Skip to content

Commit c655fa2

Browse files
jscyojscyo
authored
Merge pull request #378 from meems1996/maria/webhook-vs-api
Blog: Webhook vs API: Key Differences and Use Cases
2 parents 4278ad2 + 7261c58 commit c655fa2

File tree

5 files changed

+365
-0
lines changed

5 files changed

+365
-0
lines changed

‎content/webhook-vs-api/index.md

+337
Original file line numberDiff line numberDiff line change
@@ -0,0 +1,337 @@
1+
---
2+
title: "Webhook vs API: Key Differences and Use Cases"
3+
description: "Explore the distinctions between webhooks and APIs, their functionalities, and determine the best scenarios for each in your integration strategy."
4+
date: "2025-02-11"
5+
cover: "webhook-vs-api.png"
6+
category: "featured"
7+
author: "Maria Shimkovska"
8+
---
9+
10+
**APIs** and **webhooks** are two common ways apps communicate with each other.
11+
12+
Before we get into what they are, how they differ, and how they're used, here's a simple way to understand them:
13+
14+
Imagine you want to grab coffee with your extremely busy friend.
15+
16+
1. An **API** is like repeatedly texting your friend to see when they're available for coffee. They may say they are unavailable but you keep checking just in case. 📱 — **You initiate the interaction.**
17+
18+
2. A **webhook** is like your friend texting you when they're actually free to grab coffee. You don't have to keep checking. They will let you know when they are free. All you have to do is give them your number (so they know what to use to call you back) 👋 — **Your friend decides when to notify you.**
19+
20+
![A GIF of a cartoon girl texting](https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExcWVyM2g1cGhwa2hxbjNjNHAyaW5idzgya3VuM3Btczk0MG0xZmpodCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/l2SpOsTrYcfjoPKsU/giphy.gif)
21+
22+
```toc
23+
tight: true
24+
toHeading: 3
25+
```
26+
27+
## What Is An API: How They Work and How To Set Them Up 🌉
28+
29+
**API** stands for **Application Programming Interface**. It is a set of rules and convention that enable applications, systems, and devices to connect and exchange data.
30+
31+
### Common API Styles and Protocols
32+
Here are a few common API approaches you have likely heard about:
33+
34+
#### REST (REpresentational State Transfer)
35+
- This is the **most popular** API **architectural style**.
36+
- Uses **HTTP methods** like GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE.
37+
- Follows a **stateless architecture**, meaning each request is independent and carries all the necessary information.
38+
39+
#### SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
40+
- A protocol designed for **exchanging structured information**.
41+
- Uses **XML** for requests and responses.
42+
- Known for its **strong security features** and reliability in enterprise systems.
43+
44+
#### GraphQL (Graph query language)
45+
- Developed by Facebook for **flexible data fetching**.
46+
- Allows clients to request only the data they need, **reducing over-fetching**.
47+
- Uses a **single endpoint** for all queries and mutations.
48+
49+
#### gRPC (Remote Procedure Call)
50+
- Developed by Google for **high-performance communication**.
51+
- Uses HTTP/2 for **faster data transmission**.
52+
- Ideal for **real-time applications and microservices**.
53+
54+
#### WebSocket
55+
- A **communication protocol** that allows data to flow back and forth between the client and server at the same time.
56+
- Commonly used for **live updates like chat apps or real-time notifications**.
57+
58+
| Standard | Best For | Data Format | Key Strengths |
59+
|----------------|----------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------|
60+
| **REST** | Simple data requests | JSON, XML | Easy to use and widely supported |
61+
| **SOAP** | Secure transactions (e.g., banking) | XML | Strong security features |
62+
| **GraphQL** | Precise data fetching | JSON | Flexible data queries |
63+
| **gRPC** | Fast communication in microservices | Protobuf | Efficient for large-scale apps |
64+
| **WebSocket** | Real-time updates | JSON, Binary | Ideal for live interactions |
65+
66+
67+
***
68+
69+
### How APIs Generally Work
70+
71+
It's important to note that APIs are a **two-way communication**. What this means is that you have two parties, one making a request and another one receiving that request, and subsequently choosing what to do with the request before sending back a response.
72+
73+
These two parties are the **API client** and the **API server**.
74+
75+
#### API Client
76+
The API client starts the exchange by sending the request to the API server. For example, a user may start a request by entering a search term, like looking up a book title to see more information about it.
77+
78+
#### API Server
79+
The API server is responsible for handling authentication, validating inputs, and getting and manipulating data.
