Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs Salesforce Platform comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Aug 31, 2022

We performed a comparison between Oracle Application Express (APEX) and SalesForce Platform based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Oracle Application Express (APEX) users say that to ensure an appropriate deployment process, one must have an average level of technical expertise and/or Cisco knowledge. SalesForce Platform Users relate that the solution is easy and straightforward to deploy.
  • Features: Oracle APEX users like that the solution makes it possible to easily implement agile project development. For the experienced user, it is easy to customize and develop Oracle APEX. Many users would like to see improved reporting and better integration with non-Oracle databases.

    SalesForce Platform users appreciate the customization, collaboration, and automated alerts features. The solution is flexible, easy to customize, and offers easy-to-understand dashboards. Many users feel that SalesForce Platform offers too many features, which can make things confusing and can be a bit cumbersome.
  • Pricing: Oracle APEX generally comes included as part of a bundle package with other Oracle solutions, which many users tell us can be very expensive. SalesForce Platform users feel the solution is somewhat expensive.
  • Service and Support: Users of both solutions feel the support they receive has been responsive and very good.

Comparison Results: SalesForce Platform comes out on top in this comparison because it is very easy to use, the intuitive dashboard makes it easy to monitor progress, customizes easily, and provides great reporting. The solution is very flexible and offers robust cloud options.

To learn more, read our detailed Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. Salesforce Platform Report (Updated: March 2024).
763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Oracle APEX allows our company to complete webpage projects easily in a fast turnaround time.""You can customize the solution to create a console where only business users can access and download files if they want to extract the data.""The product is easy to use.""What's most valuable in Oracle Application Express (APEX) is its secure coding functionality, and the solution also has good features.""One standout feature of Oracle APEX is its seamless integration with backend procedures, allowing for quick updates without changing the front-end interface.""In our experience with Apex, we find that minimizing reliance on HTML and JavaScript is preferable, especially considering our background as seasoned programmers adept in PL/SQL. Incorporating HTML and JavaScript can pose challenges due to potential compatibility issues when updates are made to JavaScript. We also make use of JAPER report integration for generating reports, a practice integral to our reporting procedures.""By using Express, we are able to load the data and integrate it into our data map.""The autonomous database is valuable and provides the main structure for code development."

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"One can do almost everything using Salesforce's OOTB functionality without much investment.""There are no major performance issues in the solution.""It was pretty easy to deploy.""Scalability to configure and integrate.""It has definitely improved how we function.""I like it because of the fact that it lets me know what I'm working on and what I've recently worked on. It also helps me and allows me to do tracking. If I want to go out and find out how many times I've touched customers, I can find that information out. It tracks such information, and we use it. If we send any type of promotions out, it tracks who gets those promotions and how they've responded to those promotions.""The tool's most valuable feature is the CRM. Salesforce Platform comes with out-of-the-box capabilities.""A great platform to import, manage and save customer data."

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Cons
"Being able to only design with HTML and CSS can be limiting as to what can be accomplished.""Fixing bugs is difficult because of how the HTML code is generated. It is not always broadly compatible with browsers.""Better connection and integration with non-Oracle databases is needed.""There is a problem with security because the applications store passwords in the configuration files.""It can only be deployed on Oracle Database.""Apex has effectively incorporated new market trends into its features. The platform's user-friendly nature is notable, guiding developers through the development process. While advanced customization of the user interface with HTML and CSS is possible, the out-of-the-box options often suffice, providing 80-90% of the required functionality. The IDE is commendable, yet an enhancement in the Page Designer to allow a real-time preview of layout changes would be beneficial. Currently, running the page is necessary to visualize layout adjustments, but an immediate preview during the design phase would be a valuable improvement.""The solution does not support the Linux platform.""The migration process is difficult in Oracle Application Express."

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"Salesforce also did not integrate well with some of the other systems that we had.""The back end really isn't user-friendly at all.""It does need very specific resources to help deploy it and buy in from the users. It's one of those items it's pretty disruptive and if it's not deployed properly and if it doesn't get utilized efficiently, it won't be effective.""The reporting for Salesforce could be approved. It is a manual process and it would be useful to have a guide or videos on how to generate reports or any other cool things that you could do with the platform.""The integration of Salesforce with other solutions could be improved.""An improved UX may be helpful in the solution's next release.""This platform is indeed on the expensive side.""Some business functionalities could be improved."

