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description: April 2025
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# OAuth, SAML, and OpenID Connect: Key Differences and Use Cases

## **Introduction**

OAuth 2.0, SAML, and OpenID Connect are protocols designed to ensure secure authentication and authorization in web and mobile applications. While **OAuth 2.0** focuses on granting secure access to resources, **SAML** facilitates Single Sign-On (SSO) in enterprise environments, and **OpenID Connect** builds on OAuth 2.0 to provide identity authentication alongside authorization.

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## **Overview of OAuth 2.0, SAML, and OpenID Connect**

1. **OAuth 2.0**:
   * **Purpose**: Enables apps to securely access user resources without exposing credentials.
   * **Focus**: Authorization, using tokens to grant limited resource access.
   * **Typical Use Case**: Social media logins, e.g., "Log in with Google" or "Log in with Facebook."
2. **SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language)**:
   * **Purpose**: Provides authentication and SSO for users accessing multiple applications.
   * **Focus**: Centralized authentication with XML-based data exchanges.
   * **Typical Use Case**: Corporate tools like Salesforce, where employees log in once to access multiple systems.
3. **OpenID Connect (OIDC)**:
   * **Purpose**: Extends OAuth 2.0 to include user authentication and identity verification.
   * **Focus**: Combines authentication with authorization using lightweight JSON Web Tokens (JWT).
   * **Typical Use Case**: Modern apps, such as a gaming platform that verifies user identity through third-party accounts.

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## **How They Work**

**OAuth 2.0:**

* **Flow**:
  1. User initiates a request (e.g., logging into Spotify using Google).
  2. App redirects to an **Authorization Server** for permission.
  3. Upon successful authentication, an **access token** is issued.
  4. The app uses the token to access resources securely.
* **Key Features**:
  * Focuses on authorization using tokens (Access/Refresh Tokens).

**SAML:**

* **Flow**:
  1. User attempts to log into a Service Provider (SP).
  2. SP redirects the user to an **Identity Provider (IdP)**.
  3. IdP authenticates the user and sends back a **SAML Assertion** (XML document).
  4. SP validates the assertion and grants access.
* **Key Features**:
  * Enables SSO across multiple enterprise tools.

**OpenID Connect (OIDC):**

* **Flow**:
  1. User logs in via an **Identity Provider** (e.g., Google).
  2. IdP authenticates the user and issues:
     * **ID Token**: Verifies the user’s identity.
     * **Access Token**: For resource authorization.
  3. App uses the tokens to authenticate the user and access resources.
* **Key Features**:
  * Lightweight and modern, built on OAuth 2.0.

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## **Comparison Summary**

| **Feature**           | **OAuth 2.0**                      | **SAML**                                | **OpenID Connect**                                             |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Purpose**           | Authorization                      | Authentication (SSO)                    | Authentication & Authorization                                 |
| **Focus**             | Resource access                    | Single login for enterprise apps        | Verify identity and access control                             |
| **Message Format**    | JSON, Tokens (JWT)                 | XML-based                               | JSON, Tokens (JWT)                                             |
| **Use Cases**         | Social media logins, API access    | Enterprise systems, corporate tools     | Modern apps requiring authentication                           |
| **Real Case Example** | Spotify integrating Facebook login | Employees accessing Salesforce via Okta | A gaming platform enabling secure logins with Xbox credentials |

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## **How to Select the Right Protocol**

1. **Choose OAuth 2.0** if:
   * Your app needs to grant **resource access** securely without exposing credentials.
   * Focus is on **authorization**, not authentication.
   * **Example**: A fitness app accessing user data from Fitbit.
2. **Choose SAML** if:
   * You are working in an **enterprise setting** that requires SSO across internal tools.
   * XML-based systems are standard.
   * **Example**: Employees logging into Salesforce and Slack through a corporate IdP like Okta.
3. **Choose OpenID Connect** if:
   * Your app requires both **authentication** and **authorization**.
   * You’re building modern apps with lightweight JSON support.
   * **Example**: A gaming platform enabling secure logins with Xbox credentials.

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