There's no definite answet and it all depends on the project. When it comes to coins, i don't think anything comes even close to what BTC is as far as scalability and decentralization goes.
As for tokens, you gotta DYOR. Teams and goals vary, as well as rewards for owning the tokens, if we're not talking just in a speculative manner. I've invested in plenty of fruitful projects that have working solutions, but that came along with a couple failed ones, it's a capitalist market, there are many opportunities and even more ways to fail.

That said, i believe that crypto is the future and after this bull market we'll see an influx of the good and lasting projects, that thrived and have a great value.