OAuth 1 VS. 2 | Vital Comparison Between Authentication Protocols

Be it old-school or modern, OAuth 1 and 2 each bring different functionalities to developers today. Understand more about these authentication types to ensure that your APIs can provide the necessary support consumers need!

Steven Ang Cheong Seng

Steven Ang Cheong Seng

15 May 2025

OAuth 1 VS. 2 | Vital Comparison Between Authentication Protocols

In the age of interconnected applications, securely logging into one platform to access another's features has become essential. This is where OAuth steps in, acting as a middleman that facilitates secure authorization between different services. But with two versions - OAuth 1 and OAuth 2 -  confusion can arise.

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Authentication is a vital component of API development, as it ensures that selected individuals are granted the usage of the said APIs.

If you wish to apply OAuth 1 or OAuth 2 type authentication to your API, you can use Apidog, a comprehensive API tool that permits users to select the authentication type of their choice.

If you want to learn more about Apidog, come try the platform for free by clicking this button below!
Apidog An integrated platform for API design, debugging, development, mock, and testing
REAL API Design-first Development Platform. Design. Debug. Test. Document. Mock. Build APIs Faster & Together.
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This article delves into a vital comparison between these protocols, highlighting their key differences, strengths, and ideal use cases, to help you understand which reigns supreme in the modern authentication landscape.

What is OAuth 1?

OAuth 1 (defined by the OAuth Core 1.0 specification), is a protocol made for authorization delegation. It permits a resource owner (also called a user) to grant a consumer (also called an application) limited access to their protected resources hosted on a service provider (better known as a website or platform) without revealing their private credentials to the consumer.

Main Benefits Gained from Using OAuth 1

What is OAuth 2?

OAuth 2 has the same definition as OAuth 1, where it is an authorization framework that enables a third-party application (known as a client) to obtain limited access to an HTTP service (also called as a resource server) on behalf of a resource owner (user), all without exposing the user's credentials.

Main Benefits Gained from Using OAuth 2

OAuth 2.0 has become the dominant protocol for authorization due to several key benefits it offers over its predecessor, OAuth 1.0:

Reasons Behind the Creation of OAuth 2

OAuth 2.0 was created to address the limitations and complexities of its predecessor, OAuth 1.0. Here's a breakdown of the key reasons for its development:

OAuth 2.0: What is OAuth and How Does it Work?
This article provides a primer on OAuth 2.0, explaining the roles, flows, tokens and implementation best practices that enable secure delegated access.

OAuth 2.0 aimed to streamline the authorization process while enhancing security and scalability. Here's how it addressed these issues:

Tabulated Summary of OAuth 1 VS. OAuth 2

Feature OAuth 1.0 OAuth 2.0
Authorization Flow Complex, multi-step with temporary tokens Simpler, various grant types depending on scenario
Security Relies on shared secrets (potential vulnerability) Eliminates shared secrets, uses access tokens with limited lifespan and refresh tokens
Scalability Challenging to manage numerous shared secrets More scalable with public/private key cryptography
Flexibility Limited grant types Wider range of grant types for different applications
Mobile-Friendliness Less suitable for mobile apps Well-suited for mobile apps with token-based access
Adoption Less widespread adoption Wider adoption by major service providers
Focus Secure access with complex handshake Streamlined, secure, and flexible authorization
Ideal Use Cases Legacy applications requiring complex access control Modern web and mobile applications, wider range of scenarios

Apidog - Providing Users the Freedom to Choose Authentication Type For Your API

API tools usually have limitations on what they can provide API developers. However, Apidog, an all-in-one API development tool, can provide users with the option to select OAuth 1, OAuth 2, or other authentication types - whichever the developer desires!

apidog interface
Apidog An integrated platform for API design, debugging, development, mock, and testing
REAL API Design-first Development Platform. Design. Debug. Test. Document. Mock. Build APIs Faster & Together.
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Creating an API from Scratch with Apidog

Creating APIs with Apidog has never been easier! With Apidog and your ideas, you can produce APIs in a matter of clicks!

new api apidog

Begin by pressing the New API button, as shown in the image above.

add details new api apidog

Next, you can select many of the API's characteristics. On this page, you can:

To provide some assistance in creating APIs in case this is your first time creating one, you may consider reading these articles to understand the best practices for making REST APIs (or APIs in general):

REST API URL - Best Practices and Examples
REST API URLs have an optimal and standardized structure. Most developers mutually agree to conform to the standard in order to increase predictability and familiarity to REST API URLs, allowing them to work around them more efficiently.
Tutorial: How to Pass Multiple Parameters in REST API URLs?
Two commonly seen parameter types are widely used in modern websites. Although they slightly differ based on their functions, parameters help developers identify specific resources found within a collection or system.

Setting Up API Authentication On Apidog

select api authentication type apidog

With Apidog, you can edit specific APIs' authentication methods. There are several choices for you to select from. To access this part of Apidog, you need to first:

  1. Select an API.
  2. Click the Edit heading.
  3. Scroll down to the Request section.
  4. Click the Auth header.
  5. Finally, select which Type of authentication you like.
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Conclusion

while OAuth 1.0 paved the way for secure authorization, its complexity and reliance on shared secrets limited its scalability and user experience.  OAuth 2.0 emerged as a more streamlined and secure solution, addressing these shortcomings.

With its simplified flow, a wider range of grant types, and focus on token-based access, OAuth 2.0 caters perfectly to the needs of modern web and mobile applications.  Its wider adoption by major service providers further solidifies its position as the dominant protocol for secure and convenient user authorization in today's interconnected digital world.

Together with Apidog, you can effortlessly select the proper authentication type for your API. Ensure that your API has the proper security to promote consumer trust!  

 

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