
## Quick Intro {#quick-intro}

When building secure and user-friendly login systems, it's important to understand the difference between **SAML and OAuth** — two widely used standards. Add **OpenID Connect** to the mix, and you have three protocols that handle identity and access in distinct ways.

Whether you're comparing **SAML 2.0 vs OAuth 2.0**, exploring **SAML and OAuth differences**, or choosing one for your project, this article will help you make an informed decision.

## What is SAML? {#what-is-saml}

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an open standard that enables Identity Providers (IdPs) to send authorization credentials to service providers (SP).

For standardized interactions between the identity provider and service providers, transactions through this protocol use Extensible Markup Language (XML). It is the link between a user’s identity authentication and their authorization to use a service.

SAML permits [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-single-sign-on-sso/). Unlike OAuth, which is often used for granting access to resources, SAML is about validating identity using signed XML assertions. This makes **SAML authentication vs OAuth** a key distinction in identity strategy.

Adopted widely in enterprises, **SAML 2.0** powers secure federated login systems and supports **Single Sign-On (SSO)** by allowing users to log in once and access multiple services.

![SAML Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/saml-flow.webp)

## What is OAuth?  {#what-is-oauth}

OAuth 2.0 is a widely used protocol for authorization. It lets users grant access to applications or APIs without sharing their passwords. This is the core of how apps like Twitter or Spotify let users sign in with Google or Facebook.

**Key Features:**

- Focused on **authorization**, not authentication
- Uses **access tokens** to delegate permissions
- Based on **JSON** over HTTP
- Designed for **web**, **mobile**, and **API-based applications**

In the **SAML vs OAuth** conversation, OAuth is more commonly used in consumer applications and open ecosystems, while SAML thrives in closed, enterprise systems.

![OAuth Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/oauth-flow.webp)

## What is OpenID Connect? {#what-is-openid-connect}

**Key Features:**

- Adds identity verification to OAuth
- Provides an **ID token** in JWT format
- Compatible with **OAuth’s authorization flow**
- Ideal for web and mobile **user login systems**

OIDC is increasingly popular because it combines the **flexibility of OAuth** with the **identity handling of SAML**, making it a preferred choice for modern applications.

## SAML vs OAuth vs OpenID Connect {#saml-vs-oauth-vs-openid} 

  | **Feature**                | **SAML**                  | **OAuth 2.0**             | **OpenID Connect (OIDC)** |
  |------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
  | Primary Purpose        | Authentication        | Authorization         | Authentication (via OAuth) |
  | Data Format            | XML                   | JSON (Access Token)   | JSON (ID Token + Access Token) |
  | Supports SSO           | Yes                   | Indirectly (when used with OIDC or custom implementation) | Yes |
  | Token Type             | SAML Assertion        | Access Token          | Access Token + ID Token |
  | Identity Information   | Yes                   | No                    | Yes                   |
  | Protocol Simplicity    | Complex (due to XML and strict schema) | Simpler than SAML | Moderate, but more modern and developer-friendly |
  | Mobile and API Support | Limited               | Excellent             | Excellent             |
  | Best for               | Enterprise SSO, federated login | Scoped access to APIs and services | Modern login systems with identity claims |
  | Configuration Complexity | High (manual setup of metadata and assertions) | Low to Medium (token exchange) | Medium (OIDC discovery simplifies setup) |

## WordPress-Specific Use Cases {#wordpress-specific-usecases}

  While these protocols are widely used across software ecosystems, they also play specific roles in the WordPress world.

 **SAML in WordPress**
- Used by enterprises for integrating **Single Sign-On** with identity providers like **Azure AD**, **Okta*, or **ADFS**
- Ideal for **internal portals**, **corporate intranets**, or membership sites with managed directories
- Requires plugins like **miniOrange SAML** or [WP SAML Auth](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-single-sign-on-sso)

 **OAuth in WordPress**
- Powers **social login** via Google, Facebook, GitHub, and more
- Common in **community-driven** or **consumer-facing** WordPress sites
- Often used for connecting WordPress to external APIs (Google Calendar, Dropbox)
- Managed using plugins like **OAuth Server by WP OAuth** or [miniOrange OAuth SSO](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso)

 **OpenID Connect in WordPress**

- Combines the ease of OAuth with **secure user identification**
- Useful for **headless WordPress** or decoupled front-end applications
- Supported by plugins like **OpenID Connect Generic Client or miniOrange OpenID Connect**

In short, if you're managing **user login and access** on WordPress, understanding the difference between **SAML and OAuth**, and how **OpenID** fits in, will help you select the right protocol for your site.

