Hi
Most songs on Chordie are shown using open chords even though its easier (and more accurate to play using barre chords.
Take a switch from A to B. It very hard using open chords but a synch using the E shape barre you just slide two frets up
Similarly a switch from A to D. Just change from an E shape on the 5th fret to an A Shape on the same fret
My suggestion is to take your favorite songs and instaed of playing them in open chords see if playing barre chords makes it easier.
On power chords - I usually play the power chord using the bottom three strings of the E and A shape barre chords
they are heavy sounding chords and sound good with distortion for rock numbers.