---
title: Client Authentication Methods
description: This comprehensive collection demonstrates all major OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect client authentication methods supported by PingOne. This is an educational resource for understanding when and how to use each authentication approach.
component: pingone-api
page_id: pingone-api:workflow-library:platform-sso-and-authorization/openid-connect-oidc/client-authentication-methods
canonical_url: https://developer.pingidentity.com/pingone-api/workflow-library/platform-sso-and-authorization/openid-connect-oidc/client-authentication-methods.html
section_ids:
  authentication-methods-comparison: Authentication methods comparison
  when-to-use-each-method: When to use each method
---

# Client Authentication Methods

This comprehensive collection demonstrates all major OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect client authentication methods supported by PingOne. This is an educational resource for understanding when and how to use each authentication approach.

## Authentication methods comparison

| Method                | Security Level | Use Case                                       | Client Type  | Notes                                                                           |
| --------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CLIENT_SECRET_BASIC` | Medium         | Traditional server-side apps                   | Confidential | * Standard HTTP Basic Authentication

* Secret in `Authorization` header        |
| `CLIENT_SECRET_POST`  | Medium         | Server-side apps, legacy systems               | Confidential | - Client credentials sent in POST body

- Easier to process for some frameworks |
| `CLIENT_SECRET_JWT`   | High           | Modern server apps requiring enhanced security | Confidential | * JWT signed with client secret

* Provides non-repudiation                     |
| `PRIVATE_KEY_JWT`     | Very High      | Enterprise apps with PKI infrastructure        | Confidential | - JWT signed with private key

- Highest security, no shared secrets            |
| `NONE`                | Low            | Public clients (SPAs, mobile apps)             | Public       | * No authentication

* Must use PKCE for security                               |

## When to use each method

**CLIENT\_SECRET\_BASIC** (Most Common)

* Best for: Traditional web applications, backend services

* Pros: Industry standard, widely supported, simple to implement

* Cons: Credentials in header (base64 encoded, not encrypted)

* Example: Node.js backend, Java Spring applications

**CLIENT\_SECRET\_POST**

* Best for: Applications where header manipulation is difficult

* Pros: Easier for some frameworks, credentials in body

* Cons: Less standard than Basic auth

* Example: Legacy systems, certain API gateways

**CLIENT\_SECRET\_JWT**

* Best For: Applications requiring enhanced security and audit trails

* Pros: Non-repudiation, tamperproof, includes expiration

* Cons: More complex implementation, requires JWT library

* Example: Financial applications, healthcare systems

**PRIVATE\_KEY\_JWT**

* Best for: Enterprise applications with PKI infrastructure

* Pros: Highest security, no shared secrets, certificate-based

* Cons: Complex setup, certificate management overhead

* Example: Banking applications, government systems

**NONE** (Public Clients)

* Best for: Single page applications (SPAs), mobile apps, native apps

* Pros: No secret management needed

* Cons: Must use PKCE, limited to certain grant types

* Example: React/Angular SPAs, iOS/Android apps

[Run in Postman](https://god.gw.postman.com/run-collection/18568624-4e4e5063-6ad7-4895-805e-ada77358488c?action=collection%2Ffork\&source=rip_markdown\&collection-url=entityId%3D18568624-4e4e5063-6ad7-4895-805e-ada77358488c%26entityType%3Dcollection%26workspaceId%3D3550b170-7818-4801-b1eb-dcb7b3f64263#?env%5BPingOne%20Workflow%20Library%20Template%20%28release%3A%202025-04-17%29%5D=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)