Both are reasonable starter lenses, and for a beginner the image-quality differences are unlikely to be a major issue in everyday use. The main tradeoff is convenience versus simplicity.

The 18-105mm gives you more reach and flexibility in one lens, which can be very useful when you’re learning and figuring out what focal lengths you like.

The case for the 18-55mm is that its range covers the most commonly used focal lengths well, and some photographers find the jump to 105mm isn’t enough to replace a true telephoto. If you later want better image quality or low-light performance, many people add a fast prime such as a 35mm or 50mm rather than relying on the kit zoom for everything.

So: if you want one lens to do more while you learn, pick the 18-105mm. If you’d rather keep it simple and possibly put money toward another lens later, the 18-55mm is also a solid choice.