Purpose:
Access Token: Used to authenticate and authorize a user or application to access specific resources (e.g., APIs, services, or data).
Refresh Token: Used to obtain a new access token without requiring the user to re-enter credentials.
Lifespan:
Access Token: Short-lived (typically minutes to hours).
Refresh Token: Longer-lived (can last for days or weeks).
Security:
Access Token: Contains limited information and is sent with each request. If compromised, it poses a security risk.
Refresh Token: More sensitive; should be stored securely (e.g., in an HTTP-only cookie) and transmitted only over secure channels.
Usage Flow:
Access Token: Used for actual resource requests (e.g., fetching user data).
Refresh Token: Used to obtain a new access token when the current one expires.
Storage Location:
Access Token: Stored on the client side (e.g., browser or mobile app).
Refresh Token: Stored securely on the server side (e.g., authorization server).
Revocation:
Access Token: Can be revoked by the authorization server.
Refresh Token: Can also be revoked, but less frequently.
Scopes:
Access Token: Contains specific scopes (permissions) for accessing resources.
Refresh Token: Typically has broader scopes than the access token.
Note: You can also take better understanding from this YouTube channel called Chai aur Code by Hitesh Choudhary who explained this topic with better backend hands on practice on Access Token and Refresh Token.