Salesforce Licenses: A Breakdown Of The Different Types

Salesforce, a prominent CRM solution, provides an extensive range of licenses designed to fulfill various business needs. Selecting the right Salesforce Licenses is essential for optimizing the platform’s usage. Understanding these licenses can be complex, as they come with various features, costs, and functionalities. 

By delving into this article, you’ll learn: 

• What Salesforce Licenses are.
• Different Types of Salesforce Licenses: Including User Licenses, Platform Licenses, Identity Licenses, and more.
• An analysis of the costs tied to different Salesforce Licenses
• An in-depth look into the unique features of each license type.
• Top recommendations for choosing the right ones.

Let’s get started!

What Are Salesforce Licenses?

Salesforce Licenses can be likened to keys that unlock different rooms in a large building, each containing unique tools and business opportunities.

In more technical terms, Salesforce Licenses are contractual agreements that define the scope of access and use for individual users within a customer organization. These licenses are offered in numerous forms and levels, each granting distinct access to Salesforce’s products and functionalities.

Different Salesforce License Types

Salesforce Licenses are categorized into distinct types to cater to various organizational needs, functionalities, and budgets. Here’s an in-depth exploration of the diverse Salesforce License Types:

Salesforce User Licenses:

• Definition: It has a base level of features an individual can access.
• Examples: Salesforce, Identity, and Platform Starter.
• Access: Account Management, Lead Generation, Email Integration, Workflow Automation.

Salesforce Feature Licenses:

• Definition: Enable users to access additional features beyond the user license.
• Examples: Marketing User, Flow User, Knowledge User, Service Cloud User.
• Functionality: Extra marketing tools, knowledge base access, customer service tools.

Salesforce Platform Licenses:

• Definition: Focused on custom development and access to custom objects.
• Types:

Platform Starter (Lightning Platform): 10 custom objects access.

Platform Plus (Lightning Platform Plus): 110 custom objects access.

• Access: Accounts, Contacts, Reports, and Automation utilities like Process Builder, Flow, and Apex. 

Salesforce Identity Licenses:

• Definition: Allows users to authenticate via Salesforce’s single sign-on (SSO) without a complete CRM license. 
• Use Case: Useful for internal users who need access to Salesforce org but not full CRM functionalities.

Salesforce Einstein Licenses:

• Definition: Provide access to AI-powered features in Salesforce.
• Access: Predictive Analytics, Automation, Personalized Customer Interactions.

Salesforce Experience Cloud (Community) Licenses:

• Definition: Designed for external users like customers or partners.
• Types: External App, Customer Community, Customer Community Plus, Partner Community, Channel. 
• Functionality: Allows external users to engage with your Salesforce org through a customized experience.

Marketing Cloud Licenses:

• Definition: Focused on marketing needs with various modules available.
• Editions: Different editions, following a per-org billing standard.
• Access: Email Marketing, Social Media Management, Advertising Automation.

Pardot Licenses (Account Engagement):

• Definition: Delivers B2B marketing automation tools.
• Billing Model: Per org billing standard, giving multiple users access as required.
• Functionality: Lead Generation, Marketing Analytics, Account-Based Marketing.

Understanding and selecting the right Salesforce License Types is paramount for effectively utilizing the Salesforce platform. By aligning the license type with organizational needs, budget, and growth strategy, businesses can optimize their Salesforce experience. 

These various licenses offer flexibility, scalability, and customization, ensuring that every business, regardless of size or industry, can find a suitable Salesforce solution.

How Much Do Salesforce Licenses Cost?

Below, we break down the cost structure for various Salesforce licenses:

Salesforce CRM Licenses:

• Starter: Tailored for small businesses starting with Salesforce, including basic CRM tools. Costs USD 25/user/month if billed yearly.
• Professional: A complete CRM solution suitable for any team size. Costs USD 75/user/month if billed yearly.
• Enterprise: Deep customization and extended features for more complex needs. Costs USD 150/user/month if billed yearly.
• Unlimited: Most comprehensive set of features designed for robust growth. Costs USD 300/user/month if billed yearly.

Salesforce Platform Licenses:

• Platform Starter (Lightning Platform): Permits 10 custom objects, with pricing contingent on particular requirements. 
• Platform Plus (Lightning Platform Plus): Enables 110 custom objects. Pricing varies; consult with Salesforce for detailed quotes.

Salesforce Experience Cloud (Community) Licenses:

• Customer Community: Enables customer engagement and support. Pricing varies.
• Partner Community: Designed for collaboration with partners. Pricing varies.

Marketing Cloud Licenses:

• Basic Edition: Includes core marketing tools, starting at USD 4000 per month.
• Pro Edition: Advanced marketing automation, starting at USD 15,000 per month.

Pardot Licenses (Account Engagement):

• Standard Edition: Entry-level B2B marketing tools. Costs USD 1250 per month.
• Advanced Edition: Comprehensive marketing features. Costs USD 4000 per month.

Salesforce Einstein Licenses:

• Predictive Analytics Features: Pricing varies based on specific Einstein functionalities required.

Add-Ons and Extensions:

• Various add-ons like CPQ & Billing, Sales Cloud Einstein, Sales Dialer, and others are available at additional costs, ranging from USD 50 to USD 300 per user per month.

The cost of Salesforce Licenses is multi-dimensional and depends on several factors such as the edition, user needs, the complexity of functionalities required, and the potential need for add-ons or extensions. 

The above overview provides a foundational understanding, but it is always advisable to consult directly with Salesforce or a certified Salesforce partner to get a customized quote tailored to your organization’s specific requirements and budget. 

Features of Various Salesforce Licenses

Salesforce license type provides access to various features and functionalities, allowing organizations to tailor their Salesforce experience.

