In the first place, to think about this question, we should understand what a company is. There was a sad history of slavery in the past. However, we all are not owned by anyone at present. On the other hand, companies can be defined as artificial people. Companies as legal entities are owned by someone. There are many types of companies depending on the rights and obligations of their owners. Companies limited by shares are the most common form of company. Are you with me?

OK! people who have the shares, sometimes also called stocks, are owners of the companies limited. They can sell these stocks when they don't want to have them anymore. Here, If they can sell them in the stock market, we call these company listed companies. Stocks of unlisted companies cannot be freely traded in such a market. That is the main difference between a public-listed company and an unlisted company.

To go public, companies need to fulfill requirements made by the stock exchange. It might be difficult for many companies to clear the conditions. Lately, many unlisted companies are working to become public-listed companies. It might be because these owners can earn a lot when the companies become public-listed ones. Companies also can raise funds through the insurance of stocks. However, if the company goes public, they are at risk of acquisition, and they have to disclose their information to the market. It is not all good.