Salesforce Lightning vs. Visualforce? Choosing the Right Salesforce UI

Salesforce provides two methods to design and build a custom user interface: Salesforce Lightning and Salesforce Visualforce. Both these methodologies are robust in their own ways. While Salesforce Lightning is a contemporary UI framework, Visualforce is a UI framework that consists of tag-based markup language.

Salesforce Lightning allows you to create dynamic business applications that work well with both mobiles and desktops. On the other hand, Visualforce is a fan favourite and has a set of server-side controllers, enabling users to build apps that meet the Lightning Experience. It’s worth noting that despite Salesforce’s strong push towards Lightning and its constant promotion, Visualforce continues to stay relevant and isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

This blog focuses on the key differences between Salesforce Lightning and Visualforce, helping you determine which UI framework best fits your business needs.

Understanding the Core Structure of Salesforce Lightning & Visualforce

Lightning Components: Lightning components are a state-of-the-art Salesforce user interface framework to build compelling web apps for desktop and mobile devices. They utilize ‘bundles to collect vital files and ensure that the user interface gets fluid motion. 

Let’s talk about the features of Lightning Component Bundle:

1. Component: A markup language used to shape the component layout.
2. Controller: A JavaScript controller to handle client-side processing and an Apex controller to manage server-side processing.
3. Helper: A helper manages reusable JavaScript functions that are handled by the controller.
4. Design File: A design file is used to represent the design-time functions of the component used in Lightning pages or App Builder.
5. Scalable Vector Graphics File (SVG File): The SVG file offers users the option to include tailored icons that can be utilized for future reference.
6. Documentation File: A documentation file can be used to provide reference files or sample code to users who have received the component. 

Visualforce: Salesforce Visualforce comprises a set of tags fixed on the server-side. These tags work well with standard or customized controllers to simplify the database and other functions. 

Here are the features of Visualforce pages:

1. Visualforce Page: A markup language similar to HTML used to design page layouts.
2. Apex Extension: Apex extensions can easily handle optional logical operations that can’t be accessed using standard controllers.
3. JavaScript: With JavaScript, users can handle client-side processes and can be utilized with CSS to customize the user interface.
4. Custom Controller: At a Visualforce page, an Apex controller can easily manage server-side implementation.

Comparing Key Differences Between Salesforce Lightning & Visualforce

Both Salesforce Lightning and Visualforce offer methods to curate custom user interfaces. So, take a look at each framework one by one.

UI Generation

Salesforce Lightning

Client-Side: A request is made by a user for an app or a component. After that, the application or component bundle returns to the user, and the browser starts loading the bundle. Depending on the user’s interaction with the web page, the JavaScript application loads the UI. Moreover, the JavaScript app can alter the UI as required.

Salesforce Visualforce

Server-Side: A request is made by a user, and the server processes the request. It does so by running the page’s underlying code. It then sends the resulting HTML to the browser. Depending on the user’s interaction with the web page, the browser shows the HTML code to the user.

Complexity

Salesforce Lightning

Lightning is a new technology and offers only basic functionality. You may find yourself spending an ample amount of time writing code to execute features, which you would otherwise get for free of cost. However, in case you need a collection of well-designed and reusable Lightning components, things may get difficult, especially if you are a beginner in JavaScript.

Salesforce Visualforce

Visualforce is comparatively much older than Salesforce Lightning and has many standard features that take abundant effort out of development. For example, the Field component generates an ideal widget to collect input based on the field type. Moreover, Visualforce also provides security features.

When using a web page handled by the controller, the user may not have access to a field. Basically, it would be hidden from the user. Therefore, in case you have a business logic in Apex classes on the server, then Visualforce must be your go-to choice.

Use Cases

Salesforce Lightning

Lightning is a modern, advanced framework aligned with Salesforce’s UI strategy, offering users a highly interactive and collaborative experience. It allows the development of responsive applications, including those for mobile, using Lightning components.

The best part? You don’t need to be a developer to use the Lightning App Builder. With its intuitive interface, you can build applications by simply dragging and dropping standard or custom components into place.

When it comes to designing user interfaces, Lightning App Builder offers a range of quick-access features to help you create visually rich and functional layouts with ease. And if you’re building a Customer Community, the Community Builder is an ideal tool—it allows you to craft a Lightning-based community site using the same flexible Lightning components.

Salesforce Visualforce

Visualforce is ideal for creating page-centric experiences with limited client-side logic. It’s a strong choice if you’re already working with JavaScript frameworks like AngularJS or ReactJS. One of its key advantages is its ability to act as a container within third-party frameworks, enabling you to build unique and customized experiences using JavaScript. Additionally, you can leverage Visualforce to develop a Partner Community using Salesforce Classic.

Features

Salesforce Lightning

1. Delivers customizable dashboards tailored to client needs.
2. Includes Salesforce Lightning Assistant, offering daily insights and update notifications.
3. Features performance charts to help users and clients monitor business growth effectively.
4. Integrates Salesforce Lightning Voice, allowing teams to make voice calls directly within the Sales Cloud environment.

Salesforce Visualforce

1. Enables rapid development of both simple and complex user interfaces for mobile and desktop applications.
2. Supports popular web development technologies including jQuery, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5.
3. Provides secure rendering of third-party images within the UI.

Final Thoughts

Visualforce is a page-centric web application framework that simplifies implementation by breaking down large applications into smaller, manageable pages. It’s ideal for building UIs with straightforward workflows. However, Visualforce has higher latency and limited interactivity, which can impact modern user experience needs.

Lightning Components, on the other hand, follow an app-centric model designed for dynamic, single-page applications. It allows for real-time UI updates without full page reloads and supports advanced features like animations and reusable components. While more powerful, Lightning comes with a steeper learning curve and increased complexity. Building applications with Lightning typically requires a deeper understanding of JavaScript and modern web development practices.

If your team is already working with Apex and Visualforce, adopting Lightning will require upskilling in JavaScript. Conversely, if your developers are focused on front-end business logic, working with Visualforce may require them to pick up server-side technologies to unlock its full potential.

Choosing the right framework depends on your project’s complexity and your team’s expertise. Need help deciding or executing? Talk to us — we’ll help you navigate the transition and get the most out of your Salesforce investment.

 

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