Comparing Salesforce Lightning vs Classic: Key Differences

Salesforce has been a trailblazer in the CRM world for many years, and its robust platform has allowed businesses of all sizes to scale and manage their customer relationships effectively. Over the years, Salesforce has evolved significantly, and one of its most transformative updates has been the introduction of Salesforce Lightning. The new Lightning Experience is designed to be more intuitive, customizable, and scalable than the older Salesforce Classic interface. This blog delves into a detailed comparison between Salesforce Lightning and Classic, highlighting key differences in features, performance, customization, and user experience.

1. User Interface (UI)

Classic UI:

Salesforce Classic has a traditional, more simplistic user interface that reflects the web design standards of the mid-2000s. While functional, the design can feel outdated, with a heavier reliance on text and links rather than interactive graphics or dynamic elements.
The Classic interface can be overwhelming to new users due to its large volume of data being displayed at once, sometimes confusing when locating critical tools or features.
Lightning UI:

Salesforce Lightning provides a more modern, visually appealing interface. Its sleek, responsive design focuses on usability, offering drag-and-drop components and intuitive layouts.
The Lightning Experience allows users to navigate more efficiently using graphics and icons, which makes the CRM more engaging. It is also optimized for mobile devices, enabling seamless switching between desktop and mobile views.
Enhanced visualization tools make it easier for users to focus on key data and metrics without clutter.

1. Performance and Speed

Classic Performance:

Classic is a stable and reliable interface, but it lacks the optimized performance features that Lightning offers. It is also slower when it comes to large data processing or handling complex workflows.
While adequate for basic operations, it may not meet the high-performance demands of organizations with complex sales, service, or marketing requirements.
Lightning Performance:

Salesforce Lightning is engineered for enhanced performance and efficiency. Its caching mechanisms and the ability to deliver content dynamically lead to faster page load times, even with large datasets.
The component-based architecture in Lightning allows for more flexibility and quicker access to relevant information by providing dynamic page layouts, thus improving operational speed.

1. Customizations and Flexibility

Classic Customization:

Classic allows users to customize Salesforce but with limitations. Changes to page layouts, workflows, and reporting are possible but require more effort to implement and maintain.
Customization in Classic often requires deeper technical knowledge, especially when dealing with advanced processes like Visualforce pages or Apex code.
Lightning Customization:

Lightning’s component-based framework makes it easier for users to customize their experience without needing extensive coding knowledge. Admins can create custom pages with drag-and-drop components via the Lightning App Builder.
Developers benefit from the Lightning Component Framework, which simplifies building reusable components, making the platform far more flexible for creating highly customized interfaces.
Users can take advantage of the Salesforce AppExchange to easily install third-party applications, many of which are optimized for Lightning.

1. Reports and Dashboards

Classic Reports and Dashboards:

Reporting capabilities in Classic are functional but limited when compared to Lightning. The Classic dashboards rely heavily on static visuals and often require extensive manipulation to extract data insights.
Classic reports do not have as much flexibility for customization and tend to be slower when dealing with larger datasets.
Lightning Reports and Dashboards:

Salesforce Lightning offers significant enhancements in reporting and dashboard functionality. Users have access to dynamic, real-time dashboards that provide highly visual and interactive insights into business data.
The Lightning Report Builder allows for more customizable and complex reports, with easier drag-and-drop functionality and filter options. Visual components, like graphs and charts, update instantly as data changes, offering a more agile data analysis experience.

1. Salesforce Einstein and AI Integration

Classic AI:

Salesforce Classic does not have built-in AI functionalities. Users can access Salesforce Einstein, but the interface is not designed to fully leverage AI’s predictive analytics and machine learning capabilities.
Lightning AI (Salesforce Einstein):

Salesforce Lightning comes with built-in integration with Salesforce Einstein, the platform’s AI toolset. This* integration* allows users to take advantage of advanced analytics, predictive modeling, and AI-powered recommendations right out of the box.
With Einstein in Lightning, users can automate tasks, receive intelligent insights (such as sales predictions or next-best actions), and make data-driven decisions with greater ease.
The use of AI is more seamless in Lightning, offering real-time recommendations that help improve sales, service, and marketing efforts.

1. Mobile Experience

Classic Mobile:

While Salesforce Classic does offer a mobile experience via the Salesforce1 mobile app, it is less streamlined and user-friendly compared to Lightning.
The mobile interface is functional, but many users report difficulty in navigating the more text-heavy layouts on small screens.
Lightning Mobile:

Salesforce Lightning is designed with a mobile-first philosophy, providing a more consistent and optimized user experience across devices. The Lightning Experience is fully responsive, meaning users can switch between desktop and mobile without losing functionality.
Key features like drag-and-drop customization, visual reports, and dashboards all work seamlessly on mobile, enhancing the ability to manage workflows on the go.

1. App Builder and Development

Classic App Development:

Developing custom applications in Salesforce Classic relies heavily on traditional tools like Visualforce and Apex, requiring extensive technical knowledge and development time.
Classic apps are less flexible when it comes to integrating third-party tools or adapting to new business requirements without significant coding changes.
Lightning App Development:

The Lightning App Builder empowers users with drag-and-drop tools to create customized applications without the need for deep technical expertise. This tool provides an easy-to-use interface for admins and developers to build apps that meet specific business needs.
Lightning Components (custom reusable modules) allow developers to build scalable apps with ease, integrating with the wider Salesforce ecosystem and third-party applications.

1. Security Enhancements

Classic Security:

Salesforce Classic offers a solid security framework with standard features like role-based access control, IP restrictions, and two-factor authentication. However, it lacks the advanced security features found in Lightning.
Lightning Security:

Salesforce Lightning introduces several new security features, including LockerService, which ensures the security of custom components by isolating them from other components on the same page.
Shield Encryption in Lightning provides enhanced data encryption, adding another layer of protection for sensitive customer information. This makes Lightning more suitable for industries with strict data compliance regulations, such as healthcare and finance.

1. AppExchange and Ecosystem Compatibility

Classic AppExchange:

While many apps on the Salesforce AppExchange are compatible with Classic, newer third-party applications are being designed specifically for the Lightning Experience, leading to potentially limited functionality in Classic.
Lightning AppExchange:

The Lightning Experience fully supports the latest AppExchange offerings, with a rapidly growing marketplace of apps designed for the new UI and features. Many developers now prioritize Lightning when building new applications, ensuring better compatibility and ongoing updates for Lightning users.

1. Transition from Classic to Lightning

Classic to Lightning Migration Challenges:

Migrating from Classic to Lightning is a major undertaking for many organizations. Businesses often face challenges related to training, adaptation, and workflow changes.
Some custom code and Visualforce pages may require reworking to function smoothly within the Lightning framework, which can be time-consuming and costly.
Migration Benefits:

Despite the challenges, transitioning to Lightning provides numerous long-term benefits. Users who switch to Lightning often experience increased productivity, better engagement, and improved collaboration across teams.
Salesforce provides extensive tools and resources to support a smooth transition, including the Lightning Experience Transition Assistant, which helps guide admins through the necessary steps.

Conclusion

Salesforce Lightning is a powerful evolution of the Salesforce platform that introduces a modern user interface, enhanced customization, improved performance, and advanced analytics capabilities. While Salesforce Classic is still functional for organizations comfortable with its interface, the future of Salesforce lies in the Lightning Experience. The added flexibility, visual appeal, and integration with cutting-edge technologies like AI make Lightning a more robust platform for businesses looking to grow and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market.