FieldRat vs Elements.cloud

Elements.cloud vs FieldRat.
FieldRat is the modern replacement.

Elements.cloud — the long-standing free Salesforce field usage report tool — has been for Salesforce admin workflows. This page focuses on cleanup execution depth, dependency evidence, and retirement confidence.

Jump to the capability matrix
Schema, not records Managed Salesforce package Free

Status check. This page compares FieldRat and Elements.cloud specifically for Salesforce field usage cleanup and dependency-aware retirement workflows.

What FieldRat adds

Everything Elements.cloud did — and what it never could

Elements.cloud answered one question: what percentage of records on this object populate this field? That number alone does not tell you whether a field is safe to delete. FieldRat covers the same population analysis and adds the dependency, risk, and evidence layers admins actually need to retire fields with confidence.

Quick Scan — 11 metadata types, 100% native

Covers Flows, Apex, Triggers, Validation Rules, Formula Fields, Workflow Field Updates, Field Sets, Permission Sets, Layouts, Compact Layouts, and Quick Actions. Runs entirely inside Salesforce in seconds — no file upload, no record values leaving your org.

Deep Scan — 23 metadata types via metadata ZIP

Adds Reports, Dashboards, Workflow Rules, Email Templates, and more — the references Quick Scan cannot reach. FieldRat generates the package.xml so admins do not hand-build the manifest.

0–100 Deletion Risk Score

Composite scoring across usage, dependency breadth, and critical-type hits. Prioritize cleanup quantitatively instead of by gut feel.

Field Dictionary — your Salesforce data dictionary

A searchable org-wide inventory of every object and field, with point-in-time exports for compliance review. Always free.

Run Comparison & drift detection

Pick any two completed runs and see field health movement: degraded, recovered, newly dependent, or cleared. Built for monthly governance reviews.

Retirement workflow + audit trail

Track every field from discovery → review → approval → removed, with reviewer assignment, review dates, and an App Log audit trail.

Capability matrix

Side by side, capability by capability

Tie means both tools cover the job. Where the matrix shows FieldRat alone, the capability never existed in Elements.cloud.

CapabilityFieldRatElements.cloudEdge
AppExchange availability (May 2026)Listed; managed Salesforce packageVendor-specific availability
Field population / usage analysisAsync Salesforce Batchable; built for high-volume orgsPopulation percentage report
Dependency scanning (where is this field used)Quick Scan 11 metadata types + Deep Scan 23 metadata typesNot supported
100% native Salesforce, schema-onlyQuick Scan is 100% native; no record values leave the orgNative, freeTie
0–100 Deletion Risk ScoreComposite score using usage, dependency breadth, critical hitsNot supported
Searchable data dictionaryField Dictionary — your Salesforce data dictionary, always freeNot supported
Run Comparison / drift detectionSide-by-side comparison of any two completed runsNot supported
Scheduler / recurring analysisConfigurable schedule per objectNot supported
Retirement workflow + audit trailStatus tracking, reviewer assignment, App Log audit trailNot supported
Custom field limit trackingPer-object utilization vs Salesforce 800-field capNot supported
Excel + CSV evidence exportExcel workbook + CSV with dependency status, risk, source pathCSV usage report
CostFree; monthly scan allowancesVendor pricing modelTie

The replacement path

If you used Elements.cloud, here is the migration

Coming from Elements.cloud

Start with Field Analysis

  • Field Analysis covers the exact population-percentage workflow Elements.cloud provided.
  • Pick an object, set a usage threshold, and review low-usage candidates.
  • Always free, no allowance cap, no record values leave your org.

Then upgrade the workflow

Add dependency evidence and risk scoring

  • Run Quick Scan to see references across 11 critical metadata types — native to Salesforce.
  • Run Deep Scan for the full 23-type metadata view before high-stakes retirements.
  • Review the 0–100 Deletion Risk Score and Blast Radius for each candidate.
  • Export Excel and CSV evidence and run the retirement workflow with audit trail.

FAQ

Elements.cloud questions, answered

01How does FieldRat compare with Elements.cloud for field cleanup?

FieldRat adds native Quick Scan, broader Deep Scan coverage, deletion risk scoring, and retirement workflow support. Validate current packaging and pricing directly with the vendor.

02Is FieldRat a Elements.cloud alternative?

Yes, and it is the modern, native one. Field Analysis covers the same field population reporting Elements.cloud provided, and FieldRat goes further with dependency scanning across 11 to 23 metadata types, a 0 to 100 Deletion Risk Score, a searchable Salesforce data dictionary (Field Dictionary), Run Comparison for drift detection, a Scheduler, and a retirement workflow with audit-ready Excel and CSV exports. Field Analysis and Field Dictionary are always free.

03Does FieldRat send Salesforce record data outside the org?

No. Quick Scan is 100% native to Salesforce. Deep Scan processes a metadata ZIP — schema, not record data — and the ZIP is deleted after analysis completes. Business record values never leave your org.

04How is FieldRat priced?

FieldRat is free. Field Analysis and Field Dictionary are always free; monthly Quick Scan and Deep Scan allowances apply per org. There is no per-user pricing and no credit card required. Hit the monthly cap while evaluating? No worries — email contact@fieldrat.app and we'll lift your allowance.

05Will FieldRat help with the Salesforce custom field limit?

Yes. The dashboard tracks per-object custom field limit utilization against the Salesforce 800-field cap, so you can free up headroom by retiring low-usage fields with evidence before hitting a hard limit.

Move on from Elements.cloud — with evidence.

FieldRat is free. Field Analysis and Field Dictionary are always free. See where every field is used, score the risk, and retire safely.