between a Spike, PoC, Prototype, or MVP.

Start with the Right Question: What Are You Trying to Validate?

Technical Feasibility

→ Choose a Spike or PoC

If you’re unsure whether something can be built (or how), start with a Spike. If you already have an approach in mind and want to prove it works, go for a PoC.

User Experience / Design Flow

→ Choose a Prototype

If your idea is technically doable, but you’re unsure how users will interact with it or which UX path to pursue, prototype it first.

Market Demand

→ Choose an MVP

If you’ve validated feasibility and usability, and now want to test whether users will actually pay for your product, go MVP.

Conclusion: De-risk Your Product Journey with Smart Validation

Choosing between a Spike, PoC, Prototype, or MVP isn’t just a technical decision — it’s a strategic one. Each approach serves a different purpose.

Skipping or misusing these steps can lead to wasted resources, failed launches, or costly pivots.

At 28software, we treat validation as an integral part of the product lifecycle, not an afterthought. Our team works closely with you to assess your goals, risks, and constraints, then selects the best-fit validation method to move forward with confidence.

Want to make smarter bets with your tech investment?

Let’s talk! Schedule a free validation assessment with our experts and start turning uncertainty into clarity.