API keys vs tokens – what’s the difference?

API keys and tokens, often used interchangeably, serve distinct purposes in computer science, particularly in authentication and authorization processes. API keys are long, static identifiers used programmatically to authorize access to APIs, typically for server-to-server communications or accessing public data, and they carry fixed permissions that can pose significant security risks if compromised. Tokens, on the other hand, are dynamically generated upon successful user authentication, offering time-limited and specific data access based on user roles, which makes them more secure due to their short lifespan and ease of revocation. Understanding the differences between these two methods is crucial for selecting the appropriate one based on user interaction and security needs in software applications.