Webhooks vs Polling: Which API Integration Pattern Is Better?

TL;DR: Polling checks for updates periodically (simple but inefficient). Webhooks push updates in real-time (efficient but complex). Use polling for infrequent checks, webhooks for real-time updates. Modern PetstoreAPI supports both patterns with reliable webhook delivery. Try Apidog today Understanding the Difference Polling: Client repeatedly asks, “Any updates?” Webhooks: Server pushes updates to the client as soon as something happens. Analogy: Polling = Checking your mailbox every hour Webhooks = Mail carrier rings your doorbell when mail arrives Polling: How It Works The client sends periodic requests to check for changes. // Poll every 30 seconds setInterval ( async () => { const response = await fetch ( ' https://petstoreapi.com/api/v1/orders/123 ' ); const order = await response . json (); if ( order . status === ' completed ' ) { console . log ( ' Order completed! ' , order ); clearInterval ( pollInterval ); } }, 30000 ); Polling patterns: Simple polling: GET /api/v1/orders/1