Yeah I own starsector.
It's a fun game but it's quite a different monster compared to Distant Worlds. Others say its basically a mount and blade game but in space...
IMO Starsector is more focused on the ship combat which is probably the best thing about the game.
Unfortunately though the other parts of the game are really lacking...only 1 star system etc.. but apparently updates are coming with more stuff but it's all just going too slowly for me to wait around... I'm sure it will be a great game in a few years from now though...
If you want it though its only 10 bucks lol.. I think you would easily get your moneys worth just from the combat system alone and the couple of fun mods that are out...
Just don't expect something as epic feeling as DW though.