Here’s a couple of differences: With totality, the stars become visible again. The darkness is such that air temperature drops like at sunset. Birds stop signing, and insects start chirping. Also, i think you can see the sun’s corona. While the sun is totally blocked, you can look at it with naked eyes.
I’m not sure how much of this occurs with a 95% eclipse… I would encourage anyone to go to the nearest place to see totality. I will personally visit family living 2 hours drive away to be in the totality zone.