OpenID Connect (OIDC) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) are two prevalent authentication protocols in passwordless systems, each with distinct characteristics and use cases. SAML, developed in the early 2000s, is widely used in enterprise environments for Single Sign-On (SSO), utilizing XML documents to securely exchange authentication and authorization data. In contrast, OIDC, built on top of OAuth 2.0, is more modern, lightweight, and adaptable, making it suitable for web and mobile applications with its use of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs). While both protocols aim to streamline user access and enhance security, they differ in integration complexity, with OIDC being easier to implement in contemporary tech stacks. Despite SAML's longer security track record and its applicability in traditional environments, OIDC offers greater flexibility and scalability for future technologies. Descope provides a simplified integration process for both protocols, allowing developers to incorporate them into applications with ease, catering to diverse user bases by supporting both legacy and modern authentication needs.