What are Salesforce Lightning Apps?

Salesforce Lightning Apps are part of the Lightning Experience — Salesforce’s modern interface designed to improve usability and productivity compared to the older Classic view.

In simple terms, Lightning Apps allow administrators to shape the Salesforce experience around how teams actually work. Within each app, admins can define which objects appear in the navigation, which custom tabs are available, and even apply specific branding such as colours and logos. This has many practical advantages.

Firstly, users are taken directly to the areas of Salesforce relevant to their role, simply by switching apps. Sales teams can quickly see opportunities and leads, while service teams have fast access to cases and queues. Generally, there’s less hunting through menus and fewer unnecessary tabs.

Secondly, Lightning Apps unlock functionality that isn’t available in Salesforce Classic. The Lightning framework supports modern components, utility bars, and custom pages that simply didn’t exist in the older interface.

Lightning Apps help teams unlock the full potential of Salesforce by:

• Streamlining navigation for different users

• Reducing clutter by exposing only relevant items

• Improving productivity through role-focused interfaces

• Supporting customisation without code (via Lightning App Builder)

• Enhancing user adoption of Salesforce tooling

Admins can choose which apps are visible to which profiles or permission sets to ensure users see only what’s relevant to their work.

Salesforce Lightning Apps are built and managed through the Lightning App Builder and the App Manager:

1. A Lightning App defines a set of navigation items (tabs) relevant to a role or workflow. 

2. Tabs can link to objects, pages, dashboards, Visualforce, or Lightning component tabs. 

3. Administrators assign apps to user profiles or permission sets so only appropriate users see them. 

4. Users switch between apps using the App Launcher UI. 

5. Custom branding (colours, logos) can reinforce a consistent user experience. 

Apps are not standalone binaries; they leverage Lightning Experience frameworks to compose pages and components.

Lightning Apps vs Lightning Experience

Lightning Experience is the overall modern user interface for Salesforce.

Lightning Apps are navigation-centric bundles within that UI designed for specific workflows or teams.

Lightning Apps vs AppExchange apps

Lightning Apps are internal to your Salesforce org and tailored by your admins.

AppExchange apps are third-party packages installed to add functionality to Salesforce.

Are Salesforce Lightning Apps the same as Lightning Experience?

No. Lightning Experience is the modern UI framework. Lightning Apps are specific navigational app bundles within that UI.

Can I create custom Lightning Apps?

Yes. Admins can build custom Lightning Apps using the Lightning App Builder and assign them to specific users or profiles.

Can Lightning Apps include dashboards and reports?

Yes. Tabs linked to dashboards, reports, and other pages can be included in a Lightning App. 

Do Lightning Apps require code?

No, most Lightning Apps can be configured with point-and-click tools, though deeper customisation may use components. 

Can I restrict access to Lightning Apps?

Yes. Access to different Lightning Apps can be controlled by profiles and permission sets. 

Are Lightning Apps different from Salesforce mobile apps?

Lightning Apps can be surfaced in both desktop and Salesforce mobile app interfaces, tailored for mobile access as well.