Access tokens and refresh tokens are both components of OAuth 2.0, a widely used authorization framework. They play different roles in the process of obtaining and managing access to protected resources. Here's a brief overview of the differences between access tokens and refresh tokens:

1. Access Token:

   • Purpose: An access token is a short-lived token that grants access to a specific resource (e.g., user's data on a server) on behalf of a user or application.

   • Lifespan: Access tokens have a relatively short lifespan and are issued with a specific expiration time, after which they are no longer valid.

   • Usage: Clients use access tokens to authenticate themselves when making requests to access protected resources. The resource server validates the access token before responding to the client's request.

   • Security: Access tokens need to be kept secure during transmission and storage. They are sensitive pieces of information, and unauthorized access to them can lead to security issues.

2. Refresh Token:

   • Purpose: A refresh token is a long-lived token that is used to obtain a new access token when the current access token expires.

   • Lifespan: Refresh tokens have a longer lifespan compared to access tokens. They are used to obtain new access tokens without requiring the user to re-authenticate.

   • Usage: When an access token expires, the client can use a refresh token to request a new access token without involving the user in the authentication process again. This is particularly useful for maintaining a continuous user session without repeatedly asking for credentials.

   • Security: Refresh tokens are typically more sensitive than access tokens. They should be stored securely, and their transmission should be done over secure channels.