Hands-on learning as a foundation
Learners use modules, projects and superbadges to build Salesforce knowledge and return to weak areas during exam preparation.
Salesforce Trailhead
Summary
Salesforce Trailhead provides free learning modules, hands-on challenges and certification preparation in practice Salesforce environments. Live training is sold separately through Trailhead Academy.
Good fit
- Anyone starting a Salesforce certification from scratch who wants free, hands-on practice
- Candidates who like badge-driven progress to stay motivated through a long study plan
Less suited to
- Candidates with limited time who want a fast, exam-technique review
- Anyone relying on Trailhead's built-in practice questions as their final readiness check
Learner Reviews
What learners praise
What learners complain about
More exam-style practice needed
Learners describe supplementing Trailhead with a separate question bank to prepare for the wording and demands of the certification exam.
Plans & pricing
- Plans and pricing
- Free self-paced learning; paid instructor-led classes through Trailhead Academy; certification exams billed separately by Salesforce
Free to learn. Administrator-tier exams cost $200 ($100 retake), and Trailhead Academy class prices are shown at checkout.
- Free options
- Every module, trail, project, superbadge and Trailhead Playground practice org is free with a Trailhead account
- Access
- Free modules, trails and Playground orgs stay available with a Trailhead account; instructor-led classes run on scheduled dates
- Refunds
- Self-paced content is free. Exams and Trailhead Academy classes follow Salesforce's cancellation and rescheduling policies.
Courses & practice tests
Salesforce Trailhead resources included in our certification guides.
| Certification | Courses & tests |
|---|---|
| Salesforce Platform Administrator | |
| Tableau Data Analyst | |
| Salesforce Platform Developer |
Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Salesforce Trailhead really free?
Yes. Every module, trail, project, superbadge and Trailhead Playground is free. The only costs are optional Trailhead Academy classes and the exam fee paid to Salesforce.
Is Trailhead enough to pass a Salesforce certification on its own?
It can be, especially for Administrator. For timed, exam-style questions, add a practice-test provider such as Focus on Force.
How is Trailhead different from Trailhead Academy?
Trailhead is the free, self-paced platform. Trailhead Academy is where you book paid instructor-led classes and bootcamps.
How much does a Salesforce certification exam cost?
Administrator-tier exams cost $200 with a $100 retake. Other exam tiers have their own prices on Salesforce's certification pricing page.
Last updated October 2026