GitHub App vs. GitHub OAuth: When to Use Which?

GitHub offers two primary methods for building integrations: GitHub Apps and GitHub OAuth apps, each with distinct features and use cases. GitHub Apps are recommended for most integrations due to their modern design, security, flexibility, and ability to act independently or on behalf of users, making them ideal for organization-level integrations that require fine-grained permissions and persistent access. They are particularly suited for automations like bots and business-critical integrations. In contrast, GitHub OAuth apps are better suited for individual user-centric tools, providing broad access and simpler installation due to their inheritance of the user's permissions and standard OAuth flow. However, they are limited by user dependency and fixed rate limits. When deciding between the two, the choice largely depends on the target audience, required functionality, and complexity of implementation, with GitHub Apps being favored for most modern applications, especially those involving teams or organizations.