How long will this MVP take?
This is usually the first question founders ask, right after “how much will it cost?”
And honestly, most answers online are either too optimistic or way too vague.
Here’s the thing.
An MVP does not mean half-baked. It means focused.
In this article, we’ll break down:
A realistic MVP app development timeline
What actually happens in each phase
What makes MVPs fast or painfully slow
And how startups in Thailand, ASEAN, and globally can launch smarter
No theory. Just how it works in real projects.
What Counts as an MVP App?
Before talking about timelines, we need to align on what an MVP really is.
An MVP app is:
Built to validate one core idea
Designed for early users, not scale
Focused on learning, not perfection
An MVP app is not:
A full-feature product
A polished enterprise system
Something you spend a year building before launch
If your app tries to do too much, it’s no longer an MVP. It’s a risk.
The Short Answer: MVP App Timeline
For most startups, a realistic timeline looks like this:
Simple MVP: 3 to 5 weeks
Standard MVP: 6 to 8 weeks
Complex MVP: 10 to 12 weeks
Anything beyond that usually means:
Scope creep
Too many “nice-to-have” features
Or unclear decision-making
Now let’s break this down properly.
MVP App Development Timeline Breakdown
1. Planning & Scope Definition (3–5 days)
This phase decides whether your MVP succeeds or fails.
What happens here:
Clarifying the single core problem
Defining MVP features only
Removing everything non-essential
Choosing platform iOS, Android, or both
This is where many startups slow themselves down by overthinking.
Best practice:
One main user flow
One primary screen
One success metric
If this phase drags on, the whole project will.
2. UX Wireframes & User Flow (4–7 days)
No fancy UI yet. Just structure.
What gets done:
Basic wireframes
User flow mapping
Screen-level decisions
Validation before coding
This step saves weeks later.
Skipping wireframes often leads to:
Rewrites
Feature confusion
Endless revisions
Fast MVP teams always wireframe first.
3. UI Design (Optional but Recommended) (5–10 days)
Some MVPs skip this. Some should not.
If your app:
Faces end users
Requires trust or clarity
Competes in a crowded market
Then basic UI design is worth it.
This phase includes:
Simple visual style
Brand colors
Reusable components
No animations. No perfection.
4. Frontend Development (2–4 weeks)
This is where progress feels real.
Typical work:
App screens implementation
Navigation
Form handling
API integration
Error handling
Cross-platform frameworks help here because:
One codebase
Faster iteration
Easier updates
For MVPs, speed beats elegance.
5. Backend & API Development (1–3 weeks)
The backend supports the MVP, not the other way around.
Usually includes:
Authentication
Core data models
Basic CRUD APIs
Logging and monitoring
For MVPs:
No microservices
No over-engineering
No scaling fantasies
Build what’s needed now, not for 1 million users.
6. Testing & Bug Fixing (1–2 weeks)
This is where many teams rush. And regret it.
Focus on:
Core flows
Data integrity
Edge cases
Crash prevention
MVP testing is about confidence, not perfection.
7. Launch & Store Submission (3–7 days)
Final steps:
App store assets
Test builds
Store submission
Initial monitoring
Delays usually come from:
Missing metadata
Policy issues
Last-minute feature changes
Preparation saves days here.
What Makes MVP Development Faster or Slower
Things That Speed It Up
Clear decision-maker
Fixed feature list
Reusing proven components
Weekly check-ins, not daily chaos
Things That Slow It Down
“Just one more feature”
Changing direction mid-build
No clear ownership
Treating MVP like final product
Time is rarely lost in coding. It’s lost in indecision.
MVP Timeline by App Type
-
Simple utility app 2-3 weeks
A simple utility app delivers one clear function to solve everyday user needs fast.
-
SaaS MVP 4–6 weeks
A SaaS MVP focuses on core subscription features to validate product-market fit.
-
Marketplace MVP 8–10 weeks
A marketplace MVP connects buyers and sellers with essential listing and transaction tools.
-
AI-powered MVP 8–12 weeks
An AI-powered MVP uses machine learning to provide smart automation and predictive insights.
-
Fintech or regulated app 11–16 weeks
A fintech app emphasizes security, compliance, and handling of sensitive financial data.
MVP Timeline for Startups in Thailand & ASEAN
Local founders often face extra realities:
Smaller initial budgets
Faster need for validation
Multi-language considerations
The upside?
Faster decision cycles
Strong early adopter communities
Lean execution culture
Well-scoped MVPs in Thailand often launch faster than global averages when done right.
A Realistic Rule of Thumb
If your MVP:
Takes more than 3 months
Requires large teams
Needs heavy infrastructure
It’s probably not an MVP anymore. A good MVP should feel slightly uncomfortable to release. That’s how you know it’s focused.
Conclusion
So, how long does it take to build an MVP app?
Most of the time:
6 to 8 weeks is the sweet spot
Fast enough to learn
Slow enough to build properly
What matters most is not speed.
It’s direction.
Build less. Launch sooner. Learn faster.
If you’re looking to build an MVP app without overbuilding or burning budget, feel free to connect with our team at LINE ID: @digitalbkk, use the live chat on digitalbkk.com, or submit contact form. We also offer free MVP app developments twice a year. Contact us now to get yours done.
We help startups turn ideas into working MVPs that actually get used.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if my app idea is suitable for an MVP?
If your idea can be tested with a single core feature and a clear user action, it is suitable for an MVP. MVPs work best when the goal is learning user behavior, not delivering a complete product.
Can an MVP be launched without a mobile app store submission?
Yes. Many MVPs start as internal builds, TestFlight apps, closed beta releases, or even private distribution to validate functionality before a public app store launch.
Does using AI features increase MVP development time significantly?
Not always. Basic AI features such as categorization, summarization, or recommendations can be integrated quickly using existing APIs. Custom or model training-heavy AI features usually add more time.
Is it better to start an MVP as a mobile app or a web app?
It depends on user behavior. If the product relies on frequent use, notifications, or offline access, a mobile MVP makes sense. For early validation with minimal cost, a web MVP is often faster.
How many users should an MVP support at launch?
An MVP should support enough users to validate assumptions, usually tens to a few hundred users. Scaling for thousands or millions should come later, after validation.
Can an MVP timeline be shortened further?
Yes, by fixing the scope early, avoiding design perfection, and reusing existing components or backend services. Most delays come from changing requirements, not development itself.