How does the sound compare to a tube amp?

I've really leaning towards getting an HX Stomp XL but not sure I'm up for all the dialing in, configuration and connecting to computer yet.

I only know three guys that play guitar, all are old school, lifetime musicians that say 'tube amp all the way' and 'modelers suck' , now I get they are stuck in their ways and grew up on tube amps but how does the sound compare? Do tube amps sound that much better?

I primarily played acoustic for 10+ years but now strictly electric for the last 2 years. I have a Boss katana and it's great but want a pedalboard setup since my band plays with in ear monitors through a mixer, no amps at rehearsal or gigs.

My music friends are great musicians and guitarists, do I listen to them or are they completely uninformed with how good the HX Stomp / modelers are?

Also side note, tech isn't my strongest but I can probably figure out how to dial in with time and YouTube.