Difference between Prototype Model and Spiral Model

Last Updated : 15 Jul, 2025

The Spiral Model and Prototype Model are two distinct approaches in software development. The Spiral Model focuses on managing risks through iterative cycles, integrating elements from incremental and evolutionary prototyping. In contrast, the Prototype Model emphasizes rapid development and continuous customer feedback to refine the product until it meets user expectations, making it ideal for projects with uncertain or evolving requirements.

What is the Spiral Model?

The Spiral Model is a software development life cycle model that is highly used for risk-driven models. Based on the risk patterns of a given project, the spiral model helps developers increase the efficiency of the model as most risks are already handled. It consists of a number of loops that form a spiral shape each loop is called the phase of the software development cycle.

Phases of a Spiral Model

Planning Phase: The needs are gathered, and examined, and the requisite resources and working conditions are identified during this phase. System requirement specifications and business need documents will be the output.

Risk Evaluation: This stage focuses on analyzing risk and potential remedies and after that the risk strategy is created and polished.

Engineering Phase: This phase involves testing and development as the actual product is created. The engineering phase's output will consist of things like source code, design documentation, test cases, test summaries, defect reports, etc.

Evaluation Phase: The customer is involved in this stage. The product is assessed by the customer, who makes sure it satisfies all the requirements. Before releasing a product, it is typically vital to collect user feedback.

Requirements of the Spiral Model

The following situations call for the employment of the spiral model:

Whenever the software demands ongoing risk analysis or evaluation.
If the project is enormous.
The project's requirements are intricate and need to be continually clarified.
In the event that frequent releases are required.
When software changes significantly.
When the amount of time needed to gather and analyze end-user experience is excessive.

What is Prototype Model?

The prototype model is a software development life cycle model which is used when the customer is not known completely about how the end product should be and its requirements. So in this model, a prototype of the end product is first developed by the developers and then tested and changes were made as per customer feedback until the customer is satisfied with the prototype.

Spiral Model vs Prototype Model

Aspect	Prototype Model	Spiral Model
Definition	A prototype model is a software development model in which a prototype is built, tested, and then refined as per customer needs.	The spiral model is a risk-driven software development model and is made with features of incremental, waterfall, or evolutionary prototyping models.
Also Known As	It is also referred to as a rapid or closed-ended prototype.	It is also referred to as a meta model.
Phases	Requirements Quick Design Build Prototype User Evaluation Refining Prototype Implement and Maintain	Planning Phase Risk Analysis Phase Engineering Phase Evaluation Phase
Risk Analysis	It does not emphasize risk analysis.	It takes special care about risk analysis and an alternative solution is undertaken.
Customer Interaction	In the prototype model, customer interaction is continuous until the final prototype is approved.	In the spiral model, there is no continuous customer interaction.
Best Suited	It is best suited when the requirement of the client is not clear and is supposed to be changed.	It is best suited when the customer requirements are clear.
Cost-Effective	Cost-effective quality improvement is very much possible.	Cost-effective quality improvement is not possible.
Quality Improvement	In the Prototype model, improvement of quality does not increase the cost of the product.	In the Spiral model, improvement of quality can increase the cost of the product.
Project Size	Large-scale project is maintained.	Low to medium project size is maintained.
When to Use	When end users need to have high interaction like in online platforms and web interfaces. Whenever end-user input in terms of feedback on the system is required.	Continuous risk analysis is required for the software In large projects If Significant changes are required by the software In complex project requirements
Advantages	End users are highly involved in the whole development process. Errors, complexities get easily identified Modifications can be done with ease Continuous user feedback ensures proper and intended functioning of the prototype Users have better idea about their product	Fast development Development of all phases is carried out in controlled manner Customer feedback is taken into account for the modifications to be done accordingly incase required Suitable for large projects Suitable for risky projects Continuous risk analysis helps in better development Useful in rapidly changing requirements
Disadvantages	Incomplete problem analysis Continuous involvement of user may lead to increase in complexity	Not suitable for smaller projects because of the high cost associated with the development process Requirement of the competent risk analysis team High possibility of not meeting the set budget or time limit.

Difference between Waterfall model and Prototype model

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Difference between Prototype Model and Spiral Model

What is the Spiral Model?

Phases of a Spiral Model

Requirements of the Spiral Model

What is Prototype Model?

Spiral Model vs Prototype Model

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