Question 1

What's the difference between JWT and OAuth 2.0?

Accepted Answer

JWT is a token format (how the token is structured and signed). OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework (the rules and flows for getting and using tokens). OAuth 2.0 access tokens can be JWTs, but they don’t have to be—some systems use opaque tokens that must be introspected by the authorization server.

Question 2

When should I use JWT?

Accepted Answer

Use JWT when you need stateless authentication/authorization for APIs, especially in microservices, SPAs, and mobile apps where the client calls APIs frequently. JWTs are useful when resource servers should validate tokens locally (via signature) without calling a central session store on every request. Avoid JWT for long-lived sessions that require frequent revocation unless you have a strategy like short expirations plus refresh tokens, token revocation lists, or introspection.

Question 3

How much does JWT cost?

Accepted Answer

JWT itself is free—it's a standard and libraries are typically open source. Costs come from the identity provider and infrastructure around it: managed identity services (e.g., Cognito, Entra ID, Identity Platform), API gateways, token signing key management (KMS/HSM), and operational overhead (monitoring, incident response). Pricing depends on monthly active users, authentication requests, and any premium security features.

JWT

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