Yes...price of upgrade is too much.But it has some benefits esspecially at Maestro level.
As you said main difference is at lettering...more fonts,more options with fonts...very good thing is automatic overlaping object at lettering.It gives you more control...then you have font preview option...etc.
Nice is also Garment Preview for begginers to see how certain design should look like on garment.

Anyway i'm great Pulse fan...