[PvK]

Depends on the tech levels, enemy fleet composition, and relative attack/defense proficiencies, ecm, etc.

In general though, fighters have some niche uses but in stock are often overpowered by enemy point defense, which is massive accurate and damaging in stock.

Two niches even in stock though include:

Early on, researching fighters instead of ship construction can get carriers which can mount heavy weapons and serve as cruiser-class warships which also carry fighters. If/while your combat proficiencies can make fighters hard to hit, and/or the enemy neglects point defense, then they can be useful.

Later on, they can be useful as auxilliary weapons which can provide leverage because (like drones) they have no maintenance resource costs and can be hidden on planets and inside ships. Used in large quantities and with shields to provide them at least some survivability, they can be fairly effective. Some Temporal and Organic fighter weapons are particularly good.

However, an enemy who puts enough energy into combat bonuses and/or point defense can generally make it inefficient (hopeless) to concentrate on fighters.

There are mods though where fighters come into their own. Carrier Battles, Proportions 2.x, etc.

PvK