We have both and I can tell you that the only one we use is the one that straps onto a chair. It's not only convenient for home, but we can easily take it with us when traveling and to relatives' houses. If you don't plan on taking the high chair outside the house, then just go with whichever you like better.

High chairs that strap to a kitchen chair are a big space saver in a small space. A free standing high chair takes up a lot of floor space and even when folded is still a big item to store. I never took mine out of the house, it remained strapped to the chair all of the time and it was very convenient. My son continued to use it as a booster seat until he was four years old. Some features to look for are a reclining seat (so that even a small infant can sit at the table while you are having a family meal) and a tray that can go in the dishwasher

Free standing high chairs highs take up a lot of space and can be very hard to fold up, and when they are folded they often don't lock closed which is annoying.

The kind that strap onto a chair can also just be used on the floor as a small chair.

Even if you don't plan on taking your highchair out someday you probably will want to have dinner at someone else's house. And they aren't going to have a high chair *lol*

I started off with a free standing high chair because we didnt have enough space for a table but it was quite difficult to clean etc. so we got a table and bought a booster seat which straps to the seats. i find it alot easier to clean, move and adjust. my daughter finds it easier too as she can climb in it herslef.

the strape on ones are a great space saver but then your often a chair short when you have guests over. i would go with the free standing. they have all different hight adjustments and can fold up and be shoved in a corner when you dont want it

I prefer free standing so that way if you have guests for dinner, you can still use your highchair.

Personally I love the idea of skipping the high chair all together and just getting a booster seat that straps to the top of a chair. We've never had an issue with needing additional seating which is the only pro I can think of for a free standing chair. The chair top high chairs take up less space, are cheaper and are more portable. But a booster seat can be used once your child can sit up on there own and is even cheaper and more portable than a chair top high chair. So if you'll be giving your young baby their bottle either in your arms or in a bouncy seat, you could probably skip the high chair and go straight for the booster seat. I love the new one at walmart that costs about $30 and even has a toy tray insert that won't get thrown on the floor!