Magic Missile vs Volley of arrows

Hey there, my group and I are currently on our second coop playthrough.

I thought, I would play a swarmkeeper ranger and get the level 2 spell "volley of arrows".

It doesn't look weak at first glance, it's 5d6 piercing at a moderate amount of range.

However, comparing it to magic missile, I can't help but wonder if it isn't just a cheap knockoff.

My suspicions are twofold here.

1: as a level 2 spell, it competes with spike growth, which has much more utility.

2: the raw damage potential on it is higher than even a third level magic missile, but magic missile has greater range, does force damage and can't miss.

Is this me being bad with this spell, or is it just a mediocre spell?