They are about the same height - I wouldn't worry that you need more height for a soft top.. I have both, this is my 3rd jeep and always had both.
For storage - there is a thread here for the home depot portable scaffolding - costs less than $200 and it's perfect. put the hard top right on it...
Picked mine up yesterday from Home Depot - works great! I also have a home made wooden version that I made a couple of years ago for my JK, if anyone in the Boston area wants it just hit me up and it's yours free.