Record-triggered Flow versus Apex triggers
Key Takeaway
Use a record-triggered flow for simple to moderately complex automation. Use an Apex trigger for jobs Flow can't do, such as running after undelete or controlling the transaction.
Record-triggered flows and Apex triggers both run automation when a record is created, updated, or deleted. You build a record-triggered flow with clicks in Flow Builder, while an Apex trigger is code that skilled developers must write, test, and maintain. As an app builder, you need to know which jobs Flow handles well and which ones only Apex can do.
What Flow and Apex share, and what each fits best
Flow and Apex share these core abilities:
- Querying records
- Running conditional logic
- Assigning variables
- Creating, updating, or deleting records
They are still not interchangeable. Admins can build and change flows faster than developers can write, test, and deploy Apex, but Apex gives the granular control and raw power that complex solutions need.
Flow is the best fit for these jobs:
- Simple to moderately complex logic, including updates to related records
- Sending email alerts and outbound messages
- Scheduled work at a dynamic future date, such as 3 days before a close date
Apex is the best fit for these jobs:
- Fast processing of thousands of records
- Complex data processing
- Transaction control
- Sophisticated validation across multiple fields