What is the difference between BasicHttpBinding and WSHttpBinding?

Question

ICSM Computer · Answer

The key difference between BasicHttpBinding and WSHttpBinding in WCF lies in their
features, security, and interoperability.
BasicHttpBinding
Feature
Description
Based on
SOAP 1.1
Interoperability
High — designed to work with legacy systems (e.g., ASMX web services)
Security
Basic — supports transport (HTTPS) or message-level security (optional)
Session support
No session support by default
WS-* standards
Minimal — does not support advanced WS-* features
Use case
When working with older systems or non-WCF clients
WSHttpBinding
Feature
Description
Based on
SOAP 1.2
Interoperability
Moderate — designed mainly for WCF-to-WCF communication
Security
Advanced — supports message-level security by default (encryption + signing)
Session support
Yes — supports reliable sessions and WS-ReliableMessaging
WS-* standards
Full — supports WS-Security, WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-AtomicTransaction
Use case
For secure, reliable, and transactional communication between WCF services
🔍 Summary
Feature
BasicHttpBinding
WSHttpBinding
SOAP version
1.1
1.2
Interoperability
High
Medium
Message security
Optional
On by default
Reliable messaging
Not supported
Supported
Transactions
Not supported
Supported
Session support
No
Yes
Ideal for
Legacy clients / ASMX interop
Secure WCF-to-WCF communication
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What is the difference between BasicHttpBinding and WSHttpBinding?

ICSM Computer

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1 Answers

`BasicHttpBinding`

`WSHttpBinding`

🔍 Summary

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Feature	Description
Based on	SOAP 1.1
Interoperability	High — designed to work with legacy systems (e.g., ASMX web services)
Security	Basic — supports transport (HTTPS) or message-level security (optional)
Session support	No session support by default
WS-* standards	Minimal — does not support advanced WS-* features
Use case	When working with older systems or non-WCF clients

Feature	Description
Based on	SOAP 1.2
Interoperability	Moderate — designed mainly for WCF-to-WCF communication
Security	Advanced — supports message-level security by default (encryption + signing)
Session support	Yes — supports reliable sessions and WS-ReliableMessaging
WS-* standards	Full — supports WS-Security, WS-ReliableMessaging, WS-AtomicTransaction
Use case	For secure, reliable, and transactional communication between WCF services

Feature	`BasicHttpBinding`	`WSHttpBinding`
SOAP version	1.1	1.2
Interoperability	High	Medium
Message security	Optional	On by default
Reliable messaging	Not supported	Supported
Transactions	Not supported	Supported
Session support	No	Yes
Ideal for	Legacy clients / ASMX interop	Secure WCF-to-WCF communication