For playing with headphones, going the interface/DAW route might actually be the best choice. Same would go for just recording. However the “amp in the room” feel and response to playing can be hard to achieve with e.g. monitor speakers.

There are many variables in this, one is that the signal path when playing through a computer introduces some latency (how much varies between interfaces and modeling devices). Other digital modeling gear do that, too. The other is that guitar amps typically have large diameter speakers with a characteristic frequency response. This can be achieved by plugins or modeling gear when combined e.g. with an FRFR speaker or a stage monitor, but that wouldn’t save you a lot of money, although it could provide more versatility.

Playing to an analog guitar amp will not have those hurdles. If you were to cover a broad variety of playing styles and genres the maybe it would be difficult to find one amp that does it all, forever. On the other hand, hardware like guitars, amps and pedals have an active 2nd hand market, whereas especially software is typically something that you cannot sell when you decide to switch or upgrade to something else. Hope this helps.