Barristers are self-employed, Solicitors usually work in firms. So potentially, it could take a while to start earning as a barrister while a solicitor has a more steady, secure income.
Normal solicitors can advocate in the lower courts (eg magistrates), but as Pernell Whitaker points out, solicitor advocates can advocate in all the courts.
Barristers wear cool outfits (this may change over the coming years), solicitors (generally) wear suits.
That should give you somewhere to start...
Why not read some law careers guides? Or look at lawcareers.net, lawyer2b.com, etc