What You Can Export From Salesforce
| Data | Export Method | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Standard objects (Leads, Contacts, Accounts, Opportunities) | Data Loader, CSV export, REST/SOAP API | Full export |
| Custom objects | Data Loader, API (data only) | Data exports, schema doesn't |
| Apex code | Manual download | Salesforce-only language |
| Flows and Process Builder | No usable export | Must rebuild |
| Reports and dashboards | No export | Lost |
| AppExchange app data | Varies by app | Often lost |
| Email templates | Manual copy | Rebuild needed |
The Deep Lock-In Points
Apex Custom Code
Apex is Salesforce's proprietary programming language. Code written in Apex runs only on Salesforce. If you have custom triggers, classes, or batch jobs, they must be completely rewritten in the new platform's language. A typical mid-size deployment has 5,000–50,000 lines of Apex code.
AppExchange Dependencies
The average Salesforce org uses 5–15 AppExchange apps. These apps store data in Salesforce and rely on Salesforce APIs. When you leave, you lose access to these apps and their data. Finding equivalents for each one adds weeks to migration.
Custom Objects and Relationships
Salesforce's custom object model lets you create complex data structures with relationships, validation rules, and triggers. Recreating this schema in a simpler CRM means either losing functionality or building custom solutions.
Institutional Knowledge
Years of Salesforce admin training, custom field definitions, and team workflows create institutional knowledge that's expensive to rebuild. Most companies need Salesforce-certified consultants ($150–$300/hr) just to understand their own configuration before migrating.
Alternative Platform Pricing
| Alternative | Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| HubSpot Starter | Starter | $20/seat/mo | Teams wanting simpler CRM + marketing |
| Pipedrive Growth | Growth | $39/seat/mo | Sales-focused teams |
| Pipedrive Premium | Premium | $49/seat/mo | Teams needing advanced reporting |
Cost savings at 15 seats
Salesforce Pro Suite: 15 × $100 = $1,500/mo ($18,000/yr). Pipedrive Growth: 15 × $39 = $585/mo ($7,020/yr). Annual savings: $10,980/yr — but factor in $10,000–$50,000+ in one-time migration costs depending on customization depth.
Realistic Exit Timeline
| Task | Simple Org | Complex Org |
|---|---|---|
| Audit current configuration | 1 week | 2–4 weeks |
| Export and clean data | 1–2 days | 1–2 weeks |
| Set up new CRM | 1 week | 2–4 weeks |
| Rebuild automations and custom logic | 1–2 weeks | 4–12 weeks |
| Replace AppExchange apps | 1 week | 2–6 weeks |
| Team training and parallel run | 2 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Total timeline | 6–8 weeks | 3–6 months |