Salesforce Optimizer Is Going Away - Here’s What You Need to Know (and Do) Now

Salesforce Optimizer is being phased out, but the long-term health of your organization can’t be overlooked.
Fatima
August 11, 2025
Salesforce Optimizer

Why do you need to focus on Salesforce Optimizer today? If you’ve ever noticed your Salesforce org getting sluggish or tougher to maintain, you’re not alone. Over time, nearly every Salesforce org picks up technical debt: old customizations nobody uses, inactive user accounts, and workflows that no longer fit the team.  

Salesforce Optimizer was built to tackle these exact issues. Its job was to scan your setup, spotlight performance bottlenecks, and flag tidy-up projects. Admins and teams turned to it whenever they wanted their orgs to feel lighter and more resilient.  

But here’s the twist: Salesforce just announced that Optimizer will be retired at the close of 2025. If you manage your company’s CRM, you should read that sentence again. This isn’t just a feature going dark; it’s a signal you can’t ignore. 

This blog explains what Optimizer does, why it was indispensable, and what you should do before it slips away. Whether you’re staring down a pile of unused fields or counting down to your next audit, the moment to jump in is right now.

What is Salesforce Optimizer? (And Why It Was a Game-Changer)  

Salesforce Optimizer is a handy tool designed to keep Salesforce orgs tidy, quick, and easy to manage. Its primary role? To scan your entire setup, spot trouble spots, and recommend fixes.  

Rather than waiting for something to break, Optimizer ran quietly in the background. It tracked unused fields, inactive users, old workflows, and reports no one had opened in months. Then, it delivered easy-to-understand guidance on what to fix or remove.  

For admins, the tool was a smart way to tackle technical debt. No longer did they have to guess where trouble might be; the report highlighted the most pressing issues. Business leaders, in turn, gained peace of mind knowing the system was lean, fast, and ready for the next stage of growth.  

In short, Salesforce Optimizer allowed organizations to take charge before issues piled up. That proactive approach is what made it a genuine game-changer.

Optimizer App vs Optimizer Report: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve worked with Salesforce Optimizer, you’ve probably noticed it comes in two formats: the Salesforce Optimizer Report and the Salesforce Optimizer App. Both are tools to smooth out and smarten up your Salesforce org, but they each have their own flair.

Here’s a quick side-by-side to show you what’s what:

Feature Salesforce Optimizer Report Salesforce Optimizer App
Format PDF-like file Interactive, live setup
Delivery One-time, downloadable Live dashboard, constant updates
Easy to Use Needs a manual push Refreshes automatically in the app
Ideal for Snapshots and quick checks Ongoing care and in-depth dig
Customization No Lots of filters and sorting
Learning Curve Very easy A set up, but much more powerful

So, when to pull out each? Grab the Salesforce Optimizer Report if you want a speedy sense of your org’s health or if you need a tidy PDF for meetings. Choose the Salesforce Optimizer App to keep an eye on your org, dive into specifics, and fix things right when you see them.

Key Features That Make Salesforce Optimizer Essential

Salesforce Optimizer is more than a tool; it’s a steady, behind-the-scenes partner for every admin, quietly ensuring the org always runs at its best. Here are the standout features that turned it into a must-have for managing every Salesforce instance.  

1. Automatic Health Scans  

The Optimizer went to work all on its own, scanning the entire org regularly without any tricky setup. It looked at custom fields, validation rules, workflows, and storage limits all at once. This meant teams could catch small hiccups early, stopping them from growing into headaches later.  

2. Actionable Insights  

The magic came when it flagged a problem and then handed you a to-do list. Call it a personal cheat sheet for org health. Whether it spotted unused fields, dormant profiles, old login history, or a mountain of reports, Optimizer listed exact fixes to tackle right then and there.  

3. Visual Summaries for Easy Reporting  

Thanks to colorful charts and dashboards (especially in the mobile app), Optimizer turned raw data into pictures that told the story. Even team members who didn’t live in Setup could see the story and rally for the clean-up or changes that kept the org polished.  

