External Client Apps vs Connected Apps - Salesforce’s Next-Gen Integration Evolution.pdf

For many years, Connected Apps have served as the primary approach for integrating external systems with Salesforce. However, Salesforce has now introduced External Client Apps, which represent the next generation of integration technology. Both differ significantly in several areas, including packaging support, management, authentication flow, security features, and more. Consulting a reliable Salesforce integration service consultant in USA helps in configuring the appropriate approach. Read here to know more!

1. nsiqinfotech.com

External Client Apps vs Connected Apps:
Salesforce’s Next-Gen Integration Evolution

Introduction
The landscape of Salesforce integrations is evolving. While Connected Apps have been the
go-to solution for external integrations for years, Salesforce has introduced External Client
Apps as the next generation of integration technology. These apps are designed to address
limitations in Connected Apps while bringing enhanced security, better packaging support,
and improved management capabilities.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what External Client Apps are, how they work,
and critically examine how they differ from traditional Connected Apps to help you make
informed decisions about your integration strategy.



What is a Connected App?
A Connected App is Salesforce’s established framework that enables external applications to
connect to your Salesforce org. It’s the mechanism that powers many of the integrations you
use daily.

Common Examples
• Salesforce Mobile App: Uses a Connected App to authenticate and access your org
• Data Loader: Leverages Connected Apps to insert, update, delete, or export records
• Third-Party Integrations: External systems that need API access to Salesforce data

2. nsiqinfotech.com

Key Capabilities
Connected Apps support a wide range of authentication protocols including OAuth 2.0,
SAML, and OpenID Connect. They can be embedded within Salesforce using the Canvas
framework and provide flexible API access management with customizable OAuth scopes.

What is an External Client App?
An External Client App represents Salesforce’s next-generation approach to external system
connectivity. Built to address specific shortcomings of Connected Apps, they bring modern
capabilities particularly valuable for developers working with Second Generation Packaging
(2GP) and enterprise-scale deployments.

Why External Client Apps Were Created
External Client Apps were specifically designed to:
• Work seamlessly with Second Generation Packaging (2GP)
• Implement a closed security posture by default (not available to all users unless
explicitly permitted)
• Provide clear separation between developer settings and admin policies
• Offer better lifecycle management for packaged solutions

Types of External Client Apps
• Local External Client Apps: Designed for use within a single org, similar to
unpackaged metadata.
• Packaged External Client Apps: Can be released as Managed Packages, allowing ISVs
to distribute their integration solutions with proper encapsulation and version
control.

Key Differences: External Client Apps vs Connected
Apps

1. Packaging Support
External Client Apps:
• Fully compatible with Second Generation Packaging (2GP)
• No manual steps required for packaging
• Can be released as Managed Packages
• Clear distinction between local and packaged versions

Connected Apps:
• Support both First Generation (1GP) and Second Generation (2GP) Packaging
• Require manual steps when using 2GP
• Less streamlined packaging experience

Why it matters: If you’re building solutions for distribution via packages, External Client Apps
provide a much smoother development and deployment experience.

3. nsiqinfotech.com

2. Management and Governance
External Client Apps:
• Distinct roles: Developers manage settings, admins manage policies
• Settings are separated from policies in metadata
• Can be associated with or disassociated from the source org’s global settings
• Full Metadata API support without restrictions
• Only copied to sandbox if packaged

Connected Apps:
• All settings and policies in the same file
• Limited Metadata API functionality
• Automatically copied when cloning sandboxes
• Can be exposed via Canvas Apps and send notifications
• Support for Apex custom handlers

Why it matters: The separation of concerns in External Client Apps makes them ideal for
DevOps workflows and CI/CD pipelines, while Connected Apps offer more features for in-org
experiences.

3. Authentication Flows
Both supports most modern OAuth 2.0 flows, but there are some differences:
Supported by Both:
• Headless Identity Flows
• OAuth 2.0 Web Server Flow
• OAuth 2.0 User-Agent Flow
• OAuth 2.0 Refresh Token Flow
• OAuth 2.0 Token Exchange Flow
• OAuth 2.0 JWT Bearer Flow
• OAuth 2.0 Client Credentials Flow
• OAuth 2.0 Device Flow
• OAuth 2.0 Asset Token Flow

Connected Apps Only:
• OAuth 2.0 Username-Password Flow (not recommended, included for legacy
compatibility)
• OAuth 2.0 SAML Bearer Assertion Flow
Why it matters: Connected Apps offer slightly broader authentication support, particularly
for legacy scenarios. However, External Client Apps support all modern, recommended
authentication flows.

4. Security Features
Shared Security Capabilities:
• Trusted IP address support with OAuth Web Server Flow
• Setup Audit Trail tracking for policy and setting updates
• IP address restrictions
• Refresh token validity configuration

4. nsiqinfotech.com

• Session timeout controls
• Two-factor authentication enforcement
• Start URL configuration
• Profile and permission set restrictions
• Consumer key and secret rotation

External Client Apps Exclusive:
• Closed security posture by default (opt-in access)
• No need for API Access Control (secure by default)

Connected Apps Exclusive:
• API Access Control with approved lists
• Monitor connections and revoke sessions
• Mobile app PIN security
• User provisioning capabilities
• Apex custom handlers for launch control

Why it matters: External Client Apps are secure by default, while Connected Apps provide
more granular monitoring and mobile-specific security features.

