SOAP vs REST Infographic

SOAP vs REST

SOAP provides the following advantages when compared to REST:

• Language, platform, and transport independent (REST requires use of HTTP)
• Works well in distributed enterprise environments (REST assumes direct point-to-point communication)
• Standardized
• Provides significant pre-build extensibility in the form of the WS* standards
• Built-in error handling
• Automation when used with certain language products

REST is easier to use for the most part and is more flexible. It has the following advantages when compared to SOAP:

• Uses easy to understand standards like swagger and OpenAPI Specification 3.0
• Smaller learning curve
• Efficient (SOAP uses XML for all messages, REST mostly uses smaller message formats like JSON)
• Fast (no extensive processing required)
• Closer to other Web technologies in design philosophy

Check out the infographic below to see more difference between SOAP and REST APIs. If you want to get more indepth on REST and SOAP, check out the SOAP vs REST: Understanding Their Differences article. There, you can find example code as well as a short video on the differences, if that's more your speed. 

You may also find our REST 101 Ebook useful if you are still deciding which option to choose.