A telescope collects light and shapes it into an image. Two main families do this in two different ways.
A refractor uses a lens.
A reflector uses a mirror.
Both can show the Moon, planets, and faint objects. The difference is where the simplicity lives.
Refractor (lens)
A refractor bends light through glass at the front. The tube is usually closed, so things stay clean and stable. The view often feels crisp and predictable.
This is simplicity of use.
A common downside is a thin color fringe on bright objects, unless the optics are more expensive.
Reflector (mirror)
A reflector focuses light by bouncing it off a curved mirror. This avoids the color-fringe problem and makes larger sizes easier to reach for the same cost.
This is simplicity of design and scale.
A common downside is sensitivity: alignment and cooling can matter more for sharp views.
Refractors and reflectors are both simple—just simple in different places.
A refractor tends to simplify the experience.
A reflector tends to simplify getting more light.