Rate Limiting vs Throttling: Key Differences Every API Developer Should Know
Rate limiting and throttling are two distinct traffic-control mechanisms commonly used in API design, though developers often use the terms interchangeably. Rate limiting restricts the total number of requests a client can make within a set time window, typically rejecting excess requests with a 429 HTTP response. Throttling, by contrast, controls how fast requests are processed, often queuing or delaying excess traffic rather than outright rejecting it. Both techniques protect backend infrastructure from being overwhelmed during sudden traffic spikes that could cause high CPU usage, database overload, or service outages. Understanding when to apply each method is essential for building reliable, scalable, and abuse-resistant APIs.
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