Getting an app on the Salesforce AppExchange is a four-step process. Three are paperwork and configuration. One is the build. The build is where most SaaS teams stall, and it's the only step a no-code platform actually removes.
Pro Tip
TL;DR: To list on the Salesforce AppExchange (now branded AgentExchange), join the Partner Program, build a managed package, pass the security review ($999 per submission for paid apps), and publish through the Partner Console (Salesforce Trailhead). The security review takes 4 to 5 weeks officially. The whole journey runs 5 to 9 months. The build is the longest stage.
The four steps
The path is a sequence of gates. Skip any one and the listing doesn't happen.
1/ Join the Salesforce Partner Program. Sign up at the Partner Community, accept the Partner Program Agreement, get a Partner Business Org. Free. 2/ Build your app as a managed package. Paid distribution requires managed (not unmanaged), with a registered namespace (Salesforce ISVforce Guide). 3/ Pass the AppExchange security review. Salesforce reviews every listed app. Paid apps pay $999 per submission. Free apps pay nothing (Salesforce Trailhead). 4/ Create and publish your listing in the AppExchange Partner Console.
The marketplace is large enough to be worth it. Salesforce reports more than 7,000 apps, over 10 million installs, and 91% of customers running at least one AppExchange app (Salesforce AppExchange).
Step 1: Join the Salesforce Partner Program
You start in the Salesforce Partner Community. You complete a due-diligence questionnaire, the application passes through Partner Operations and Legal, and you accept the Partner Program Agreement. You then receive a Partner Business Org, the home base for your packaging, licensing, and listing work.
Use a business email, not a personal one. The agreement requires a registered business entity.
Step 2: Build your app as a managed package
A managed package is the upgradeable, namespaced bundle customers install. Paid apps need managed (not unmanaged), because only managed packages support licensing and upgrades. Second-generation packaging (2GP) is the current recommendation.
Pro Tip
This is the step that stalls most first-time builders. Apex, Lightning Web Components, and 2GP packaging take specialist skills. It's also the step a no-code platform removes by generating the package from a description.
Without Salesforce developers, you have two paths. Hire a development company ($25K to $150K+, 6 to 12 months). Or generate the managed package with a no-code platform. Appnigma does the latter, producing the package and preparing it for the security review without an engineering team.
Step 3: Pass the AppExchange security review
Every app passes the security review before listing. It combines automated scans (Salesforce Code Analyzer, Checkmarx, OWASP ZAP) with manual review. The most common failure is missing CRUD/FLS enforcement, which Salesforce names as the top rejection cause (Salesforce Developers).
The fee is $999 per submission for paid apps. Charged again on each resubmission. Free apps are reviewed at no charge.
Generated code reduces failure risk because the common issues (CRUD/FLS, with sharing, SOQL injection) are enforced by default.
Step 4: Create your listing in the Partner Console
The AppExchange Partner Console is where you build the public listing, run and track the security review, and manage analytics and marketing. You connect your Partner Business Org to the console, add listing assets (title, description, screenshots, demo org), set pricing, and publish.
The older Publishing Console flow now routes into the Partner Console. Older guides referencing "Publishing Console" describe the same workflow in the previous interface.
How long does the whole thing take?
Plan for 5 to 9 months end to end by the traditional route. The build dominates that timeline. The review is a smaller, more predictable window.
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Partner Program signup | Days to a few weeks |
| Build the managed package | Weeks to several months |
| Pre-queue validation | 1 to 2 days |
| Security review | 4 to 5 weeks (official); 6 to 9 weeks (practical) |
| Listing creation and publish | Days |
Removing the build with no-code generation compresses the timeline most. Generation takes minutes. The review wait is your main remaining gate.
Can you list an app without Salesforce developers?
Yes. Nothing in the four-step process requires you to write the code yourself, only that a valid managed package exists. A no-code platform produces the package, which is why SaaS founders without Salesforce devs can still get listed. See our guide on building a managed package without a Salesforce developer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I list my app on the Salesforce AppExchange?
Join the Salesforce Partner Program, build a managed package, pass the security review ($999 per submission for paid apps), and publish your listing in the Partner Console (Salesforce Trailhead). Free apps skip the review fee but still pass the review.
How long does it take to get an app on the AppExchange?
About 5 to 9 months end to end. The security review itself takes roughly 4 to 5 weeks officially, often 6 to 9 in practice. The build is the longest stage. No-code generation shortens it the most.
Do I need to be a Salesforce partner to list an app?
Yes. You join the Salesforce Partner Program and accept the Partner Program Agreement before you can submit for review or publish a listing. Joining is free. Fees and revenue share apply when you sell.
Can I get an app listed without coding?
Yes. The process needs a valid managed package, not that you hand-write it. No-code platforms like Appnigma generate the package and prepare it for the security review.
Is AppExchange the same as AgentExchange?
Salesforce began rebranding AppExchange as AgentExchange at TrailblazerDX 2026, unifying apps, agents, and Slack apps into one marketplace. The listing process is unchanged. You'll see both names during the transition.
About the author. Sunny Chauhan is the founder and CEO of Appnigma AI, a no-code platform that generates Salesforce AppExchange-ready managed packages. He guides B2B SaaS teams through the build, review, and listing process.
Key takeaway
To get an app on the Salesforce AppExchange (now AgentExchange), join the Partner Program, build a managed package, pass the security review ($999 per submission for paid apps), and publish in the Partner Console. The journey takes 5 to 9 months. The build is the longest stage. Appnigma AI removes the build by generating the managed package from natural-language prompts.
Related Articles
Sources
1/ Salesforce Trailhead, AppExchange Partners Publishing module 2/ Salesforce ISVforce Guide, managed packaging and Partner Console 3/ Salesforce Developers, Top 20 Vulnerabilities in the AppExchange Security Review 4/ Salesforce AppExchange, marketplace stats (7,000+ apps, 10M+ installs, 91% adoption) 5/ Salesforce Ben, AppExchange to AgentExchange rebrand, April 2026
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