How to Build an MVP in 2025: The No-Fluff Guide

What is an MVP (Really)?

An MVP is not:

• A prototype or mockup
• A feature-complete product
• Something you’re embarrassed to show

An MVP is:

• A functional product that solves one core problem
• Something users can actually use and pay for
• A tool for learning, not impressing

The MVP test: Can a user accomplish their primary goal with your product? If yes, ship it.

The MVP Development Timeline

Total: 6-8 weeks

If someone tells you an MVP takes 6 months, they’re not building an MVP.

Tech Stack Recommendation (2025)

For 90% of MVPs, this stack works:

Frontend:     Next.js 14+ (App Router)
Backend:      Next.js API Routes or Supabase Edge Functions
Database:     Supabase (Postgres)
Auth:         Supabase Auth or Clerk
Payments:     Stripe
Hosting:      Vercel
Storage:      Supabase Storage or Cloudflare R2
Email:        Resend or Loops
Analytics:    PostHog or Amplitude

Why this stack?

• Fast development (great DX)
• Generous free tiers
• Scales without re-architecture
• Huge community = easy to find help
• You can hire developers who know it

When to use different stacks

Scoping Your MVP

The #1 mistake: building too much.

The One-Feature Framework

Answer this: What is the ONE thing users must be able to do?

Examples:

• Calendly: Book a meeting
• Dropbox: Upload and share a file
• Stripe: Accept a payment
• Slack: Send a message to a team

Everything else is nice-to-have for v1.

Feature Prioritization Matrix

Rule: If it’s not directly tied to the user completing their main task, cut it.

Cost Breakdown

DIY (Technical Founder)

Total: $50-500 (excluding your time)

With an Agency

Note: If you’re quoted $100K+ for an MVP, find another agency.

What affects cost?

Increases cost:

• Custom design (vs. using templates)
• Multiple user roles
• Real-time features
• Third-party integrations
• Mobile apps (in addition to web)

Decreases cost:

• Using component libraries (shadcn/ui)
• Single user type
• Standard CRUD operations
• Web-only initially

The Build Process (Week by Week)

Week 1: Discovery & Planning

Deliverables:

• User personas (1-2 max)
• User journey map (main flow only)
• Feature list (prioritized)
• Tech stack decision
• Database schema (rough)

Don’t:

• Spend weeks on this
• Create 50-page PRDs
• Design every screen in detail

Week 2: Design & Setup

Deliverables:

• Wireframes for core screens (5-10 screens)
• Project setup (repo, CI/CD, staging environment)
• Database schema (final)
• Auth flow working

Tools:

• Design: Figma (use templates)
• Components: shadcn/ui, Radix
• Project: Linear or GitHub Issues

Weeks 3-5: Development

Focus:

• Core feature first, always
• Working > pretty
• Deploy daily to staging
• Get feedback as you build

Daily rhythm:

Morning:  Build features
Afternoon: Test + fix bugs
Evening:  Deploy to staging

Week 6: Polish & Prep

Deliverables:

• Bug fixes
• Error handling
• Loading states
• Basic analytics
• Payment integration (if applicable)

Week 7: Launch

Launch checklist:

• Production environment ready
• Domain configured
• SSL working
• Monitoring setup (Sentry, LogRocket)
• Analytics tracking
• Payment processing tested
• Basic SEO (title, description, OG image)
• Legal pages (Privacy, Terms)

Common Mistakes

1. Building in Stealth for 12 Months

Problem: No user feedback, building wrong thing Solution: Launch in 6-8 weeks, iterate publicly

2. Perfect Design Before Code

Problem: Wastes time, delays validation Solution: Design as you build, use component libraries

3. Building Mobile + Web

Problem: 2x the work, 2x the bugs Solution: Web first, mobile later (or PWA)

4. Custom Everything

Problem: Slow, expensive, unnecessary Solution: Use off-the-shelf solutions (Stripe, Auth0, etc.)

5. No Launch Plan

Problem: Build it but nobody comes Solution: Build waitlist while building product

Post-MVP: What’s Next?

After launch, focus on:

1. Metrics - Are people using it? Where do they drop off?
2. Feedback - Talk to every user. What’s missing?
3. Iteration - Weekly releases based on feedback
4. Growth - Only after product-market fit signals

Signs of product-market fit:

• Users return without prompting
• Users recommend to others
• Users complain when it’s down
• Users pay without heavy discounting

Key Takeaways

• An MVP is NOT a prototype—it’s a functional product with one core feature
• Timeline: 4-8 weeks. If longer, you’re overbuilding
• Tech stack for speed: Next.js, Supabase, Vercel, Stripe
• Cost: $15-50K with an agency, $5-15K if you code yourself
• Launch ugly, validate fast, iterate based on real user feedback

Ready to Build Your MVP?

We’ve built 40+ MVPs and products. Our sweet spot is taking founders from idea to launched product in 6-8 weeks.

Book a call to discuss your project.