Difference between SOAP and REST APIs

SOAP API:-
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1)Supports data in the form of XML only
2)Requires WSDL for the integration
3)Use SOAP API in any language that supports Web services.
 

REST API :-
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1)Supports both XML and JSON format 2)Preferred for mobile and web apps since JSON being Lighter the app runs smoother and faster

You can also use Apex SOAP and REST Web services to expose data from platform or allow an external application to invoke Apex methods.

 

SOAP API	REST API
Simple Object Access Protocol	Representational State Transfer
It is based on standard XML format	It is based on URI
It works with WSDL	It works with GET, POST, PUT, DELETE
Works over with HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP, XMPP	Works over with HTTP and HTTPS