OIDC vs SAML: How a two-decade-old protocol still dominates identity federation

In the realm of identity and access management, SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) and OpenID Connect (OIDC) are key protocols, each serving distinct needs. SAML has long dominated enterprise authentication due to its rich, standardized semantics that cater to complex, hierarchical identity information, which is vital for legacy applications and compliance-heavy environments. Its architecture supports a hub-and-spoke federation model, enabling seamless cross-domain identity federation, especially useful in large-scale federations like universities and government. Conversely, OIDC is modern, lightweight, and more suited for consumer-facing and API-based applications, though it lacks some of the depth and interoperability provided by SAML. While OIDC adoption is increasing for new applications, SAML remains entrenched due to the massive investment in existing systems and the network effect of its widespread enterprise use. As organizations navigate hybrid environments, platforms like WorkOS are emerging to bridge the gap between these protocols, offering a unified solution that abstracts the complexities, allowing seamless integration with both SAML and OIDC, thus future-proofing applications as the identity landscape evolves.