este/esto: is used to describe a noun that is close to the speaker and listener. It is normally used to talk about something within reaching distance of the speaker. Este restaurante es mi favorito. Esto es lo que te regalaron los abuelos. ese/eso: is used to point out nouns that are further from the speaker and not easily within reach. The noun may be close to the listener, but not the speaker. Quiero ese helado blanco. Eso es lo que me compré. aquel/aquello: is used to talk about nouns that are far away from both the speaker and the listener. Aquel león es peligroso. Aquello es lo que te aconsejo comprar.

Even though I partially agree with Eddy's point, Tomas gave the easiest and most accurate answer. In broad terms, if I had to translate from Spanish to English, I'd say ESTO means THIS and ESO means THAT. So the main difference is how far the object is. As to your second question, no, you can't add a noun after ESO/ESTO. It would be totally incorrect to say 'Esto/Eso mesa', or 'Esto/Eso gato'. Hope it helps!

esto,eso y ello son demostrativos neutros (no especifica género ni número) que actúan como pronombres. Equivalen al inglés this and that. Ejemplo: -Esto siempre está encendido/This is always on. -Eso siempre está apagado/That is always off.

Esto (this) esta cerca Eso + (that) esta lejos.

Esto (this)....Eso (that)....