## Can You Use These Together? {#can-you-use-these-together}
Absolutely. In large ecosystems or complex WordPress deployments, it’s common to combine:

- **SAML** for enterprise login (authenticating the user)
- **OAuth** for authorizing that user to access APIs or apps
- **OpenID Connect** for combining both in web/mobile apps that need identity info

This blended approach allows you to fine-tune how users are authenticated and what they’re authorized to do — especially valuable in multi-site WordPress networks or hybrid platforms.

## Final Thoughts {#final-thoughts}

If you’re comparing SAML vs OAuth vs OpenID Connect, here’s the takeaway:

- Use **SAML** when you need robust, enterprise-level authentication and SSO.
- Use **OAuth 2.0** when you want to control access to APIs and avoid handling credentials directly.
- Use **OpenID Connect** when you need a secure, modern authentication system with identity data.

In WordPress, all three can be supported through plugins, and the choice depends on your audience, architecture, and integration needs.

[![WordPress SAML vs OAuth](/blog/assets/2025/wordpress-saml-vs-oauth.webp)](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress)

## Frequently Asked Questions {#faqs}

### 1. What is the difference between SAML and OAuth?
 SAML is for authentication — verifying who the user is. OAuth is for authorization — granting limited access to resources. They're often used in tandem.

### 2. Is OAuth more secure than SAML?
 Each protocol is secure when implemented properly. SAML has more structure, while OAuth is more flexible but depends on secure token handling and SSL/TLS.

### 3. Can I use OpenID Connect with OAuth?
 Yes. OpenID Connect is built on top of OAuth 2.0. It adds authentication capabilities to the authorization system, offering a complete identity solution.

## Further Reading {#further-reading} 

- [What is SAML?](https://www.miniorange.com/what-is-saml)
- [What is OAuth (Open Authorization)?](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-oauth-2/)
- [What is an Identity Provider (IDP)?](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-an-identity-provider-idp/)
- [Single Sign-On (SSO)?](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-single-sign-on-sso/)
- [WordPress OAuth Single sign-On](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso)
- [WordPress SAML Single Sign-On](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-single-sign-on-sso)

Confused about the difference between SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect? This guide breaks down each protocol in simple terms and shows you how to use them effectively in your site for secure logins and seamless user experiences.

What is the Difference Between SAML vs OAuth vs OpenID Connect?



### What is OAuth Single Sign-On? {#what-is-oauth-sso}

  OAuth Single Sign-On (SSO) protocol provides the application the capability for secure designated access. It allows users in an organization/application to log in using OAuth/OpenID connect providers like Microsoft Azure AD, AWS Cognito, Google apps, Facebook, etc. & share their information with enterprise applications. It makes use of a token-based authorization mechanism to grant access to users across enterprise applications. In short, users can log in into multiple applications and services using a single set of credentials, minimizing the headache to remember multiple passwords. Set up [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso) on your WordPress website via [WordPress SSO plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/miniorange-login-with-eve-online-google-facebook/). Implementing [WordPress SSO](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso) allows users to log into your websites with a single set of credentials using the WordPress supported OAuth providers.


### How does OAuth work?  {#how-does-oauth-work}

#### Entities of Open Authorization protocol

**End-User/Resource Owner:** Resource Owner is the end-user who wants to access the protected resource.

**Resource Server:** The resource which is requested by the end-user is present on the resource server. The resource server handles requests to access/update the resource and also forwards authentication requests to the Authorization Server.

**Authorization Server:** It is the authentication server that handles login requests and validates the user identity.

### Example of OAuth Authentication Workflow {#oauth-authentication-example}

![Open Authorization Real Life Example](/blog/assets/2023/real-life-example.webp)

A car owner hands the car key to the valet. To prevent theft, some cars come with a valet key which has limited access. The valet needs to access only a subset of services that are provided by the user to the valet through a valet key. Therefore, we have provided, “limited yet secure access”.

An OAuth token is like a valet key. As a user, you get to tell the consumers what they can use and what they can’t from each service provider.

### What Is an OAuth Server and How to Use WordPress as One? {#what-is-an-oauth-server}

An **OAuth Server** is responsible for verifying user identities and issuing tokens that allow secure access to applications or APIs. It acts as the gatekeeper in the OAuth 2.0 framework, ensuring only authenticated and authorized users can access protected resources.

