Which is better: albuterol vs symbicort (budesonide and formoterol)?

Different uses : Albuterol is a short acting bronchodilator used for acute/rescue treatment for wheezing. Symbicort (budesonide and formoterol) is a combination of an inhaled corticosteroid and a long acting bronchodilator that is used as a controller for patients who have persistent asthma or copd. It should not be used for acute rescue treatment of wheezing.

See below: You can't really compare the two. They are 2 different meds with two different indications.