[wii] mod chip vs soft mod?

Excluding price-I'm aware that the softmod is free-what are the advantages of each?I'm aware to some extent that they do the same deal-but things like homebrew working-backup play-extra features and even the ability to update the firmware without the risk of bricking (read it on some mod chip web site..wii key I think the chip was)...So-what is better-price is of NO concern as this is just for future consideration.