Salesforce AppExchange is the world’s largest enterprise cloud marketplace, hosting thousands of applications built to extend Salesforce functionality. However, not all AppExchange solutions are the same. Each app is designed for a specific use case, architecture, and audience.

If you are a Salesforce customer, ISV, product manager, or CTO, understanding the five types of AppExchange solutions is critical for choosing, building, or managing the right Salesforce app.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What AppExchange solutions are

• The five official types of AppExchange solutions

• Real-world examples for each type

• How to choose the right solution type

• FAQs optimized for featured snippets

A Salesforce AppExchange solution is an application, integration, or component that extends Salesforce’s native capabilities. These solutions are built by Salesforce partners or customers and distributed through the AppExchange marketplace.

Key benefits of AppExchange solutions:

• Faster Salesforce customization

• Reduced development cost

• Secure, Salesforce-reviewed apps

• Industry-specific functionality

Pro Tip

There are five main types of Salesforce AppExchange solutions:

1. Apps

2. Bolt Solutions

3. Flow Solutions

4. Lightning Data Solutions

5. Components

This classification is officially recognized by Salesforce and helps customers quickly understand how a solution fits into their Salesforce ecosystem.

Apps are full-featured software solutions packaged and distributed through AppExchange. They often include:

• Custom objects

• Apex classes

• Lightning components

• Permission sets

• Flows and automation

Apps are the most common and powerful AppExchange solution type.

Managed packages are used by ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) to distribute commercial products.

Key features:

• Automatic upgrades

• Code protection

• License management

• AppExchange security review

Examples:

• DocuSign for Salesforce

• Conga Composer

• Appnigma (for Salesforce app monitoring and management)

Unmanaged packages are typically used for:

• Open-source tools

• Internal utilities

• Learning resources

Limitations:

• No upgrades

• No IP protection

• Manual maintenance

Choose an AppExchange App if you need:

• A complete Salesforce solution

• Ongoing updates and support

• Enterprise-grade functionality

Bolt Solutions are industry-specific Salesforce templates built on Salesforce Industries (Vlocity). They accelerate Salesforce implementation by providing pre-built:

• Data models

• Business processes

• UI components

• Built for specific industries

• Faster go-to-market

• Configurable but opinionated

• Requires Salesforce Industries licenses

Bolt solutions are ideal for:

• Large enterprises

• Regulated industries

• Complex workflows

• Industry clouds (FSC, Health Cloud, etc.)

Flow Solutions are pre-built automation packages designed using Salesforce Flow. They allow users to deploy advanced business logic without writing Apex code.

• Screen Flows

• Record-Triggered Flows

• Scheduled Flows

• Flow Templates

• No-code / low-code automation

• Faster deployment

• Admin-friendly

• Reduced technical debt

• Lead routing

• Approval processes

• Data validation

• Onboarding workflows

Flow solutions are best for:

• Salesforce admins

• Small to mid-sized businesses

• Teams prioritizing speed over customization

Lightning Data Solutions enrich Salesforce records using external data sources. These solutions add or update data automatically within Salesforce.

• Company information

• Contact details

• Firmographics

• Technographics

• Intent data

• Improved data accuracy

• Better lead scoring

• Stronger segmentation

• Higher sales productivity

• ZoomInfo

• Clearbit

• Dun & Bradstreet

Choose this type if:

• Your CRM data quality is poor

• Sales teams need real-time insights

• Marketing relies on segmentation

Component solutions provide reusable UI elements that enhance Salesforce Lightning Experience without installing a full app.

• Custom dashboards

• Enhanced list views

• Visual charts

• Record page widgets

• Lightweight installation

• Highly customizable

• Minimal system impact

• Faster UI improvements

Components are ideal when:

• You only need UI enhancements

• You want minimal Salesforce footprint

• You already have backend logic

Ask yourself:

1. Do I need automation, data, UI, or a full app?

2. Is this for a specific industry?

3. Do I need managed upgrades?

4. Who will maintain it—admin or developer?

Pro tip: Many Salesforce orgs use multiple AppExchange solution types together.

• Regularly audit installed apps

• Monitor API usage

• Track security updates

• Remove unused packages

• Use a management platform like Appnigma to monitor, analyze, and govern AppExchange apps

The five types of Salesforce AppExchange solutions are Apps, Bolt Solutions, Flow Solutions, Lightning Data Solutions, and Components.

Apps (managed packages) are the most common and widely used AppExchange solution type.

Flow solutions are better for no-code automation, while Apex apps are better for complex logic and scalability.

Yes, Salesforce orgs often use multiple AppExchange solution types simultaneously.

Yes, all AppExchange solutions go through Salesforce’s security review before listing.

Understanding the five types of AppExchange solutions helps you:

• Make better buying decisions

• Build scalable Salesforce products

• Optimize performance and governance

Whether you’re installing your first app or managing dozens of packages, choosing the right solution type is key to Salesforce success.