What's the actual difference between Sorani and Kurmanji Kurdish for a beginner?

I'm just starting to explore learning Kurdish and I'm a bit overwhelmed by the two main dialects, Sorani and Kurmanji. I've heard they're quite distinct, but I'm struggling to grasp the practical implications for a new learner. Can anyone clarify the key linguistic differences and recommend which might be more accessible to start with, especially for an English speaker?