I also recommend downloading the demos for both and trying them out for yourself. This is probably the best way to see which one you will have a taste for. My Opinion only, SEIV is the best space game out there. You can do more, play more, play against humans by PBW, more decent and tough mods to wet your appitite for conquest... and the friendliest bunch of members then any other site out there. We have members of all ages, including some older geezers

that tend to get into some sort of mischief every once in awhile and have to have the younger ones help him out

SEIV you fight with single ships or fleets of ships, you have fighters, drones, carriers etc. more for the buck IMHO, so I would ck them out and chose wisely... Welcome to the forum and don't be afraid to ask questions or jump into a thread.. have fun and enjoy yourself