If you are looking to re-invest it in the same company, there is really no difference. Please be aware that when a company announces dividend, you are not the only person receiving the dividend. The millions of share holders receive the same amount that you did as dividend, and of course, that money is not falling from the sky. The company pays it from their profits. So the day a dividend is announced, it is adjusted in the price of the share. The only reason why you look for dividend in a company is when you need liquidity. If a company does not pay you dividend, it means that they are usually using the profits to re-invest it in the business which you are anyway going to do with the dividend that you receive. (Unless its some shady company which is only established on paper. Then they might use it to feed their dog:p).
To make it simpler lets assume you have Rs.500 and you want to start a company which requires Rs 1000 in capital : -
1.) You issue 5 shares worth Rs 100 each to the public and take Rs 100 for each share. Now you have Rs 1000 to start your company.
2.) You make a profit of Rs 200.
3.) Since you own majority of the shares you get to make the call whether to pay Rs.200 in dividend, or re-invest it in the business.
Case 1:-
You had issued 10 shares and your profit is Rs 200. You pay Rs. 20 each to every share holder. Since you owned 5 shares, you get 5*20 that is Rs.100 and you distribute the remaining to your 5 shareholders and expect to make the same or higher profit next year.
Your share price remains at Rs.100 and you have your profits in cash.
Case 2:-
You think that this business is awesome and you should put more money into it to make more. You decide not to pay any dividend and invest the entire profit into the business. That way your shareholders do not receive anything from you but they get to share profit in the amazing business that you are doing.
In this case your share price is Rs. 120 ((1000+200)/10) and all your profits are re-invested in the business.
Now put yourself in the shareholders shoes and see which case suits you more. That is the company you should invest in.
Please note: - It is very important to understand the business model of the company before you buy anything!
Cheers,