5. Default Availability
External Client Apps: Not available by default. Access must be explicitly granted through
profiles or permission sets, implementing a least-privilege security model.

Connected Apps: Available by default to all users unless restricted, following a more open
access model.

Why it matters: External Client Apps align with modern security best practices by requiring
explicit permission grants.

6. Additional Capabilities
Connected Apps Unique Features:
• Canvas App exposure (embed external apps within Salesforce UI)
• Push notifications support
• Mobile app-specific security controls
• More extensive monitoring capabilities

External Client Apps Focus:
• Optimized for API-based integrations
• Better suited for headless and server-to-server communications
• Streamlined for modern application architectures

When Should You Use External Client Apps?
Choose External Client Apps when:
• You’re building or maintaining a Second-Generation Package (2GP)
• You’re developing a Managed Package for distribution
• You need clear separation between developer settings and admin policies
• You want secure-by-default access controls

5. nsiqinfotech.com

• You’re implementing modern OAuth 2.0 flows without legacy requirements
• Your integration is API-first without UI embedding needs
• You prefer streamlined DevOps and CI/CD workflows

When Should You Use Connected Apps?
Choose Connected Apps when:
• You need to embed external applications using Canvas framework
• You require SAML Bearer Assertion Flow
• You want to send push notifications
• You need mobile app PIN protection
• You require user provisioning capabilities
• You want custom Apex handlers for app launch
• Your integration needs are met by First Generation Packaging
• You need the app automatically copied to sandboxes

Migration Path
Salesforce has introduced the ability to migrate from a Connected App to an External Client
App, recognizing that organizations may want to modernize their existing integrations. This
migration capability shows Salesforce’s commitment to the External Client App as the future
direction for integrations.

Before Migrating, Consider:
• Whether you rely on Canvas App functionality
• If you use Connected App-specific features like push notifications
• Your packaging strategy and version requirements
• Whether you need automatic sandbox copying
• Your team’s familiarity with the new management model

Best Practices
Regardless of which option you choose, follow these integration best practices:

Security
1. Least Privilege Principle: Grant only the permissions and scopes necessary
2. Rotate Credentials: Periodically update consumer keys and secrets
3. Use Permission Sets: Favor permission set-based access over profile-based (modern
best practice)
4. Enable IP Restrictions: Where applicable, limit access to known networks
5. Implement Token Expiration: Configure appropriate refresh token validity periods

Development
1. Use Metadata API: Manage configurations programmatically for better version
control
2. Test in Sandboxes: Thoroughly test authentication flows before production
deployment
3. Document OAuth Scopes: Clearly document why each scope is required

6. nsiqinfotech.com

4. Monitor Usage: Regularly review Setup Audit Trail for configuration changes

Operations
1. Regular Audits: Periodically review which apps have access to your org
2. Update Documentation: Keep integration documentation current as features evolve
3. Plan for Updates: Stay informed about Salesforce releases and new capabilities
4. Consider Migration: Evaluate whether existing Connected Apps should migrate to
External Client Apps

The Future of Salesforce Integrations
With each Salesforce release, the gap between Connected Apps and External Client Apps
continues to narrow. Salesforce is actively working toward feature parity, and the trajectory
clearly points to External Client Apps as the preferred approach for new integrations.

Current Trends
• Enhanced security features in External Client Apps
• Improved developer experience for packaging
• Better alignment with modern application architectures
• Continued support for Connected Apps for legacy scenarios

What to Expect
As Salesforce continues to evolve External Client Apps, we can anticipate:
• Additional authentication flow support
• Enhanced monitoring and analytics capabilities
• Improved migration tools for Connected Apps
• Tighter integration with Salesforce DevOps tooling

Conclusion
Both External Client Apps and Connected Apps serve important roles in the Salesforce
ecosystem, but they’re designed for different scenarios and use cases.

External Client Apps represent the modern, forward-looking approach—optimized for
packaging, secure by default, and built with contemporary DevOps practices in mind. They’re
ideal for ISVs, enterprises with sophisticated deployment pipelines, and developers building
the next generation of Salesforce integrations.

Connected Apps remain valuable for their feature breadth, Canvas support, and
comprehensive monitoring capabilities. They continue to be the right choice for specific
scenarios requiring UI embedding, legacy authentication flows, or specialized security
features.

The key is understanding your specific requirements:
• Are you building a distributable package? → External Client App
• Do you need Canvas or push notifications? → Connected App
• Want secure-by-default with modern OAuth? → External Client App
• Need extensive monitoring and mobile PIN security? → Connected App

7. nsiqinfotech.com

As the Salesforce platform evolves, External Client Apps will likely become the default choice
for most integration scenarios. Consulting with a trusted Salesforce integration service
consultant in USA ensures you choose and configure the right approach for secure, efficient
integrations. However, the robust capabilities and proven track record of Connected Apps
ensure they’ll remain relevant for specific use cases well into the future.

Choose the approach that aligns with your integration requirements, security posture, and
development workflow—and stay informed as Salesforce continues to enhance both options
with each release.


Source - External Client Apps vs Connected Apps: Salesforce’s Next-Gen
Integration Evolution