curl and wp_remote_post are both methods used in WordPress for making HTTP requests, but they have different use cases and implementations.

  1. cURL (Client for URLs):

    • Usage: curl is a command-line tool and library for making HTTP requests. In PHP, you can use the curl library functions to make HTTP requests.
    • Flexibility: curl is a more general-purpose tool that can be used for various protocols, not just HTTP. It provides a wide range of options and settings for making requests.
  2. Code :  $ch = curl_init();
    curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, 'https://example.com/api');
    curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, 1);
    $response = curl_exec($ch);
    curl_close($ch);
  3. wp_remote_post:

    • Usage: wp_remote_post is a WordPress function specifically designed for making HTTP POST requests.
    • Integration: It is part of the HTTP API provided by WordPress, making it more integrated and easier to use within WordPress plugins or themes.
    • Security and Context: wp_remote_post incorporates WordPress security and context features, such as nonce verification and cookie handling.
      $response = wp_remote_post('https://example.com/api', array(
          'body' => array('key1' => 'value1', 'key2' => 'value2'),
      ));

    • Choosing Between curl and wp_remote_post in WordPress:

      • If you are working within the WordPress environment and specifically need to make a POST request, wp_remote_post is often a more convenient and integrated option.
      • If you have more complex requirements, need to make requests using different HTTP methods, or are not within the WordPress context, using the curl library functions might be more appropriate.

      In general, wp_remote_post is favored when working within the WordPress ecosystem due to its simplicity and integration, while curl provides more flexibility for broader use cases.