Just wondering if one is easier than the other? Or are the metering systems just so different it's like comparing apples to oranges?

Changing the jets in a Holley is easier than a Q-jet. The Q-jet is the better street carb in my opinion, no blown power valves in a Q-jet. With practice and bending some of the secondary air door linkage you can change the metering rods and jets in a Q-jet in the sametime it takes to do the Holley, and it is alot less messy, no fuel to drain. Wait rejeting the secondaries in q-jet is way faster than the holley, one small screw and the metering rod hanger comes out off of the secondary air door with the metering rods attached, done in about 30 seconds. :D