10 MVP examples

Before jumping into the best examples of a Minimum Viable Product let’s start with what is an MVP?

In the last twenty years, we’ve seen the rise of Digital Products where there are hundreds of great examples of Minimum Viable Products. And by far the most common way to startup a new product idea is to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This is the first working version of a product that is released to market with only the core functionality and a basic user experience

Why are MVP’s are built?

The main purpose to build an MVP is to validate an idea. They can be brought to market quickly and can gain valuable feedback from real users. It will identify if there is product-market fit; in layman’s terms, something that users actually want. Then they can either be tweaked and iterated to meet user’s requirements, or in the worst-case scenario stopped before breaking the bank!

Generally speaking, by taking an MVP approach they are quick to develop, have just enough quality to get by and are cheap. However, in recent years there’s been discussion about how basic an MVP should be, as it can affect the quality of feedback as users might not be able to look past an unflattering User Interface. This is where the term Minimum Lovable Product (MLP) came in. To read more about a Minimum Loveable Product click here.

10 Examples of a Minimum Viable Product; world-leading to brand new

Here is a mixture of 10 MVP examples, going from some of the most iconic digital products in the world to lesser-known, newer and niche products. These examples of digital products all started out as MVP’s, but today, are so much more.

1. Facebook
2. Dropbox
3. Epidemic Sounds
4. GoCollaborate
5. Spotify
6. Once I’ve Gone
7. Buffer
8. Netflix
9. Twitter
10. Amazon

To begin with, take a look at my video jumping into the best examples of a Minimum Viable Product:

1. Facebook

Of course, let’s start with a biggy. Mark Zuckerberg launched thefacebook, yes, thefacebook, in 2004 with the aim to connect Harvard students with each other.  As you can see in the photo, thefacebook’s first release is scaled back to core functionality with just enough design to get by. The following day after thefacebook’s first release, the MVP gained thousands of users, where Mark went on to evolve Facebook as we know it today.

2. Dropbox

Dropbox has made number 2 on this list because they took an interest a very, very, scaled-back approach to an MVP. In fact, the Dropbox MVP was non-existent. The founders Arash Ferdowsi and Drew Houston had capability however they didn’t want to waste a penny unnecessarily, before testing the idea. All they did was create an explainer video (seen below). People loved it! They then went on to build an MVP, developing it to what it is today!

3. Epidemic Sound

Here’s a newer product that is a great addition to add to the mix. With an immense amount of video creators online, from influencers to the new world of social media marketing, people need high-quality royalty-free music. This is Epidemic Sound. A product that has a huge variety, and a continuously updated database of music and sound effects. They acted fast with an MVP and have now gone through many iterations creating a killer user experience.

4. GoCollaborate

A brand new, fresh off the press, MVP developed from us here at Hiyield. GoCollaborate is a product based in the UK that is helping to attract a wider demographic of people in communities to contribute towards their neighbourhood development plans. We took GoCollborate to market as an MVP in one geographical area, where today we continue to iterate the product for phase two using rich user feedback.

5. Spotify

Now, who remembers when Spotify looked like this? I reluctantly do, meaning that the years are now piling up. 😂Anyway, Spotify dominates the online streaming music market. And yes, they first trailed Spotify as an MVP. They looked to test the product to market and see if it had a product-market fit, also testing their freemium business model.

6. Once I’ve Gone (OIG)

I know that all products serve a niche in some way or another, but, Once I’ve Gone is a superb niche MVP example. OIG is a platform that looks after all the important information for someone and shares it to the right person in the event of bereavement. They launched an MVP and validated its product-market fit. Today, we have taken the OIG MVP into phase two creating a beautiful user experience.

7. Buffer

Buffer is an awesome tool that I use on a weekly basis.  By no surprise, the product began as an MVP getting thousands of users signing up in just a few weeks. However, much like Dropbox, they began validating their idea by setting up a landing page, explaining what the product is going to be. It then blew up with a huge amount of registrations, as the tool is exactly what we need! Buffer then built an MVP, converting registered landing page users into paying customers from the get-go.

8. Netflix

Another online streaming service that has taken hold of the world, however in video form, is the famous Netflix. Much to my surprise the Netflix actually started in 1998 as an online DVD rental service. They did well from this service and grew a massive customer base up to 4.2 million by 2005. Using knowledge of the market they noticed technology shift and reacted to it with online streaming, building an MVP and then rolling it out to their already established customers. Bingo! Now we have a stylish and effortless way to watch pretty much limitless movies and series from anywhere that has an internet connection. 

9. Twitter

Another social media product to add to the list is Twitter. The MVP was actually built for internal use in a company called Odeo (a startup podcast company) as an SMS called ‘Twttr’. However, in some way or another, the product quickly was understood to hold more value than first expected. This was the start of Twttr into Twitter!

10. Amazon

I end this list of the great examples of an MVP’s with the biggest of the bunch. Jeff Bozos started Amazon selling only a few products on a very basic website, then scaling up to books after gaining an insight into what people wanted. Fast forward thirty years and he now has a net worth of 182.2 Billion USD. From an MVP to the most valuable business in the world.