Webhooks vs Polling

All about API Gateways

These describe how data flows between systems.

LinkIconPush-based

The server initiates delivery.

  • Webhooks

  • Server-Sent Events (SSE)

  • Streaming APIs (when server-driven)

LinkIconPull-based

The client asks for data.

  • Polling

  • Long Polling

LinkIconBidirectional

Both sides can initiate messages.

  • WebSockets