Going to small claims court involves going infront of a judge and having the judge make the final verdict on your case. These can be long, grueling, frustrating and costly. Choosing to go to mediation instead possibly could be a superior choice for you depending on the type of dispute you have.
You can try to sort out your difference together with the other party and a mediator in a neutral location. Mediators are trained to help in legal disputes without getting emotionally involved. The mediator will by no means coerce a decision on you nor will they command somebody to a choice for you.
If mediation works for you, then you can rest easy knowing that it was a justified result that both you and the other party have come together to agree on. Unlike in court, where the judge will make the final decision for you in your case, during mediation everyone will work together to find a solution.
Though not all issues can be settled in mediation, it all depends on the people. You can still submit your case in court and let a judge resolve the answer for your dispute.