Top 10 Salesforce Development Tools to Use in 2025
Salesforce is globally recognized for its flexible ecosystem, which enables organizations to customize solutions according to their business requirements.
So, what is Salesforce development?
Salesforce development involves creating and modifying applications and features in the Salesforce environment. This involves personalizing workflows, streamlining tasks, building strong data connections, and designing intuitive interfaces to enhance efficiency.
For those interested in mastering Salesforce, a Salesforce Development course provides fundamental training for beginners, while an advanced course in Salesforce development delves into specialized skills for experienced individuals in the field.
Experienced programmers utilize certain tools to enhance functionalities, essential for companies looking to fully leverage Salesforce’s capabilities. To create, customize, and enhance Salesforce environments effectively, developers must know all Salesforce development tools. The platform offers over 2,000 integration tools, but this article will focus on the best Salesforce development tools for developers.
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Top 10 Salesforce Tools to Consider in 2024-2025
Here’s a list of the Top 10 Salesforce Tools to Consider in 2024-2025 for developers looking to maximize their Salesforce capabilities:
1. Salesforce Developer Console
The Salesforce Developer Console is a built-in development environment created to assist Salesforce developers in working directly within their Salesforce organization. It is appropriate for writing, debugging, and testing Apex code.
Main characteristics
- The code editor was designed to create Apex, Visualforce, and Lightning code.
- Debug logs are used to track errors in the code.
- Tools for running tests to verify the functionality of Apex code.
Developer Console is a comprehensive workspace that is particularly beneficial for beginners in Salesforce Development Training, as it doesn’t need any extra configuration.
2. Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
VS Code, when combined with the Salesforce Extension Pack, becomes the preferred tool for most Salesforce developers. It provides a coding environment that is both flexible and customizable, with extensions that improve its compatibility with Salesforce.
Main Characteristics:
- Syntax highlighting and auto-suggestions for Apex and Lightning components.
- Terminal that is integrated for executing commands from Salesforce CLI.
- Capabilities for tracking errors and debugging.
Learning how to effectively use VS Code is a common component of most Salesforce Development courses for individuals seeking guidance on how to learn Salesforce development.
3. Salesforce Command Line Interface (CLI)
The Salesforce Command-Line Interface (CLI) is a robust tool that empowers developers to automate tasks and communicate with Salesforce.org using command prompts. It is frequently utilized for executing large-scale tasks, optimizing deployments, and controlling metadata.
Main characteristics:
- Allows for the automation of tasks that are performed repeatedly.
- Smooth integration with continuous integration and continuous deployment pipelines.
- Utilizing commands to interact with Salesforce to deploy and retrieve metadata.
Salesforce CLI is essential for experienced developers looking to streamline their workflows and maintain consistent deployments across various environments.
4. Salesforce Inspector (Chrome Extension)
Salesforce Inspector is a Chrome extension created to simplify Salesforce data management. It is a great tool for checking and modifying records, examining metadata, and exporting data.
Main characteristics:
- Rapid retrieval of information and various choices for exporting data
- Tools for examining metadata to facilitate simple customization.
- Manipulation of data at the field level
Being a Salesforce developer tools Chrome extension version, it helps save time, especially when debugging and testing.
5. Workbench
Workbench is an online tool that offers a wide range of features for handling data and engaging with Salesforce’s API. It enables developers to execute SOQL queries, access metadata, and handle bulk data.
Main characteristics:
- Support for retrieving data using SOQL and SOSL queries.
- Tools for importing, exporting, and updating data.
- Interfacing with REST and SOAP API functionalities
Workbench is excellent for developers seeking to test out Salesforce APIs or handle extensive data collection.
6. Apex Developer Guide
The Apex Developer Guide is a crucial tool for developers working with Salesforce. It includes the structure, capabilities, and constraints of the Apex language.
Main characteristics:
- A thorough examination of basic principles of Apex programming.
- Examples and optimal methods for effective programming.
- Frequent revisions to align with the most recent capabilities of Salesforce.
This guide is an essential tool for individuals interested in mastering Salesforce development, whether they are newbies or experienced developers. It also supplements numerous opportunities for Salesforce Development training for beginners.
7. Ant Migration Tool
The Ant Migration Tool is a command-line utility that is open-source and built on Apache Ant. It is utilized for deploying metadata modifications across Salesforce organizations, proving useful for intricate deployment processes.
Main characteristics:
- Efficiently deploying to various environments.
- Support for transferring metadata to Salesforce setups at scale.
- Incorporation with Git, a version control system, for seamless collaboration.
This tool is appropriate for developers and administrators who oversee enterprise-level Salesforce organizations that have multiple environments.
8. Salesforce Schema Builder
The Salesforce Schema Builder visually represents all objects, fields, and relationships within your Salesforce organization. It is particularly beneficial for grasping data structures in intricate systems.
Main characteristics:
- Interface that allows users to design schemas by dragging and dropping.
- Live observation of items and connections
- Visual views of the connections and interdependences between objects
Schema Builder is easy to use and commonly utilized, making it beneficial for both novices and experts.
9. Developer Sandbox
A Developer Sandbox is a duplicate of a Salesforce environment that is designated for development and testing tasks. Sandboxes provide a secure environment for testing without impacting real-time data.
Main characteristics:
- Secluded setting for developing and experimenting with modifications
- Ability to work on multiple sandboxes at the same time
- Capability to go back to specific moments in time for rejuvenation and restarting purposes.
Sandboxes are perfect for newbies who want to learn Salesforce development in a practical setting.
10. Trailhead
Trailhead is Salesforce’s endorsed learning platform, providing a variety of courses and certifications in Salesforce development.
Main characteristics:
- Modules that involve interaction and practical challenges.
- Monitoring progress and receiving badges to encourage and motivate.
- Classes are available for novices as well as experienced programmers.
Inquiring about how to learn Salesforce development? Trailhead provides a range of options, from beginner training to advanced courses.
How to Learn Salesforce Development?
Embarking on a Salesforce development journey will become easier with these guidelines for developers who are working towards their goals:
- Enroll in a Salesforce Development Course: Select a course that includes Apex, Visualforce, and the fundamentals of the Salesforce ecosystem.
- Practice in Developer Sandboxes: Demonstrate your knowledge in a secure setting.
- Utilize Trailhead: This can be used to earn certifications by completing interactive modules and gaining practical skills.
- Explore Chrome Extensions and Developer Tools: Familiarize yourself with tools such as Salesforce Inspector to optimize your everyday activities.
Advanced Course and Path to Mastering Salesforce Development
Advanced Salesforce development courses provide specialized training in topics such as Apex triggers, Lightning component frameworks, and Salesforce DevOps for individuals seeking to enhance their skills. These courses often lead learners to practice with advanced tools, which are necessary for creating strong applications and managing effective workflows in different environments.
The environment of Salesforce development tools is constantly changing, and the tools mentioned earlier are crucial for developers in 2024-25. Also, these tools will enable you to create, improve, and manage Salesforce solutions with greater efficiency.
If you are a beginner, consider signing up for a course specifically designed for newcomers in Salesforce Development. By committing yourself and utilizing appropriate tools, you can discover Salesforce’s complete capabilities and help create scalable, personalized CRM solutions for your business.
