Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

JSON Web Token VS LDAP

Compare JSON Web Token VS LDAP and see what are their differences

NinjaOne
NinjaOne (Formerly NinjaRMM) provides remote monitoring and management software that combines powerful functionality with a fast, modern UI. Easily remediate IT issues, automate common tasks, and support end-users with powerful IT management tools. featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

JSON Web Token logo JSON Web Token

JSON Web Tokens are an open, industry standard RFC 7519 method for representing claims securely between two parties.

LDAP logo LDAP

LDAP is a very flexible standards-based method that can be used to store and query information about users, groups, devices and provide authentication and authorization services in a networked environment.
  • JSON Web Token Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-19
  • LDAP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-26

JSON Web Token features and specs

  • Stateless
    Since JWTs are self-contained, they do not require server-side sessions, enabling stateless authentication and reducing server memory usage.
  • Scalability
    JWTs can easily be used in distributed systems and microservices architectures due to their stateless nature, facilitating horizontal scaling.
  • Decentralized Issuance
    Multiple issuers can create and sign their own tokens, allowing for more decentralized and flexible authentication mechanisms.
  • Performance
    JWTs eliminate the need for database lookups during authenticating requests, as the token contains all the necessary information, which can lead to performance improvements.
  • Cross-domain and Mobile Compatible
    JWTs are widely supported by different platforms and can easily be used in cross-domain situations and with mobile applications.
  • Security
    JWTs can be signed and optionally encrypted, ensuring the authenticity and integrity of the data they carry.

Possible disadvantages of JSON Web Token

  • Size
    JWTs tend to be larger than session IDs, which can increase the amount of data transmitted during requests.
  • Expiration Handling
    Managing token expiration can be complex. Once a token is issued, it remains valid until it expires or is explicitly revoked.
  • No Built-in Revocation
    Unlike sessions, JWTs cannot be easily revoked server-side, making it difficult to immediately invalidate tokens without additional mechanisms.
  • Security Risks
    If a JWT is intercepted or compromised, it can be used until it expires. Thus, it should be properly secured and transmitted over HTTPS.
  • Token Overhead
    Embedding too much information in the token payload can lead to performance overhead and potential data exposure risks.
  • Complexity
    Implementing JWT correctly requires a thorough understanding of security practices and token lifecycle management, which can add complexity to the system.

LDAP features and specs

  • Centralized Authentication
    LDAP provides a centralized system for authentication and directory access, allowing users to manage access controls and user credentials efficiently across a network.
  • Scalability
    LDAP is highly scalable and can handle thousands of queries and a large number of users, making it suitable for organizations of all sizes.
  • Compatibility
    LDAP is compatible with numerous applications and platforms, ensuring broad interoperability across different systems and software.
  • Flexibility
    LDAP can be used to store a wide variety of information beyond user credentials, such as email addresses, printer configurations, and other directory data.
  • Open Protocol
    As an open protocol, LDAP is supported by various open-source and commercial implementations, providing flexibility and choice in directory services.

Possible disadvantages of LDAP

  • Complexity
    Implementing and maintaining LDAP can be complex and may require specialized knowledge and expertise, especially in large and intricate environments.
  • Security Concerns
    LDAP, when not used with secured layers like LDAPS, can transmit data in plaintext, making it vulnerable to interception and unauthorized access.
  • Performance Overheads
    While scalable, LDAP can face performance issues if not properly optimized or if the directory data becomes cluttered and unmanageable.
  • Limited Built-In Features
    LDAP itself focuses on directory services and does not come with advanced features like policy enforcement or auditing, which may need to be handled by complementary systems.
  • Client Compatibility Issues
    Differences between LDAP implementations can lead to compatibility issues with various clients and applications, requiring careful configuration and management.

Analysis of JSON Web Token

Overall verdict

  • JWT is a widely-accepted standard used for securely transmitting information between parties as a JSON object. It is a good choice for scenarios where security and scalability are primary concerns. However, it also requires careful implementation to ensure security, especially when dealing with sensitive information.

