Building Products Users Love: MVP vs. MLP in Product Management

Suraj Joel
Jan 2
5 min read

In product management, the path to building successful products often begins with deciding between a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and a Minimum Lovable Product (MLP). While both approaches have a place in product development, they prioritize different aspects of the user experience and product features. A Minimum Viable Product focuses on the essentials to bring a product to market quickly, while a Minimum Lovable Product centers on creating an initial version that customers genuinely enjoy using. Understanding these differences and knowing when to use each can make a significant impact on a product's long-term success.

The Essence of a Minimum Viable Product

The concept of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) originated in the startup world, where rapid testing and feedback are crucial. An MVP includes only the core functionalities required to address the primary need or problem the product seeks to solve. The goal of an MVP is straightforward: to bring a product to market as quickly as possible, minimizing resources while still validating the concept.

From an engineering perspective, the MVP approach aligns well with limited budgets and deadlines. For an Engineering Manager, viability is often measured in terms of functionality and feasibility. The aim is to build a robust, workable solution that can be iterated upon, rather than investing in additional features and refinements that might not be necessary or might not succeed with users. This often translates into a "bare-bones" version that works well enough to gather insights but may not include advanced features or a fully polished user experience.

The Concept of a Minimum Lovable Product

A Minimum Lovable Product (MLP), on the other hand, takes a different approach. While an MVP focuses on viability, an MLP is designed to be not only usable but also delightful, providing an experience that engages users on an emotional level. Rather than just solving a problem, it aims to deliver something that people enjoy using — a product that they find memorable and worth talking about. This approach emphasizes loveability, where the first version of the product may not be packed with features but feels thoughtful, enjoyable, and connected to user needs.

A Product Manager (PM) with an MLP mindset looks beyond the functional aspects of the product, prioritizing user experience, design, and elements that drive engagement. For an MLP, loveability is crucial. For example, if the product aims to provide convenience, an MLP version would make that convenience feel seamless, perhaps even delightful. A good MLP may have fewer features than a typical MVP but incorporates enough "wow" factor to resonate deeply with early adopters.

What is a Minimum Lovable Product?

A Minimum Lovable Product is an initial version of a product that captures the essentials, but it goes a step further by adding elements that bring users a sense of delight. MLPs focus on emotional connection. They introduce features or interactions that create a memorable user experience, making the product feel inviting and intuitive rather than purely functional.

An example of a successful Minimum Lovable Product is the original version of Instagram. When Instagram launched, it didn't have all the features of a robust social media platform, like direct messaging or video sharing. However, it did focus on its core — beautiful, filtered images and a simple way to share them. The product offered a unique value proposition (instant photo editing combined with a clean, streamlined sharing experience), which quickly captured users’ hearts, making it lovable. The app wasn't cluttered with features but was enjoyable, easy to use, and tailored to meet its core promise in a way that made users feel like they were part of something exciting and unique.

Challenges of Designing a Minimum Lovable Product

Creating an MLP comes with its own set of challenges. Balancing the simplicity of a first release with the emotional appeal needed to make it lovable is no easy task. Here are a few challenges teams often encounter while developing an MLP:

Defining Core Loveable Features: Deciding which features contribute to an enjoyable experience can be tricky. What one user finds delightful, another might find unnecessary. Product teams must focus on user research to identify what will truly make users feel engaged and connected.
Avoiding Feature Creep: There is often a temptation to add more features to increase the product’s appeal. However, too many features in an initial release can dilute the focus and make the product feel overwhelming rather than lovable.
Balancing Speed and Quality: An MLP still needs to be built efficiently, but quality can’t be sacrificed. Teams need to carefully balance the speed of an MVP with the polish required to deliver a lovable experience, which can lead to internal tension between engineering and design priorities.
Testing for Loveability: Standard usability testing may fall short in helping teams determine if users will love a product. Product teams may need to employ deeper, qualitative research methods to understand user emotions and reactions, which can be time-consuming and harder to measure.
Setting Realistic Expectations: For stakeholders and early users, the excitement of a lovable product can set high expectations for future iterations. Product teams need to manage this excitement carefully to ensure users stay engaged as the product grows and evolves.

When to Use a Minimum Lovable Product

While an MVP focuses on validating a concept quickly and affordably, an MLP is ideal when the product needs to stand out in a crowded market, build a loyal user base, or spark enthusiasm from the start. An MLP approach works best for products aiming to establish an emotional connection with users from day one. Here are some cases where an MLP might be the better choice:

Highly Competitive Markets: When there are many competitors, an MLP can make the product more memorable and appealing, helping it stand out.
Consumer-Focused Products: For products where user experience and branding are paramount (e.g., social media apps, lifestyle products), MLPs can help build early, passionate user communities.
Products with Viral Potential: For products that can benefit from word-of-mouth marketing, an MLP that captures attention and creates a positive impression can lead to faster, organic growth.
Brand-Building Goals: When a company wants to establish itself as a brand that users connect with emotionally, an MLP is more likely to meet that goal than an MVP.
Products with a Strong Emotional Hook: When the product's appeal is tied to emotional responses, such as delight or nostalgia (like games, personal finance tools, or wellness apps), building a lovable experience can be a powerful differentiator.

Both MVPs and MLPs are valuable tools in a product manager's toolkit. MVPs allow rapid validation and iteration, while MLPs focus on creating a memorable experience that resonates emotionally. Choosing between them should depend on the product's goals, target audience, and market context. By understanding and strategically selecting between MVP and MLP approaches, teams can lay a strong foundation for products that not only function but also foster user loyalty and long-term success.

What do you think is the best approach from a PM's perspective?