Is it better to embed a view controller or add a subview?

Is it better to embed a view controller or add a subview?

For example, if I required a UITableView to appear beneath additional
content in a view, would it be best practice to either:
add a UITableView as a subview, or
add a container view holding a UITableViewController?
As far as I know, both would provide the same user experience, however I
am interested to know which method would be considered best practice?