Why this product is good

  • JSON Web Token (JWT) is a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be transferred between two parties. The claims in a JWT are encoded as a JSON object that is used as the payload of a JSON Web Signature (JWS) structure or as the plaintext of a JSON Web Encryption (JWE) structure, enabling the claims to be digitally signed or integrity protected with a Message Authentication Code (MAC) and/or encrypted.

Recommended for

  • Stateless authentication
  • Distributed systems
  • Microservices architecture
  • Applications needing scalable, self-contained access tokens
  • Browser-based applications

JSON Web Token videos

+ Add

JSON Web Tokens Suck - Randall Degges (DevNet Create 2018)

More videos:

  • Review - JSON Web Tokens with Public Key Signatures
  • Review - RFC 7519 JSON Web Token (JWT), Review

LDAP videos

+ Add

What is LDAP and Active Directory ? How LDAP works and what is the structure of LDAP/AD?

More videos:

  • Review - LDAP Server Guide - How Does It Work?
  • Review - Understanding LDAP Integration with EnterpriseOne

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to JSON Web Token and LDAP)

JSON Web Token

LDAP

Identity Provider
84 84%
Identity Provider
16% 16
Identity And Access Management
73 73%
Identity And Access Management
27% 27
Development
53 53%
Development
47% 47
SSO
80 80%
SSO
20% 20

User comments

Share your experience with using JSON Web Token and LDAP. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, JSON Web Token seems to be a lot more popular than LDAP. While we know about 305 links to JSON Web Token, we've tracked only 1 mention of LDAP. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

JSON Web Token mentions (305)

  • My first lines of code
    As a Technical PM, I often found myself needing quick, private online tools for tasks like JWT decoding, and JSON formatting. While existing solutions like Jam Dev Utilities and JWT.io are great, I wanted something that processed data entirely client-side, ensuring absolute privacy (nothing is sent to external servers). - Source: dev.to / 5 days ago
  • Connecting from EKS pods to MSK: Setting up IAM, service accounts, trust relationships, and security groups
    You can paste the output in jwt.io to decode it. It should look something like this, which shows the pod is associated with the default service account in the default namespace (see default:default):. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • Access and Refresh Token Explained
    The key aspect of the separation between access and refresh tokens lies in the possibility of making access tokens easy to validate. An access token that carries a signature (such as a signed JWT) may be validated by the resource server on its own, without needing to contact the authorization server. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • OAuth 2.0 Overview: How It Works and Why It Matters
    Access Token: A string representing the authorization granted to the client. It’s used by the client to access protected resources on the resource server. Access tokens are typically short-lived for security reasons (e.g., valid for an hour). They can be in various formats, with JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) being a popular choice. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • OAuth or JWT? Everything Developers Need to Know in 2025
    ​Security Considerations • JWT o Always use HTTPS to prevent token interception o Set short expiration times o Avoid storing sensitive data in the token • OAuth o Always validate redirect URIs o Implement proper token revocation o Consider using PKCE for public clients References • The Ultimate Guide to Implementing Authentication in JavaScript Applications • OAuth 2.0 – RFC 6749 • JWT.io –... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago
View more

LDAP mentions (1)

  • Five Dex Alternatives for Kubernetes Authentication
    Among the options for auth providers is Dex, which relies on OpenID Connect to enable authentication for other applications. It’s a popular choice because it comes with connectors to allow user authentication against other third-party identity providers. Dex supports protocols such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) as well as platforms such as GitLab,... - Source: dev.to / over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing JSON Web Token and LDAP, you can also consider the following products

Auth0 - Auth0 is a program for people to get authentication and authorization services for their own business use.

OAuth2 - Application and Data, Application Utilities, and User Management and Authentication

Spring Security - The Spring portfolio has many projects, including Spring Framework, Spring IO Platform, Spring Cloud, Spring Boot, Spring Data, Spring Security...

Firebase Authentication - Application and Data, Application Utilities, and User Management and Authentication

Devise - Flexible authentication solution for Rails with Warden.

Django REST framework JWT - JSON Web Token Authentication support for Django REST Framework - jpadilla/django-rest-framework-jwt

Loading...