What a student does to get an IBD varies as well. While there are requirements (well explained on their website) and a student can pick a path based on their school’s offerings, students at other schools will have different options. There are less rigorous paths to the diploma but they are less likely to be an option in American schools who usually choose the IB program for the quality and rigor in core academic classes.
Remember too that the IB is offered globally and US schools tend to have less seat time than most of their foreign counterparts, so this is why it is so much work. There’s no way around that.
Personally, I like the IB. A lot. But as our school described it, if you do the IBD, you’ll be getting a degree from this high school and one from the IB. We both have requirements and ways of satisfying them. The “rigidity” represents what the IB thinks you need to have satisfied their requirements for a high school diploma. As a global organization, the FL requirements are generally greater, for example.
It’s worthwhile to think, before you do the program, how well fulfilling those dovetails with your own interests and plans. Colleges will be looking at the same thing.