Hello,
1. Basically, the main differences between the devices mentioned are the resolution and the package options.
2. In regard with the complexity you mentioned, both of the devices use the I2C interface.
You can find software examples here in order to program and configure the device you need.
3. It depends of your application if you place a pull-up or pull-down on the INT pins.
The interrupt pins can be configured to be push-pull or open drain and can be either Active High or Active Low. If a pull-up resistor is used on the interrupt pins with the open drain setting, then the accelerometer should be configured to Active Low. If a pull-down resistor is used, then the interrupt pin should be configured to be Active High. This is done in Register 0x2C (MMA8451, 2, 3Q).
For more details please review the Application note AN4077:
AN4077 - MMA845xQ Design Checklist and Board Mounting Guidelines
4. Finally, the capacitor at the BYP pin should be place there in order to guarantee the stability of the internal regulator while the rest of them are decoupling capacitors.
I hope this information will be useful for you.
If I misunderstood your question, feel free to let me know. I will be glad to help.
Have a great day.
David Diaz.