Exterior vs. Interior Waterproofing: What’s the Best Choice for My Basement?

I'm currently facing some issues with my basement: there's mold growing inside the bricks, efflorescence buildup, and cracks in the brickwork. While I haven't noticed any leaks, it tends to be quite humid down there. My house was built in the 1970s, and I've been looking into waterproofing options. I've read that exterior waterproofing is generally better than interior options, often labeled as just water management, but I'm still confused about how effective these solutions really are.

I've gathered quotes from contractors for both interior and exterior waterproofing. Interestingly, some contractors strongly favor internal waterproofing, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and suggesting that exterior options are more expensive, less reliable, and eventually fail due to clogs in the drainage pipes. They argue that many modern homes need both an exterior barrier and an interior solution to ensure longevity since the exterior system will eventually be compromised. However, I'm skeptical about their claims, especially given that I want at least 15-20 years of effectiveness.

Here are my burning questions: 1) Is interior waterproofing sufficient for my issues? 2) If I should go with exterior waterproofing as recommended by some, how can I be sure it's done properly and will actually work? I just want to make a well-informed financial decision without relying solely on a contractor's word.