[sunk1st]

What makes the one spacecraft safer than the other?

[headcanon]

Its not so much that as it is their escape pod if the station has a catastrophic failure.

[JumpCrisscross]

The specific answer to OP’s question is manoeuvring thrusters, a heat shield and a landing system.

[houseofzeus]

The ability to evacuate in it.

[croddin]

They could emergency return to earth right away if needed.

[rolph]

the assigned crew has been trained to operate it.

the logistics [crew mass, crew capabilities] have been factored into S.O.P. of the mission.

[Dylan16807]

Smaller.

[brookst]

One of them is a Boeing.

[ASalazarMX]

Just great, even more risk of debris.

[surfingdino]

Thickness of the walls.