Which is better for player movement: physics or translation

I have a player object that moves forwards as well as sideways. It moves in a narrow x range sideways depending on user input whereas in the forward direction it moves automatically without input.

I am seeking whether applying forces is the right way to move it or should i move it using transform.translate?

It all really depends on what you are looking to achieve.

I find for less Physics/Intense Realism based games. You would want to use Translation.
Translation also is a bit easier to compile from looking at it (Seeing what is happening) if you take the time to get it.
Physics based can get a bit glitchy if its not done perfect/right. But physics does add the simple ability to add outside forces to the player.

Overall: I use a bit more of Translation just because its a bit simpler to work with and isn’t labor intensive on the system.
As far as Pre-Made Controllers go, I would say its about 50/50 down the middle. But I have seen more noble Translation based Controllers than Physics Based (Rigidbody).

Its kind of hard to judge what you mean by the context of translation and physics. So I went on a tangent and assumed Physics meant Rigidbody and Translation meant Character Controller.