Are belt drive garage door openers as good as chain drive?

Yes, belt drive garage door openers are as good as chain drives, and for most homes they are better. A belt drive uses a reinforced rubber belt instead of a metal chain, which makes it much quieter, the main reason it is preferred when there is a bedroom or living space above or next to the garage. Belts also need essentially no lubrication, while chains need periodic greasing. Lifting power is the same on equivalent horsepower units. The trade-offs are a slightly higher upfront price, around 50 to 100 dollars more, and the belt itself can stretch in extreme heat or cold over many years. For very heavy commercial doors or unconditioned garages in harsh climates, a chain drive still has the edge.