Webhook vs API Polling
Choose webhooks when you want push-based updates and polling when you need simple periodic checks.
Last updated: 2026-06-24
Webhooks push events to you when something happens. Polling asks the API repeatedly whether something has changed. The best choice depends on latency, scale, and failure handling.
Webhooks are better when
- You need near real-time updates
- The provider already supports signed callbacks
- You want lower idle request volume
Polling is better when
- The provider has no webhook support
- Your workflow tolerates delay
- You need very simple integration logic
Example poll loop
curl "https://api.example.com/jobs/job_123"
Common mistakes
- Using aggressive polling where webhooks exist
- Using webhooks without retry or idempotency logic
- Forgetting observability for either approach
FAQ
Can I mix both?
Yes. Many systems use webhooks for freshness and polling as a fallback.
Where do AI agents fit?
Agents often need callbacks for long-running jobs, not constant polling.