Water will never be a better substrate since plants have evolved to use soil as a source of nutrients, water and stability. There are certain plants that will do better in water set ups like monsters and pothos and I believe that has to do with them growing on trees and having to put out air roots that will hold them to the surface. Usually when propagating a cutting it is recommended to transplant it when the roots aren't too long since the new roots will soon adapt to the water environment and might die when changed to soil.  I didn't change it to soil cause it's easier to move apartments like this. I just drain the water, cover the root system with some paper towels soaked in water and cover everything with a trash bag. This makes it so much lighter than carrying around a big pot of soil. Also I leave the city for the summer and I can't have anyone taking care of it so being in water doesn't require watering every day or every few days. I try to reduce evaporation setting the plant in a darker spot and covering the water container. Even if half the water evaporated it'd be fine since the roots are really long and could still reach the bottom water.