Side-by-side comparison · 24 data points
Work with Salesforce data directly in Excel. Import, export, bulk update records, run SOQL queries, and streamline repeatable data tasks.
| XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) | Lightning Buddy | |
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| Screenshots | — | — |
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Configure in app training and alerts for your end users using simple custom object based configuration. Trigger Lightning Flows based on criteria to drive process consistency with your end users.
| Metric | XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) | Lightning Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.8 ★ | 2.9 ★ |
| Total reviews | ★ 228 | 18 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | freemium | free |
| Listed features | ★ 6 | 3 |
| Languages | 1 supported | 1 supported |
| Listed since | Nov 2013 | Dec 2018 |
Based on the data on this page, XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) is the stronger choice for most Salesforce AppExchange admins — 4.8★ vs Lightning Buddy's 2.9★ is a meaningful gap that usually reflects real product or support quality differences across the user base.
Pricing entry tiers: XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) at freemium, Lightning Buddy at free. Check each app's tier structure for the capacity limits you actually need before deciding — the headline number is the same shape, but the gating shape per tier (seats, usage volume, integrations) varies.
XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) has the larger user base (228 reviews vs 18), which usually maps to broader integration coverage, faster bug-fix cadence, and a deeper bench of community workflow patterns. Lightning Buddy's smaller cohort can be an advantage for niche workflows where the bigger app has accumulated bloat.
Recommended by size: small/early-stage admins who need fast install and low risk should default to XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel); mid-market and enterprise admins with specific feature requirements should evaluate both — Lightning Buddy's 18-review base may include the workflow context that matches your specific use case better than XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel)'s broader-but-shallower coverage.
This verdict is generated from the live marketplace data on this page — rating, review count, pricing tier, and category position all refresh from the canonical Salesforce AppExchange listing every 24 hours. AppRanks does not accept payment to influence comparison outcomes; the methodology is documented on the About page and applies identically to every pair on the site.
Read each app's audit: XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) audit • Lightning Buddy audit
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| Keyword | XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) | Lightning Buddy |
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| data management | #2 | Not ranked |
| metadata management | #6 | Not ranked |
| data and metadata | #7 | Not ranked |
| training | Not ranked | #9 |
| configure | Not ranked | #9 |
Both XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) and Lightning Buddy offer paid plans only. XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) starts at freemium; Lightning Buddy starts at free. Compare the per-tier features in the Pricing section above before committing.
XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) has the higher average rating (4.8★ from 228 reviews) compared to Lightning Buddy (2.9★ from 18 reviews). Both are tracked daily by AppRanks, so the figures here update each refresh cycle.
XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) holds the higher average rating (4.8★ vs 2.9★). That is the one dimension AppRanks can separate them on here — read both apps' detail pages for the feature breakdown and recent listing changes.
Both apps are one-click installs from the Salesforce AppExchange. XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) has the deeper published review base (228 vs 18), which often — though not always — accompanies better-tested setup docs. AppRanks doesn't measure setup time directly: read the recent reviews on each app's detail page for user-reported install experience.
XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) typically suits early-stage and growth-mode teams based on its published review base (228 reviews). Lightning Buddy typically suits early-stage and growth-mode teams based on its published review base (18 reviews). A larger review base generally means the app has been exercised at scale — relevant if you are processing high volume or handling enterprise compliance requirements.
Migration support varies by app and category. XL-Connector (formerly Enabler4Excel) and Lightning Buddy both publish their export options on their marketplace listing pages (or in their support docs); some apps offer one-click import from competitors, others require CSV. The fastest check: search "import from Lightning Buddy" in each app's help center. AppRanks does not track migration tooling directly — this is a category-specific capability worth verifying before commitment.
