When building secure applications, developers often come across two popular authentication and authorization mechanisms—OAuth and JWT. While they may seem similar, they serve different purposes and have unique use cases. In this post, we'll break down the differences in a simple, easy-to-understand way (with real-life examples) and guide you to a more in-depth comparison on The Campus Coders. 🚀
🤔 What is OAuth?
OAuth (Open Authorization) is a protocol that allows third-party applications to access user data without exposing credentials. It’s like handing over a valet key instead of your car key—you grant specific permissions without giving full control.
Example:
Imagine you want to log in to a new website using your Google account. Instead of giving your Google password to that site, OAuth allows Google to authenticate you and issue a temporary token that grants limited access.
🔐 What is JWT?
JWT (JSON Web Token) is a compact, self-contained way of securely transmitting information between parties. Think of it as a sealed envelope containing essential data—anyone can read it, but only authorized parties can verify its authenticity.
Example:
A movie ticket with your details printed on it is like a JWT. You show it at the entrance, and if it's valid, you’re allowed inside—without the theater needing to call the booking system again.
📌 Key Differences: OAuth vs JWT
| Feature | OAuth | JWT |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Authorization | Authentication + Data Transfer |
| Token Type | Access & Refresh Tokens | Self-contained Token |
| Use Case | API Access Control (e.g., Google Login) | Stateless Authentication (e.g., Single Sign-On) |
| Expiry & Refresh | Requires refresh tokens | Token expires and requires reissue |
🔗 Want a deeper dive? Read the full comparison here: OAuth vs JWT: Key Differences & Use Cases
What’s your experience with OAuth and JWT? Drop a comment below! 👇
Top comments (0)