4. Integration with Admin Workflows

Optimizer slid into daily routines without a hitch. If you were getting ready for a launch, tidying up legacy code, or wrapping up your yearly check-in, it turned into a trusted companion. You could lean on it to make better choices without relying on hunches.

When (and How Often) to Run the Salesforce Optimizer? 

Keeping your Salesforce org running smoothly isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it task. It’s a living process, and the Optimizer is your best ally for the long haul.  

So, when exactly should you hit the run button? Seasoned pros have a few smart moments in mind:  

  • Quarterly reviews: These routine check-ups help you spot issues before they snowball.  
  • Before big shifts: Got a major rollout or a shiny new feature coming? Fire up the Optimizer first to sidestep slowdowns and compatibility headaches.  
  • New teammate onboarding: When fresh admins or consultants step in, the Optimizer serves up a clear picture of the good and the clutter.  

When you make Optimizer runs a staple of your governance calendar or maintenance checklist, you turn data into decisions and keep your organization light and nimble. The habit nips long-term nightmares in the bud, stuff like leftover fields, ghost reports, and inactive users that pile up when no one’s looking.  

In short, run the Optimizer on a rhythm, and you keep your org tidy, organized, and ready for whatever comes next.

How to Enable and Run Salesforce Optimizer (Before It’s Gone)

Haven’t tried Salesforce Optimizer yet? Now’s your chance. It’s simple to enable and run, and it won’t be around forever. Here’s a quick guide to jump in.

Step-by-Step: Enable the Salesforce Optimizer App

  1. Open “Setup” in your Salesforce org.  
  2. In the Quick Find box, type “Optimizer.”  
  3. Click on “Optimizer” listed under Tools.  
  4. Hit “Open Optimizer”.  
  5. If you see a permissions prompt, accept it and click “Run Optimizer”.  

After you do this, the app scans your org and lists findings along with suggested fixes.

How to Run the Salesforce Optimizer Report (PDF Format)

Want a one-time report instead? You can get it in PDF:  

  1. From Setup, search for and select “Optimizer”.  
  2. Click “Run Optimizer” and then confirm.  
  3. Salesforce will send you a PDF report by email once the scan is done.  

These steps can help to share findings with your team, stakeholders, or leadership.

What You’ll Miss if You Stop Using Salesforce Optimizer?

Quitting Salesforce Optimizer without a backup plan isn’t just dropping a nice-to-have tool; it’s losing your sense of direction.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • Invisible Insufficiencies that quietly waste your team’s time and patience.
  • Overpriced Licenses and Features that drain your budget and sit unused.
  • Security and Compliance Warning Signs that go unnoticed until it’s too late.

These risks grow fast in bigger organizations. More users mean more chances for things to go wrong, and custom changes can multiply problems overnight. Optimizer once shined a light on what needed fixing and laid out a simple path to get it done. Without that light, you’re navigating a complex maze blindfolded.

Preparing for the Optimizer Retirement: What’s Next?  

Salesforce has announced that the Optimizer will reach its end-of-life in the Winter ’26 release. After March 31, 2025, the feature will no longer come in fresh orgs. With that timeline now in sharper focus, here’s how to steer your team smoothly into the next chapter.  

1. Download or Export Your Last Reports  

Before the tool exits the stage, pull your final Salesforce Optimizer Report or the App dashboard. Export it, archive it, and don’t skip the step of storing it somewhere your team can find later. That document will serve as your organization’s last sanity check and a baseline for any future clean-up projects.  

2. Shift to Built-In Alternatives  

Although Optimizer won’t be around, Salesforce has a toolkit of built-in friends ready to step into the spotlight:  

  • Health Check keeps a real-time pulse on your org’s security and compliance health.  
  • DevOps Centre shines a light on every deployment and metadata change, making it an ally for clean governance paths.  
  • Setup Audit Trail, Login History, and the various usage dashboards team up to document user activity and system shifts.  

