What are the differences between OAuth and SAML?

What are the differences between OAuth and SAML?

OAuth and SAML are both authentication protocols, but they serve different purposes. OAuth is primarily used for authorization, allowing third-party applications to access user data without sharing passwords. SAML, on the other hand, is used for single sign-on (SSO) and enables users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications.

Can you explain how OAuth works in more detail?

Sure! OAuth works by allowing users to grant limited access to their resources on one site to another site without sharing their credentials. It involves a series of steps where the user is redirected to an authorization server, grants permission, and then receives an access token that can be used to access the resource.

What about SAML? How does it handle authentication?

SAML uses XML-based messages to exchange authentication and authorization data between an identity provider and a service provider. When a user tries to access a service, they are redirected to the identity provider for authentication. Once authenticated, the identity provider sends a SAML assertion back to the service provider, allowing access.

Which one should I use for my application?

It depends on your needs. If you require single sign-on capabilities across multiple applications, SAML is a good choice. If you need to allow third-party applications to access user data, OAuth is more suitable.