API Key Authentication vs OAuth 2
Developers should use API Key Authentication when building or consuming APIs that require straightforward, stateless authentication without complex user sessions, such as for machine-to-machine interactions, microservices, or public APIs with limited access tiers meets developers should learn oauth 2 when building applications that need to integrate with external services, such as allowing users to log in via google or facebook, or accessing apis from providers like github or dropbox. Here's our take.
API Key Authentication
Developers should use API Key Authentication when building or consuming APIs that require straightforward, stateless authentication without complex user sessions, such as for machine-to-machine interactions, microservices, or public APIs with limited access tiers
API Key Authentication
Nice PickDevelopers should use API Key Authentication when building or consuming APIs that require straightforward, stateless authentication without complex user sessions, such as for machine-to-machine interactions, microservices, or public APIs with limited access tiers
Pros
- +It's ideal for scenarios where scalability and simplicity are priorities, but it should be combined with HTTPS to prevent key exposure and may be supplemented with rate limiting or IP whitelisting for enhanced security
- +Related to: oauth-2, jwt-authentication
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
OAuth 2
Developers should learn OAuth 2 when building applications that need to integrate with external services, such as allowing users to log in via Google or Facebook, or accessing APIs from providers like GitHub or Dropbox
Pros
- +It is essential for implementing secure delegated access in web, mobile, and desktop apps, reducing the risk of credential exposure and simplifying user authentication across platforms
- +Related to: openid-connect, jwt
Cons
- -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case
The Verdict
Use API Key Authentication if: You want it's ideal for scenarios where scalability and simplicity are priorities, but it should be combined with https to prevent key exposure and may be supplemented with rate limiting or ip whitelisting for enhanced security and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.
Use OAuth 2 if: You prioritize it is essential for implementing secure delegated access in web, mobile, and desktop apps, reducing the risk of credential exposure and simplifying user authentication across platforms over what API Key Authentication offers.
Developers should use API Key Authentication when building or consuming APIs that require straightforward, stateless authentication without complex user sessions, such as for machine-to-machine interactions, microservices, or public APIs with limited access tiers
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev