I would add to this that using Zorin OS as a gateway or stepping stone certainly serves a purpose.
However, given that Zorin OS is particular as a distro in that the ZorinGroup does not integrate it's distro specifics in - that they leave the base Zorin OS fully configurable without lock in - is a good reason to modify and keep using Zorin OS, too.
The ZorinGroup has historically avoided hard-coding. Even Mint hardcodes quite a bit and most distros aimed at new users hard code more heavily - some go as far as to be immutable.
This one key difference is what makes Zorin OS a good stepping stone for a new user, but also a good base for an advanced user.
And they have adhered to this almost dogmatically since inception. I am not honestly sure if this is a principled dogma of the ZorinGroup - or a happy coincidental accident.
They have not outright said that they intentionally do this.
But in using many other distro's, I often hit a distro-specific wall in making configuration modifications that I never encounter on Zorin OS. And the one time that I did - when I mentioned it to Artyom Zorin - he immediately corrected it to be dynamic.
It can be easy to get caught up in chasing the issues and bugs, the questions about transparency or the direction of Zorin OS; but this One Thing is so fundamental, user friendly, FOSS friendly and Open that... It is like a bright shiny star guiding your way lost at sea at night.
I get it. This is a thread that gives rather critical feedback that the ZorinGroup can benefit from.
But... I am not adverse to being a rebel.
And injecting the positive review into a critical one.
Here is the good. Zorin OS is far more fixable, configurable as a base and free of any advertising or questionable interests than a large number of options.
It's not going to please everyone - but it can please even die hard rebels like me.
I can replace Gnome - easily. And yes, it is part of their problem.
I can replace systemD on it. Without breaking it. I can replace the Software Store, without breaking the OS. I can replace just about any component - without breaking it while on every other distro I try, somethin's gonna break.