So, you're a druid? Congratulations. Since you'll likely find yourself in danger, you'll need to acquire some defences. That's why i'm here. I will provide my knowledge on the subject of Armor, and I'll leave it to you to decide what works best for you!
First, as a Druid, you'll notice that beside your Armor Proficiencies list, is the following notice: "druids will not wear armor or use shields made of metal)". Given the wording, there is some debate whether that means "Druids can wear metal armor, but often choose not to" or "Druids are not able to wear metal armor". I am not here to debate this matter. If you want to wear Metal Armor, talk to your local Shaman (DM).
Now, with that out of the way, let's get into the 3 forms of armor you could acquire.
1: Barkskin: 2nd level, Concentration, One Hour duration, Touch
Barkskin, as the name suggests, coats your skin in a protective layer of bark (or some other hard substance of your choice if you reflavour it)
While the spell is in effect, the creature it is cast on has a AC that is, at minimum, 16. Unlike some other things i'll mention later, this spell ignores armor, meaning you can cast it on yourself, then wildshape, even if you're wearing armor before you do, and the spell will still be in effect should your wildshape wear off before that hour is up, and you're still concentrating on it. This spell is great if you're turning into something with low Natural AC, but high Constitution, such as a Camel, Mastiff, Vulture or Brown Bear (or Black Bear) Though not very useful if you're not going to wildshape, and your AC is already 15 or higher, since this spell is a flat 16 AC, not 16+Dex. (Think of it as magically created ChainMail that doesn't weigh anything and doesn't effect your ability to move quietly.) Though the spell is able to be cast on others beside yourself, so maybe the Rogue or Wizard could use it, though l bet they already have better options, which l will get to.
This spell covers your body in a layer of protective magic, granting you a AC that is 13 plus your dex modifier. However, unlike Barkskin, this spell doesn't work if you're wearing armor, so you can't cast it on yourself before wildshaping if you're wearing armor. Of course, Mage armor isn't even on the Druid spell list, so you'd have to either get a feat (such as Magic initiate or Eldritch Adept) or by multiclassing (or if your race grants it, though l don't know of any race that does). However, in the early game, before you're able to afford expensive armor, you'll likely only have access to leather armor (11+dex) or Hide armor (12+dex to a total of +2, for a Maximum of 14) so if it is available, forsaking conventional armor for Mage armor could be a viable option. That said, I'm fairly sure you can still use a shield (+2) with Mage Armor, and if not, Bracers of defence (+2, no armor or shield), and the Ring of Protection (+1) are useful tools to use for those who don't want to wear armor. (though i'd argue they'd be more useful on one of your party members who can't wear armor, like the Sorcerer or Wizard, or those that gain extra AC from not wearing armor, like the Monk and Barbarian.)
So, comparing the two, I think that in humanoid form, Mage armor is the better of the two spells, but Barkskin wins for beast form, no question. (unless you're wildshaped into something with a plus 3 dex mod, then mage armor would be tied.)
Now, last but not least: Physical Armor.
If you have a Plus 3 Dex modifier, and enough money to buy Studded leather armor (12+dex) you've beaten Hide armor's 14 by 1. If you have a +3 Dex mod, keeping to light armor might be a good option, as Studded leather+1 gives the same AC as Mage armor (13+dex) and since your dex mod is +3, that means your AC is 16, same as Bark Skin! But you may be asking yourself "But druids can't wear metal (Maybe)". Well, that may be true, but there's nothing saying the studded HAVE to be Metal. Sure the item description says that, but the DM could easily let you buy or craft Bone or Diamond Studded leather armor.
But what about medium armor? Chain Shirts give 13+dex, same as Mage Armor, though to a maximum of +2, for a maximum of 15, one less than Barkskin. However since it's metal, and l can't think of a non metal alternative, you'll likely have to wait for Scalemail (14+Dex), though most likely the Very Rare Dragon Scale Male, which provides an AC of 15+dex, for a maximum of 17. Now add a Shield, which Druids are proficient with, and your AC becomes 19, 20+ with other magic items, like a +1 Shield, or the Medium Armor Master Feat.
Though, I would recommend acquiring a Breastplate +1, as it provides the same amount of AC, but doesn't provide Disadvantage on stealth checks. The Breastplate would likely have to be made of Non Metallic material, like Bone/Chitin though, or magically reinforced Wood. (Though, if you have the money, and are already planning on taking the MAM Feat, l would strongly recommend using those materials and gold to buy Chitin Half Plate, especially if it's magical.)
In short, If you're planning on wildshaping, cast Barkskin on yourself, or if it's a high dex, low con creature, ask the Wizard or Warlock to cast Mage Armor on you. If you're not planning on wildshaping, Wear the best armor you can get. Studded leather if you have a high Dex, or Chitin medium armor if you have low dex and or lots of money.
For a source of Chitin suitable for Plate armor, l recommend finding a Ankheg. And obviously someone trained in shaping it into Ankheg Plate Armor.
