Speed.

Basically there are added features in DA that are not in DL but technically everything in DL is in DA. I mention speed because engines received a major nerfage in DA by being both larger and more expensive that reduce how fast ships can go in DA. This is most noticeable in the larger galaxies but most DA players don't seem to find this too great an inconvenience.

So to directly answer your question, no, there's not any functionality in DL that is not also in DA, even though there are subtle differences to how the games play.

The other question that is sometimes asked in similar situations is whether it's easier to first play DL before going on to DA and the general consensus is that it isn't necessary to play DL before starting DA. So basically starting out now, probably the best thing for you to do is just jump right in on DA.

The question was whether DL had features that DA didn't. My answer said basically that it didn't although there are subtle differences in the features that both versions have in common.

Obviously DA has many features that DL doesn't have and my statement did not contradict that.