SAML vs OIDC vs OAuth: The 60-Second B2B Playbook

OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect (OIDC), and SAML 2.0 are three distinct protocols that serve different purposes in the realm of identity and access management, particularly in B2B SaaS environments. OAuth 2.0 is designed for authorization, allowing third-party apps to access user data without sharing passwords, while OIDC builds on OAuth 2.0 to provide authentication, offering a modern login solution for various platforms. SAML 2.0, on the other hand, is an XML-based protocol developed for enterprise Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions, primarily used in environments with established trust relationships between organizations. Despite their differences, these protocols are not competitors but rather complementary technologies that coexist in B2B products to address various client needs. The challenge for engineering teams is to integrate and manage these protocols effectively, often requiring the use of identity brokers such as SSOJet to streamline and simplify the implementation process.