Salesforce Certified Administrator
Salesforce Certified Administrator (Plat-Admn-201): format, cost, the eight domains including the new Agentforce area, and whether it is worth it in 2026.
beginner
Salesforce & CRM
Salesforce & CRM certifications
Salesforce certifications compared on cost, difficulty and focus - from the Administrator credential to the Platform App Builder - for careers on the world's most-used CRM.
Salesforce runs on a large, well-paid certification economy. Because so many employers build their customer systems on the platform, a recognised Salesforce credential is one of the clearest ways to signal you can configure, automate and extend it - without writing much code to start.
This hub compares the main Salesforce certifications side by side, so you can pick the one that matches the role you want: administering an org day to day, or building custom apps on the platform. Every page is source-checked and links to the official Salesforce exam guide.
3exams compared
105free practice questions
15guides & resources
2side-by-side comparisons
Progression
Certification pathway
A rough progression by level, not a strict order - start where your experience fits.
Foundation
Associate / core
The catalogue
All Salesforce & CRM exams
Every exam we track in this field - each card links straight to its free practice questions, guides and fee breakdown.
Salesforce Platform App Builder
Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder (Plat-Admn-202): format, the 63% pass mark, cost, the five domains, and whether it is worth it in 2026.
intermediate
Salesforce Platform Developer I
Salesforce Platform Developer I (PD1): exam cost and format, 68% passing score, the four domains with weights, Agentforce updates, and free Trailhead prep.
intermediate
Head-to-head
Compare these certifications
Side-by-side verdicts for the pairs candidates actually weigh.
- Salesforce Administrator vs AWS Cloud Practitioner: which entry cert?
- Salesforce Admin vs Platform App Builder: which to take first?
Where they lead
Related career paths
Step-by-step routes from a first certification to the roles it unlocks.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
- Salesforce Administrator or Platform App Builder - which first?
- Most people start with the Administrator (now Platform Administrator) credential, because it covers the core platform skills employers ask for first. Platform App Builder builds on that foundation and leans toward declarative app building. If you administer an org day to day, start with Administrator; if you design and build custom apps, App Builder is the natural next step.
- Do Salesforce certifications expire?
- They do not expire on a fixed date, but you keep them active by completing free Trailhead maintenance modules when Salesforce releases them. Miss the maintenance window and a credential can become inactive, so check your Trailhead dashboard for the current deadlines.