Both are great entry points into Salesforce certifications, with tons of overlap think 60-70% shared ground on stuff like security, data modeling, and basic automation. But one fits admins managing day-to-day ops, while the other suits folks building custom apps. I’ll compare them head-to-head, then help you pick.

Quick Stats (Same for Both)

DetailInfo
Questions60 (multiple choice/select)
Time105 minutes
Cost$200 (retake $100)
FormatOnline/proctored
Pass ScoreAdmin: 65% App Builder: 63%
MaintenanceAnnual Trailhead modules

No hard pre-reqs for either, but Admin wants 6+ months hands-on admin work. App Builder suggests 6-12 months building Lightning apps.

Administrator

What They Cover (Top Topics by Weight)?

Here’s where they split:

Salesforce Administrator Exam Guide : Manage the whole org like a boss.

  • Service/Support Apps (15%): Cases, Knowledge, escalation.
  • Custom Objects (15%): Fields, layouts, record types.
  • User Setup (14%): Licenses, profiles, freezing users.
  • Sales/Marketing (12%): Leads, campaigns, opportunities.
  • Automation (12%): Workflows, approvals.
  • Others: Security (6%), data imports (8%), reports (12% total).

Perfect if you’re tweaking users, securing data, or running sales/service teams.

Salesforce Platform App Builder Exam Guide: Design and deploy custom apps (no code).

  • Business Logic/Automation (27%): Flows, formulas, validation rules, approvals.
  • Security (20%): Sharing rules, object access for apps.
  • Fundamentals (10%): CRM objects, declarative limits.
  • App Dev (8%): Sandboxes, change sets, deployment.
  • Others: Data modeling (8%), UI/Lightning (3%), mobile (3%).

Ideal for creating tailored apps, Lightning pages, and processes.

Overlap vs. Unique Stuff

  • Shared (study once!): Security, data management, basic reports/dashboards, objects/relationships, automation basics.
  • Admin Only: User/org setup, sales/service apps, activities/Chatter.
  • App Builder Only: App lifecycle/deployment, deep UI (Lightning apps/pages), mobile tweaks.

Which One First? Go Admin 9/10 times.

  • Roadmaps put Admin as foundation, then App Builder (or Advanced Admin).
  • Passing Admin makes App Builder a breeze syllabi are super similar, just App Builder adds dev lifecycle.
  • Job wise: Admin unlocks way more entry roles (thousands vs. hundreds for App Builder).
Platform App Builder

How to Choose (Quick Quiz)

  • Pick Admin if:
You’re…
New to Salesforce
Want admin jobs now
Focus: users/security/sales ops
  • Pick App Builder if:
You’re…
6+ months in SF
Love building apps/UI
Dev-ish role coming

Learning Paths and Resources

Salesforce Trailhead (Free): Salesforce’s official online learning platform is the best starting point. For Admins, complete trails like Admin Beginner, Admin Intermediate, and Reports & Dashboards. For App Builders, the Platform App Builder modules (e.g. Fundamentals and User Interface, Data Modeling and App Deployment) cover all exam objectives. SalesforceKing also offers certification prep (guided collections of modules) for both Admin and App Builder.

Practice Tests and Communities: Simulated exams and flashcards (Salesforce’s practice test, Trailhead quizzes, or SalesforceKing) help reinforce knowledge. Joining the Trailblazer Community or local Salesforce user groups allows beginners to ask questions and learn from experienced admins/builders. Blogs and tutorials offer exam tips and real-world scenarios.

Superbadges and Projects: Hands-on superbadges (e.g. Build Apps or Automate Processes) let learners practice complex scenarios that mimic real job tasks. Completing these is excellent preparation for the App Builder role.

Summary:

In conclusion, the Salesforce Administrator certification is typically the best first step for a beginner. It focuses on core admin duties (user management, security, data/configuration, etc.) and is geared toward new Salesforce users. The Platform App Builder certification is broader and more advanced, emphasizing custom app design and automation. It assumes you already understand the Admin skillset.

Both certifications open strong career paths Admins and App Builders are in high demand. Resources like Salesforce’s Trailhead, SalesforceKing exam guides, and community study materials make preparation achievable. Starting with Admin, then adding App Builder, will give you a solid skill set for a wide range of Salesforce roles.