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Elisa Levet for Zoom

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When to use Server-to-Server OAuth app and when to use OAuth app ?

If you are asking yourself should I use a Server-to-Server OAuth app or a “standard” OAuth app? 🤔

I would suggest you to start by asking yourself the following:

Who will use use my app? People or Programs

So, if you are planning on developing an app that is going be used by people you should definitely be looking into an OAuth app.

And what I mean by this is that if you want your application to make API calls to the Zoom endpoints on behalf of 3rd party users, you will need an OAuth app that the end user will authorize to grant your application permission to access their data.

Now, if your application is going to be used by programs and if it is going to make API calls on behalf of the account and has NO user interaction, then you are looking into a Server-to-Server OAuth app

Let’s put it in simple words now:

📝 Server-to-Server OAuth:

  • If your application calls the Zoom APIs on behalf of the account without users interaction
  • Internal applications that work with own data rather than a users data
  • Use cases: Internal reporting tools, Managing internal users, Managing accounts.

👥 OAuth app:

  • Applications created for 3rd party users
  • Applications authorized and used by people
  • Use cases: Scheduling apps, Tele-health apps, Learning Management system apps.

Learn more about the different app types available in the Zoom Marketplace here: https://marketplace.zoom.us/

For more questions about this topic, join us at the Zoom Developer Forum: https://devforum.zoom.us/

Happy coding! 😀

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