More Salesforce Platform Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "APEX itslelf is a free product, but you will need to license peripheral components."
  • "When buying the data license, APEX is included."
  • "We have a full Oracle E-Business Suite license, and we use that license to develop applications. There's no license required for developing Oracle applications."
  • "There is a trial version available that can be used free of charge."
  • "Pricing is expensive, overall on an enterprise system but we consider that it gives corresponding value in the product."
  • "It's a free solution with no additional costs."
  • "We have an Oracle basic product license, and then we can use Oracle APEX for free. We have many licenses for Oracle for approximately 20 processors."
  • "The solution is free."
  • More Oracle Application Express (APEX) Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Costly, but it is the top product in SaaS/PaaS. Pricing is more for large to enterprise level companies."
  • "Pricing and license differ and depend on how much license you are purchasing from them."
  • "It is an expensive program."
  • "The licensing is per user per month, which we took out a contract on a long time back. It's really an okay price for what solutions are available and for how many features and what kind of functionality you get."
  • "The solution is a bit expensive."
  • "It is expensive. Licensing is on an annual basis."
  • "It is quite expensive. Its developers come at a premium cost, which makes it expensive."
  • "It is expensive."
  • More Salesforce Platform Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:One standout feature of Oracle APEX is its seamless integration with backend procedures, allowing for quick updates without changing the front-end interface.
    Top Answer:The solution is moderately priced, where it is neither cheap nor expensive. The solution's pricing depends on how it is going to be utilized. Almost 5GB to 20GB of database would be free. Anything… more »
    Top Answer:One area for improvement in Oracle APEX is its workflow orchestration capabilities. While it excels in forms and reports, handling complex workflows with waiting states and asynchronous responses… more »
    Top Answer: I think it depends on your use case. If your organization uses Microsoft Enterprise products, PowerApps will work better in your environment. Similarly, if you have a Salesforce integration in… more »
    Top Answer:Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform is not easy or intuitive to deploy. The difficulty will be impacted by the type of application that you are trying to use the platform to build. Organizations that… more »
    Top Answer:At my organization, we have only used Salesforce Platform's low-code builder. The reason for this is not because we do not like the pro-code option, but because we do not see the need of using it… more »
    Ranking
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    Average Words per Review
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    8.0
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    8.2
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Oracle APEX
    Salesforce1, Force.com, Salesforce App Cloud
    Learn More
    Overview

    Oracle Application Express (APEX) is a low-code development platform that enables users to build enterprise apps securely and scalably. APEX, which offers world-class features, can be deployed anywhere. As part of the Oracle Database, developers can develop superior apps 20x more quickly by using all of the tools provided in a single, extensible platform.

    Oracle APEX, a cloud platform that has been around for over 20 years, eliminates complexities associated with app building while delivering results faster and at a lower cost. The low-code aspect offers developers a visual approach to app development that accelerates the development process. Oracle APEX also provides a lively, global, and growing community of developers that can connect and share resources with each other.

    Features of Oracle Application Express (APEX)

    App building requires complexities and expert knowledge in vast web technologies. With Oracle APEX, these complexities involved with multi-faceted applications are reduced, and developers are provided with the rich features they need to fix business problems and create solutions. These features include:

    • Data: Oracle APEX offers revolutionary functionality to enable developers to turn data into information, no matter where that data is from. Under this functionality, you can display, chart, manipulate, and process data effortlessly and accurately.
    • Accessibility: Developers can build highly accessible and inclusive web apps for users with various abilities and requirements. Oracle APEX aims to provide a good user experience for everybody, with accessibility bug fixes and continuous improvements of their testing strategies.
    • Globalization: Oracle APEX provides the ability to create a framework to maintain well-performing applications in multiple languages and environments.
    • Smart Filters and Search: users can rapidly reduce searched data and remove clutter with search terms and filter suggestions for a more simplified user experience.
    • Security: Oracle APEX empowers web application builders to develop apps without compromising on security. Despite the constant increase of attacks and modification of web standards, developers can stay focused on their tasks without leaving applications exposed.
    • Monitoring: Monitoring and logging are built into Oracle APEX, which provides valuable insight into how users interact with your applications, as well as any hacking attempts, application errors, and performance issues.
    • User Interface: Developers can build modern web applications that are responsive, easily customizable, highly accessible, and simple to maintain with Universal Theme, a user interface for Application Express.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Oracle Application Express is a favorite among developers looking to create web applications quickly and securely for many reasons, which include its ease of use and the ability to quickly create public applications

    A senior database developer at a tech services company notes, "This is a good application for quickly creating public applications."

    Alvaro L., an intelligence coordinator at Grupo Orbis, writes, "Oracle Application Express is easy to use, people don't have to be developers to use it."

    Salesforce Platform is a tool that provides application building with open application programming interfaces (APIs), integration tools, back-end services, starter templates, and developer environments. With a low-code interface, users are able to build applications and benefit from automated processes. The product helps customers to increase work productivity and save on IT costs through efficient, easy-to-understand, methods for creating applications.

