CapnZapp
Legend
If I understand it correctly, you're talking about getting skill, tool and language proficiencies (plus "Tool expertise") in place of Iron Fists and Powerful Build.Envoy is also clearly the most optimal subrace in almost every case considering you can still get that sweet 22 AC heavy armor AC without having to choose the lame juggernaut abilities.
Sure it is better, but not by a huge amount.
(I imagine Envoy is new and that you're mostly relieved to get stuff that doesn't suck as paying the price of built-in AC 18 (and rising).
Do realize the Envoy model should probably be DM-restricted. (Just saying it is "rare" means nothing if 95% of players can still take it).