User-level vs org-level auth in API integrations

When building API integrations in SaaS or AI products, a crucial decision is determining which credentials an API call should use, as this choice impacts permissions, audit logs, authentication complexity, and customer onboarding. The document outlines five common identity models used in API integrations: user-level tokens, org-level tokens, delegated access, project or workspace-scoped tokens, and bot or app identity. Each model has its advantages and trade-offs, with user-level tokens providing precise permissions but requiring individual authentications, while org-level tokens simplify setup but necessitate custom permission enforcement. Delegated access combines easy onboarding with per-user permission enforcement, though it requires enterprise-level support and IT consent. Bot identity is useful for automation that should not impersonate a human, and project-level authentication suits multi-tenant SaaS products. The choice of identity model depends on specific integration requirements, and platforms like Nango offer flexible support for various authentication strategies, ensuring that products can adapt to different models without restructuring their infrastructure.

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