HttpClient or WebClient for REST APIs in .NET: Which Should I Choose?

.NET REST API Consumption: HttpClient vs. WebClient

Performance Analysis

Benchmarking reveals varied performance results for HttpClient and WebClient. Generally, HttpClient's resource reuse and concurrent request handling lead to superior performance. However, your synchronous tests showed WebClient (with a new instance per request) performing better in certain cases.

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Operations

Given the rapid response times of your REST calls and the absence of UI blocking, synchronous calls might suffice. However, adopting asynchronous calls (via HttpClient or WebClient) is advisable for scalability. This approach mitigates thread starvation when handling numerous concurrent REST requests.

Production Environment Factors

Production deployments introduce performance variables like DNS and proxy resolution. HttpClient excels here, leveraging cached DNS entries and cookie configurations for faster request processing compared to WebClient.

HttpClient's Advantages in .NET 4.5 and Beyond

In .NET 4.5 and later, HttpClient is the recommended approach for REST API interaction. Its modern asynchronous model, robust HTTP compliance, extensibility features, and long-term support make it the superior choice. Performance is comparable to WebClient, while offering additional benefits.

Key Recommendations

1. Synchronous vs. Asynchronous: Prioritize asynchronous REST calls to prevent thread starvation, especially under concurrent request loads.

2. Production Environment Choice: Opt for HttpClient in production due to its efficient resource management and concurrent request handling capabilities.

3. Concurrency Management: HttpClient provides superior concurrency, handling multiple requests without blocking.

4. .NET Framework Upgrade: Upgrade to .NET 4.5 or later if feasible to leverage HttpClient's performance and future-proof your application.

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