In today’s digital-first world, users expect apps to be fast, reliable, and responsive—no matter how many people are using them. But how do you know if your Salesforce solution can handle the traffic and workload it might face in the real world?
That’s where ScaleTest comes in.
ScaleTest is a powerful, Salesforce-native tool that allows teams to simulate real-world usage and test the performance and scalability of their customizations, applications, and integrations—before they go live.
What Is ScaleTest?
ScaleTest is an automated load and performance testing framework built specifically for the Salesforce Platform. It’s designed to:
- Simulate large-scale usage across orgs, users, and operations
- Detect performance bottlenecks, governor limit violations, and slow queries
- Help developers and architects optimize code, flows, and configurations
- Validate that apps will scale reliably under high demand
It’s like a stress test for your org but with Salesforce-native insights and telemetry.
Key Features of ScaleTest
Custom Test Scenarios
Define complex usage patterns, simulate multiple users, or replay actual production behavior to test how your app performs under load.
Real-Time Metrics
Monitor CPU time, heap usage, DML/SOQL limits, queue times, and more—on a per-user or aggregate basis.
Benchmarking
Compare your app’s performance across Salesforce releases or after major changes (e.g., new Apex logic or LWC deployments).
Integrated with CI/CD
Hook ScaleTest into your DevOps pipeline to ensure that every release meets performance SLAs.
Org-Specific Testing
Run tests against scratch orgs, sandboxes, or production-like environments with full awareness of custom objects, metadata, and flows.
Why Performance Testing Matters in Salesforce
Salesforce’s multi-tenant architecture and strict governor limits mean that scalability must be designed intentionally. What works for 10 users may fail miserably at 10,000 without optimization.
ScaleTest helps prevent:
- Slow load times due to unoptimized SOQL or large data volumes
- Governor limit breaches when logic is executed in bulk
- Flaky automations or recursive loops triggered by scaling workflows
- Silent failures caused by unmonitored async jobs or queue buildup
A Typical ScaleTest Workflow
- Define a Scenario
Specify the objects, triggers, flows, or processes to be tested. Include data loads, concurrent users, and common business processes. - Simulate Usage
Run the scenario at various load levels (e.g., 100, 1,000, or 10,000 virtual users) using Salesforce’s own infrastructure. - Analyze the Results
View detailed logs and dashboards showing CPU time, DML operations, API throughput, and latency. - Iterate & Optimize
Tune Apex logic, modify flow structures, or refactor automations based on insights gathered. - Validate Performance Goals
Rerun the test with updated logic and ensure the app performs reliably under expected (and peak) loads.
Accessing Scale Test
- Request Access: Contact your Customer Success Representative or Account Executive.
-
Navigate:
- Go to Setup → Quick Find → Search "Scale" → Click Scale Test.
When to Use Scale Test
High Traffic: Expected production traffic >120 requests/second.
Large Rollouts: Validate performance before major launches or peak events.
Availability:
- Paid add-on for Full Sandbox customers (includes Test Scheduler & Execution).
- Works in all Hyperforce regions except Singapore.
- Sandbox must be on Hyperforce (even if production isn’t).
Scale Test Steps
1. Test Plan Creation
- Optimize Page Loads: Reduce Experienced Page Time (EPT).
- Monitor Backend: Use View Server-Side Traffic to track triggers, platform events, and workload metrics.
- Include in Tests: Add backend operations to test scripts & data.
In the below image, you can either choose your custom time or select from 4 scale peaks observed in your org.
2. Test Environment Setup
- Sandbox Trial Run: Use production-like code & data.
-
Trial Accuracy Checker:
- Green = Accurate peak replication.
- Yellow = Setup issues (needs review).
- Red = Mismatch with production (must fix before testing).
3. Test Scheduler
-
Book a Slot:
- Advance Notice: 2+ weeks for new bookings.
- Cancellations: Require 1+ week notice.
- During Slot: Sandbox infrastructure is upgraded to match production capacity.
- Refresh page: to see updated bookings after changes.
Here, you can either filter past test schedules or book a new one.
4. Test Execution
- Compare Metrics: Analyze 2-3 recent tests for trends.
- Optimize: Use Open in Scale Center for performance insights.
- Checklist: Optional prep tasks for future tests.
Key Considerations
Not for Low Traffic: Best for high-volume scenarios.
Requires Full Sandbox: Additional cost applies.
Slot Availability: Plan ahead (limited slots).
This ensures your org scales smoothly under heavy load.
Who Should Use ScaleTest?
- Developers & Architects – to optimize Apex, LWC, and Flow performance before production
- QA Teams – to automate performance validation in UAT or staging
- ISVs – to validate that managed packages scale reliably across multiple customer orgs
- Enterprise Admins – to ensure major changes won’t degrade org performance at scale
Conclusion
In a world where user experience can make or break digital success, ScaleTest empowers Salesforce teams to proactively validate performance, eliminate bottlenecks, and ensure seamless scalability—before real users are impacted.
By simulating real-world traffic, detecting governor limit risks, and providing actionable insights, ScaleTest transforms guesswork into data-driven confidence. Whether you're rolling out a major update, preparing for peak demand, or optimizing complex automations, this tool ensures your org performs flawlessly under pressure.
Key Takeaways:
- Prevent failures by uncovering hidden performance issues in advance
- Optimize efficiently with Salesforce-native telemetry and benchmarking
- Scale with confidence knowing your solution handles real-world demand
- Integrate testing into CI/CD for continuous performance validation
For developers, architects, and admins, ScaleTest isn’t just an option—it’s a strategic necessity. By investing in scalability early, you save costly firefighting later and deliver the fast, reliable experiences users expect.
Got questions? Feel free to drop an email to support@astreait.com