Flow versus Process Builder and Workflow Rules
Key Takeaway
Build new automation as a flow in Flow Builder, because you can't create new workflow rules or processes. A record-triggered flow can update related records, call email alert actions, and use scheduled paths to run follow-up work after a delay.
Workflow Rules and Process Builder are older Salesforce tools that run automatic if/then actions on records. Flow Builder, the tool for new automation, combines what both tools could do in one point-and-click tool. To pick the right tool for a business problem, you need to know what each older tool did, which type of flow fits the need, and when Apex is the better choice.
Workflow Rules and Process Builder
A workflow rule is a simple if/then statement about a record. Its criteria are the "if" and its actions are the "then". When a record meets all the criteria, the rule's actions run. If the record doesn't meet all of them, nothing runs.
In Process Builder, the process type decides what starts a process. Process Builder has three process types.
| Process type | Starts when |
|---|---|
| Record change process | A record is created or updated |
| Event process | A platform event message is received |
| Invocable process | Something else, such as another process, invokes it |
Each process has criteria and action groups. Each action group holds immediate or scheduled actions. When the built-in actions aren't enough, a process can call a flow or Apex.