The primary advantages of a refractor are that it is easy to maintain, easy to use, and is capable of land based observing as well as stargazing and the image is the correct way up!
Refracting telescopes use lenses to gather light.  The primary advantages of a refractor are that it is easy to maintain, easy to use, and is capable of land based observing as well as stargazing and the image is the correct way up!