Is a soldering station better than a soldering iron?

Neither is universally "better" — they suit different amounts of use. A station separates the iron from a base unit that actively controls and displays temperature, so it holds a set point far more precisely than a handheld iron, especially once the tip is under load from a real joint. A plain iron is simpler, cheaper and perfectly capable for occasional or light hobby soldering. If you solder weekly or more, or your work is temperature-sensitive, a station earns its extra cost. If you solder a few times a year, a good iron is all you need.