Are these beginner's paid-for programs comparable?
With consumer targeted software, there is less of a standard of how to do things.  For professional software, there are pretty standardized workflows that editors follow and so tools are pretty similar.  For beginner software, while the basic concepts are still similar, the way in which they simplify them is not.  The end results that are possible are still pretty similar, but the way you get there is not necessarily.

The best bet when comparing entry level beginner video editing is to try trials of them and fine the one that relates best to the way you think about video editing.  Don't forget to look at some of the free options out there like Lightworks or Resolve too if you want something that is more professional oriented, but without the price tag.