Oracle instant client
The Instant Client is easier to install and more lightweight. It doesn't even need to be installed, you can just unzip it and use it. You don't need an Oracle Home either.

On the other hand, it does not support deprecated features like Oracle Names. If you don't need any feature the instant client omits, I suggest you use it. It looks like you are covered by the list of what is supported:


  Instant Client can be used to run your OCI, OCCI, Pro*C, JDBC, and ODBC applications without installing a full Oracle Client. In addition, Instant Client supports SQL*Plus. As of Instant Client 10.2, it is also possible to develop applications for OCI and OCCI using the Instant Client SDK download.