I realize that I'm coming into this discussion a bit late (master of understatement here...only 8 years behind the initial inquiry!) but I have found GenSmarts to be very helpful to me. The thing I like about it is that it takes each item of information (birth, death, marriage, etc.) and tells you where you might want to look to find supporting documentation for the various aspects of those events (date, location, etc.) I've noticed that it often gives hints to sources that I had no prior knowledge of or had even thought of or knew that they existed. It also lets me know whether online sources are available to me (free or because I'm a member) or whether they are unavailable due to lack of membership. It saves me going and looking and then finding out that I can't access that source.
The ability to use the software on a trial basis at no cost is, to my way of thinking, a great way to see if the program is for you or not.
For what it's worth, that's my two cents on the subject.
Tom