**WordPress as an OAuth Server** makes WordPress the central identity provider for other third-party apps or services. This allows users to log into other applications using their WordPress credentials, eliminating the need for separate logins. With plugins like the miniOrange OAuth Server, you can configure your WordPress site to issue tokens and serve as the Authorization Server, enabling smooth Single Sign-On (SSO) for CRMs, LMSs, mobile apps, and more.

### OAuth Single Sign-On (SSO) Workflow {#oauth-authentication-workflow}

 1.) Access to resources is attempted by an unknown user.

 2.) An authorization request is sent to the OAuth Provider by the web application.

 3.) The user is prompted to log in and the application is authorized by an OAuth Server.

 4.) The user is taken to the login page, where he or she can log in.

 5.) The user is authenticated by an OAuth Provider, who then transmits the permission code to the web application.

 6.) With the permission code received from OAuth Server, the web application transmits its own client ID and client secret.

 7.) After that, the server verifies the request and gives an access token to the web application.

 8.) The access token is used by your web application to access resources on the server.

 9.) miniOrange allows users to access protected features by using access tokens, ID tokens, and user information.

 10.) Now, the user is authenticated and logged in. Thus, the application gives access to resources.

![OAuth Single Sign-On Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/oauth-protocol.webp)

### Why should you use OAuth? {#why-use-oauth}

 Before OAuth, the basic authentication standard was HTTP, which required the user to enter a username and password to access each application. OAuth 2.0 allows your app to access our APIs, ensuring that you have the necessary permissions to access this data.
 
 Applications that allow users to log in with third-party services via Single Sign-on typically urge them to authenticate themselves by providing options such as “Login with Facebook” or “Login with Google”.

 ![A world without Single sign onh](/blog/assets/2023/world-without-oauth.webp)

 If we imagine a world without Open Authorization (OAuth) then each user’s security will be at risk. With the help of Oauth Single Sign-On (SSO), we don’t have to worry about passwords while giving a particular level of access to any 3rd party applications for a definite period of time.

 OAuth allows apps to authenticate users by establishing their identity through third-party services, It eliminates the need for the application to maintain its own authentication system.

 OAuth Single Sign-On (SSO) uses a single set of credentials for [authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) and gives access to many apps/websites, which makes data sharing easy.

 The OAuth 2.0 specification does not specify scopes, and there is no central registration of scopes.


### Applications of OAuth  {#applications-of-oauth}

With its emphasis on the B2B market, various organizations need a core SSO platform that could easily be adapted to customers’ preferred corporate identity technologies. With OAuth SSO, corporate users don’t need a registration process, nor do they need to set up separate user names or passwords. An SSO solution can also cut costs for both organizations and their customers by reducing or eliminating expensive support calls for password resets and user account management — a win-win situation.

OAuth is a developer-friendly identity and access management (IAM) platform that makes modernization and transformation projects easier for government agencies and departments while also providing a seamless experience for citizens. Citizen Services: Provide citizens with a seamless experience across applications and login credentials, as well as the assurance that their data is always secure and many more.

&nbsp; 1)**SSO for single-page web application**

OAuth 2.0 is a protocol that lets you authorize one website (the consumer or application) to access your data from another website (the resource server or provider). For example, you want to authorize a website to access some files from your Dropbox account. The website will redirect you to Dropbox which will ask you whether it should provide access to your files. If you agree the website will be authorized to access your files from Dropbox. At the core, OAuth 2.0 is about resource access and sharing.

&nbsp; 2)**SSO into mobile application**

OAuth Single Sign-On is a method of authentication that lets a user log into numerous applications using a single set of credentials, resulting in a single federated identity for all 3rd party applications. It removes the need for users to remember and manage many sets of credentials for various applications. OAuth has developed as a significant, standard protocol for enabling this pattern of authentication and authorization in native applications. The native application receives an access token as a result of the authentication and authorization. The native application saves this token, which is then used to authenticate any subsequent API calls. The tokens for numerous native applications are controlled by a single application that functions as a token agent when using native applications’ SSO.

&nbsp; 3)**SSO into Customer Relationship Management (CRM)**

Consider a scenario where an institute or an organization uses CRM to manage accounts and WordPress to offer online programs. SSO can be used with CRM to manage the accounts and WordPress to offer online programs. We can use OAuth Single Sign-On Protocol to connect WordPress accounts to CRM accounts to validate program access & allow users to log in into their site using their CRM credentials.

