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Federated Identity vs Custom Identity Systems

Developers should learn Federated Identity when building applications that need to integrate with external services, support enterprise SSO, or manage user identities across platforms, such as in cloud-based SaaS products or multi-tenant architectures meets developers should learn about custom identity systems when working in environments with unique compliance needs, legacy infrastructure, or specialized user management workflows that standard solutions cannot accommodate. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Federated Identity

Developers should learn Federated Identity when building applications that need to integrate with external services, support enterprise SSO, or manage user identities across platforms, such as in cloud-based SaaS products or multi-tenant architectures

Federated Identity

Nice Pick

Developers should learn Federated Identity when building applications that need to integrate with external services, support enterprise SSO, or manage user identities across platforms, such as in cloud-based SaaS products or multi-tenant architectures

Pros

  • +It enhances security by centralizing authentication, reduces password fatigue for users, and simplifies compliance with regulations like GDPR by delegating identity management to specialized providers
  • +Related to: saml, oauth

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Custom Identity Systems

Developers should learn about custom identity systems when working in environments with unique compliance needs, legacy infrastructure, or specialized user management workflows that standard solutions cannot accommodate

Pros

  • +They are particularly relevant for large enterprises, government agencies, or applications requiring granular control over identity data, such as in healthcare, finance, or custom B2B platforms
  • +Related to: authentication, authorization

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Federated Identity if: You want it enhances security by centralizing authentication, reduces password fatigue for users, and simplifies compliance with regulations like gdpr by delegating identity management to specialized providers and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Custom Identity Systems if: You prioritize they are particularly relevant for large enterprises, government agencies, or applications requiring granular control over identity data, such as in healthcare, finance, or custom b2b platforms over what Federated Identity offers.

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The Bottom Line
Federated Identity wins

Developers should learn Federated Identity when building applications that need to integrate with external services, support enterprise SSO, or manage user identities across platforms, such as in cloud-based SaaS products or multi-tenant architectures

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