Whole-house water filter vs. water softener

I have a 25+ year-old home with an original water softener system, and I'm considering replacing it with a three-canister water filter system. We don't like the feeling of the softened water, and I don't like the large footprint it takes in my cramped garage. I turned it off and bypassed it a few years ago. Has anyone else in our region done this, and are there any concerns about doing this?

Sorry if this is possibly the wrong sub; looking for local advice.