Magento 2 API Guide: When to Use REST or SOAP
Magento 2 API is a core component of modern Magento development, enabling integrations with third-party systems, mobile apps, ERPs, and custom services. Understanding when to use REST or SOAP APIs is essential for building scalable and maintainable Magento solutions.
What Is Magento 2 API?
Magento 2 provides a powerful API layer that allows external applications and services to interact with store data securely. Through the Magento 2 API, developers can manage products, orders, customers, inventory, and many other entities without directly accessing the database.
Magento supports two primary API types:
- REST API
- SOAP API
Each serves different purposes and use cases.
Overview of Magento 2 REST API
The Magento 2 REST API is the most commonly used API type today. It follows modern web standards and uses HTTP methods such as GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.
Key Characteristics of Magento 2 REST API
- JSON-based data format
- Easy to test with tools like Postman or cURL
- Well-suited for web, mobile, and headless applications
- Supports OAuth and token-based authentication
Because of its flexibility and simplicity, the REST API is often the first choice for developers working with Magento 2 API integrations.
Overview of Magento 2 SOAP API
The Magento 2 SOAP API is based on the SOAP protocol and uses XML for data exchange. While less popular today, it still plays a role in certain enterprise environments.
Key Characteristics of Magento 2 SOAP API
- Strongly typed contracts (WSDL)
- Suitable for legacy systems
- Commonly used in enterprise ERP integrations
- More rigid but predictable structure
SOAP APIs remain relevant when working with systems that require strict schemas and formal service definitions.
Magento 2 REST vs SOAP: Key Differences
| Feature | REST API | SOAP API |
| Data Format | JSON | XML |
| Ease of Use | XML | Medium |
| Performance | Faster | Slower |
| Learning Curve | Lower | Higher |
| Best For | Modern apps, headless, PWA | Legacy & enterprise systems |
Understanding these differences helps developers make informed decisions when working with Magento 2 APIs. If you also want to explore how REST compares with GraphQL — another important API choice in modern Magento architectures — check out our comparison:
Magento 2 GraphQL vs REST API: Which One Should You Use in 2025?
When Should You Use Magento 2 REST API?
Use the Magento 2 REST API when:
- Building mobile applications
- Developing headless storefronts
- Integrating modern third-party services
- Creating microservices-based architectures
- Optimizing performance and scalability
REST is the preferred choice for most new Magento 2 API integrations in 2025 and beyond.
When Should You Use Magento 2 SOAP API?
Consider the Magento 2 SOAP API when:
- Integrating with legacy enterprise systems
- Working with platforms that only support SOAP
- Requiring strict data contracts
- Maintaining older integrations without refactoring
While SOAP is not deprecated, it is typically used only when REST is not an option.
Security Considerations for Magento 2 API
Security is a critical aspect of Magento 2 API usage. Best practices include:
- Using access tokens instead of admin credentials
- Limiting API permissions based on roles
- Enforcing HTTPS for all API requests
- Rotating API credentials regularly
Both REST and SOAP APIs support Magento’s ACL system, allowing fine-grained access control.
Magento 2 API and Future Development Trends
As Magento continues to evolve, APIs remain at the center of:
- Headless commerce
- Progressive Web Applications (PWA)
- Third-party integrations
- Cloud-based architectures
REST APIs dominate modern Magento 2 development, while SOAP continues to serve specific enterprise needs.
Choosing the Right Magento 2 API Strategy
In most scenarios, developers should default to REST APIs for new projects. SOAP APIs are best reserved for compatibility and legacy integrations. Selecting the right Magento 2 API approach ensures better performance, maintainability, and long-term scalability.
Conclusion
Magento 2 API is a powerful foundation for integrations and custom development. Understanding when to use REST or SOAP allows developers to build flexible, secure, and future-ready Magento solutions. By choosing the right API strategy, you can simplify development and support the evolving demands of modern eCommerce systems.
Thank you for reading, and we hope this guide helps you make better architectural decisions when working with Magento 2 APIs.
