Well, as a chess expert I want to share my thought on this:
1- yes, by far chessbase is the most popular one, it has been there for a long time,
2- but there are other softwares that can do more or less what chessbase can do, like chess assistant
3- when you compare two softwares, you should consider comparing for example fritz vs. hiarcs or chessbase vs. chess assistant, because Fritz orr Houdini or Rybka are mainly engines with the capability of full game analysis and chessbase is more a database with special feature for the pros.
4- in terms of opening encyclopedia or other products, they could be read on almost any professional chess software. So, no problem here.
5- Finally, if you are not a professional chess player, any software like hiarcs, shredder or even stockfish with a GUI could help you and you don't need to buy such an expensive software.
Yes, by far Chessbase is the most popular one, it has been there for a long time.
But there is other software that can do more or less what Chessbase can do, like Chess Assistant.
When you compare software, you should consider comparing for example fritz vs. hiarcs or chessbase vs. chess assistant, because Fritz or Houdini or Rybka are mainly engines with the capability of full game analysis and chessbase is more a database with special feature for the pros.
In terms of opening encyclopedia or other products, they could be read on almost any professional chess software. So, no problem here.
Finally, if you are not a professional chess player, any software like hiarcs, shredder or even stockfish with a GUI could help you and you don't need to buy such expensive software.