Comparing API Authentication Methods
APIs commonly use various authentication methods to secure access. Here's a comparison of three popular methods:
| Method | Description | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| API Key | A unique identifier passed along with API requests to authenticate the client. | curl -H "Authorization: ApiKey your_api_key" https://api.example.com/data |
| OAuth 2.0 | An authorization framework that allows third-party services to exchange web resources on behalf of a user. | curl -H "Authorization: Bearer your_access_token" https://api.example.com/data |
| JWT (JSON Web Token) | A compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be transferred between two parties. | curl -H "Authorization: Bearer your_jwt_token" https://api.example.com/data |