SCIM vs. LDAP: Key Differences + Which To Use

SCIM and LDAP are protocols used for user provisioning in Single Sign-On (SSO) implementations. While both can be used for similar purposes such as user provisioning, profile data exchange, and access management, they have different strengths and use cases. SCIM is easier to implement and more widely compatible with cloud applications, making it suitable for cloud-based SaaS apps. LDAP, on the other hand, is harder to implement but deeply integrated into enterprise customers' estates, making it better suited for on-premise user provisioning. Both protocols can be used together in rare cases where a developer needs cloud-based authentication and access to directory data not related to identity.