Webhook vs Websocket

 Webhook vs Websocket: What is the key difference between them?

Generally, webhook and webSocket are both communication protocol that is used for web development but both serve with different purpose. So, let me walk you through the differentiation of both, webhook vs websocket. Let’s begin!

Websockets vs Webhooks

• Webhook is a one-way process in which a (source system) software program sends payload (information) to another computer (destination system). This complete process takes place with the help of the API in the form of the HTTP request and after the process of integration of both software applications. 
• On the other hand, WebSocket is a bi-directional or two-way communication protocol that sends and receives data from server to client and vice versa. Here you are required a server, a client, and a strong and continuous internet connection only. 
• In the webhook process, you are allowed to perform any task by taking permission in the form of an API HTTP request when an event occurs. That means, when an event occurs then one server will be sent an HTTP post request to a predefined URL on another server to notify it about the event.
• But in the WebSocket, there is no need to send and verify the request, you’re allowed to share the data directly from server to client and client to server. Here, you are required to have a well-built internet connection. 
• The process of webhook is essential to verify an external request or information in the form of a notification when a specific action gets fired. For example, sending a notification to a messaging service when a new email arrives. Just the opposite, the process of WebSocket is essential to the real-time application that allows low latency and interactive communication such as ChatGPT. 
• Webhook is a request-responsive communication protocol that performs only through server-to-server manner, contrastly, WebSockets communication protocol performs through server-to-client rule. 
• It is completely dependent on the requirement of the application that, which one you need to choose. If you need to notify another system about the event asynchronously then one-way communication is sufficient.
• On the flip side, if you are required to make bidirectional or real-time communication between a client and server then move to WebSocket. This is because WebSocket does the same and will also help you minimize latency and reduce the overhead of constantly opening and closing connections. 
• Additionally, WebSockets are really difficult to maintain and manage since they consume more resources compared to a simple webhook. On the other hand, webhooks are simple and well-working for simple or one-way communication. 

Conclusion:

No doubt that webhook and WebSocket are used for different purposes but if a user is required then they can use both communication protocols at the same time. This is because, both technologies, can be used together in a system to handle different aspects of communication based on the needs of different parts of the application. 

But, don’t forget that both applications are designed to perform different tasks, as Webhook is for confirmation or secured notification instead WebSockets is for data transferring.