APIs and webhooks are two essential technologies that enable communication between software applications, but they differ in their approach. APIs facilitate back-and-forth communication via requests, while webhooks send information or perform specific functions in response to triggers, such as time-based events or user interactions. Webhooks are simpler and more lightweight than APIs, making them suitable for situations where data flows in one direction, but APIs are more versatile and suitable for applications with constantly changing or updated data. Understanding the differences between webhooks and APIs is crucial for choosing the right technology to implement in your application, whether it's a notification or update mechanism or a more complex data-driven workflow.