certainly more weather proof than a soft top, and more secure, plus has some rooftop load capability (500 lbs for mine)
Af for is it worth it, that is a personal opinion. I don't use my hard top (tall version) because I put an EOD body on my truck. The hard top is a little harder to change back and forth between different configurations (these things are modular after all) and I like to set up as a troop carrier during summer for parades and such.
If you want to set it up once and be done with it the hard top is certainly a good way to go. You can usually pick one up in decent condition for a grand or two, and repairing the fiberglass isn't all that difficult.