> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.coherent.global/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.coherent.global/identity-and-access-management/client-credentials/benefits-of-client-credentials-versus-api-keys.md).

# Benefits of client credentials versus API keys

Use a workload identity for non-human interaction tasks. In a workload identity scenario, you consume the Spark APIs using either OAuth 2.0 Client Credentials or API keys.

* API key: A type of secret shared between a provider and consumer, used through a secure and predefined mechanism for authentication or access.
* Client credentials: A method of authentication where a system uses a client ID and secret to authenticate itself directly to an identity provider, typically for server-to-server communication.

| Feature              | Client credentials                                         | API keys                                                                                                                                          |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Purpose              | Secure, OAuth 2.0-based client authentication.             | Simplistic access to APIs, often without user context.                                                                                            |
| Security             | More secure with tokens and client secret authentication.  | Less secure; easily exposed if not handled carefully.                                                                                             |
| Ease of use          | Requires OAuth 2.0 flow and token exchange.                | Simple to implement; just include a key in API requests.                                                                                          |
| Scope                | Full access to the same features accessible to a user.     | Functionality is limited based upon [Permissions - Features permissions](/spark-apis/authorization-api-keys/permissions-features-permissions.md). |
| Granularity          | Fine-grained control over scopes and permissions.          | Limited scope and permissions control.                                                                                                            |
| Expiration           | Access tokens have short lifetimes, improving security.    | Typically static; does not expire by default.                                                                                                     |
| Use cases            | High-security applications, server-to-server interactions. | Quick integrations, server-to-server, low-security apps.                                                                                          |
| Traceability         | Easy to trace and audit based on token issuance.           | Difficult to track usage to specific clients.                                                                                                     |
| Standards compliance | Follows OAuth 2.0 standards.                               | Not standardized; varies by implementation.                                                                                                       |

### When to use OAuth 2.0 client credentials or API keys

Use [Client credentials grant (OAuth 2.0)](/identity-and-access-management/client-credentials/client-credentials-grant-oauth-2.0.md):

* Your organization requires OAuth 2.0 compliance.
* You need to consume Spark System APIs that do not support API keys.
* You require access that is fully auditable, revocable, and supports fine-grained scopes.
* You want to integrate with zero trust principles, including strong authentication and access controls.
* Example: You have a Python script that runs every `12 h`. Acquire an access token via the OAuth 2.0 client credentials grant. It uses the token to access your Spark tenant and generates a report on the tenant service consumption.

Use [Authorization - API keys](/spark-apis/authorization-api-keys.md):

* You need to integrate with your Spark service.
* Example: You created a Spark rating service to generate quotes based on input parameters. The service is published through an API management solution, which provides a URL for anonymous users. The API management software can securely forward requests to the rater service with an included API key for authorization.