Mobile MVP: Which Features to Include

Short answer

A mobile MVP should include only what lets you test a real use. Login, the main flow, key data, feedback and publishing can be enough. Secondary features, advanced automations and comfort screens usually have to wait.

An MVP isn't a small version of everything

The worst MVP is the one that tries to do everything, badly. You find a bit of marketplace, a bit of chat, a bit of payment, a bit of analytics, then a lot of bugs.

A good mobile MVP makes a harder call: it picks one main use and cuts the rest.

That cut is often frustrating. That's normal. An MVP is there to learn on a limited budget, not to reassure the founder's ego.

At Inyka, scoping starts with one question: which action proves the app deserves to keep going?

The features to include

A mobile MVP should cover the flow that creates the value. Not the ideas around it.

For a booking app, you need to find a slot, book, get a confirmation and handle a minimum of cancellation. The loyalty program can wait.

For a B2B app, you often need to create a record, track a status, add a photo, validate an action and sync the data. The full dashboard can wait.

For a marketplace, you need to post a listing, view a listing, contact or buy, then manage statuses. The recommendation engine can wait.

For an e-commerce app, you need to show a selection, buy or request a quote, then track an order. Copying the whole site into an app is rarely useful.

The features to exclude

You have to exclude everything that doesn't serve the validation of the main flow.

Complex notifications, badges, fine animations, recommendations, advanced dashboards, exports, multiple roles and detailed settings can wait in a lot of cases.

Chat is a frequent trap. It looks simple, but it adds notifications, moderation, read states, attachments, support and real-time expectations. For an MVP, a form or a contact request can be enough.

Same for payment. It has to be in if payment is at the center of the model. Otherwise, it can sometimes be replaced by a booking request, a payment link or a manual validation at the start.

The Inyka sorting method

I sort features into three groups. The first group holds what blocks usage. The second holds what improves the experience. The third holds what makes the pitch more appealing.

The first group goes into the MVP. The second is discussed against the budget. The third waits.

This method avoids endless debates. A feature isn't judged because it's "nice." It's judged by its effect on the hypothesis you're testing.

For a mobile app, every addition costs more than a screen. You have to think about the backend, the design, the tests, the permissions, the stores and the maintenance.

MVP scope examples

A booking MVP can hold a signup, a service list, a simple calendar, an email confirmation and a light admin space. No need for split payments at the start.

A marketplace MVP can hold two roles, listings, a simple search and a way to connect the two sides. Reviews, internal messaging and a matching algorithm can come later.

A B2B SaaS MVP can hold a login, a list of business objects, a form, statuses and a simple export. Very fine-grained permissions can wait if the pilot team is small.

An e-commerce MVP can start with a product selection, a simple cart and a standard payment. Recommendations and advanced personalization will wait for the first numbers.

The link between scope, price and timeline

A clean mobile MVP can fit a clear budget if the limits are owned. At Inyka, the Essential offer starts at €7,500 for a first, simple app. The Launch offer starts at €14,000 for a publishable app. The Scale offer starts at €24,000 when a key business module is needed.

The price climbs when the MVP tries to become a full V1. That's not always a mistake, but it has to be said plainly.

To keep the budget, you have to decide early. The mobile app pricing page gives the reference points.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How many features should a mobile MVP have?

As few as possible, as long as the main flow stays testable. An MVP with five good features beats a confused V1 with twenty average screens.

Should you publish an MVP to the stores?

Yes if the goal is to test with real mobile users. For an internal demo, a test build can be enough.

Can you add features later?

Yes, if the technical base is clean. That's why the code should stay transferable and readable from the start.

Can an MVP include payment?

Yes, if payment validates the business model. Otherwise, it can sometimes wait for a second iteration.