There is no one-size-fits-all answer to your question. Cyclists ride in different climates, terrain, traffic and hours of the day. They come in all different sizes and levels of fitness. A bike that works perfect for one person could be a total bomb for someone else. Finding the right commuter bike is a trial-and-error process that you work out by commuting regularly.

I started out with a steel Italian racing bike because I had the frame available. I made that work for a year or so until I saved enough money to buy a touring frame. I've got 4 road bikes and a mountain bike, and I could commute on any of them (in fact, I have ridden each one on different occasions). However, I designed my touring bike for commuting, and that is the bike I ride to work about 90% of the time.