Webhook FAQs
Straight answers to the questions engineers ask most about webhooks — how they work, and how they compare to polling, WebSockets, SSE, REST APIs, and callbacks. Each answer is honest about when the alternative is the better choice.
Push vs Pull
How webhooks compare to request-driven approaches like polling and REST APIs.
Webhook vs API Polling →
Webhooks push data the moment an event happens; API polling repeatedly asks for it. Compare latency, cost, and reliability, and see when each wins.
Webhook vs Long Polling →
Long polling holds a request open until data is ready; webhooks push it to you. Compare latency, connection cost, and scalability for real-time updates.
When Is Polling Better? →
Webhooks are usually the better default, but polling wins in specific cases. Here are the scenarios where polling is the right architectural call.
Webhook vs REST API →
A REST API waits for you to ask; a webhook tells you the moment something changes. Compare push vs pull and see why real-time integrations use both.
Real-Time Connections
How webhooks compare to persistent, connection-based real-time protocols.
Webhook vs WebSocket →
Webhooks push discrete events server-to-server; WebSockets keep a live two-way connection open. Compare direction, state, and infrastructure to pick the right one.
Webhook vs SSE →
SSE streams updates one-way from server to browser over a held connection; webhooks push discrete events server-to-server. Compare and choose.
Webhook vs WebSocket vs SSE →
A decision guide for real-time server push. Compare webhooks, WebSockets, and SSE by direction, connection model, and infrastructure, with a clear rule of thumb.
Concepts
How webhooks relate to adjacent programming concepts.