Data Export Service versus Data Loader export
Key Takeaway
The Data Export Service is built for org-wide backups and can export attachments. Data Loader exports one object at a time and does not support exporting attachments.
Salesforce has two main ways to export data as comma-separated values (CSV) files: the Data Export Service and Data Loader. Both tools give you a copy of your Salesforce data, either for backup or for importing into a different system. They differ in where they run, how much data they export at once, and whether they can export attachments.
How the two tools compare
| Data Export Service | Data Loader | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | In the browser, from Setup | As a client application you must install separately |
| How you run it | Manually, or automatically on a weekly or monthly schedule | Through its user interface or the command line |
| What it exports | Can export all your org's data into a zip file of CSV files | One object at a time, using a SOQL query you build |