Performance Analysis of API Key vs. Basic Authentication in Intra-Network Spring Boot Microservices

Microservice architecture has become a prevalent paradigm in modern soft-ware development, emphasizing modularity, scalability, and efficient servicecommunication. Communication between microservices that is secure andof high performance is of paramount importance. This study evaluates twocommonly used authentication methods such as API key authentication andbasic authentication using bcrypt hashing within a trusted intranetwork en-vironment. The primary objective of this study is to compare their per-formance characteristics, specifically response time and throughput in orderto determine which is more suitable for high-load scenarios. Two SpringBoot microservices were developed and tested using Apache JMeter undervarying load conditions. The results indicate that API Key Authenticationoutperforms Basic Authentication, exhibiting reduced latency and increasedthroughput. However, due to the limitations of the testing setup, the findingsshould be considered approximate. This study was conducted as part of the“Basics of Scientific Research Methods” course, demonstrating foundationalresearch skills rather than offering definitive conclusions.