is websocket and webhook is same ? if not then difference between them ?

Overview

WebSocket and Webhook are both used for real-time communication, but they work in completely different ways. They are NOT the same.

WebSocket

A persistent, bidirectional connection between client and server over TCP.

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Client ←──────────────────→ Server
       (Persistent 2-way channel)

Client can send any time
Server can push any time
Connection stays open until closed

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// Flutter WebSocket — persistent connection
import 'package:web_socket_channel/web_socket_channel.dart';

final channel = WebSocketChannel.connect(Uri.parse('wss://api.example.com/ws'));

// Listen for messages FROM server
channel.stream.listen((message) => print('Received: $message'));

// Send message TO server
channel.sink.add('Hello Server!');

// Close
channel.sink.close();

Webhook

An HTTP callback — the server sends an HTTP POST to your URL when something happens. It's one-directional (server → your endpoint).

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External Service ──POST──→ Your Endpoint (Your Server)
(GitHub, Stripe, etc.)     (one-time HTTP request)

No persistent connection
Server calls you when events happen

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// Webhook is handled server-side (not Flutter client)
// Example: Your backend API receives a webhook from Stripe

// Backend (Node.js / Dart server example)
app.post('/webhook/stripe', (req, res) {
  final event = stripe.webhooks.constructEvent(
    req.body, req.headers['stripe-signature'], webhookSecret
  );

  if (event.type === 'payment_intent.succeeded') {
    // Handle payment success
    fulfillOrder(event.data.object);
  }

  res.json({received: true});
});

Key Differences

Real-World Examples

Analogy

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WebSocket = Phone call
  → You dial, connection stays open, you both talk anytime

Webhook = Doorbell
  → You don't call — someone rings YOUR bell when something happens

Summary: WebSocket = persistent two-way channel (client connects, both sides send freely). Webhook = HTTP POST callback triggered by server events (no persistent connection, one-way push to your URL).