&nbsp; 4)**SSO into LMS**

Different identity and access management (IAM) technologies, such as Okta, Salesforce Identity, OIM, and others, are used to build up an organization’s login portal. The portal would allow users to access the LMS and other related LMSs with a single click. SSO allows employees to log into a variety of business programs, such as an LMS, with a single set of login credentials (ID and password). To access the LMS or any other related program within the enterprise, there is no need to memorize dozens of credentials. Employees will have a more convenient and smooth process because password recollection is no longer required. As a result, employees can move between systems, including the LMS, without having to change their credentials.

### Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) {#faqs}

1) &nbsp;**What is OAuth and how does it work?**

OAuth is an open standard that lets users grant limited access to their data on one site to another site, without sharing their login credentials. Instead of giving out your password, OAuth allows apps to access certain user information using a secure token.

2) &nbsp;**What is an OAuth Server?**

An OAuth Server (also called an Authorization Server) is the system that handles login requests, verifies user identity, and issues secure tokens. These tokens are used by applications to access user data or resources without needing the user's password. It acts as the middleman between the user and the app, ensuring secure and controlled access.

3) &nbsp;**What is the difference between OAuth and OAuth Server?**

OAuth is the protocol — the set of rules that lets apps request access without asking for your password. The OAuth Server is the key player in that process — it verifies users, handles logins, and issues tokens to apps. Think of OAuth as the system, and the OAuth Server as the one that makes the system run.

4) &nbsp;**Can WordPress be used as an OAuth Server?**

Yes, you can turn your WordPress site into an OAuth Server using plugins like miniOrange OAuth Server. This allows your WordPress site to act as the main login source for other websites or apps. Users can log into those external apps using their WordPress credentials — perfect for SSO across multiple platforms.

### Additional Resources {#additional-resources}

- [What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso).
- [WordPress Single Sign-On (SSO) – OAuth & OpenID Connect](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso)
- [Why is OAuth Important?](https://www.cisecurity.org/insights/blog/why-oauth-is-so-important-an-interview-with-justin-richer)

OAuth (Open Authentication) pronounced “oh-auth” is a technological standard that allows you to share information between services without exposing your password. It’s a widely-adopted standard that’s used by developers of websites and apps, and you probably use services every day that utilize OAuth.

What is OAuth (Open Authorization) ?


The digitalization of Healthcare industries has been revolutionary in the field of technology. And in this time and age, **“moving to the cloud”** is a more viable option for doctors and hospital staff, regardless if they are working in a small clinic or a large chain hospital.

But there does exist the threat of data privacy in healthcare and data leaks of sensitive information of patients and their medical data. Data security in healthcare for individual users becomes a challenge at each step of advancement for healthcare data protection. In this blog, we will talk about,

What is SSO? [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso) for Healthcare data protection for all users, advantages of healthcare SSO, and implementing SSO for healthcare systems to learn about its working with an example. Check out our [WordPress plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/miniorange-login-with-eve-online-google-facebook/) where we have implemented SSO using the OAuth/OpenID protocol.


### What is Single Sign-On(SSO)? {#what-is-sso}

[Single Sign-On (or SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso) is an authentication and authorization process that allows a user to access multiple enterprise applications with just a single set of login credentials (such as username and password). SSO provides easy login to multiple applications at once, so you won’t have to individually log in to each application saving time and effort to remember credentials for each application. SSO provides better access control policies, improved productivity, and reduces the risk of security due to lost, weak, or forgotten passwords which also makes password management easier.


### WordPress Healthcare CRM SSO integration: {#how-does-oauth-work}

WordPress SSO for healthcare will provide easy login access for patients, their families, and the hospital staff (doctors, nurses, medical interns) into the hospital database. Any of the authorized users can log in to the hospital portal, and with a secure and stable SSO, the users won’t have to remember the passwords either. This is an example of Healthcare and cybersecurity.

If the institution has a chain of hospitals, the user just needs to remember a single set of login credentials to successfully log in and access patient data securely. This way, any doctor traveling from one hospital location to another can access a patient’s records of medical history by simply logging in to the portal of that hospital branch to get the data.

Healthcare SSO and Cybersecurity need to be implemented to set data privacy and manage identities and their access permissions across platforms so that the admin can perform actions on the PHI flow (Protected Health Information). Alongside, they have to also implement a **[Zero-Trust](https://blog.miniorange.com/zero-trust-security-model/)** Solution so that the security settings can securely connect the data with the medical staff and outside users, such as patients, their families, etc.