Salesforce CRM Licenses:

Starter: 

• Account and Contact Management
• Lead and Opportunity Management
• Basic Sales Forecasting
• Email Integration

Professional: 

• All Starter features
• Campaign Management
• Customizable Dashboards
• Contract Management

Enterprise: 

• All Professional features
• Workflow and Approval Automation
• Advanced Report Building
• Territory Management

Unlimited: 

• All Enterprise features
• Unlimited Customizations
• 24/7 Support and Configuration Services
• Multiple Sandboxes

Salesforce Platform Licenses:

Platform Starter (Lightning Platform):

• Access to 10 Custom Objects
• Basic Automation Tools
• Standard Email Functionality

Platform Plus (Lightning Platform Plus):

• Availability of 110 Custom Objects 
• Advanced Automation Tools
• Enhanced Email Features. 

Salesforce Experience Cloud (Community) Licenses:

Customer Community:

• Customer Portal
• Knowledge Base Access
• Case Submission and Tracking

Partner Community:

• Partner Collaboration
• Lead and Opportunity Sharing
• Customizable Partner Portal

Marketing Cloud Licenses:

Basic to Pro Editions:

• Incorporation of Email Marketing
• Social Media 
• Automation and Analytics. 

Pardot Licenses (Account Engagement):

Standard to Advanced Editions:

• Lead Generation
• Email Marketing
• Advanced B2B Marketing Automation

Salesforce Einstein Licenses:

Predictive Analytics:

• AI-powered Insights
• Predictive Lead Scoring
• Automation Suggestions

Salesforce Identity Licenses:

Single Sign-On (SSO):

• Unified Access across Apps
• User Authentication
• Identity Verification

Salesforce Feature Licenses:

• Some examples are Marketing User, Flow User, Knowledge User, granting Additional Capabilities, and Custom Access to Specific Functions. 

Understanding the specific features offered by different Salesforce Licenses is essential to aligning the Salesforce implementation with organizational goals and user needs.

Recommendations for Selecting Salesforce Licenses

Selecting the right Salesforce Licenses for your organization is not just about buying access to a platform; it’s about strategically aligning your technology investment with the business goals. Here’s a guide to help you make the right choices:

Assess Business Needs:

• Understand your organizational structure, business processes, and the specific tasks that Salesforce will need to handle.
• Identify the key roles and what access levels they require.

Consider Budget:

• Analyze the cost of different Salesforce Licenses.
• Balance between what you need and what you can afford, considering both initial costs and potential growth.

Examine Features and Functionalities:

• Delve into the details of what each license offers.
• Make sure the license includes the specific features and tools your organization will depend on.

Think About Scalability:

• Opt for licenses that not only align with your immediate requirements but can adapt to your future growth.
• Consider flexibility for adding new users or upgrading to licenses with more features.

Consult with Experts:

• If unsure, seek advice from seasoned Salesforce professionals or implementation allies. 
• Their experience and perspective can steer you toward the most fitting choices for your distinct needs.

Consider Compliance and Security:

• Ensure that the selected licenses align with your legal and regulatory compliance needs.
• Evaluate how the licenses fit with your organization’s security policies.

Test Before You Invest:

• If possible, opt for trials or demos to get hands-on experience.
• Validate that the chosen licenses genuinely fit your needs and expectations.

Review Customer Support and Training Options:

• Consider the support and Salesforce training that come with different license types.
• Ensure that your team has all the skills to leverage Salesforce efficiently.

Reevaluate Periodically:

• Regularly review your license needs as the business evolves.
• Adjust your licenses as necessary to stay aligned with changing business strategies.

By thoughtfully evaluating these aspects, you can choose the Salesforce Licenses that are the best fit for your organization. The right licenses can act as a catalyst, empowering your team, enhancing customer relationships, and driving growth.

Conclusion 

The selection of Salesforce Licenses is not merely a purchase decision but a strategic one. It impacts how the organization leverages Salesforce to drive business results. By understanding business needs, considering the budget, evaluating features, considering scalability, seeking expert guidance, thinking about integration, and reviewing usage, an organization can make a wise and informed decision. 

The right combination of Salesforce Licenses will enable a seamless, efficient, and value-driven utilization of this powerful platform, aligning technology with business strategy for optimized success.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many types of Salesforce licenses are available?

Salesforce offers various types of licenses to cater to different business needs. These include Salesforce User Licenses, Salesforce Feature Licenses, Salesforce Platform Licenses, Salesforce Identity Licenses, Salesforce Einstein Licenses, Salesforce Experience Cloud Licenses, and Marketing Cloud Licenses. Each type is designed for specific functionalities and user roles. The Salesforce platform license, for example, is particularly focused on custom development and access to custom objects.

2. How do you view licenses in Salesforce?

To view licenses in Salesforce, go to the Setup menu. Under ‘Company Settings’, select ‘Company Information’. Here, you will find a detailed summary of all the licenses available within your Salesforce organization, including Salesforce platform licenses. This section displays the types of licenses, the number of total licenses, and how many are currently in use or remaining.

3. Can you share Salesforce licenses?

Salesforce licenses are assigned to individual users and cannot be shared between users. Each user in the Salesforce environment needs their own license to access the platform. However, within the organization, you can reassign licenses from one user to another if a user leaves the company or changes roles. It’s important to note that while the Salesforce platform license and other licenses can be reassigned, they are always tied to individual users for access control and security purposes.

4. Where can I find the limit for my Salesforce platform user licenses?

To find the limit for your Salesforce platform user licenses, navigate to the Setup area in your Salesforce account. Under ‘Company Information’ in the ‘Company Settings’, you can view detailed information about your Salesforce platform licenses, including the total number of licenses purchased and how many are currently being used. This section provides a clear view of your license utilization and helps in managing and planning for additional license needs.