80+
81+
```pgsql
82+
API Client API Server
83+
| |
84+
| 1. Send request |
85+
| (e.g., search term) |
86+
|------------------------->|
87+
| |
88+
| | 2. Request is processed
89+
| |
90+
| | 3. Server processes data
91+
|<-------------------------|
92+
| 4. Response is sent |
93+
| - Status code |
94+
| (e.g., 200 OK) |
95+
| - Headers |
96+
| (e.g.,Content-Type)|
97+
| - Body |
98+
| (e.g., data) |
99+
| |
100+
101+
```
102+
103+
There are two other components at play here, the **API request** and the **API response**. <br> **The API request is the request the API client makes.** <br> **The API response is what the API server sends back.**
104+
105+
#### API Request
106+
An API request usually includes:
107+
108+
- **Endpoint**: The URL that targets a specific resource (e.g., /books).
109+
- **Method**: Defines the action (e.g., GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
110+
- **Parameters**: Extra details passed to customize the request (e.g., a "topic" filter).
111+
- **Headers**: Key-value pairs that provide extra info (e.g., content type or authentication).
112+
- **Body**: Contains data for creating, updating, or deleting a resource (e.g., book content).
113+
114+
#### API Response
115+
An API response usually includes:
116+
117+
- **Status Code**: A three-digit code that shows the result (e.g., 200 OK, 201 Created, 404 Not Found).
118+
- **Headers**: Key-value pairs with extra details about the response.
119+
- **Body**: The actual data or an error message if something went wrong.
120+
121+
***
122+
123+
### APIs in the Real World
124+
125+
Let's cement this information by seeing how different apps allow you to use their APIs.
126+
127+
#### 📋 How Trello Uses APIs
128+
Trello offers an API that allows developers to interact with Trello boards, cards, and lists programmatically.
129+
- With the Trello API, you can create, update, and delete cards, boards, and lists.
130+
- Unlike webhooks (which only let your app receive data), APIs let your app both send and receive information from Trello.
131+
- This is useful for automating task creation, syncing data with other tools, or building custom Trello features.
132+
133+
An example of how you can create a new card called **New Feature Request** in a specific list, by using the Trello API:
134+
135+
```javascript
136+
fetch("https://api.trello.com/1/cards", {
137+
method: "POST",
138+
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
139+
body: JSON.stringify({
140+
name: "New Feature Request",
141+
desc: "User requested a dark mode feature.",
142+
idList: "60d5b2cd8a1234567890abcd", // The ID of the Trello list where the card should be added
143+
key: "YOUR_API_KEY",
144+
token: "YOUR_API_TOKEN"
145+
})
146+
});
147+
```
148+
149+
1. This request tells Trello, "Create a new card called 'New Feature Request' in the specified list."
150+
2. The Trello API processes the request and adds the card.
151+
3. The key and token authenticate your request, ensuring only authorized apps can make changes.
152+
153+
#### 🌐 How Slack Uses APIs
154+
Slack offers a powerful API that developers can use to build custom integrations, automate tasks, and interact with Slack data.
155+
- With the Slack API, you can send messages, retrieve channel history, manage users, and more.
156+
- Unlike webhooks (which only let your app receive data), APIs let your app both send and receive information from Slack.
157+
- This is useful for building chatbots, scheduling messages, or fetching data from Slack for reports.
158+
159+
An example of how you can send a new message on Slack by using the Slack API instead of going on the app and typing it out in their UI.
160+
161+
```javascript
162+
fetch("https://slack.com/api/chat.postMessage", {
163+
method: "POST",
164+
headers: {
165+
"Content-Type": "application/json",
166+
"Authorization": "Bearer xoxb-1234567890-0987654321-abcdef"
167+
},
168+
body: JSON.stringify({
169+
channel: "#general",
170+
text: "Hello, team! 👋",
171+
username: "BotBuddy"
172+
})
173+
});
174+
```
175+
176+
1. This request tells Slack, "Post a message saying 'Hello, team! 👋' in the #general channel."
177+
2. Slack's API processes the request and posts the message.
178+
3. The Authorization header includes your Slack token, which authenticates the request.
179+
180+
## What Is A Webhook: How They Work and How To Set Them Up 📩
181+
182+
**A webhook is an event-driven communication between apps.** This means that the webhook sends data to another app when a specific event happens.
183+
184+
For example, imagine you’re using a payment app. When a customer makes a payment, the app can automatically send a webhook to your server with details about the payment, like the amount and the customer’s name. Your server doesn’t have to keep asking the payment app for updates. It just gets notified when something important happens.
