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Rakuten

Free
cashbackshoppingrewardscouponsdealssavingse-commerceaffiliate marketingbrowser extension

Rakuten is a free-to-use platform that gives members cash back for shopping at thousands of online and in-store retailers, paying out real money quarterly via PayPal or check.


Rakuten offers a straightforward way for consumers to earn cash back on purchases from its network of over 3,500 partner stores. The platform functions as an affiliate marketing service, earning commissions from retailers for directing traffic and then sharing a portion of that commission with the user. Accessible via its website, a mobile app, and a browser extension, it simplifies the savings process by automatically alerting users to cashback opportunities. The service is ideal for any online shopper looking to maximize savings without complex points systems. Its standout value proposition is paying out real cash, a tangible reward that sets it apart from many competitors that rely on points or gift cards.

Pros

  • Completely free for consumers to join and use.
  • Offers real cash back payouts via PayPal or check, not points or gift cards.
  • Partners with an extensive network of over 3,500 stores, covering most shopping categories.
  • The browser extension automatically finds and applies cashback opportunities during online shopping.
  • Features a generous referral bonus program for new member sign-ups.

Cons

  • Cashback payments are only distributed quarterly, creating a long wait time for rewards.
  • Shopping activity tracking can occasionally fail, requiring users to manually file a claim for missing cash back.
  • Users must remember to start their shopping trip through Rakuten or activate the browser extension for each session.
  • Cashback rates for certain popular stores can be low (e.g., 1-2%).

Key features

  • Online shopping portal with cashback offers
  • "Cash Back Button" browser extension
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android
  • In-store cash back deals
  • Member referral program with cash bonuses
  • "Hot Deals" section for enhanced offers and daily doubles
  • Rakuten Visa Credit Card for additional rewards

Integrations

WalmartMacy'sTargetKohl'sSephoraNikeExpediaBest BuyLowe'sPetSmart

Target audience

Online shoppers, bargain hunters, and consumers seeking to earn rewards and save money on purchases from a wide variety of well-known retailers and brands.


Ratings & Reviews

0.0

Based on 0 reviews

Key Metrics

Active Users

17M+ members

Founded

1997

Headquarters

Tokyo, Japan

Pricing Tiers

Member

Access to cashback offers from thousands of stores, the Cash Back Button browser extension, a mobile app, and quarterly payments. A minimum earned balance of $5.01 is required for payout.

Free


Frequently Asked Questions


Top Alternatives to Rakuten

Honey

Choose Honey if your primary goal is automatically finding and applying coupon codes at checkout, with its rewards program being a secondary benefit.

Capital One Shopping

This is a strong alternative for finding lower prices at other retailers in real-time, in addition to applying coupon codes and earning shopping credits redeemable for gift cards.

TopCashback

Consider TopCashback if you want to maximize your return rate, as it often claims to offer the highest cashback by giving 100% of the store's commission back to the user.

Ready to get started?

Join thousands of users and see how Rakuten can transform your workflow today.

Visit Rakuten