Pros of php-jwt

• Lightweight and focused solely on JWT functionality
• Easy to integrate into any PHP project without framework dependencies
• Supports a wide range of algorithms for token signing and verification

Cons of php-jwt

• Lacks built-in Symfony integration and authentication features
• Requires manual implementation of token handling and user authentication
• No out-of-the-box support for token refresh or blacklisting

Code Comparison

LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle (Symfony configuration):

lexik_jwt_authentication:
    secret_key: '%env(resolve:JWT_SECRET_KEY)%'
    public_key: '%env(resolve:JWT_PUBLIC_KEY)%'
    pass_phrase: '%env(JWT_PASSPHRASE)%'
    token_ttl: 3600

php-jwt (Token creation):

use Firebase\JWT\JWT;

$payload = [
    'user_id' => 123,
    'exp' => time() + 3600
];
$jwt = JWT::encode($payload, $secretKey, 'HS256');

LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle provides a comprehensive solution for JWT authentication in Symfony applications, offering features like automatic token creation, user provider integration, and event listeners. On the other hand, php-jwt is a more flexible and lightweight library that can be used in any PHP project, but requires manual implementation of authentication logic and token handling.

Pros of jwt

• Lightweight and flexible JWT library
• Language-agnostic, can be used in various PHP projects
• Supports multiple algorithms and claim validation

Cons of jwt

• Requires more manual setup for Symfony integration
• Less opinionated, may need additional configuration for specific use cases
• Lacks built-in user authentication features

Code Comparison

LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle:

lexik_jwt_authentication:
    secret_key: '%env(resolve:JWT_SECRET_KEY)%'
    public_key: '%env(resolve:JWT_PUBLIC_KEY)%'
    pass_phrase: '%env(JWT_PASSPHRASE)%'

jwt:

use Lcobucci\JWT\Configuration;
use Lcobucci\JWT\Signer\Hmac\Sha256;

$config = Configuration::forSymmetricSigner(
    new Sha256(),
    InMemory::base64Encoded('mBC5v1sOKVvbdEitdSBenu59nfNfhwkedkJVNabosTw=')
);

Summary

LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle is a Symfony-specific bundle that provides a complete JWT authentication solution out of the box. It offers easy integration with Symfony's security system and includes user authentication features.

jwt, on the other hand, is a more general-purpose JWT library that can be used in various PHP projects. It provides flexibility and supports multiple algorithms, but requires more manual setup for Symfony integration and lacks built-in user authentication features.

Choose LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle for quick Symfony integration, or jwt for a more flexible, language-agnostic approach to JWT handling in PHP projects.

Pros of jwt-auth

• Designed specifically for Laravel, offering seamless integration
• Provides a more extensive set of features out-of-the-box
• Active community and regular updates

Cons of jwt-auth

• Limited to Laravel framework, less flexible for other PHP projects
• May have a steeper learning curve for developers new to Laravel

Code Comparison

LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle:

$token = $this->get('lexik_jwt_authentication.encoder')
    ->encode(['username' => 'user']);

return new JsonResponse(['token' => $token]);

jwt-auth:

$token = JWTAuth::fromUser($user);

return response()->json(compact('token'));

Both libraries provide straightforward methods for token generation, but jwt-auth's syntax is more Laravel-centric and concise. LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle offers a more generic approach, suitable for various Symfony-based projects.

While LexikJWTAuthenticationBundle is versatile and works well with Symfony, jwt-auth excels in Laravel environments with its tailored features and integration. The choice between the two depends on the specific framework and project requirements.