OAuth vs REST
OAuth (Open Authorization) and REST (Representational State Transfer) both come up in technology conversations and get confused. Here's the plain-English difference, side by side, so you can use each one with confidence.
The key difference: OAuth refers to open authorization, while REST refers to representational state transfer — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
OAuth — Open Authorization
An open standard for access delegation, commonly used to grant websites limited access to user information.
REST — Representational State Transfer
An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
When to use OAuth
Reach for "OAuth" when the conversation is specifically about open authorization. An open standard for access delegation, commonly used to grant websites limited access to user information.
When to use REST
Reach for "REST" when the conversation is specifically about representational state transfer. An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
FAQs
What is the difference between OAuth and REST?
OAuth stands for Open Authorization — An open standard for access delegation, commonly used to grant websites limited access to user information. REST stands for Representational State Transfer — An architectural style for designing networked applications using stateless, client-server communication.
Are OAuth and REST the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. OAuth = Open Authorization. REST = Representational State Transfer.
When should I use OAuth vs REST?
Use OAuth when you're specifically referring to open authorization. Use REST when the topic is representational state transfer.