# ▶️ Profiles vs permissions vs roles Source: https://support.storeconnect.com/articles/profiles-vs-permissions-vs-roles · Last modified 21 August 2026 Video: https://vimeo.com/1177143680?fl=sv&fe=ci ### **Factory Analogy for Salesforce Access Control** Let’s imagine **Salesforce** as a **factory**, and the users are employees. You can assign each user three different things — **Profile**, **Permission**, and **Role** — each serving a **different purpose**. --- ### **Profile = Job Title** - A **Profile** defines the **baseline functions** and capabilities a user has. - It determines: - What **apps, objects, tabs**, and **system features** they can access. - Whether they can **create, read, edit, delete** records in general. - Think of it like: "*Factory Worker”* — they can enter the building, go to their station, and do their assigned job. **All users must have a profile.** --- ### **Permission = Keys** - **Permissions** are like **extra keys** or access cards. - They give **more specific or additional capabilities** beyond the profile. - You manage these using **Permission Sets** or **Permission Set Groups**. - Think of it like: *“Only the Supervisor has the key to the back storage room, even though they share the same profile as others.”* **Used to fine-tune access without changing the whole profile.** --- ### **Role = Visibility in the Org** - A **Role** defines **who can see what** — i.e., **record-level access**. - Roles are part of a **hierarchy**: - Users **higher up** the hierarchy can **see the data of users below** them. - Think of it like: *“A Manager can see their own work and the work of all Factory Workers they manage.”* **Not about what you can do — but what you can **see**.** --- ## Follow StoreConnect - [Email Newsletter](https://getstoreconnect.com/c/lp-newsletter) - [LinkedIn Newsletter](https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7444956928444862464) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngKdP2x8l1wcbAKW3tvU8g) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/storeconnect) - [X / Twitter](https://x.com/storeconnecthq) ## Popular Links - [Partners](https://getstoreconnect.com/partners) - [News](https://getstoreconnect.com/articles/news) - [Events](https://getstoreconnect.com/articles/events) - [Feature Comparison](https://getstoreconnect.com/how-we-compare) - [Download a free trial](https://appexchange.salesforce.com/appxListingDetail?listingId=a0N3A00000FMkeKUAT) - [Book a Demo](https://getstoreconnect.com/contact) ## Documentation - [Help documentation](https://support.storeconnect.com/help-documentation) - [AI agents](https://support.storeconnect.com/ai) - [Videos & tutorials](https://support.storeconnect.com/videos-tutorials) - [Developer reference](https://support.storeconnect.com/developer-reference) - [Release notes](https://support.storeconnect.com/release-notes) - [Troubleshooting](https://support.storeconnect.com/troubleshooting) - [Trust Center](https://trust.getstoreconnect.com/) - [Status Page](https://status.storeconnect.com/) ## Contact - info@getstoreconnect.com - US +1 415 745 3230 - AUS +61 2 8365 2308 100 S Ashley Dr, Suite 600-2461 Tampa FL 33602-600 USA Level 22, Sydney Place 180 George Street Sydney, NSW, 2000, AUS --- StoreConnect Support — https://support.storeconnect.com/articles/profiles-vs-permissions-vs-roles