If the company is wildly successful, the stock options should be quite valuable! From my vantage point, the stock can be life changing for many employees. These days, you can even get liquidity before the company exits from platforms like ESO Fund, Forge Global, Sharespost, etc.
Disclaimer: I work at the ESO Fund
Working at a startup is usually more difficult, stressful, and for less pay. Even if the company is wildly successful, your stock options (if you have any) will most likely be worthless in the end (I've been there).