There aren't really any better ways, or any need to change as far as I know. SUMPRODUCT is often used because it avoids the need for an array formula. All other options are very similar, e.g.

=SUM(--(B27:B8999<>E27:E8999))

but needs to be confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER

or this similar version

=SUM(IF(B27:B8999<>E27:E8999,1))

also confirmed with CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER

....or just use a helper column, e.g. in Z27 copied down

=IF(B27<>E27,1,0)

now just sum column Z for the total number