Mastering Rate Limiting: Three Algorithms for Controlling Backend Traffic

Rate limiting is critical for protecting backend systems from traffic overload and resource exhaustion. This guide examines three distinct algorithms—Token Bucket for handling sudden bursts, Leaky Bucket for traffic smoothing, and Sliding Window for time-based rate control—and their architectural trade-offs. Understanding when and how to implement each approach is essential for building systems that remain stable and responsive under variable load.