AppExchange is Salesforce’s enterprise marketplace where third-party developers (ISVs) and Salesforce partners publish pre-built apps, components, and consulting services that customers can install into their Salesforce orgs. It launched in 2005 and is the largest enterprise software marketplace, with thousands of listings covering virtually every business need — from electronic-signature integrations (DocuSign, Adobe Sign) to data quality tools (Demandbase, ZoomInfo) to industry-specific apps (Veeva for life sciences, nCino for banking).
What you can find there
AppExchange listings come in several categories:
| Category | What it is |
|---|---|
| Apps | Full applications that install as managed packages — Lightning components, objects, code, automation |
| Components | Reusable building blocks — Lightning Web Components or Aura — to drop into your own pages |
| Bolts (Lightning Bolt) | Pre-built Experience Cloud site templates and themes |
| Flow Solutions | Pre-built Salesforce Flows to install and customize |
| Consultants | Partner companies offering implementation and customization services |
| Industry Solutions | Verticalized bundles for healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, etc. |
How installation works
Apps are typically distributed as managed packages — bundles of metadata and code that install into your org as a self-contained namespace. Once installed:
- Custom objects, fields, code, and components from the package coexist with your org’s existing customization.
- The publisher’s namespace prefix (e.g.,
dsfs__for DocuSign) keeps the package’s metadata separate from yours. - The publisher pushes upgrades that customers can install on their own schedule.
- Most package metadata is protected — you can’t edit it directly, only configure documented extension points.
Pricing and licensing
AppExchange listings can be free, paid, or freemium. Paid apps usually have their own per-user licensing managed by the publisher (often via a Connected App or a license management system). Some listings require contacting the publisher’s sales team; others can be self-served from the listing page.
When to use AppExchange vs build
This is a common follow-up — covered in the when should we use AppExchange apps question. The short version: prefer AppExchange when a well-reviewed solution exists for a non-differentiating need. Build custom when the requirement is unique to your business or when integration depth matters more than time-to-value.
Quick interview answer
“AppExchange is Salesforce’s enterprise marketplace — thousands of pre-built apps, components, Lightning Bolts, and consulting partners installable into your org. Most apps are managed packages with their own namespace, distributed and upgraded by ISV publishers. Customers use it to avoid building common functionality from scratch: e-signature, data quality, document generation, industry-specific solutions, and more.”
Verified against: Salesforce Help — AppExchange and AppExchange. Last reviewed 2026-05-17.