Flows vs. Triggers in Salesforce 🌞

Introduction

Salesforce provides two powerful automation tools: Flows and Triggers. While both can be used to automate business processes, they have different strengths, limitations, and best-use scenarios. This document provides a detailed comparison of Flows and Triggers to help Salesforce professionals choose the right approach for their automation needs.

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1. Key Differences Between Flows & Triggers

1️⃣ Undelete Support

✅ Triggers: Can execute logic when a record is restored from the Recycle Bin (Undelete event).
❌ Flows: Cannot handle the Undelete event.

2️⃣ CPU Time Consumption

✅ Triggers: More optimized for CPU time usage.
❌ Flows: Use more CPU time, especially in complex logic scenarios.

3️⃣ Bulk Processing

✅ Triggers: Handle bulk data efficiently, making them suitable for high-volume operations.
❌ Flows: Can run into CPU time limits when processing large data sets.

4️⃣ Debugging & Testing

✅ Triggers: Easier to debug using Apex testing and logging tools.
❌ Flows: Debugging complex flows can be challenging, with limited debugging tools.

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2. Limitations of Flows and Triggers

🚀 Limitations of Flows

1. Limited Bulk Processing – Bulk updates can cause CPU time errors.
2. No Support for Undelete Events – Cannot handle restored records.
3. Limited Debugging Capabilities – Debugging complex flows can be time-consuming.
4. Performance Issues with Large Data Volumes – Not ideal for handling thousands of records.
5. Cannot Handle Complex Recursive Scenarios – Recursion handling is less effective compared to Apex triggers.

⚡ Limitations of Triggers

1. Requires Apex Knowledge – Needs coding expertise, making it less accessible to admins.
2. No UI-Based Execution – Works in the backend, unlike Flow which offers a UI for configuration.
3. More Testing Required – Needs Apex test classes for deployment.
4. Potential for Infinite Loops – Poorly designed triggers can cause recursive execution issues.

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3. Best Use Cases for Flows & Triggers

Scenario	Use Flows	Use Triggers
Simple Record Updates	✅	❌
Bulk Processing	❌	✅
Field Updates	✅	✅
Before Insert/Update Logic	❌	✅
After Insert/Update Logic	✅	✅
Handling Undelete	❌	✅
Asynchronous Processing	❌	✅
Debugging & Error Logging	❌	✅

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4. Conclusion

Both Flows and Triggers have their strengths and weaknesses. Flows are best for low-code automation and simple business logic, whereas Triggers excel in complex logic, bulk processing, and performance efficiency. Choosing the right tool depends on the specific requirements of your Salesforce automation needs.

💡 Key Takeaways: ✔ Use Flows for UI-based automation and simple updates.
✔ Use Triggers for bulk processing, complex logic, and undelete events.
✔ Always consider governor limits when designing automation.

🚀 Which do you prefer—Flows or Triggers? Let’s discuss!