There are three differences:
1. Different rights to appear in court: barristers are litigation lawyers and trial lawyers, specializing in litigation business. There are no restrictions on his or her right to appear in court. Barristers from the Magistrates' Court to the Court of Final Appeal enjoy the right to appear in court. (In Hong Kong, the exact name of a barrister is actually "barrister").
2. Different businesses: Lawyers handle various legal matters and have a wider range of responsibilities, but their right to appear in court is more restricted. Lawyers may appear only in chambers (i.e. behind closed doors) of the Magistrates' Court, the District Court and the Court of First Instance.
When a lawyer cannot appear in court, a barrister must be entrusted to appear in court, and Hong Kong barristers must go through a lawyer to accept the entrustment.
3. Different legal affairs: Lawyers mainly handle daily legal affairs, such as real estate transfer, probate, marital disputes, legal proceedings, etc., and serve as legal advisors. Lawyers can also defend clients in court but cannot speak before the Supreme Court.
4. Different attire: barristers wear wigs when appearing in court, while lawyers do not wear wigs. Moreover, barrister's robes and solicitor's robes are also different.
Barrister’s duties: to appear in public.
A solicitor's duty is to appear in chambers (i.e. behind closed doors) in the Magistrates' Courts, District Courts and the Court of First Instance.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Barrister
Baidu Encyclopedia - Solicitor