[mvp]

Free weights are superior.

Machines give you a fixed range of motion pattern, they cancel utilization of the stabilizes and supporting muscle group by giving you a fixed range of motion; therefore, this does not add to functional strength (functional strength means it has potential carryover into the real world).

The benefits compound movements give us in general is the ability to overload several muscle groups at one time- you have various synergists, antagonists, stabilizers, dynamic stabilizers and muscle groups targeted. With a machine, you cancel the largest fraction of these muscle groups utilized.

Free weights carry over to functional strength, machines give you a fixed range of motion pattern unnatural to the original three dimensional planes the body works in (transverse, saggital, frontal) and therefore when you would return to free weights - your stabilizers and supporting muscle groups wouldn't be able to with stain the external load.

Moral- Stick to free weights.