No. No they are not. I don't love front squats, but I know a lot of people who do, and they're absolutely a viable option for hypertrophy, particularly for taller lifters or those who don't have access to the latest and greatest in exercise equipment. Not everyone has the luxury of smith machines and leg presses, leg alone hack squats, pendulum squats and whatever else might be optimal for quads, on paper.
Sometimes all you have are a barbell and some plates, and that situation is far more common than those who train in fully pimped out gyms realize.
Front squats are great for bracing and upper back strength, as well as posture.
