I use EQ7. I love it and use it a lot. I use it to test out color combos I might want to try. I use it to figure out how much fabric I need. I've imported many pictures and images and traced/enlarged them with great results. I use EQ to help other people figure stuff out - my mom, my friends, people here on the board.
Having said that, I don't have any experience with other programs, so I can't "compare and contrast" them.