### Advantages of WordPress Healthcare SSO data protection: {#adv-healthcare-sso}

WordPress Healthcare CRM SSO for data protection has several advantages, such as:

- **A single set of login credentials:** With Healthcare CRM SSO, using a single set of login credentials the users can access different medical application portals (such as prescription data, medical history, medical insurance claims, doctor’s notes, and recommendations) which is secured under Healthcare SSO Data Protection. Users can also change their passwords without having to manually change them for every application portal.

- **Restrict access based on user roles:** WordPress OAuth SSO for healthcare provides doctors, interns, nurses, and patients a different login credential requirement under healthcare data protection. This way users can use healthcare SSO depending on the user roles assigned to them and accordingly interact with the application login portal. It also provides trustworthy data privacy in healthcare.

- **Additional security integrations:** SSO solutions in healthcare can be implemented for different domains and application login portals where the users can use their single login credentials to access healthcare data securely.

- **Advanced and stable security:** WordPress OAuth SSO solution in healthcare has an easy installation process, but is **unbreachable**. Healthcare SSO provides an advanced encryption method to secure passwords for all users and can be used for a very long time showing its stability. This way, users can depend on healthcare SSO to login to multiple domains and application portals.

- **Easy user provisioning:** The access to all medical data can be blocked for a staff member if they leave the hospital (or patient who has switched to another hospital, after migrating their data). So the admin of the healthcare system can edit individual user actions accordingly.

- **High Trust between users and healthcare providers:** WordPress Healthcare CRM SSO solution in healthcare is seamlessly easy. There is no exchange of passwords between users and hospital systems, hence there is complete trust that the integrity of any user data is safe and secure.

- **Better User Experience:** Since users have to just log in with existing credentials, they can avoid the process of creating a new account from scratch, and directly interact with the WordPress OAuth SSO solution in healthcare applications.

- **Cost-effective:** SSO solution in healthcare is easy to implement and the pricing available is cost-effective, as every time a user leaves or joins they won’t have to sign up and create a new account which saves time.


### Implementing WordPress Healthcare CRM SSO for Data Protection: {#implement-healthcare-sso}

Suppose we have a large chain healthcare provider, say “MyHospital”. “Dr. Maria” is a doctor working at MyHospital and “Derrick” is a past patient of MyHospital but at a different location. Dr. Maria can access Derrick’s information by using the SSO solution in healthcare to log into the patient history portal to check Derrick’s past diagnosis at the other branches of MyHospital. Accordingly, she can diagnose him correctly and write practices for him to follow, and add to his prescription.

As for Derrick, he can access the Healthcare system with SSO and check all his medical details, like diagnosis, information of the ailment, and the medicines and instructions prescribed by Dr. Maria. He can also access the insurance portal with SSO and directly check if his medical insurance plan covers his diagnosed health status, and let the hospital know about it then and there. All the new information is updated concurrently on the healthcare provider’s system.

![OAuth SSO Healthcare](/blog/assets/2023/oauth-sso-healthcare.webp)

Contact us at **[oauthsupport@xecurify.com](mailto:oauthsupport@xecurify.com)** and we’ll help you set up SSO with any required providers in no time.


### Additional Resources {#additional-resources}

- [What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso).
- [WordPress Single Sign-On (SSO) – OAuth & OpenID Connect](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso)
- [WordPress OAuth Setup Guides](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-single-sign-on-sso-with-oauth-openid-connect)
- [OAuth Single Sign-On – SSO (OAuth Client) – WordPress plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/miniorange-login-with-eve-online-google-facebook/)
- [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://faq.miniorange.com/kb/oauth-openid-connect/)
- [Know more about Healthcare Data Protection](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2021/08/26/securing-healthcares-digital-front-door/?sh=6b10c13f7238)
- [Securing Digitalization Within Healthcare](https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/securing-digitalization-within-healthcare)

What is SSO? SSO for Healthcare data protection for all users, advantages of healthcare SSO, and implementing SSO for healthcare systems to learn about its working with an example. The advancement of Healthcare data protection and healthcare integration with technology is moving at a rapid pace and will soon be scalable throughout for all users.

OAuth 2.0 Authentication

What is the Difference Between SAML vs OAuth vs OpenID Connect?

What is OAuth (Open Authorization) ?

WordPress Healthcare CRM Single Sign-On (SSO) Integration