So, you're a druid? Congratulations. Since you'll likely find yourself in danger, you'll need to acquire some defences. That's why i'm here. I will provide my knowledge on the subject of Armor, and I'll leave it to you to decide what works best for you!
First, as a Druid, you'll notice that beside your Armor Proficiencies list, is the following notice: "druids will not wear armor or use shields made of metal)". Given the wording, there is some debate whether that means "Druids can wear metal armor, but often choose not to" or "Druids are not able to wear metal armor". I am not here to debate this matter. If you want to wear Metal Armor, talk to your local Shaman (DM).
Now, with that out of the way, let's get into the 3 forms of armor you could acquire.
1: Barkskin: 2nd level, Concentration, One Hour duration, Touch
Barkskin, as the name suggests, coats your skin in a protective layer of bark (or some other hard substance of your choice if you reflavour it)
While the spell is in effect, the creature it is cast on has a AC that is, at minimum, 16. Unlike some other things i'll mention later, this spell ignores armor, meaning you can cast it on yourself, then wildshape, even if you're wearing armor before you do, and the spell will still be in effect should your wildshape wear off before that hour is up, and you're still concentrating on it. This spell is great if you're turning into something with low Natural AC, but high Constitution, such as a Camel, Mastiff, Vulture or Brown Bear (or Black Bear) Though not very useful if you're not going to wildshape, and your AC is already 15 or higher, since this spell is a flat 16 AC, not 16+Dex. (Think of it as magically created ChainMail that doesn't weigh anything and doesn't effect your ability to move quietly.) Though the spell is able to be cast on others beside yourself, so maybe the Rogue or Wizard could use it, though l bet they already have better options, which l will get to.
Mage Armor: 1st level, 8 hours, Touch
This spell covers your body in a layer of protective magic, granting you a AC that is 13 plus your dex modifier. However, unlike Barkskin, this spell doesn't work if you're wearing armor, so you can't cast it on yourself before wildshaping if you're wearing armor. Of course, Mage armor isn't even on the Druid spell list, so you'd have to either get a feat (such as Magic initiate or Eldritch Adept) or by multiclassing (or if your race grants it, though l don't know of any race that does). However, in the early game, before you're able to afford expensive armor, you'll likely only have access to leather armor (11+dex) or Hide armor (12+dex to a total of +2, for a Maximum of 14) so if it is available, forsaking conventional armor for Mage armor could be a viable option. That said, I'm fairly sure you can still use a shield (+2) with Mage Armor, and if not, Bracers of defence (+2, no armor or shield), and the Ring of Protection (+1) are useful tools to use for those who don't want to wear armor. (though i'd argue they'd be more useful on one of your party members who can't wear armor, like the Sorcerer or Wizard, or those that gain extra AC from not wearing armor, like the Monk and Barbarian.)
So, comparing the two, I think that in humanoid form, Mage armor is the better of the two spells, but Barkskin wins for beast form, no question. (unless you're wildshaped into something with a plus 3 dex mod, then mage armor would be tied.)
Now, last but not least: Physical Armor.
If you have a Plus 3 Dex modifier, and enough money to buy Studded leather armor (12+dex) you've beaten Hide armor's 14 by 1. If you have a +3 Dex mod, keeping to light armor might be a good option, as Studded leather+1 gives the same AC as Mage armor (13+dex) and since your dex mod is +3, that means your AC is 16, same as Bark Skin! But you may be asking yourself "But druids can't wear metal (Maybe)". Well, that may be true, but there's nothing saying the studded HAVE to be Metal. Sure the item description says that, but the DM could easily let you buy or craft Bone or Diamond Studded leather armor.
But what about medium armor? Chain Shirts give 13+dex, same as Mage Armor, though to a maximum of +2, for a maximum of 15, one less than Barkskin. However since it's metal, and l can't think of a non metal alternative, you'll likely have to wait for Scalemail (14+Dex), though most likely the Very Rare Dragon Scale Male, which provides an AC of 15+dex, for a maximum of 17. Now add a Shield, which Druids are proficient with, and your AC becomes 19, 20+ with other magic items, like a +1 Shield, or the Medium Armor Master Feat.
Though, I would recommend acquiring a Breastplate +1, as it provides the same amount of AC, but doesn't provide Disadvantage on stealth checks. The Breastplate would likely have to be made of Non Metallic material, like Bone/Chitin though, or magically reinforced Wood. (Though, if you have the money, and are already planning on taking the MAM Feat, l would strongly recommend using those materials and gold to buy Chitin Half Plate, especially if it's magical.)
In short, If you're planning on wildshaping, cast Barkskin on yourself, or if it's a high dex, low con creature, ask the Wizard or Warlock to cast Mage Armor on you. If you're not planning on wildshaping, Wear the best armor you can get. Studded leather if you have a high Dex, or Chitin medium armor if you have low dex and or lots of money.
For a source of Chitin suitable for Plate armor, l recommend finding a Ankheg. And obviously someone trained in shaping it into Ankheg Plate Armor.