There are many different types of shares* a company can offer:
1) Ordinary: These shares allow equity ownership, participate equally in dividends and basic voting rights.
2) Preference: These shares have preferential rights over ordinary shares, with respect to dividends. Holders of these shares get priority on return of capital as well.
3) Redeemable: These shares may be bought back by the company at a later or agreed upon date.
4) Management: these carry extra voting rights, usually given to management or the company’s original owners to maintain control.
5) Pseudo shares: Companies issue these to become active in the future, but only if particular events occur.
*Not limited to the ones listed