Homebrew's search is better, and there are more applications available. Many applications aren't on the App Store at all, so one needs to Google and download possibly unnotarized .dmg archives. Surely this is no easier than Homebrew.
Homebrew's search isn't better if the average user isn't familiar with or used to the command line.
The "possible unnotarized .dmg archives" is a straw man and distracts from the main point -- GP just doesn't want to spend the $99/year.
You've now got multiple people stating that your understanding of view of the average user seems substantially skewed, maybe it's worth taking a look at that.
>...they don't know enough to know better.
is rather snarky and condescending IMHO
I still would posit post people do. It comes pre-installed on your Mac, and even gets an appearance in the app launcher and Spotlight.
Give it a chance, I guess? This is one of those "XKCD's lucky 10,000" moments: https://xkcd.com/1053/