Restrict share means you have the ownership of the stock. Optional share means you do not own the share, but can make money from it if the share value increase.

An example, the share value is $10 per share at the beginning.

If you choose 10 restrict shares, if the share

increase to $20, you get $200; increase to $15, you get $150; increase to $12, you get $120.

unchaged, you get $100; decrease to $5, you get $50.

If you choose 30 optional shares, if the share

increase to $20, you get $300; increase to $15, you get $150; increase to $12, you get $60.

unchaged, you get $0; decrease to $5, you get $0.

So it really depends the future performence which one is better.