Validates knowledge of building Salesforce applications with Apex, Flow and Lightning Web Components, and testing and deploying them.
A good Platform Developer course teaches you to write Apex, SOQL and Lightning Web Components, not just the exam topics. We compared the options on coding depth, hands-on practice, format and price.
Most people who still need to learn Apex and Lightning Web Components should start with Deepika Khanna's Udemy course. Use Salesforce's free study trail to review each exam section, and choose DEX450 only when your employer pays for a five-day live class.
| Course | Best for | Format | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I (LWC & AURA also) | Full code-and-exam course | Video | $140 |
 Study for the Platform Developer Exam | Free section review | Interactive | Free |
A long video course on Apex, Visualforce, Lightning Web Components and Aura, with demos in a free org, two practice tests and downloadable resources. It runs 38.5 hours and teaches the code, not only the exam topics.
Great fit if you want one guided course that teaches the code as well as the exam topics
Poor fit if you already write Apex and only need exam practice; choose the Trailhead trail
Salesforce's short study trail with four modules, one for each exam section, with scenarios and flashcards. It is a review tool and takes about an hour and a quarter.
Great fit if you want an official review of each section
Poor fit if you need to learn Apex from the start; choose Deepika Khanna
Salesforce's official five-day live class on Apex, Visualforce and custom logic, named in the exam guide. A live instructor teaches the code over five days.
Great fit if your employer pays for training and you learn best with an instructor
Poor fit if you are paying yourself; choose Deepika Khanna
Compare all Salesforce Certified Platform Developer practice tests →
For most people who need to learn the code, Deepika Khanna's Udemy course. If you already write Apex, Salesforce's free study trail and a practice exam set are enough.
Yes, if you already know Apex. Salesforce's study trail and a free Developer Edition org are free, and K2U offers a free sample exam. Add a paid practice set.
Deepika Khanna's course runs 38.5 hours, DEX450 five days, and the Trailhead trail about an hour and a quarter. Plan for about 100 hours of preparation in total.
Yes. Salesforce renamed Platform Developer I in July 2025. The exam code is Plat-Dev-201, so courses titled Platform Developer I still apply.