    Salesforce Platform allows companies to build and operate intelligent applications at scale and share them with employees and customers in real time. The tool secures companies' data while connecting and synchronizing it simultaneously across their Customer 360 accounts. The main components of the product are:

    • Application development: With low code, companies can build applications faster and automate their businesses.

    • Automation: The product can connect with Salesforce Genie, allowing employees to create seamless processes.

    • Security: The Shield component allows companies to secure their data and build applications.

    • Hyperforce: Companies have the option to scale globally and serve customers locally, providing secure, private, and agile solutions.

    • Einstein Intelligence: Organizations can utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to create personalized experiences for customers, potentially increasing companies’ growth.

    • Sandboxes: Salesforce Platform offers developers secure development environments where they can test, build, and deploy changes before rolling out final products.

    Salesforce Platform Features

    Also referred to as a “drag and drop app builder," this solution offers various features for customers to create intelligent applications and build personalized services for clients, partners, and employees within the apps.

    • Mobile feature: The mobile feature of Salesforce Platform allows users to build applications for mobile as well as turn already-made apps into mobile apps instantly.

    • AI: Through AI, users are able to personalize their applications, utilizing the smart assistant of the platform (called Einstein). The creation of customized services for clients can drive engagement and scale customer experience.

    • Vision feature: The Vision feature also utilizes Einstein Platform, where users can take advantage of Einstein Prediction Builder, Bots, Vision, and Language to create AI-powered applications.

    • Data protection: Salesforce Platform offers a data protection feature called Salesforce Shield. With it, companies can monitor app and data use, automate security policies, run compliance audits, and encrypt sensitive data.

    • Privacy and identity feature: Salesforce Customer Identity is a feature for privacy that offers user access through a single login. The feature provides a seamless user experience while maintaining a high level of security.
    • Community feature: The community feature of the product offers a digital experience platform where companies can create secure portals, applications, and websites.

    • Builder feature: The application building feature of Salesforce Platform offers various ways for users to create apps, including through low-code builders and pro-code tools.

    Salesforce Platform Benefits

    The benefits of using Salesforce Platform include:

    • Compared to manual coding products, Salesforce Platform is simpler for beginner users who want to develop a product.

    • The tool requires a low amount of coding, making it a quick and agile way to develop applications.

    • The adaptable design of the platform offers multi-layered security which maintains data accessible to users while protecting it from outside sources.

    • The product can be incorporated with various platforms and coding languages for application development.

    • The platform can be used to create applications compatible with large database systems like MySQL and Oracle.

    • Salesforce Platform allows collaboration between users, as it offers simultaneous access to various users at the same time.

    • Salesforce Platform is compatible with desktop databases such as Microsoft Access.

    Reviews from Real Users

    A vice president at a healthcare company values Salesforce Platform because it is flexible and user-friendly with helpful pre-built schemas.

    Peter G., a senior technical consultant at a tech services company, rates Salesforce Platform highly because it is intuitive, quite easy to learn, and stores all kinds of relevant sales information.

    Sample Customers
    Hepart AG, pharmasol, SATLOG, Collège Bois-de-Boulogne
    ADP
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Healthcare Company13%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Financial Services Firm10%
    Energy/Utilities Company10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization26%
    Government10%
    Computer Software Company9%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company33%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    Non Profit5%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Financial Services Firm12%
    Government9%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business42%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise42%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business16%
    Midsize Enterprise32%
    Large Enterprise51%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise29%
    Large Enterprise35%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise67%
    Buyer's Guide
    Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. Salesforce Platform
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. Salesforce Platform and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Oracle Application Express (APEX) is ranked 2nd in Rapid Application Development Software with 25 reviews while Salesforce Platform is ranked 9th in Rapid Application Development Software with 29 reviews. Oracle Application Express (APEX) is rated 8.2, while Salesforce Platform is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Oracle Application Express (APEX) writes "Strong database feature but not very flexible in app development". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Salesforce Platform writes "Offers out-of-the-box features and provides a wide range of capabilities under what they call "No code," "Low code," and "Pro code" options". Oracle Application Express (APEX) is most compared with Microsoft Power Apps, Oracle Visual Builder Cloud Service, Mendix, Microsoft Azure App Service and OutSystems, whereas Salesforce Platform is most compared with Microsoft Power Apps, Microsoft Azure, Appian, ServiceNow and Amazon AWS. See our Oracle Application Express (APEX) vs. Salesforce Platform report.

    See our list of best Rapid Application Development Software vendors and best Low-Code Development Platforms vendors.

    We monitor all Rapid Application Development Software reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.