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SimpleSAMLphp VS JSON Web Token

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

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SimpleSAMLphp logo SimpleSAMLphp

SimpleSAMLphp is an OAuth authentication application written in native PHP.

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.
  • SimpleSAMLphp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-07
  • JSON Web Token Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-19

SimpleSAMLphp features and specs

  • Interoperability
    SimpleSAMLphp offers broad compatibility with different identity providers and service providers, making it an ideal choice for implementing SAML-based single sign-on (SSO) solutions across diverse systems.
  • Extensibility
    The platform supports custom modules and extensions, allowing developers to enhance its functionality and tailor it to specific authentication or integration requirements.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source solution, SimpleSAMLphp allows organizations to implement and customize the software without licensing costs, fostering a collaborative improvement environment through user contributions.
  • Comprehensive Documentation
    The software is well-documented, which facilitates easier implementation, configuration, and maintenance for administrators and developers.
  • Wide Adoption
    SimpleSAMLphp is widely adopted within the community, which means there is a wealth of community support and resources available for troubleshooting and best practice sharing.

Possible disadvantages of SimpleSAMLphp

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up SimpleSAMLphp can be complex, particularly for users who are new to SAML or do not possess extensive experience with PHP, potentially leading to a steep learning curve.
  • Security Management
    Administrators must be diligent about applying security updates and configuring the system correctly, as improper setup could introduce vulnerabilities in the authentication process.
  • Performance Overheads
    The software can introduce performance overheads, especially in high-traffic environments, necessitating careful consideration of system resources and optimization practices.
  • Limited Protocol Support
    While it excels at SAML, SimpleSAMLphp has limited support for other authentication protocols such as OpenID Connect or OAuth2, which might be a limitation for some use cases.
  • PHP Dependence
    Being PHP-dependent, the platform may face limitations related to PHP's scalability and performance in large-scale enterprise environments, compared to other languages.

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.

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

SimpleSAMLphp videos

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JSON Web Token videos

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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

Category Popularity

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

SimpleSAMLphp

JSON Web Token

Identity Provider
11 11%
Identity Provider
89% 89
SSO
37 37%
SSO
63% 63
Identity And Access Management
14 14%
Identity And Access Management
86% 86
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
Monitoring Tools
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, JSON Web Token seems to be a lot more popular than SimpleSAMLphp. While we know about 302 links to JSON Web Token, we've tracked only 4 mentions of SimpleSAMLphp. 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.

SimpleSAMLphp mentions (4)

  • Weekly "ask anything" thread
    Https://simplesamlphp.org and you can use azure oauth2 or saml2. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How to connect PHPBB forum to existing database
    IDP - Identity Provider - A small program that attaches to your current user database. This is what gets your software to talk with other SAML2 systems. Simplesamlphp is a good plugin. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Why I'm working on Open Source full time
    I've long been impressed by https://simplesamlphp.org/ which is led by UNINETT, a state-owned company responsible for Norway's National Research and Education Network. It's a serious competitor to Shibboleth in the SAML space. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • Are there PHP-based SSO / OAuth / SAML / CAS providers that I can easily self-host and manage graphically on cPanel shared hosting ?
    I only know SimpleSAMLphp, which is written in PHP. I personally use Keycloak because it is incredibly powerful, extensible and easy to manage. As for your services, you always have to check if they support OAuth 2 / OpenID Connect or SAML 2.0. But that should not be a problem for most of them. Source: about 4 years ago

JSON Web Token mentions (302)

  • 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 / about 23 hours 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 / 26 days ago
  • Guide to JWT API Authentication
    Jwt.io is a great playground to get used to working with JWTs. - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • Verifying Cognito access tokens - Comparing three JWT packages for Lambda authorizers
    The Lambda authorizer code decodes and verifies the token, and its business logic determines whether the request should proceed to the backend or be denied. Cognito access tokens are JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), and to simplify our coding, we might opt for an external package to handle token verification. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • Authentication and Authorization Best Practices in ASP.NET Core
    You can decode the created JWT token using JWT IO web site to see what's inside. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

Shibboleth - standards based, open source software for web single sign-on across or within organizational...

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

VIPRE - Keep your data safe with VIPRE. We offer industry leading, top-rated antivirus software and cyber security protection for personal and business use.

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

Keycloak - Open Source Identity and Access Management for modern Applications and Services.

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

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