Not trying to start a flame war here, but:
Is SDI better than PADI?
Is TDI better than GUE?
Was NAUI the original national thing?
Is SSI’s model to be cheaper than PADI?
I've been an instructor for PADI, SSI, and currently am with SDI. I've trained with NAUI, TDI, and GUE.
And I'm not going to answer any of your questions, as I have MY perspective, which may not reflect reality, but only my perception. It may or may not align with the perception of others.
What is important is to research the training agencies for the framework in which they teach. As
@PfcAJ said, some agencies do not allow instructors to add skills as a requirement for certification. Others do.
I would strongly recommend speaking with instructors of a number of agencies, have them describe in detail their open water course, how they teach skills. If they add skills, they should clearly explain what and why. They should also be able to answer any concerns regarding the theory of interference that
@boulderjohn, an educator by profession, has brought up. The theory of interference has led me to restructure my open water class to ensure that the knowledge and skills learned are not less than if I had never augmented my course.
What you think your long term goals are right now, may not be the same in the future. Just go with what you think what you want to do now after speaking with different instructors.
I hope this helps you in the pursuit of your goals.