Webhooks vs Polling - Which Architecture Fits Your Use Case?

Your system makes 86,400 unnecessary API calls per day. Here's how to fix it.

What:

• Polling: Client repeatedly requests server for updates at fixed intervals
• Webhooks: Server pushes data to client when events occur via HTTP callbacks

Why: Polling creates unnecessary load, increases latency, and wastes resources. Webhooks provide real-time updates with zero polling overhead, reducing API calls by up to 99%.

How:
Polling implementation:

// Client checks every 10 seconds
const pollStatus = setInterval(async () => {
  const response = await fetch('/api/order/status/123');
  const data = await response.json();
  if (data.status === 'completed') {
    clearInterval(pollStatus);
    handleCompletion(data);
  }
}, 10000);

Webhook implementation:

// Server notifies client when event occurs
app.post('/webhook/order-completed', (req, res) => {
  const { orderId, status, metadata } = req.body;
  
  // Verify webhook signature (critical for security)
  if (!verifySignature(req.headers['x-signature'], req.body)) {
    return res.sendStatus(401);
  }
  
  processOrder(orderId, status);
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

Decision matrix:

• Use webhooks: Real-time requirements, high-frequency updates, control both systems
• Use polling: No webhook support, simpler infrastructure, infrequent updates
• Hybrid approach: Polling as fallback for webhook delivery failures