It's basically a far more complex flavor, often with a little less sweetness. The biggest difference is that it's made with real ginger, so it has noticeable heat that varies by brand. It's also lightly fermented, not enough to make it alcoholic, but enough to deepen the flavor and allow for natural carbonation. Depending on the maker, it can be more or less filtered, so sometimes there's a little sediment or a cloudy appearance.