Azure Active Directory vs OpenID Connect

Overview

OpenID Connect

Stacks234

Followers133

Votes0

Azure Active Directory

Stacks697

Followers283

Votes6

Azure Active Directory vs OpenID Connect: What are the differences?

Azure Active Directory (AAD): AAD is a cloud-based identity and access management service offered by Microsoft, providing a repository for storing and managing user identities, as well as controlling access to resources.
OpenID Connect: OpenID Connect is an authentication protocol that allows applications to verify the identity of users based on the authentication performed by their OpenID provider.
Authentication vs Identity Management: AAD focuses on providing comprehensive identity management services, including user authentication, multi-factor authentication, self-service password management, and user provisioning. On the other hand, OpenID Connect primarily provides a framework for authentication and single sign-on (SSO), relying on OpenID providers to authenticate users.
Supported Authentication Methods: AAD supports a wide range of authentication methods, including username/password, social identity providers (e.g., Facebook, Google), SAML-based providers, and multi-factor authentication. OpenID Connect primarily relies on username/password or third-party identity providers that support the OpenID protocol.
Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: AAD is deeply integrated with Microsoft products and services, such as Azure services, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, providing seamless authentication and access control capabilities. OpenID Connect is a more generic protocol that can be implemented by any identity provider and integrated with various applications and services.
Token Types: AAD issues tokens in the form of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), which are widely used in modern web applications and have built-in support for claims-based authentication and authorization. OpenID Connect also uses JWTs, but it can also issue opaque access tokens or even reference tokens.

In Summary, Azure Active Directory (AAD) focuses on comprehensive identity management services, supporting various authentication methods and seamlessly integrating with the Microsoft ecosystem, whereas OpenID Connect is a more generic authentication protocol that relies on OpenID providers and can be integrated with any application or service.

Share your Stack

Help developers discover the tools you use. Get visibility for your team's tech choices and contribute to the community's knowledge.

View Docs

CLI (Node.js)

Manual

Detailed Comparison

OpenID Connect	Azure Active Directory
It is a simple identity layer on top of the OAuth 2.0 protocol. It allows Clients to verify the identity of the End-User based on the authentication performed by an Authorization Server, as well as to obtain basic profile information about the End-User in an interoperable and REST-like manner.	It is a comprehensive identity and access management solution that gives you a robust set of capabilities to manage users and groups. You can get the reliability and scalability you need with identity services that work with your on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environment.
Statistics
Stacks 234	Stacks 697
Followers 133	Followers 283
Votes 0	Votes 6
Pros & Cons
No community feedback yet	Pros 6 Backed by Microsoft Azure Cons 3 Closed source
Integrations
JSON Web Token Spring Security OAuth2	No integrations available

What are some alternatives to OpenID Connect, Azure Active Directory?

Auth0

A set of unified APIs and tools that instantly enables Single Sign On and user management to all your applications.

Stormpath

Stormpath is an authentication and user management service that helps development teams quickly and securely build web and mobile applications and services.

bitwarden

bitwarden is the easiest and safest way to store and sync your passwords across all of your devices.

Keycloak

It is an Open Source Identity and Access Management For Modern Applications and Services. It adds authentication to applications and secure services with minimum fuss. No need to deal with storing users or authenticating users. It's all available out of the box.

LastPass

LastPass Enterprise offers your employees and admins a single, unified experience that combines the power of SAML SSO coupled with enterprise-class password vaulting. LastPass is your first line of defense in the battle to protect your digital assets from the significant risks associated with employee password re-use and phishing.

Devise

Devise is a flexible authentication solution for Rails based on Warden

Firebase Authentication

It provides backend services, easy-to-use SDKs, and ready-made UI libraries to authenticate users to your app. It supports authentication using passwords, phone numbers, popular federated identity providers like Google,

Passbolt

Passbolt is an open source password manager for teams. It allows to securely store and share credentials, and is based on OpenPGP.

Amazon Cognito

You can create unique identities for your users through a number of public login providers (Amazon, Facebook, and Google) and also support unauthenticated guests. You can save app data locally on users’ devices allowing your applications to work even when the devices are offline.

KeePass

It is an open source password manager. Passwords can be stored in highly-encrypted databases, which can be unlocked with one master password or key file.

Related Comparisons

Azure Active Directory vs OpenID Connect: What are the differences?

Azure Active Directory (AAD): AAD is a cloud-based identity and access management service offered by Microsoft, providing a repository for storing and managing user identities, as well as controlling access to resources.
OpenID Connect: OpenID Connect is an authentication protocol that allows applications to verify the identity of users based on the authentication performed by their OpenID provider.
Authentication vs Identity Management: AAD focuses on providing comprehensive identity management services, including user authentication, multi-factor authentication, self-service password management, and user provisioning. On the other hand, OpenID Connect primarily provides a framework for authentication and single sign-on (SSO), relying on OpenID providers to authenticate users.
Supported Authentication Methods: AAD supports a wide range of authentication methods, including username/password, social identity providers (e.g., Facebook, Google), SAML-based providers, and multi-factor authentication. OpenID Connect primarily relies on username/password or third-party identity providers that support the OpenID protocol.
Integration with Microsoft Ecosystem: AAD is deeply integrated with Microsoft products and services, such as Azure services, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, providing seamless authentication and access control capabilities. OpenID Connect is a more generic protocol that can be implemented by any identity provider and integrated with various applications and services.
Token Types: AAD issues tokens in the form of JSON Web Tokens (JWTs), which are widely used in modern web applications and have built-in support for claims-based authentication and authorization. OpenID Connect also uses JWTs, but it can also issue opaque access tokens or even reference tokens.

Azure Active Directory vs OpenID Connect

Overview