I've had (rare) occasion to try both XML::Twig and XML::Simple, but not enough to judge either with any authority. Still, based on what keeps popping up here at the monastery about Twig, I will return to it for another try the next chance I get; meanwhile, the man page for XML::Simple, all by its ponderous self, is enough to convince me that it's name is not very apt, and I won't be trying it again.

But I've noticed that these modules, like many others, are built as layers on top of XML::Parser -- and wouldn't you know, it's pretty handy, too. In fact, most of the XML apps I've written so far have used just that. It's maybe not the easiest thing to get your head around, but it's certainly easier that XML::Simple. And for those of us who grew up programming relatively "close to the hardware", it's kind of nice to be using the fundamental tools on the fundamental objects. It's also nice, I think, for getting a good understanding about what goes on "under the hood" with those extra-layer modules.

For that matter, depending on what you actually need to do with your XML, the basic module might lead you to simpler, more direct, and more efficient solution. It's definitely worth a look.