Salesforce-Native Apps: Your 2025 Guide to Choosing the Right Solution

How to Evaluate Salesforce-Native Apps in 2025: 5 Key Questions to Ask

Choosing the right software for your operations isn’t just about features and pricing anymore. For Salesforce customers, ensuring the app is truly Salesforce-native can mean the difference between seamless efficiency and unnecessary complexity.

Salesforce is built to integrate with apps that address specific functionality needs, allowing businesses to extend its capabilities. For example, Youreka enhances Salesforce for field service teams by enabling offline mobile functionality and advanced form creation. With Youreka, teams can capture data, create compliant records, and deploy dynamic, reusable forms—all seamlessly within Salesforce. Youreka vastly extends the offline form and data collection capabilities of the Salesforce platform.

The term “Salesforce-native app” might sound straightforward, but there’s often confusion about what it really means. More importantly, it’s a distinction that can significantly impact how well a solution works for your organization. In this post, we’ll break down what it means to be Salesforce-native, why it matters in 2025, and how to tell if an app genuinely fits the bill.

What is a Salesforce Native App?

A Salesforce native app is one that’s built entirely on the Salesforce platform. Its architecture, codebase, data storage, and functionality are all designed and executed within Salesforce, meaning it runs seamlessly on Salesforce’s infrastructure.

In contrast, apps that integrate with Salesforce—but are not native—often rely on external systems, APIs, or middleware to function. While these apps can still be useful, they lack the deeper integration, performance, and security benefits that come with being fully native.

In today’s era of AI-driven workflows, data-first strategies, and expanding digital ecosystems, using a Salesforce-native app can offer a competitive edge by streamlining processes, minimizing data silos, and taking full advantage of Salesforce’s capabilities.

Why Choose a Salesforce-Native App in 2025?

Native apps align with Salesforce’s evolving ecosystem, which increasingly prioritizes unified customer experiences and AI-powered insights. These apps ensure tighter integration with Salesforce AI features like Einstein GPT and the newly introduced Prompt App Development (PAD) tools.

For businesses seeking agility, scalability, and security, native apps reduce reliance on third-party infrastructure and ensure compliance with Salesforce’s stringent Trust and Security standards. They also future-proof operations by being more adaptable to Salesforce’s regular updates and innovations, such as Salesforce Hyperforce for multi-cloud environments.

Is an App Truly Salesforce Native? 5 Questions to Ask

With the increasing number of apps claiming “native” status, it’s essential to dig deeper to confirm their true nature. These five questions will help you evaluate whether an app is genuinely Salesforce native in 2025.

1. Does the AppExchange Listing Show the Native Badge?

Salesforce verifies native apps under the Supported Features listed on the AppExchange. This is a quick way to confirm an app’s native status.

💡 Pro Tip: Some vendors offer both native and non-native versions of their app. Double-check that the version you’re reviewing is the one built entirely on Salesforce.

2. Can Apps Native to Salesforce Function Without Salesforce?

A Salesforce-native app is fully dependent on Salesforce. If an app can operate outside of Salesforce or requires external infrastructure, it’s not native. This distinction is critical in avoiding apps that merely connect to Salesforce rather than being built on it.

For instance, the Youreka app was designed for enterprise field service teams using Salesforce Field Service. It integrates guided workflows and offline capabilities directly within Salesforce, eliminating reliance on external systems while providing advanced functionality for complex use cases.

3. Is the Code Built with Salesforce Technologies?

Native apps are developed with Salesforce-specific tools like Lightning Web Components (LWC), Apex, and Flow. If an app relies heavily on external codebases, it may only be integrated with Salesforce rather than fully native.

💡 For technical evaluations, don’t hesitate to ask for a demo or consult with your Salesforce administrator.

4. Does the App Require Proprietary APIs?

Native apps leverage Salesforce’s standard APIs, including Salesforce Connect and Data APIs. If an app relies on proprietary APIs to function or sync data, it’s a strong indicator that it isn’t native.

5. Can Salesforce Tools Like Data Loader Be Used?

Native apps seamlessly integrate with Salesforce’s built-in tools, such as Data Loader, Tableau, and Einstein Analytics. If you encounter limitations in using these tools with the app, it may be an external system masquerading as native.

Why It Matters

Choosing a Salesforce-native app isn’t just about checking a box—it’s about ensuring your software investments align with your long-term goals. In 2025, businesses are prioritizing solutions that:

Maximize ROI

Native apps, like Youreka, eliminate the need for additional infrastructure and middleware. Youreka’s scalable forms and guided workflows allow enterprises to save time and resources while improving field team productivity.

Support AI and Automation

Fully native apps integrate with Salesforce’s cutting-edge AI, including Einstein GPT and Template Copilot for Prompt App Development.

Reduce Complexity

Native apps simplify your tech stack, offering better performance, fewer integration headaches, and higher data reliability. 

Youreka simplifies your tech stack by enabling admins to create, deploy, and reuse forms directly in Salesforce. Its offline capabilities ensure that field service teams remain productive, even in areas with limited connectivity—reducing complexity and boosting reliability.

Ready to Go Native for Your Complex Forms in Salesforce?

If you’re in search of a Salesforce native app to streamline mobile forms, inspections, and complex workflows, look no further than Youreka. Built natively on Salesforce, Youreka makes it easy to create dynamic mobile apps that work online and offline.

Looking for an app native to Salesforce to streamline mobile forms? Check out Youreka on the Salesforce AppExchange.