185+
186+
### How Webhooks Generally Work
187+
Creating a webhook involves setting up a system where one application automatically sends data to another when a specific event happens. Here is a simple step-by-step overview:
188+
189+
#### Choose the Event to Trigger the Webhook
190+
- Decide what event should trigger the webhook.
191+
- Example: A new user signs up, a payment is made, or an issue is created in a project management tool like GitHub.
192+
193+
#### Set Up the Webhook Endpoint (Receiver)
194+
- Create a URL (an API endpoint) in the destination system to receive the webhook request.
195+
- This is usually a REST API that listens for incoming data.
196+
- Example: A server with a destination URL like `https://yourapp.com/webhook`.
197+
198+
#### Configure the Webhook in the Source System
199+
- In the source system (where the event happens), configure the webhook by providing:
200+
- The destination URL (your webhook endpoint).
201+
- The type of event it should listen for.
202+
- Authentication details, if needed.
203+
204+
#### Send Data When the Event Occurs
205+
- When the event happens, the source systems sends an HTTP request (usually a `POST` request) to the destination URL and includes relevant data in the JSON format.
206+
- Example payload:
207+
```json
208+
{
209+
"event": "user_signed_up",
210+
"user": {
211+
"id": 123,
212+
"name": "John Smith",
213+
"email": "[email protected]"
214+
}
215+
}
216+
```
217+
218+
#### Process the Webhook in the Destination System
219+
- The destination system receives the webhook request.
220+
- It validates the request, extracts the data, and processes it (e.g., storing it in a database or triggering another action).
221+
- It usually sends back a `200 OK` response to confirm it received the webhook.
222+
223+
#### Handles Errors and Retries
224+
- If the webhook fails (e.g., the destination server is down), the source system may retry sending the request after some time.
225+
226+
```pgsql
227+
Event Source Destination Server
228+
| |
229+
| 1. Event occurs (e.g., new user signup)
230+
| |
231+
| 2. Webhook automatically ------>|
232+
| sends data |
233+
| |
234+
```
235+
236+
***
237+
238+
### Webhooks in the Real World
239+
240+
Let's cement this information by seeing how different apps allow you to use webhooks.
241+
242+
#### 📝 How Trello Uses Webhooks
243+
[**Trello**](https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/trello/guides/rest-api/webhooks/) is an app for managing tasks.
244+
Instead of constantly checking Trello for updates (like new cards, changes to boards, etc.), webhooks let Trello notify your app only when something important happens.
245+
- Normally, your app would need to repeatedly ask Trello for updates, which wastes time and resources.
246+
- Instead, Trello lets you set up a webhook &mdash; a special URL that your app provides.
247+
- When something changes (like a new card is added or a board is updated), Trello automatically sends a message to your webhook URL with the details.
248+
**This makes your app more efficient since it only gets data when there’s something new to know.**
249+
250+
```javascript
251+
$.post("https://api.trello.com/1/tokens/{APIToken}/webhooks/?key={APIKey}", {
252+
description: "My first webhook", // A short description for your webhook
253+
callbackURL: "http://www.mywebsite.com/trelloCallback", // Your webhook endpoint (where Trello will send data)
254+
idModel: "4d5ea62fd76aa1136000000c", // The ID of the Trello board, list, or card you want to track
255+
});
256+
```
257+
1. This request tells Trello, *"Watch this specific Trello board (or list/card) with ID 4d5ea62fd76aa1136000000c."*
258+
2. Trello then sends updates to the provided `callbackURL` whenever something changes.
259+
3. Your webhook endpoint (e.g., `/trelloCallback`) should be set up to handle these incoming updates.
260+
261+
#### 💬 How Slack Uses Webhooks
262+
[**Slack**](https://docs.slack.dev/messaging/sending-messages-using-incoming-webhooks) is a popular messaging platform for teams.
263+
Instead of building a full integration, webhooks let your app send messages to Slack channels directly.
264+
- Normally, sending messages to Slack would require complex API requests.
265+
- Instead, Slack provides incoming webhooks &mdash; special URLs that your app can use to send messages with a simple HTTP request.
266+
- By sending data to this URL, you can post messages, alerts, or updates in Slack channels automatically.
267+
**This makes it easy to notify Slack channels about important events, without extra complexity.**
268+
269+
```javascript
270+
fetch("https://hooks.slack.com/services/T00000000/B00000000/XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX", {
271+
method: "POST",
272+
headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
273+
body: JSON.stringify({
274+
