AppExchange solutions versus custom-built functionality
Key Takeaway
Decide on strategic value first: commodity capabilities favor buying a mature AppExchange solution, while a core competitive differentiator justifies a custom build. Before you start custom development, review the top 3-5 relevant AppExchange packages and project total cost of ownership over 3-5 years.
AppExchange is Salesforce's marketplace of apps and other solutions. You install a solution into your org to add features without building those features yourself. As an admin, your main decision is whether an existing AppExchange solution or a custom build best meets a business need.
What AppExchange is
AppExchange works like a phone app store for Salesforce. Partners build most of its apps and other solutions, using the Salesforce platform. These solutions can automate tasks, consolidate information and systems, and integrate other systems more closely with Salesforce.
Some solutions are free, and others cost money. Salesforce Labs apps are free and open source. You can customize them and look under the hood to see how they work.
You install an AppExchange app as a package. After you install a package, you can keep customizing it to meet your specific needs.
AppExchange packages work in both Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience, and in these editions:
- Essentials
- Group
- Professional
- Enterprise
- Performance
- Unlimited
- Developer