by EmilyEloquent vs Query Builder: Which One to Use in Laravel?
Laravel offers two powerful ways to interact with databases: Eloquent ORM and Query Builder. Both methods have their advantages, but choosing the right one depends on performance, flexibility, and code maintainability.
Eloquent is Laravel’s object-relational mapping (ORM) tool, allowing developers to work with database records using models. On the other hand, Query Builder provides a more SQL-like approach, offering flexibility for complex queries.
At FreelancerBridge, we help developers understand the strengths and weaknesses of Eloquent vs Query Builder so they can choose the best option for their Laravel projects. In this article, we will compare performance, ease of use, scalability, and best use cases to help you make an informed decision.
1. What is Eloquent ORM?
Eloquent is Laravel’s built-in ORM (Object-Relational Mapper) that provides a simplified way to interact with databases using PHP objects instead of raw SQL queries.
Advantages of Eloquent
✔ Readable & Expressive – Queries look like natural PHP code.
✔ Built-in Relationships – Easily define relationships like one-to-many, many-to-many, polymorphic.
✔ Automatic Timestamps – Handles created_at and updated_at automatically.
✔ Model-Based Querying – Works with models, making it easier to manage business logic.
Example Use Case for Eloquent
If you have a User model and need to fetch a user with their orders, you can do it with Eloquent like this:
$user = User::with('orders')->find(1);
This simple query retrieves the user and their orders without writing raw SQL.
2. What is Query Builder?
Query Builder is a more flexible way to interact with databases using Laravel’s fluent query API. It allows developers to write raw SQL-like queries while still taking advantage of Laravel’s database connection features.
Advantages of Query Builder
✔ Better Performance – Faster than Eloquent when dealing with large datasets.
✔ More Control Over Queries – Useful for complex queries.
✔ Lightweight – Doesn’t load full models, making it efficient for bulk operations.
Example Use Case for Query Builder
If you want to fetch users who have placed at least one order, Query Builder allows:
$users = DB::table('users')->join('orders', 'users.id', '=', 'orders.user_id')->select('users.*')->distinct()->get();
This is a raw SQL approach but still within Laravel’s Query Builder syntax.
3. Performance Comparison: Eloquent vs Query Builder
One of the most important factors in choosing between Eloquent and Query Builder is performance.
| Feature | Eloquent ORM | Query Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Slower for large datasets | Faster for large queries |
| Readability | Easier to understand | More SQL-like |
| Complex Queries | Handles simple queries well | Better for advanced SQL operations |
| Relationships | Built-in support | Requires manual joins |
🔹 When to use Eloquent?
- When working with small to medium-sized databases.
- When relationships are a key part of the application.
- When you want code readability and maintainability.
🔹 When to use Query Builder?
- When working with large datasets that need optimized queries.
- When writing complex SQL queries with multiple joins.
- When you need raw SQL flexibility while using Laravel’s framework.
4. Which One is Better for Your Laravel Project?
Choosing between Eloquent and Query Builder depends on your project needs.
Use Eloquent When:
✅ You need a clean, readable codebase.
✅ Your application follows MVC principles and works with models.
✅ You want to automatically handle relationships like one-to-many, many-to-many.
✅ You are working on a small to medium-sized project.
Use Query Builder When:
✅ You are working on large datasets that need optimized queries.
✅ You need more control over raw SQL queries.
✅ You are handling bulk updates, inserts, or deletions.
✅ Your project requires complex JOINs and subqueries.
5. Combining Both for Best Performance
Laravel allows developers to combine Eloquent and Query Builder to get the best of both worlds.
For example:
🔹 Use Eloquent for handling CRUD operations and relationships.
🔹 Use Query Builder for complex SQL queries where performance is critical.
This hybrid approach ensures both efficiency and maintainability.
Conclusion
Laravel provides two powerful ways to interact with databases: Eloquent ORM and Query Builder.
💡 Eloquent is ideal for readable, structured applications that follow MVC principles.
💡 Query Builder is best for performance-heavy tasks and large datasets that require custom SQL queries.
At FreelancerBridge, we recommend choosing the right approach based on your project needs. If you are building a small to medium-sized project, Eloquent is your best option. However, if you are dealing with millions of records, Query Builder will improve performance significantly.
🚀 Make the right choice and build optimized Laravel applications today!