Getting used to these tools now will pay dividends in craft and compliance long after Optimizer has moved on.

3. Try Trusted Third-Party Audit Tools  

For even sharper analysis and ongoing clean-up, you might look into these established solutions. Elements Cloud, Gearset, and Strongpoint shine at spotting unused metadata, hunting down old automations, and ensuring your org stays tidy month after month. Salesforce Ben and Salto also provide flexible options for continuous improvement without reinventing the wheel.  

4. Create a Keeper Checklist  

Make a simple guide or a light auto-tooling workflow to fill the gap left by Optimizer. Your checklist should include:  

  • Run metadata scans every three months.  
  • Review licenses and audit user roles  
  • Clean out out-of-date automations and monitor performance.  
  • Conduct security and compliance reviews.  

5. Upgrade Your Governance Game  

Look at the Optimizer retirement as your cue to rethink org management. Blend Salesforce’s built-in features, the best third-party apps, and a smart governance approach for better control, flexibility, and long-term ROI.  

The sunsetting date is coming up, so the smartest move is to set your plan in motion now. That way, you’ll roll into a cleaner, leaner, and future-ready Salesforce without missing a beat.

Don’t Let Technical Debt Get Out of Hand!

Salesforce Optimizer is on the way out, but a tidy, efficient, and cost-smart org is still a must-have, not a nice-to-have. If you keep pushing audits down the road, you’ll only wind up with sneaky inefficiencies, bloated budgets, and technical debt that stacks up like laundry.  

Take charge now. Bake regular health checks, license audits, and performance reviews into your governance calendar. Tools may come and go, but the need to see what’s really happening in your org stays the same.  

Before Optimizer shuts down, whip your org into shape. Let PixelConsulting help you nail the transition and keep your Salesforce setup future-proof.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Salesforce Optimizer? 

Salesforce Optimizer is a smart, built-in tool that scans every corner of your Salesforce org. It checks for ways to make performance, security, and user experience even better, and then gives you clear tips to make it happen.  

What does Salesforce Optimizer do?

Optimizer looks for features you’re not using, setups that could slow things down, and spots that need a little TLC, like login history, unused fields, automation rules, and more.  

Is Salesforce Optimizer free?

Absolutely! Optimizer comes at no extra cost; it’s included with your regular Salesforce subscription.  

Is Salesforce Optimizer being retired? 

Yes, Salesforce is planning to retire Optimizer soon. That’s why it’s a good idea to run it now and get ready for the next tool that will take its place.

What does the Salesforce Optimizer give me? 

The Optimizer delivers a handy report, or an app dashboard packed with easy-to-read graphs, helpful suggestions, and step-by-step recommendations for tidying up and strengthening your Salesforce instance.  

When is the best time to use Salesforce Optimizer?  

Tackle the Optimizer every three months, or whenever big stuff happens, like a fresh feature launch, a new set of users coming on board, or a major system upgrade.  

How do I turn on Salesforce Optimizer?  

Head to Setup, click on Optimizer, and then just follow the prompts. Make sure your admin profile has the needed permissions.  

How do I get run Salesforce Optimizer?  

After you’ve enabled it, you can either kick off the report feature or pop open the Salesforce Optimizer App. Both options show custom insights designed just for your organization.  

What replaces Salesforce Optimizer when it is retired?  

After it goes, you can switch to Health Check, DevOps Center, or use third-party options like OwnBackup, Elements, cloud, or Sonar


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Author Insights:
Fatima
Hi! I’m an SEO Content Writer and Brand Copywriter who turns complex ideas into engaging and easy-to-understand content. Lately, I’ve been simplifying Salesforce, helping businesses navigate their CRM systems with confidence. My goal? To make tech and marketing feel simple, clear, and impactful.
August 11, 2025

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