Dynamic

JWT vs Session Cookies

Developers should learn JWT when building modern web applications that require secure, stateless authentication, such as single sign-on (SSO) systems, API security, and microservices architectures meets developers should use session cookies when building web applications that require state management during a user's visit, such as e-commerce sites for shopping carts, authentication systems for login sessions, or multi-step forms to retain input data. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

JWT

Developers should learn JWT when building modern web applications that require secure, stateless authentication, such as single sign-on (SSO) systems, API security, and microservices architectures

JWT

Nice Pick

Developers should learn JWT when building modern web applications that require secure, stateless authentication, such as single sign-on (SSO) systems, API security, and microservices architectures

Pros

  • +It is particularly useful for scenarios where server-side session storage is impractical, as JWTs can be verified without database lookups, reducing server load and improving scalability
  • +Related to: oauth-2.0, openid-connect

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Session Cookies

Developers should use session cookies when building web applications that require state management during a user's visit, such as e-commerce sites for shopping carts, authentication systems for login sessions, or multi-step forms to retain input data

Pros

  • +They are crucial for creating seamless user experiences by avoiding the need to re-enter information and enabling server-side applications to identify and respond to individual users across multiple HTTP requests
  • +Related to: http-cookies, authentication

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use JWT if: You want it is particularly useful for scenarios where server-side session storage is impractical, as jwts can be verified without database lookups, reducing server load and improving scalability and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Session Cookies if: You prioritize they are crucial for creating seamless user experiences by avoiding the need to re-enter information and enabling server-side applications to identify and respond to individual users across multiple http requests over what JWT offers.

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The Bottom Line
JWT wins

Developers should learn JWT when building modern web applications that require secure, stateless authentication, such as single sign-on (SSO) systems, API security, and microservices architectures

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev