Close Menu
Arunangshu Das Blog
  • SaaS Tools
    • Business Operations SaaS
    • Marketing & Sales SaaS
    • Collaboration & Productivity SaaS
    • Financial & Accounting SaaS
  • Web Hosting
    • Types of Hosting
    • Domain & DNS Management
    • Server Management Tools
    • Website Security & Backup Services
  • Cybersecurity
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Security
    • Application Security
    • Cloud Security
  • IoT
    • Smart Home & Consumer IoT
    • Industrial IoT
    • Healthcare IoT
    • Agricultural IoT
  • Software Development
    • Frontend Development
    • Backend Development
    • DevOps
    • Adaptive Software Development
    • Expert Interviews
      • Software Developer Interview Questions
      • Devops Interview Questions
    • Industry Insights
      • Case Studies
      • Trends and News
      • Future Technology
  • AI
    • Machine Learning
    • Deep Learning
    • NLP
    • LLM
    • AI Interview Questions
  • Startup

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, insights, tips, and exclusive content!

What's Hot

10 Hidden Features of Chrome DevTools Every Developer Should Know

December 18, 2024

Best Cloud Computing Platforms for Startups in 2025: Your Guide to Skyrocketing Success

February 26, 2025

Is a Machine Learning Model a Statistical Model?

March 28, 2024
X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn
Arunangshu Das Blog Thursday, July 10
  • Write For Us
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Contact Me
  • Newsletter
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn RSS
Subscribe
  • SaaS Tools
    • Business Operations SaaS
    • Marketing & Sales SaaS
    • Collaboration & Productivity SaaS
    • Financial & Accounting SaaS
  • Web Hosting
    • Types of Hosting
    • Domain & DNS Management
    • Server Management Tools
    • Website Security & Backup Services
  • Cybersecurity
    • Network Security
    • Endpoint Security
    • Application Security
    • Cloud Security
  • IoT
    • Smart Home & Consumer IoT
    • Industrial IoT
    • Healthcare IoT
    • Agricultural IoT
  • Software Development
    • Frontend Development
    • Backend Development
    • DevOps
    • Adaptive Software Development
    • Expert Interviews
      • Software Developer Interview Questions
      • Devops Interview Questions
    • Industry Insights
      • Case Studies
      • Trends and News
      • Future Technology
  • AI
    • Machine Learning
    • Deep Learning
    • NLP
    • LLM
    • AI Interview Questions
  • Startup
Arunangshu Das Blog
  • Write For Us
  • Blog
  • Gallery
  • Contact Me
  • Newsletter
Home»All Post»REST API Authentication Methods
All Post

REST API Authentication Methods

Arunangshu DasBy Arunangshu DasJuly 10, 2025Updated:July 10, 2025No Comments6 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Copy Link Email Reddit Threads WhatsApp
Follow Us
Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Instagram
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link Reddit WhatsApp Threads
REST API Authentication Methods

REST APIs probably sound familiar to anyone who has ever worked with online or mobile applications. They act as the backend messengers, enabling data transmission and reception between apps and servers. However, as with real-life discussions, not everyone should be able to hear or say everything. Here’s when authentication is useful.

In simple terms, authentication is the process by which a system determines your identity and, occasionally, your authority. There are various approaches of authenticating in the realm of REST APIs, each with unique use cases, advantages, and disadvantages.

We’ll go over the most popular REST API authentication techniques in this blog, explain how they operate, and assist you in determining which one would be best for your project.

Read More – REST API Design Principles for Developers

Is Authentication Necessary for REST APIs?

Suppose you are in charge of a coffee business. Things would get chaotic if it were possible for anyone to enter your business, go behind the counter, and brew their own coffee. If APIs are not properly safeguarded, that is precisely what might occur.

Authentication ensures that your API is only accessible by systems or individuals you trust. Additionally, it helps in monitoring user behavior, safeguarding private information, and avoiding abuse.

✍️ Write smarter, rank faster with Frase! Instantly generate SEO content that wins traffic—backed by real data. Start using Frase

Common REST API Authentication Methods

Let’s review the most popular authentication techniques in an understandable manner.

1. Authentication of API keys

How it works:

This can be similar to a secret passcode. You are given a special key when you sign up for a service. This key is included each time you send a request to the API, usually in the URL or request header.

Example:

GET /data HTTP/1.1
Host: api.example.com
Authorization: Api-Key abc123xyz

Advantages:

  • Simple to put into practice
  • Functions nicely for communication between servers

Disadvantages:

  • Your key can be used as if it were theirs if it is stolen.
  • only confirms that the key is there, not who is using it.

Ideal for: Simple apps, internal tools, or public APIs with limited security needs.

2. Basic Authentication

How it works:
Using this method, your username and password are sent in the header of each request, often encoded in Base64, which is a simple encoding and not encryption.

Example:

Authorization: Basic dXNlcm5hbWU6cGFzc3dvcmQ=

Advantages :

  • Very easy to use and understand
    • Integrated inside HTTP, so no additional libraries are required

Disadvantages

  • Not secure by itself; HTTPS is required to prevent password theft.
  • On each request, the password is sent, even if it is encoded.
  • No control over user sessions or token expiration

Ideal for: Rapid prototyping or testing settings; not advised for production use unless paired with HTTPS.

