MVPs are more common than you think. 72% of startups opt for an MVP approach. It’s natural for them to do so. MVPs help them step into the competitive world. They allow them to invest less and get more. The MVP development process is short and quick. In contrast, the MVP testing method helps them gather feedback.
Once you go through these MVP examples, you’ll discover how successful this approach can be. In this blog, we’ve made a list of 18 MVP examples. But first, let’s learn what an MVP is:
What is an MVP?
An MVP stands for Minimum Viable Product. When you have an app idea, how do you know it will be successful? This is where an agile minimum viable product can help. An MVP is a lighter version of your app. Mainly, it focuses on one core feature that allows businesses to test their product. By testing it, they are able to improve on their product before launch.
However, if your focus is on building a connection with your users, you can opt for an MLP. MLP is a Minimum Lovable Product. MVPs are focused on testing the market and app functions. A Minimum Lovable Product aims to deliver a resonating user experience.
What are the types of MVPs?
MVPs can be of various times. Here are the two types of minimum viable products:
Low-fidelity MVP
What if you could test your product idea with minimal effort? This is what Low-fidelity MVPs do. They are very light versions of apps that validate a product’s idea, focusing on a core function. Here’s how they work:
- Fake door MVP is when businesses want to introduce a new feature or element. But they aren’t sure about it.
- Landing page MVP allows businesses to test their idea of adding a new page. It helps validate whether users are interested.
- Pre-order MVP allows users to pre-order a product before it’s fully developed. This delivers early market validation.
High-fidelity MVP
High-fidelity MVPs look very similar to the final product, but they still work on a lighter system. Here’s how they work:
- Concierge MVPs are where functions are executed manually.
- Piecemeal MVPs are half manual and half automatic.
- Single feature MVP focuses on one feature only. It helps users understand what the app is meant for.
These were the two types of minimum viable products.
MVP examples you should know about:
You’ll be surprised to discover how common it is for apps to start as an agile minimum viable product. Some of these MVPs are world-leading nowadays. With the right approach, this could be your MVP, too.
1. Etsy
Ever wanted to sell your hand-crafted goods? Etsy was probably the platform that came to mind. Etsy began as an MVP. Today, it has millions of buyers and sellers.
MVP features
As an MVP, Etsy began with minimal features. This included the sole purpose of selling crafts. This was the process of testing whether users would be interested in buying from artists online. The choice of launching Etsy as an MVP was due to a shortage of time. This was because the creators had identified a major client pain point.
2. Instagram
Before Instagram, there was Burbn. Burbn was a location check-in app that was only popular for its photo-sharing feature. In 2024, Instagram had a brand value of 70.4 billion.
MVP features
Instagram’s journey started when the creators of Burbn noticed the popularity of its photo-sharing feature. They created an MVP that mainly allowed users to share photos and interact with each other. It started as a single-feature MVP, allowing creators to test their product idea. When Instagram’s agile minimum viable product matched their expectations, they improved it and launched the final product.
3. Zappos
Zappos is an online retailing platform that sells shoes, clothes, and accessories. It’s famous for its “365-day return policy”.
MVP features
Before investing in inventory directly, Nick Swinmurn, the founder, took pictures of shoes in nearby stores and put them up on a basic website he created. When his idea was successful, he improved his MVP design and launched Zappos.
4. Uber
Ever needed to take a ride and pick up a friend without having a car? You’ve probably called an Uber. Today, it’s the leading ride-hailing service in USA.
MVP features
Uber was born because the creators struggled to find a cab. This gave them the idea to launch an app that allowed people to call a cab to their address. It was a daring idea but extremely helpful at the time. Initially, Uber was only focused on rides from one point to the other. It started with three cars.
5. Airbnb
Planning to travel and need a place to crash? Go onto Airbnb! It’s a platform that lets users rent out their property to people.
MVP features
Airbnb started as a simple website called Air Bed and Breakfast. Its MVP design allowed the creators to rent out their place for others to stay. There, they mainly rented out air mattresses to test their idea. The MVP version only showed basic info about the accommodation.
6. Pinterest
Pinterest is a social media app that allows users to post and view pictures and videos. It allows users to create “boards” and make collections of their favorite posts.
MVP features
The Pinterest name came from its MVP’s main feature. The MVP was called “tote,” and it allowed users to bookmark their favorite items online, much like pining their interest. This was the only feature Pinterest’s MVP had.
7. Facebook
With over 3 billion active monthly users, Facebook is today’s leading social media app. Surprisingly, its MVP was meant to be a universal directory.
MVP features
The Facebook MVP testing method began in 2013. It was based on checking if a platform that allows people to search up and add others gets popular. At first, it was only limited to Harvard students. It quickly gained popularity and got familiar with other university students as well.
8. Slack
Slack is a popular cloud-based platform. It is most commonly used in workplaces. This platform allows users to text with each other and drag and drop files quickly.
