Before coming to a conclusion on which one is better, an API or Webhooks, let’s discuss the pros and cons of APIs and Webhooks in detail.
What is an API?
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a software intermediary that helps to communicate between computers or applications.
APIs accept information/instruction, communicate the same to a computer or application, retrieve data, interpret it and deliver the information you seek in a readable way.
API enables sharing of information and functionality between two software services.
There are three different types of APIs:
- Private API – An interface that opens parts of an organisation’s backend data and application functionality for use within the organisation.
- Public API – These are APIs available to everyone. You can interact with the API and share data.
- Partner API – The APIs shared with your business partners.
Advantages of using an API in Chatbot
The advantages of using an API in a chatbot are endless. Listed below are some of the significant benefits:
Seamless Integration
Building a chatbot involves many processes, and APIs can play a vital role in making these processes seamless.
APIs can help you connect with data, libraries and other services to build a chatbot that suits your business.
Chatbot API allows easy integration of your chatbots with third-party applications or messaging platforms such as Facebook, Telegram etc.
Build Intelligent and complex chatbots
APIs allow you to create a chatbot that can perform complex tasks and act Intelligently.
Using APIs, you can make chatbots that can directly send messages, post messages or even upload files.
With the help of API, you may also create intelligent chatbots that can even talk to your users.
Natural Language Processing
Chatbot APIs help you combine natural language processing (NLP) to create an intelligent chatbot that can accept a request, gather information or deliver an appropriate response.
Disadvantages of using API in chatbot
While using an API key for building a chatbot, you should also be aware of its (API) disadvantages. Listed below are a few disadvantages of using API:
- API creation is time-consuming
- Sound programming knowledge is required to create API
- API integrated chatbots are more vulnerable to attacks
What is a Webhook?
Webhook, often referred to as Webhook APIs, are user-defined HTTP callbacks. Webhook usually get triggered by an event that powers one-way data sharing.
When an event occurs, the source site makes an HTTP request to the URL configured for the Webhook. You may configure events on one site to invoke behaviour on another.
Webhooks are also referred to as reverse APIs. You may use a Webhook if you wish to track an event or trigger an action based on an event.
You may use a Webhook for Sales and Marketing, Banking and Business development, programming etc.
Advantages of using a Webhook
Easy set-up
The critical advantage of Webhooks is that they are straightforward to set up. You may set a Webhook by sending a single POST request, creating a URL on the receiving end to accept the data, and responding to requests.
Webhook helps you connect specific parts of an application with an accurate data transfer system. Webhooks ensure that you choose the information from the exact location and deliver the same to a predefined destination.
Easy to integrate with applications so that customers can set up their triggering events and actions.
Efficiency
Webhooks are an efficient option you can use for sending information to other applications without any complications eliminating any chance of missing important information.
Without constantly checking for triggering events, Webhooks allow software applications to push data from triggering events into other applications as soon as it appears.
Using a Webhook in your code allows instant data transfer, increasing efficiency in your work. It ensures that all processes take a minimal amount of time.
Eliminates polling
One of the significant benefits of using Webhook is that it eliminates the need for polling, a task that is tiresome for both you and the consumer.
If there are too many devices to check, the time required to poll them can exceed the time available to service the I/O device.
Automation
Webhooks help in the easy automation of repeated tasks and processes.
For instance, if you wish to send an email notification to your user regarding a new payment happening in their account, Webhook will be of great help.
So basically, Webhooks provide automatic real-time communication between apps, and it’s all done quickly and almost effortlessly.
To conclude, Webhook automates real-time communication between apps quickly and effortlessly.
Disadvantages of using Webhook
- Functionality is limited
- Unreliable
API or Webhook, which one to choose?
When you try to figure out which one is better, API or Webhook, there is no actual answer for this. Both have pros and cons, and choosing one from the list solely depends on your requirements for the chatbot you are planning to build.