Software · head to head
Nintex vs Salesforce Flows
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Nintex no pricing, workflow limits or feature comparison is published anywhere on the pricing page; Salesforce Flows not suitable for highly complex scenarios with intricate decision-making or bulk data processing
- They diverge on capability: Nintex covers Workflow builder, Salesforce Flows covers Visual flow builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Nintex and Salesforce Flows actually diverge.
| Attribute | Nintex | Salesforce Flows |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Salesforce Cloud, Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 2006 | 1999 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Nintex
- Workflow builder
- Process mining
- Task automation
- Case management
- Mobile access
- Analytics
- Monitoring
- 300+ apps
Only in Salesforce Flows
- Visual flow builder
- Approvals
- Scheduled actions
- Screen flows
- Multi-step workflows
- Conditional logic
- Error handling
- Salesforce native
Both cover
- GDPR
- HIPAA
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Nintex
- Workflow automation and process management across business systemsnot Salesforce Flows
- Document generation and e signature within automated processesnot Salesforce Flows
Salesforce Flows
- Workflow Automationnot Nintex
- Data Integrationnot Nintex
- Process Automationnot Nintex
- App Integrationnot Nintex
- API Connectivitynot Nintex
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Nintex
- No pricing, workflow limits or feature comparison is published anywhere on the pricing page
- The pricing route is a contact form, so evaluating cost requires engaging sales first
Salesforce Flows
- Not suitable for highly complex scenarios with intricate decision-making or bulk data processing
- No automatic record locking, causing conflicts when multiple users update same records
- Limited error handling compared to Apex
- Requires Enterprise edition or higher for full capabilities
- Auto-launched Flows cannot display screens to users
- Complex dependency management and configuration challenges when deploying between environments
Pricing, plan by plan
Nintex
Free- StarterFree
- Limited workflows
- Community support
- Professional$500/month
- Advanced workflows
- Email support
- Enterprise$2000/month
- Unlimited workflows
- Dedicated support
Salesforce Flows
Free- Salesforce FreeFree
- 2 user licenses
- Basic workflows
- Limited automation
- Starter$25/user/month
- Sales flows
- Lead routing
- Email marketing analytics
- Professional$100/user/month
- Sales quoting
- Forecasting
- AppExchange access
- Enterprise$165/user/month
- Full Flow Builder
- Custom objects
- Sandboxes
Which should you pick?
Choose Nintex if
- You need workflow builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want process mining.
Choose Salesforce Flows if
- You need visual flow builder.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Salesforce Cloud, Web, Mobile.
- You also want approvals.
Questions people ask
- Is Nintex or Salesforce Flows better?
- Neither clearly leads. Nintex starts at Free and Salesforce Flows at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Nintex or Salesforce Flows?
- Nintex starts at Free and Salesforce Flows at Free.
- Does Nintex or Salesforce Flows run on more platforms?
- Nintex runs on Web, Mobile. Salesforce Flows runs on Salesforce Cloud, Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Nintex for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Nintex best used for?
- Nintex is most often used for workflow automation and process management across business systems, document generation and e signature within automated processes. Of those, workflow automation and process management across business systems and document generation and e signature within automated processes are not what Salesforce Flows is typically brought in for.
- What can Nintex do that Salesforce Flows cannot?
- Nintex covers Workflow builder, Process mining, Task automation, Case management. Salesforce Flows covers Visual flow builder, Approvals, Scheduled actions, Screen flows. Both handle GDPR, HIPAA, Cloud deployment, Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Salesforce Flows: Which Salesforce editions include Flows?
Salesforce Flow Builder is included in Enterprise Edition ($165/user/month) and above. Professional Edition lacks advanced automation capabilities and Flow Builder access. Starter and lower editions have limited Flow support.
SourceSalesforce Flows: What are the main limitations of Salesforce Flows?
Flows are limited by DML operations (max 150 data elements that modify data), SOQL queries (max 100 data elements that retrieve data), and are not designed for bulk processing. Auto-launched Flows do not support screens and have limited error handling compared to Apex.
SourceSalesforce Flows: Can Salesforce Flows integrate with external systems?
Yes, through MuleSoft connectors and Salesforce API Catalog. Pre-built connectors exist for systems like Asana, and admins can create custom connectors. Complex integrations may still require Apex or third-party platforms.
SourceSalesforce Flows: When was Salesforce Flow redesigned?
Flow Builder was introduced in Spring '19 as a replacement for the previous Flow Designer, providing a more familiar interface similar to other Salesforce Lightning Builder tools.
Source