3. Bearer Token / OAuth 2.0

For modern applications, this approach is the most often used. It is more adaptable and safe than simple or API key approaches. The standard process is as follows:

  1. The user enters their username and password to log in.
  2. After confirming the login information, the server issues a token.
  3. This token is saved by the client and sent in the header of every API request.

Example:

Authorization: Bearer eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1…

This token usually expires after some time. If so, a refresh token can be used by the client to obtain a new one without requiring the user to log in again.

Advantages:

  • Safer than sending passwords
    • The ability of tokens to expire adds an additional degree of security.
  • Extensively supported on many platforms

Disadvantages

    • Implementation is a little more difficult.
  • It might be challenging to manage tokens without the right configuration.

Ideal for: Third-party integrations, mobile apps, and web apps.

4. JSON Web Tokens, or JWT

How it Works:

JWT is a kind of token that is frequently utilized in OAuth2. Within the token itself, user data is stored in a digitally signed format. Thus, the server can depend on the contents of the token without having to search for it in a database.

Example : eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9… JWT has three parts:

  • Header (defines algorithm)
  • Payload (contains user data and claims)
  • Signature (used to verify token integrity)

Advantages:

  • Quick—no database query is required
    • Self-contained (able to retain important data, such as user roles)Fantastic for stateless APIs

Disadvantages

    • A JWT can be used until it expires if it is stolen.
  • Revocation is not possible (unless you are in charge of a token blacklist).

Ideal for: Scalable applications that require stateless authentication and performance considerations.

5. Session-Based Authentication

This is the traditional method for logging in to websites. The server creates and saves a session when a user signs in (typically in memory or a database). After then, the client receives a cookie, which they include with each request.

Advantages:

  • Ideal for conventional web applications
  • Tracking and canceling sessions is simple.

Cons:

  • Not scalable for scattered or mobile systems
  • Server-side session management is necessary.

Ideal for: Conventional browser-based web apps.

Related Post – 10 Common RESTful API Mistakes to Avoid

Example from the Real World: Logging in a Weather App

Suppose you create a weather app that allows users to bookmark their preferred spots. Nobody should have access to another person’s data.

  1. Using their email address and password, a user logs in.
  2. After authenticating them, your server returns a JWT token.
  3. The token is saved by the app and is part of each request:
  4. Only that user’s data is returned when your server has verified the token.
  5. The user doesn’t have to log in each time thanks to this quick and safe flow.

🚀 Launch blazing-fast websites with Cloudways! Get powerful cloud hosting, free SSL, and 1-click installs—no tech headaches. Try Cloudways now

Conclusion

Authentication is a trust system, not merely a technical necessity. It is your responsibility to ensure that only the appropriate individuals enter your application and that they are only performing their assigned tasks.

Understanding your app’s requirements is crucial, regardless of whether you choose JWT for performance, OAuth for power and security, or API keys for simplicity.

Additionally, when handling sensitive data or user credentials, always—always—use HTTPS. Sending your authentication mechanism across an unencrypted connection is like locking your door and leaving the key under the mat, regardless of how secure it is.

Follow on Facebook Follow on X (Twitter) Follow on LinkedIn Follow on Instagram
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Email Copy Link Reddit WhatsApp Threads
Previous ArticleWhat Is the Primary Focus Area During Project Startup Phase

Related Posts

IoT Solutions for Smart Offices and Enterprise Efficiency: Transforming the Modern Workplace

February 26, 2025

How Machine Learning Improves Customer Experience in Business

February 26, 2025

Choosing the Right SaaS Solutions for Business Growth: A Comprehensive Guide

February 26, 2025
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Top Posts

Which Techniques Are Best for AI Model Customization?

February 9, 2025

Confusion Matrix

April 2, 2024

How does a Content Delivery Network (CDN) improve performance?

November 8, 2024

Building Robust APIs: Essential REST API Design Principles for Developers

June 15, 2025
Don't Miss

How to Simulate Mobile Devices with Chrome DevTools

December 25, 20246 Mins Read

Mobile web traffic has grown exponentially, and developers must ensure websites deliver seamless experiences on…

Addressing Customer Needs with Adaptive Software Development

January 21, 2025

All about storing cookies in frontend

July 17, 2024

How does JavaScript asynchronous behavior work?

November 8, 2024
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Subscribe to Updates

Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, insights, and exclusive content every week!

About Us

I am Arunangshu Das, a Software Developer passionate about creating efficient, scalable applications. With expertise in various programming languages and frameworks, I enjoy solving complex problems, optimizing performance, and contributing to innovative projects that drive technological advancement.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram LinkedIn RSS
Don't Miss

Future Technologies and Their Adaptability Across Programming Languages

July 2, 2024

Adaptive Software Development: A Guide for Project Managers

January 29, 2025

What are the differences between Docker and Kubernetes?

November 3, 2024
Most Popular

Why Deep Learning is important?

February 28, 2024

Handling File Uploads in Node.js with Multer

July 23, 2024

REST API Authentication Methods

July 10, 2025
Arunangshu Das Blog
  • About Me
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Article
  • Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Media House
© 2025 Arunangshu Das. Designed by Arunangshu Das.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Ad Blocker Enabled!
Ad Blocker Enabled!
Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please support us by disabling your Ad Blocker.