MVP features
Slack was born as a solution by a company that wanted easy communication for their team. This team was working on a game called Glitch. So, they created a basic functional platform that allowed them to test their idea. When it worked, they finalized and launched it.
9. Amazon
Amazon is a versatile platform. It deals with cloud computing and streaming. However, Amazon is most commonly known for its retail services.
MVP features
In the 1990s, Amazon started as an online Bookstore. Jeff Bezos, the founder, began by selling books from his own house. This was an example of a single-feature and Wizard of Oz MVP. When his platform started running, Jeff started buying books from nearby stores. Finally, he improved his platform based on the data he gathered.
10. Spotify
Spotify is the leading music-listening app globally and started as an MVP. Who doesn’t like going on long drives with their favorite Spotify playlist in the background?
MVP features
Spotify was launched as a single-feature MVP. It only focused on the ability to listen to music. No downloads or videos. This allowed them to test the market before launching a fully functional music streaming platform. It’s a fantastic example of how far an MVP can go when testing just one feature.
11. Google
What do you say when someone wants an answer to a random question? “Just Google it.” Google, the most popular search engine in the world, also started as an MVP.
MVP features
Google started when the founders got an idea. Instead of going all in, they began by launching an MVP. They developed a search engine called Backrub. This agile minimum viable product allowed the analysis of backlinks. This helped determine the importance of web pages. The idea became popular quickly and laid the foundation for the Google search algorithm.
12. Minecraft
Finally, a game in this list. Minecraft is an adventure 3d pixel-like game that allows users to collect materials and construct landscapes.
MVP features
Minecraft started as a 3d game that only allowed users to place blocks to create simple constructions. In fact, the game was initially called “cave game.” Markus Notch, the creator, only launched a basic game with limited features. When he saw it gaining popularity, he improved and launched the game.
13. AngelList
If you’re a startup business, you’ve probably heard of AngelList. It’s a platform that connects startups with investors and initially started as an MVP.
MVP features
AngelList is an example of a simple email campaign MVP. Here, the founders send simple emails to potential investors for startups. This allowed users to search and raise funds. They started solely on the basis of emails and no platform. When the idea was successful, the founders scaled.
14. Dropbox
Dropbox is a simple cloud-based platform that allows users to sync and store files. This helps users view their files on multiple devices. Dropbox is one of the most successful MVP examples today.
MVP features
Dropbox is an example of a demo video MVP. Before the app was launched, the creators showcased a video of Dropbox’s core functions. Soon after launch, the video went viral. After that, the creator still did not go all in. At first, he only launched Dropbox with a very simple user interface, then improved over time.
15. DoorDash
The easiest, most convenient way to order food has been DoorDash for a long time now. It’s the largest food delivery platform in USA, with a 56% market share.
MVP features
One of the most significant MVP examples is DoorDash. It once started as a simple website that only displayed local restaurant menus as PDFs. This allowed people to place orders via phone call. The founders of DoorDash acted as the delivery riders themselves as their MVP testing method.
16. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the most used messaging and calling platform in the whole world. With 2 billion active users every month, WhatsApp is one of the most successful MVP examples.
MVP features
In the beginning, WhatsApp was only focused on its core functions. WhatsApp’s MVP design was only focused on sending messages and syncing contacts. When this idea was successful and spread around the globe, the creators started making improvements. In 2023, WhatsApp had a $98.65 billion valuation.
17. Instacart
Ever wish you could get groceries delivered to your doorstep? Instacart makes this possible. It’s an online grocery delivery and pick-up platform. That started as one of the MVP examples.
MVP features
Instacart is one of the Wizard of OZ MVP examples. The creators launched a basic version of the app that allowed users to place orders. The creators would then go around delivering the orders themselves. This allowed them to test and validate their idea. When the were successful, they improved Instacart based on user feedback.
18. Duolingo
Almost everyone has had a Duolingo Phase. The craze of learning a new language came and left within a few days. Duolingo is the most popular language-learning app in several countries.
MVP features
Duolingo is one of the MVP examples that started with a core function. It offered limited language learning courses for free with an interactive experience. Due to its gamified approach, users stayed engaged. This allowed Duolingo’s creators to gather feedback and iterate their app. Today, Duolingo has more than 100 active monthly users all across the globe.
Conclusion
Our list of MVP examples comes to an end. The MVP testing approach is full of benefits. It is known to reduce development costs by 50%. So, you can launch a product with its core functionalities in less time and money. This product will let you test your idea and significantly raise your chances of success. At Linkitsoft, our skilled developers create functional MVPs with simple User Interfaces. With a focus on testing and validating your business idea.
Contact Linkitsoft today and test the market for your creative idea. From the initial MVP development to the constant improvements needed to launch your app, we’ll be with you. Let your app become one of the best MVP Examples! Don’t miss out; your competitors constantly work to get ahead of you. Stay one step forward with us.