text: "New order received! 🎉",
275+
username: "OrderBot",
276+
icon_emoji: ":package:"
277+
})
278+
});
279+
```
280+
1. This request tells Slack, *"Post a message saying 'New order received! 🎉' in the channel linked to this webhook URL."*
281+
2. Slack then displays the message in the specified channel.
282+
3. You can customize the message text, username, and even add emojis or attachments.
283+
284+
285+
## ✨ Key Differences Between APIs and Webhooks: Summarized ✨
286+
287+
An important distinction between **webhooks** and **APIs** is understanding **who initiates the communication** and **how they interact**. Let's break it down.
288+
289+
### APIs
290+
- An API is a set of rules that allows one app to request data or functionality from another app.
291+
- The **client** sends a request (for example, `GET /data`) to the server, and the server responds with the data.
292+
- **The client is in control** &mdash; it decides when to ask for the information.
293+
294+
> The client requests data, and the server responds.
295+
296+
### Webhooks
297+
- A webhook is not something you actively call like an API. It's a mechanism where the server sends data to the client as soon as something happens.
298+
- The **client** provides the server with a URL (endpoint), and the server "calls back" to the URL when the data is ready.
299+
- **The server is in control** &mdash; it decides when to send data.
300+
301+
> The server pushes data without the client asking for it.
302+
303+
304+
305+
| Aspect | API 🌉 | Webhook 📩 |
306+
|----------------------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
307+
| **Request Initiation** | The client actively requests data from the server. | The server automatically sends data when an event occurs. |
308+
| **Time** | The client decides when to make a request (on-demand). | The request happens automatically when triggered by an event. |
309+
| **Communication Model** | Request-response model (the client asks, the server responds). | Event-driven model (the server pushes data to the client). |
310+
| **Efficiency** | Can be inefficient if polling frequently to check for updates. | More efficient because updates are sent only when necessary. |
311+
| **Use Case Examples** | Fetching user details, submitting a form, processing payments. | Getting notified when a payment is completed, a new user signs up, or a file is uploaded. |
312+
| **Reliability & Error Handling** | If a request fails, the client can retry instantly. | If the destination server is down, the webhook might be lost unless retries are built in. |
313+
| **Security** | Typically secured with API keys, OAuth, or JWT authentication. | Often secured using by secret tokens or HMAC signatures to verify authenticity. |
314+
| **Analogy** | Repeatedly asking the barista if the coffee is ready, until it is | The barista letting you know when your coffee is actually ready |
315+
316+
317+
- **Webhooks**: Ideal for real-time data transfer, enabling immediate reactions to events and notifications.
318+
- **APIs**: Best for on-demand data retrieval and updates.
319+
320+
## How SuperTokens Enhances API and Webhook Security
321+
322+
- 🔒 **Session Management**: SuperTokens makes it easy to manage user sessions securely, ensuring safe communication between your app and its APIs.
323+
- 🛡️ **Token Theft Detection**: SuperTokens helps prevent unauthorized access, by offering features like rotating refresh tokens and automatic token cancellation.
324+
- 🚀 **Easy to Use**: SuperTokens is simple to set up, allowing developers to quickly add secure authentication to their apps.
325+
326+
## Conclusion
327+
APIs and webhooks are two common ways apps communicate, but they work in distinct ways:
328+
1. **APIs** are like repeatedly texting your busy friend to check if they’re available for coffee &mdash; you initiate the request.
329+
2. **Webhooks** are like your friend texting you when they’re free &mdash; they notify you when something happens.
330+
331+
**APIs** are ideal when you need to request data or perform actions on demand. <br> **Webhooks** excel when you want real-time updates without constant requests.
332+
333+
In practice, tools like Trello and Slack offer both. APIs let you create cards or send messages, while webhooks notify you of changes or new events. Choosing the right tool depends on whether you need to ask for updates or be notified automatically.
334+
335+
👉 Curious to dive deeper into building secure and efficient APIs? Check out these helpful resources:
336+
1. [**Token-Based Authentication for APIs: What It Is and How It Works**](https://supertokens.com/blog/token-based-authentication-in-api)
337+
2. [**Choosing the Right Authentication Provider and API for Secure Applications**](https://supertokens.com/blog/choosing-the-right-authentication-provider)

0 commit comments

Comments
 (0)