Short Answer: No, you don’t need Salesforce to use Propel.
Propel operates as its own cloud-native, unified platform that runs on Salesforce’s trusted infrastructure. It’s deployed with what’s known as an OEM embedded license, meaning Propel includes all necessary Salesforce technology within your contract. You don’t need to be an existing Salesforce customer or buy any separate Salesforce licenses. Propel delivers all the performance, scalability, and security of Salesforce, without requiring a Salesforce setup.
What This Really Means
Propel Software is built on the Salesforce Platform, the world’s leading enterprise cloud infrastructure. But while Propel leverages Salesforce technology, it does not depend on a customer’s existing Salesforce environment.
Instead, Propel uses Salesforce through an OEM embedded model.
Because more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies already have at least one AppExchange application, per Ascendix, the Salesforce ecosystem is widely trusted—and with the OEM model, ISVs can still serve enterprises that don’t already run Salesforce.
This means all of Salesforce’s underlying capabilities—data management, security, workflow, and scalability—are integrated directly into Propel’s architecture. From a user perspective, the system is completely self-contained. You access and operate Propel as its own application, with its own login, permissions, and configuration.
Worldwide ISV numbers have grown from ~10,000 in 2008 to ~100,000 by 2018, and this number is expected to reach 1 million by 2028, according to Codec. This staggering growth demonstrates how many vendors, like Propel, see value in building on the Salesforce platform.
Your company gains the benefits of Salesforce’s enterprise-grade reliability without needing to purchase or manage Salesforce licenses separately. Every capability required to deploy, secure, and run Propel is included in your Propel contract.
Why Propel Uses the Salesforce Platform
Propel chose Salesforce for its unmatched cloud performance, trusted security, and extensibility.
By running on Salesforce’s infrastructure, Propel automatically inherits:
- Enterprise-grade security and compliance, including role-based access controls, encryption, and audit trails.
- High availability and scalability, ensuring fast performance and global uptime.
- Robust governance and trust, maintained through Salesforce’s continuous security monitoring and certifications.
This means Propel customers enjoy the same enterprise protections used by Fortune 500 organizations, without needing to manage Salesforce software themselves. Even multi-billion-dollar SaaS vendors that require the most rigorous security are built entirely on the Salesforce platform, listed here by FoundHQ.
In short, Propel runs on Salesforce, but it’s not Salesforce. It’s a completely independent system purpose-built for managing products, quality, and information across your business.
Common Questions About Propel and Salesforce
Do I need Salesforce licenses to use Propel?
No. Propel includes an OEM-embedded Salesforce license. That means all Salesforce technology is built into Propel, and you don’t need to purchase or maintain additional Salesforce subscriptions.
Do I need to log into Salesforce to access Propel?
No. Propel has its own login and user management. Users access Propel directly, so there’s no need to enter through a Salesforce instance.
Is Propel part of Salesforce CRM?
No. Propel is an independent system. It runs on Salesforce’s platform infrastructure but is not part of Salesforce CRM, Service Cloud, or any other Salesforce product.
Can I still integrate Propel with Salesforce CRM?
Yes. Because Propel is built natively on Salesforce, it can easily connect with Salesforce CRM, Service Cloud, Data Cloud, or any Salesforce Clouds you may plan to use in the future. If your organization expands into Salesforce applications later, the integration is seamless. No data duplication or migration required.
Is Propel’s data stored securely?
Yes. Propel’s data is hosted on Salesforce’s secure cloud infrastructure. All data storage, encryption, and access control policies comply with Salesforce’s enterprise security and governance standards.
Key Takeaway
Propel is a standalone platform that runs on Salesforce’s enterprise cloud, deployed through an OEM embedded license. You don’t need to buy or manage Salesforce licenses to use it. As one analysis notes, the OEM model enables ISVs to market and sell to non-Salesforce customers by embedding the Salesforce Platform license directly in their solution.
You simply log into Propel and gain immediate access to a secure, scalable, and fully managed system built on one of the most trusted cloud infrastructures in the world.
In practical terms: Propel delivers Salesforce-grade power, without Salesforce ownership.
In Simple Terms
Think of Propel like a car built on the same chassis as a high-end vehicle. You get the same performance, stability, and engineering excellence, but the car is entirely yours.
You don’t have to buy the original manufacturer’s model to experience the benefits of the platform it was built on. Propel works the same way: powered by Salesforce, owned by you.
