REST vs. SOAP

SOAP: Simple Object Access Protocol

SOAP was created to accomplish communication between applications over all internet browsers and servers. Regardless of any operating system, technology or programming language.

It is a protocol
Based on rules
XML only
Not cacheable

REST: REpresentational State Transfer

Architectural principles
A set of guidelines
HTML, XML, plain text, and JSON
HTTP only

SOAP vs. REST

REST is faster and more flexible then SOAP for web-based scenarios. SOAP however has built-in (security) rules with specific requirements, this fit many enterprise needs better but is heavier.

That's all folks~