First grow, definitely photoperiod fems.
Yes, it is only the lighting schedule that is different.
Photos are far easier to learn with, handle small mistakes and you control when flowering occurs.
Autos can be finicky, don't handle mistakes, bloom when they want to and unless you have top shelf equipment and a good knowledge of fertlizers and cannabis biology, can give very disappointing results for newbies, as in dwarf plants flowering and then waiting 3 months to harvest an eighth.
Photos will be much more "user friendly" and are best for learning with.
I have been growing for 40 years and tried autos for 5-6 years before giving them away as a joke, they do not offer me anything that I can not already achieve easier and better with photos and all in roughly the same time frame. (yes, I hate autos!)
If you are growing indoors, photos will need far less electricity too, since you only need 12/12 for flowering and not 18/6.
Something worth considering if you are on a budget.