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Yes there is a huge difference because I can get the tone I want before I record anything and I do not need a laptop, audio interface..etc.

I still think that this 'issue' is being overthunk; start off with a decent audio interface, of the 'Focusrite' type (I use Tascam gear; there are many others, at all price points...), and use any guitar pedal on the input to get tones, if you don't want to use Vst's. It's about as simple as it gets, and gives guaranteed Good Results, every time, with no fuss. Monitoring can come from the headphone o/p of the interface, so you can hear what's going on before recording anything. I can see no downside to this; it ticks all the boxes, as far as I can see. You're always going to need such an interface anyway, for recording into a PC. What's wrong with doing things this way..?

Ah, if a pedal will work, would it need to have a headphone socket, to hear what's being played without the DAW (or whatever...)..? If so, there's the answer. I use a Boss Fender Deluxe pedal for 'core' tones, usually, which does a fine job. Is it analogue..? Who cares, as it's going to my computer anyway.

You haven't told us what you'll be using as a recording device. A PC with a DAW..? A cassette tape recorder..? Your 'smartphone'..? Revox reel-to-reel..? If it's going into a PC, it'll be digital anyway, whatever you do, so a decent audio interface would be a starting point, a DAW (there are free ones; I use Reaper, which can be indefinitely trialled for free...), and any of numerous free amp/cab simulator Vst plug-ins. I wouldn't suggest buying anything at all until you've at least tried this simple and direct solution, which works well for thousands of folk. Hope this helps.