Definition
A Salesforce application built entirely on the Lightning Platform using native tools (Apex, LWC, Flows, custom objects) rather than external technologies, benefiting from automatic upgrades, built-in security, and multi-tenancy.
Real-World Example
Consider a scenario where the IT director at Vertex Global is working with Native App to scale their operations using the Salesforce platform. Native App gives them the infrastructure and tools needed to support new business requirements, handle increased data volumes, and serve a growing user base without compromising performance.
Why Native App Matters
A Native App in Salesforce context is an application built entirely on the Lightning Platform using native Salesforce tools (Apex, Lightning Web Components, Flows, custom objects, and other declarative features) rather than external technologies. Native apps benefit from automatic upgrades when Salesforce releases platform updates, built-in security through profiles and permission sets, and the multi-tenant infrastructure without requiring separate hosting or maintenance. They're the opposite of composite or hybrid apps that combine Salesforce with externally-hosted components.
Native apps are favored when organizations want to maximize the benefits of building on the Salesforce platform: low operational burden, automatic updates, built-in scaling, and tight integration with the rest of Salesforce. They're particularly common in the AppExchange ecosystem where ISV partners build native apps that customers can install and use immediately. The trade-off is being constrained to Salesforce's capabilities and governor limits; for use cases that require capabilities outside the platform, hybrid approaches might be necessary.
How Organizations Use Native App
- •Quantum Labs — Built their AppExchange product as a fully native app, taking advantage of automatic upgrades and built-in multi-tenant scaling.
- •TerraForm Tech — Prefers native apps for any Salesforce customization that can be built within the platform's capabilities.
- •CodeBridge — Treats 'native versus hybrid' as a deliberate architecture decision based on what the app actually needs.