They are not really effortless, especially when distributions like doom or spacemacs are used. Sure, today it's easier than 10 years ago, but compared to the modern solutions it still pretty backward.

In VS Code you can search for ne plugins from inside the application (which emacs also allows), while also showing all information including pictures and animations about the plugin in-app (which emacs does not allow). VS Code also shows which bindings, functions and settings the plugin adds (in emacs only indirect possible, with effort).

And best part: it just works. With emacs there are always a gazzilion problems coming with plugins. Be it some conflict or just additional work neccessary to make it work. Thouhg this is mostly a solvable problem with emacs, it just does not get solved. The Emacs communities solultion for this is the usage of distributions, which come with other problems and have only support for the more popular plugins.