ServiceNow plugins

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated March 12, 2026
  • 3 minutes to read
    • Summarize
    Summarized using AI
    This content was generated using new OpenAI-powered functionality. Results are provided on an as is basis and are not guaranteed to be accurate or complete.

    Summary of ServiceNow plugins

    Plugins in ServiceNow are software components that enhance and extend the features of installed applications on the ServiceNow AI Platform. They differ from applications, which are standalone implementations of features. Plugins provide additional functionalities within your ServiceNow instance to support your business needs.

    Show full answer Show less

    Activating Plugins

    Some plugins are activated by default on your instance, while others can be manually activated depending on your requirements. Certain plugins require ServiceNow personnel to activate them for you, especially if they are linked to paid subscriptions or have dependencies on other plugins.

    • You cannot activate plugins directly in a production instance; testing must be done in non-production or personal developer instances first.
    • Plugins with dependencies will prompt you to activate the required plugins automatically.
    • If a plugin requires a subscription you haven’t purchased, the activation option will be disabled, and you must contact your ServiceNow account manager.
    • Once activated, plugins cannot be disabled or deactivated, but functionalities can be hidden or restricted using roles and access controls.

    Testing and Management

    ServiceNow encourages thorough testing of plugins in non-production environments before enabling them in production. Personal developer instances (PDIs) allow you to activate and test many plugins without needing to request activation or purchase subscriptions, though some plugins may not be available on PDIs.

    If a plugin does not appear in the Application Manager, you must request activation through ServiceNow support. Issues during plugin activation, such as table operation failures, should be reported to Customer Service and Support.

    Practical Guidance for ServiceNow Customers

    • Use the All Applications page to manage plugin activation where possible.
    • Coordinate with your ServiceNow account manager for subscription-based plugins and activation in production.
    • Leverage non-production and personal developer instances to evaluate plugin features before production deployment.
    • Understand plugin dependencies to ensure smooth activation and functionality.

    This approach helps you safely extend your ServiceNow platform capabilities while maintaining system stability and compliance with licensing requirements.

    Plugins are software components that provide features and functionalities within a ServiceNow instance.

    Differences between plugins and applications

    Plugins and applications are separate components on the ServiceNow AI Platform.

    • A plugin adds features to installed applications and extends functionality on the ServiceNow AI Platform. For additional details about plugins, see KB0716626.
    • An application is a standalone piece of code that implements a collection of features on the ServiceNow AI Platform. You can install applications from the ServiceNow Store or create your own applications.

    Activating plugins

    All plugins are provided by ServiceNow, but some plugins are activated differently.

    • A set of plugins are activated on your instance by default. You can activate additional plugins on your instance depending on your business needs. For details, see Activate a plugin.
    • Other plugins require activation by ServiceNow personnel. To request activation, follow the steps in Request a plugin.

    There are some plugins that you can't activate or upgrade on your instance and the button is greyed out. This situation can happen in the following cases:

    • The plugin requires a subscription that you haven't purchased. To purchase a subscription, contact your ServiceNow account manager.
      • Some features are not included in the ServiceNow AI Platform and require a separate subscription. To purchase a subscription or to find plugin costs, contact the account manager in your company.
      • When you purchase a subscription, certain plugins are activated automatically. If a paid plugin isn't activated automatically, you can manually activate it from the All Applications list in your instance. If the plugin doesn't appear in the instance, submit a request via the Now Support Service Catalog.
      • You can't activate a plugin in your production instance. However, you can test a plugin by activating it in a non-production instance. This includes plugins that are associated with a for-fee subscription. When you’re ready to activate the plugin in your production instance, request the plugin from Now Support.
    • The plugin depends on other plugins being activated.
      • When you activate a plugin with dependent plugins, the system notifies you of the dependencies before it completes the activation. If you opt to continue with activation, the system automatically activates all the plugins required.
      • In some cases, the plugin works, but certain features that don't apply to your system aren't installed. When you ask to activate a plugin in this category, the system notifies you of the dependencies before it completes the activation. If you opt to continue, the system activates the requested plugin but doesn't include the features that depend on other plugins.
    • The plugin is already activated on your instance.
      • To determine if a plugin is already activated, see Plugin Activation Status [KB0678767].
      • After a plugin is activated, you can't disable or deactivate it. If needed, you can hide the functionality. You should thoroughly test, in a non-production instance, the features that are installed when you activate the plugin before using them in a production instance.
    After a plugin is activated, you cannot disable or deactivate it. You should thoroughly test, in a non-production instance, the specific features and functionalities that are installed when you activate the plugin before using them in a production instance. See Uninstall a ServiceNow plugin [KB0716414].
    • If necessary, you can hide or disable the functionality by restricting access through the use of roles and ACLs.
    • Some plugins support rollback contexts. For details on using rollback contexts, see Roll back and delete recovery.

    A warning message appears if the alter table or create table operation fails when you activate or upgrade a plugin. Contact Customer Service and Support for help with processing any skipped tables.

    Personal developer instances

    You can test a plugin on your personal developer instance (PDI) before launching it in a production instance. If a plugin isn't active by default on a PDI, you can activate the plugin without requesting or purchasing it.

    To activate a plugin on a PDI, use the All Applications page on your instance. If the plugin isn't available on the All Applications page, activate it from the . For more information, see Activate a plugin on a personal developer instance.

    Note:
    Some plugins aren't available for activation on PDIs.