By that standard, an IUD is better than this because of the battery of Stage III and postmarketing trials supporting its effectiveness. But I disagree with your standard and find it to create a false dichotomy where there need be none.
The dichotomy exists regardless of your not acknowledging it, though. I have _had_ these conversations and made these comparisons. My current girlfriend and I switched from condoms to the pill, despite the extra responsibility for her and the definite potential for side effects, because it's a better form of contraception, period. The very instant we can switch to RISUG we will, because all available data indicates that it's better in an absolute sense.