I commute on six different bikes. None have hydraulics. One is mechanical disc brakes. Two are caliper brakes. Two are V-Brakes. One is calipers up front with a band brake in the back. They all work well with the band brake being the least effective, and the V-brakes being the most reliable, and most powerful. The disc brakes are modest and on a pair with the caliper brakes. I suspect better mechanical disc, and especially hydraulic discs would be best of all. I ride in the rain and snow and out of my bikes the v-brakes and discs work best in those conditions, with the V-brakes being the best.

I have a mix of indexed and friction shifting. I have friction shifting on a 7- and a 6-speed derailler. With any more gears, I'd want indexing. All my indexed shifters are reliable and un-fussy, with a mix of down tube, and thumbies. The only ones that ever broke were the cross-fire MTB Shimanos, which have been replaced with thumbies.

The only shifters I hated and replaced were the twist grips on my folding bike.

If I were commuting (and I have been for 32 years) I'd go with whatever's reliable, and un-fussy.