The difference between an appellate court and a district court is that an appellate court

An appellate court reviews judgments made by lower courts.

Explanation:

A district court (also known as a "trial court") is where a legal action or proceeding may be started. District court judges are entitled to hear and try cases. An appellate court has the authority to review a judgment passed by a district court judge. At an appellate level, it is determined whether the lower court (the district court in this case) has applied the law correctly or not and if there is sufficient evidence to support or reject the ruling of the lower court.