What are the differences between SAML and OAuth?

What are the differences between SAML and OAuth?

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is primarily used for Single Sign-On (SSO) in enterprise applications, while OAuth is an authorization framework that allows third-party applications to access user data without sharing credentials.

Can you explain how SAML works in more detail?

Sure! SAML uses XML-based messages to exchange authentication and authorization data between an identity provider and a service provider. It involves a user logging in to the identity provider, which then sends a SAML assertion to the service provider to grant access.

What about OAuth? How does it handle authorization?

OAuth allows users to grant limited access to their resources on one site to another site without sharing their credentials. It uses tokens to manage access, which can be scoped and have expiration times.

Which one is better for mobile applications?

OAuth is generally preferred for mobile applications due to its lightweight nature and ability to handle delegated access securely.