IntermediatePhone
2 min
OAuth2 vs SAML
AuthenticationSecuritySSO
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Interview Question
Compare OAuth2 and SAML for authentication and authorization scenarios.
Key Points to Cover
- OAuth2: token-based, modern, JSON/REST, widely used for APIs
- SAML: XML-based, older, suited for enterprise SSO between orgs
- OAuth2 ≠ authentication; OpenID Connect extends OAuth2 for login
Evaluation Rubric
Explains OAuth2 concepts34% weight
Explains SAML usage33% weight
Distinguishes scenarios correctly33% weight
Hints
- 💡OIDC vs OAuth2 can be a follow-up here.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- ⚠️Confusing OAuth 2.0 as an authentication protocol rather than an authorization framework, and failing to mention OpenID Connect's role in extending it for authentication.
- ⚠️Not clearly distinguishing between SAML's XML-based, assertion-driven nature and OAuth 2.0's token-based (often JSON) approach.
- ⚠️Overlooking the primary use cases: SAML for enterprise/federated SSO vs. OAuth 2.0 for API delegation and modern app access.
- ⚠️Suggesting one protocol is inherently 'better' than the other without acknowledging their respective strengths and ideal use cases.
- ⚠️Failing to mention the 'older'/'newer' or 'legacy'/'modern' aspect that often influences technology choices, or the complexity differences in parsing/implementation.
Potential Follow-up Questions
- ❓When is SAML still preferred?
- ❓How do refresh tokens work in OAuth2?
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