If you're building your software or looking to go-to-market faster, opting for a singular authentication can simplify your development process. So the question becomes - SAML vs. OAuth, which is better?
The reality is that it depends on what applications you want to be compatible with.
However, the fact is that if you’re a CTO or developer, you’ll likely not want to overcomplicate things immediately! So here’s a run down on comparison of SAML vs OAuth protocols, so you can decide which one to implement.
What Is SAML?
Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an XML-based framework for exchanging authentication and authorization data between security domains.
This works with the usage of SAML tokens or SAML assertions that help grant users access to software without the actual credentials being received by the software.
To create a clearer picture, SAML is commonly used for single sign-on (SSO) tools in cloud-based applications. SAML authentication used in SSO helps allow users to sign on to all applications in one go.
How Does SAML Work?
- Step 1: When a user tries to access a web application, the application redirects the user to an Identity Provider (IdP). The IdP is a service that handles user authentication.
- Step 2: The user enters their credentials at the IdP. The IdP verifies these credentials.
- Step 3: Upon successful authentication, the IdP creates a SAML Assertion. Or token This document contains information about the user, including their identity and attributes.
- Step 4: The IdP sends the SAML Assertion or SAML token back to the application.
- Step 5: The software that you need access to validates the SAML Assertion or token. And if valid, the application grants the user access.
What Is OAuth?
OAuth (Open Authorization) is an authorization framework that allows third-party applications to access user resources on a resource server without sharing the user's credentials.
This type of authentication protocol is commonly used by applications to let users share access to their data stored on another service. OAuth focuses on giving controlled access to specific resources.
How does OAuth work?
- Step 1: If the user wants to grant an application access to their data on a resource server (like Google or Facebook). The application redirects the user to the authorization server on the resource server. The authorization server asks the user for permission.
- Step 2: The user reviews the requested permissions and grants access to the application.
- Step 3: The authorization server issues an access token to the application. This token acts like a key, allowing the application to access the user's data.
- Step 4: The application uses the access token to request data from the resource server on the user's behalf.
- Step 5: The resource server checks the access token. If valid, it sends the requested data to the application granting the user access to the software or tool.
SAML vs OAuth: Key Differences
1. Most Common Use Cases
- SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is widely used for Single Sign-On (SSO) in enterprise environments, allowing users to authenticate once and access multiple applications.
- OAuth, on the other hand, is designed for delegated authorization, enabling users to grant third-party apps limited access to their data without sharing credentials.
- SAML is common in workforce identity solutions, while OAuth is widely used in consumer applications and API integrations.
2. The Type of Data Exchanged
- SAML authentication primarily exchanges authentication assertions in XML format, containing identity details and access rights. In this way it does re
- OAuth authentication, however, issues access tokens—often in JSON format (JWTs)—that grant limited permissions to specific resources.
- While SAML focuses on verifying identity for authentication, OAuth is designed to control what an application can do on behalf of a user.
3. Security
While both protocols SAML and OAuth can be made secure, the fact is that OAuth authentication must usually be paired with OIDC for more detailed and secure attribute-based authentication. In terms of security, for both, these are generally what you need to keep in mind.
- SAML relies on signed and encrypted assertions to prevent tampering and replay attacks, making it well-suited for high-security environments.
- OAuth tokens, especially bearer tokens, must be carefully managed to avoid unauthorized access, often requiring scopes, expiration, and refresh tokens for added security.
- In the case of OAuth authentication, it heavily relies on HTTPS and token management best practices to prevent token leakage.
4. Technical Complexity
- SAML authentication is more complex due to its reliance on XML-based assertions, requiring detailed setups for identity providers (IdPs) and service providers (SPs).
- OAuth authentication is more lightweight, using RESTful APIs and JSON-based tokens, making it easier to integrate into modern applications.
- However, OAuth implementations, especially OAuth 2.0 with OpenID Connect for authentication, you’ll need to handle token flows and security configurations with extra attention to detail.
When to Use SAML or OAuth?
It depends on the functionality you want to enable and the level of security you need. In the case of SAML, it's best when you need to have single sign-on for web applications within your own tech-stack or across different external domains. It's a good choice when security and centralized identity management are important.
OAuth, on the other hand, is better suited for when you want to allow applications to access user data on a resource server without sharing credentials. This type of protocol is suitable for scenarios where controlled, delegated access is required, such as connecting to social media accounts or accessing APIs.
Can SAML and OAuth Work Together?
Yes, while the question is usually about SAML vs OAuth, the fact is that they both can be used together. For example, SAML can be used for initial authentication, establishing the user's identity.
Then, OAuth can be used to authorize a specific application to access the user's resources on another service. This combination allows for strong authentication and granular authorization.
Why Choose IAM Suite and UniFed for SAML and OAuth
The fact is that for flexibility in functionality you need to make use of both protocols and you can even do this in under 4 hours when using an IAM software like IAM Suite or a CIAM platform like UniFed.
- Multiple Authentication Protocols: With Infisign and UniFed, you allow authentication using all multiple types of authentication like SAML, OAuth, and OIDC that allows flexibility for users as well as companies to add it to their existing tech stack.
- Adaptive MFA: You allow the usage of multiple different types of authentication, like biometrics, OTPs (SMS + Email), push notifications, authenticator apps, QR codes and even device passkeys.
- Passwordless Authentication + SSO: Login into your full tech stack all in one go using single-sign-on functionality. Through adaptive MFA, you also allow passwordless authentication, which reduces the risk of breaches.
- Support for Non-SSO Compatible Apps: A lot of access software does not support legacy applications and selective web-based applications - using Infisign, you allow access to legacy applications and web-applications that do not support typical SSO authentication protocols.
- ABAC and RBAC: With attribute-based access control and role-based access control, you get the chance to add and remove hundreds of users to applications based on groups or attributes you decide in a matter of a few clicks.
- Auditable Usage Logging: To stay on the right side of compliance, Infisign and UniFed let users track who made which changes to access and who last accessed specific software.
- 6000 API + SDK Integrations: With over 6000+ API + SDK integrations, Infisign makes access and compatibility with multiple tools a lot more simple - making sure you need not worry about compatibility with different tech-stacks.
Bottom Line: Choosing Between SAML and OAuth for Your Company
With several ways to grant authentication existing, like API tokens, OAuth, and SAML, creating a system that supports only SAML vs OAuth can seem tempting because it requires less time and resources.
However, the reality is that it limits flexibility and the companies that choose to work with your software, that’s why we’d strongly recommend using a CIAM software like UniFed that enables all the major authentication protocols and even ones for tools that are non-SSO compatible.
With limitless directory sync and migrations, adaptive MFA that keeps access secure and you on the right side of data compliance.
Not to mention you can add protocols along with universal SSO to your tech stack in under 4 hours! Want to know more? Book a free demo call to get a better idea!
