When To Use Wp_Query Vs. Query_Posts() Vs. Get_Posts() - A Guide

Purpose and Limitations of Each Function

WP_Query: Fetching Content with Maximum Flexibility

WP_Query is the most advanced WordPress function for retrieving content from the database. It enables complete control over all aspects of the database query, including filtering by custom fields, taxonomies, post types, post status, post authors, and more. WP_Query also supports complex sorting parameters to order content exactly as needed.

The key benefits of WP_Query include:

Full manipulation of WordPress queries for ultimate flexibility
Advanced content filtering for custom post types, taxonomies, meta fields, dates, and more
Custom ordering and sorting of results
Pagination of long lists of posts
Caching for optimized performance

Limitations of WP_Query are few, but memory usage can become a factor for very large queries. There are also some single-site constraints when operating a Multisite network.

query_posts(): Quick and Simple Content Fetching

The query_posts() function modifies the main WordPress query before content is fetched from the database. It provides a simple way to alter common parameters like post type, category, tag, order, and more for the primary loop.

Benefits of query_posts():

Easy to pick up with very little coding experience
Lightweight way to tweak the main query
Useful for quick modifications to homepages and archives

Drawbacks of query_posts():

Lacks flexibility compared to WP_Query
Can break pagination if used improperly
Not intended for significant or permanent query customizations

get_posts(): Direct Access to Post Objects

The get_posts() function returns an array of post objects matching specified criteria. It lets developers directly access content for custom loops and operations without rendering posts immediately.

Advantages of get_posts():

Returns raw post objects for further processing
Lightweight way to retrieve posts outside the main query
Supports array of post IDs to manually specify desired posts

Downsides of get_posts():

No built-in pagination, requires custom coding
Less filtering and query options than WP_Query
Must run wp_reset_postdata() afterward to clean up

When to Use WP_Query

Full Control Over WP Query Parameters

WP_Query really shines any time complete control is needed over fetching posts, pages, custom post types, and other content. Its expansive parameters enable narrow filtering so only very targeted content gets returned. Sorting, ordering, and nesting queries within other queries is also much simpler with WP_Query.

If the default query needs to be modified in a way that goes beyond basic filtering of content, WP_Query should be the top choice. This includes complex queries across:

Multiple post types
Multiple taxonomy terms or tax queries
Meta queries filtering on custom fields
Multiple authors or dates
Conditional sorting based on meta values, post dates, etc.

No other WordPress function supports global query modifications at the complexity WP_Query does. It’s built for maximum flexibility across all aspects of content querying.

Advanced Filtering and Sorting Requirements

WP_Query really excels in its precise filtering capacities for WordPress content. The taxonomy, meta query, date query, and author parameters enable drilling down on very specific subsets of content:

Filter events by location terms using tax_query
Query videos above a certain duration using a meta key
Find posts by a given author published last month
Retrieve 3 longest recipes ordered by cook time

This kind of advanced filtering and precision sorting is only possible in WP_Query. No other core WordPress function comes close to the possibilities it unlocks for targeted queries.

Need to Query Custom Post Types or Taxonomies

Developers building custom websites with custom post types, taxonomies, and meta registration often need to query this custom content outside of the regular posts and pages. WP_Query has first-class support for all custom types and taxonomies.

Whether it’s a custom CPT like “Locations” or “Staff” or a taxonomy like “Departments”, WP_Query allows querying them as easily as the built-in posts.

For developers working extensively with custom WordPress content, the ability to target these new structures specifically with a huge range of supporting parameters is an absolute necessity provided uniquely by WP_Query.

When to Use query_posts()

Simple Content Fetching Based on Default Args

For straightforward queries that only alter one or two parameters of the default main query, query_posts() may be a better option. If additional post types, taxonomies, meta queries are not needed, query_posts() allows simple changes:

Show posts instead of default blog pages
Limit homepage posts to 5 latest
Change archive ordering to title DESC

Skipping the overhead of WP_Query for minor deviations from the main query using query_posts() may be preferable if no advanced querying is needed.

OK for Minor Modifications to Main Query

As long as pagination and global $wp_query are respected, query_posts() enables tweaking the main query without creating new query instances. For example:

Exclude some sticky posts from the homepage
Change the archive post type temporarily
Alter the default posts_per_page setting

These kind of minor modifications are fair game for query_posts() without negative side effects in most cases.

Not Recommended for Production Sites

However, heavy reliance on query_posts() is not considered best practice for large commercial sites, enterprise systems, or complex queries. The lack of pagination control, potential globbing issues, and simplified query capabilities mean WP_Query is far better suited for advanced WordPress implementations.

Keeping query_posts() limited to very minor one-off modifications is best for non-trivial sites.

When to Use get_posts()

Direct Access to Post Objects is the Priority

If direct access to post objects for custom processing is the main goal, get_posts() has a notable advantage. By returning an array of post objects instead of automatically rendering content, complete control is possible:

Modify post content before display
Extract only certain post fields for export
Integrate custom classes and plugins
Pass posts to JavaScript for front-end effects

This unrestricted access to post data more convenient compared to trying to hook into the rendered output of WP_Query or query_posts().

Custom Sorting, Filtering, Limiting Post Collections

While get_posts() doesn’t support the full gamut of query parameters available in WP_Query, it can still be used to produce targeted subsets of content without rendering posts immediately:

Return 5 latest published posts
Fetch 10 most popular recipes
List authors in order of registration date

get_posts() makes easy work of basic to intermediate filtering and sorting without needing to run secondary queries after content has rendered.

Integrating with Other APIs and Functionality

The raw post objects returned by get_posts() also enable interesting use cases like:

Exporting posts to CSV/JSON
Adding posts to third-party APIs
Indexing by search engines
Caching posts externally
Mirroring posts across domains

This kind of external post processing depends on having direct access to post data before rendering occurs, which get_posts() provides in a simple unified array.

Example Usage Comparison

WP_Query for Custom Post Type Archives

For a site with different archives for Events (custom post type) and Blog posts (regular posts), conditional WP_Query instances would retrieve this content:

$events = new WP_Query(array(
  'post_type' => 'events',
  'posts_per_page' => 12  
));

$blog = new WP_Query(array(
  'post_type' => 'post',
  'posts_per_page' => 8
));

WP_Query handles custom post types easily while supporting pagination natively.

query_posts() for Small Homepage Mods

To feature specific posts on a homepage instead of the latest posts, query_posts() can override the main query:

query_posts( array (
  'post__in' => array(42, 102, 350),
  'orderby' => 'post__in',
  'posts_per_page' => 3 
) );

Quick modifications without restarting the whole query work well here.

get_posts() for Exporting Posts to CSV

To export basic post title and date information to CSV, get_posts() avoids rendering content unnecessarily:

$posts = get_posts(array(
  'numberposts' => -1
));

$csv = "Title, Date\n";

foreach($posts as $post) {
  $csv .= $post->post_title . "," . $post->post_date . "\n";  
}

Direct access to post data fields makes CSV export simple.

When To Use Wp_Query Vs. Query_Posts() Vs. Get_Posts() – A Guide