In some ways it's better. The Cal Hypo from the pool store adds calcium each time you use it and it can build up. The Tri chlor and Di chlor add stabilizer which can build up. Bleach doesn't build up anything but a little salt. The only problems I have with bleach is lugging the bottles home and they have raised the prices lately so I don't really know how it compares with a tub of chlorine from the pool store. I don't shock with it anymore because of that but use it for routine chlorine levels.
Scott