In Salesforce development today, the conversation is dominated by Lightning Web Components (LWC). It’s modern, performant, and built for the future of the platform. With all this buzz, it’s easy to wonder: does that mean older frameworks like Visualforce are obsolete? The answer is a definitive no.
While it may be the senior framework, Visualforce remains a powerful and highly relevant tool for specific use cases. Think of it as a specialized instrument in a developer’s toolbox—just because a new multi-tool exists doesn’t mean you throw away the perfect wrench for a specific job.
Why Visualforce Still Has a Place
The key difference lies in the rendering model. Visualforce is a server-side framework, meaning all the heavy lifting—like data processing and page compilation—happens securely on Salesforce’s servers before being sent to the browser. LWC, in contrast, is primarily client-side, executing its logic within the user’s browser. This distinction is crucial.
This server-side nature makes Visualforce the superior choice in several key scenarios:
- Best for Generating Complex PDFs 茶
The Problem:
Your application needs to generate pixel-perfect, data-rich PDF documents like contracts, multi-page invoices, or detailed financial reports.
Why Visualforce is Great:
It has a native, built-in feature to render pages as PDFs using the renderAs=“pdf“ attribute.
You have full control over the layout with HTML and CSS to match precise branding requirements.
Server-side rendering ensures that the PDF looks identical for every user, regardless of their browser or device.
All data is processed securely on the server, minimizing the risk of exposing sensitive information during generation.
Attempting this with LWC often requires complex third-party libraries and can be less reliable and secure. Visualforce makes it straightforward and safe.
- Powerful for Custom Email Templates
The Problem:
You need to send highly personalized, dynamic emails that merge data from multiple related objects or apply complex business logic to the content.
Why Visualforce Works Better:
You can use a powerful Apex controller to fetch and structure complex data from across your org.
It allows for conditional logic (if/else statements) to show or hide entire sections of the email based on record data.
You can easily include attachments or render other components, like a table of related records, directly within the email body.
This level of dynamic customization and data aggregation is far beyond the capabilities of standard Lightning email templates.
Security is Built-In
With Visualforce, the business logic and data manipulation happen on the server, shielded from the end-user. The browser only receives the final, rendered HTML. This creates a clear separation that is inherently secure for sensitive operations.
While LWC is also built on a robust security model, its client-side nature means developers must be extra vigilant about what data and logic are exposed to the browser. For tasks where security and data integrity are paramount, the server-side architecture of Visualforce provides an invaluable layer of protection.
Use the Right Tool for the Job 藺
We’re not advocating against LWC—it is the clear winner for building fast, modern, and interactive user interfaces within Lightning Experience. The point is that a skilled developer knows when to use each tool. Before starting a new project, ask yourself:
Do I need to generate a secure PDF or a highly dynamic email template?
Is it critical to avoid exposing complex business logic to the client’s browser?
Does my page need to process a large amount of related data before it can be displayed?
If the answer to any of these is “yes,” then Visualforce isn’t just an option; it’s likely the better, more efficient choice.
Final Thought
Great developers don’t chase trends blindly; they build effective solutions using the right tools. While LWC powers the future, Visualforce remains an indispensable part of the Salesforce platform. For those complex server-side scenarios, it’s worth keeping the official Visualforce documentation handy. In the right situation, it is still one of the best and most reliable tools Salesforce has to offer.