PBP simplifies working with SFRs over ASM. For example:

ASM
MOVLW 0x60
BANKSEL OSCCON1
MOVWF OSCCON1
ENDASM

versus:

OSCCON1 = $60

More & more I manipulate Registers manually, but in PBP where practical. I reserve ASM for time sensitive operations. Even without PBP Commands to do everything possible, the PBP IDE Suite is certainly more user-friendly than MPLABX.

A mentor once told me, "Instead of complaining something should be done, go and do it!" I can appreciate the frustration of not being able to get a PIC to do what you want it to do, and it's convenient to blame something other than yourself, like PBP or Microchip. With much discussion about Audrino, take it for a test drive, see if you like it better than PIC/PBP. Perhaps take the time to read the Data Sheets and Application Notes/Technical Bulletins available. What I have found is there is always a way to get it to work; I just needed to learn how.

Admitted, I work with PIC & PBP as part of my job. As a hobby I don't think I would devote as much time & resources to educating myself. However, when all else fails, Read the directions/Data Sheet/Application Note/Technical Bulletin/book.