Rakuten
Cash back shopping portal, app and browser extension that pays you back on purchases at thousands of stores.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Is Rakuten free?
Yes, free to use
Switch from Rakuten to
All 4
HoneyFree
FetchFree
SlickdealsFree
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 4
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Rakuten
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a US cash back service: you start your shopping through its website, app or browser extension, and when partner stores pay Rakuten a commission for the sale, it shares part of that with you as cash back. Rates vary by store and change daily, with frequent boosted offers around big sales. Beyond online shopping, you can link a card to earn in-store and restaurant cash back, and the extension also applies coupon codes at checkout. Cash back is paid out periodically by cheque or PayPal, or as American Express Membership Rewards points if you prefer. The service is free to join and is available on the web, iPhone, Android and major desktop browsers, with sister sites in Canada and Japan. The trade-offs: payouts are not instant, a purchase only counts if tracking works, and you have to remember to activate it before buying.
Best for: US online shoppers who want cash back on everyday purchases with minimal effort.
Rakuten pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Rakuten's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free; brands pay Rakuten | Nov 8, 2026 | rakuten.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Free to join, with cash back at thousands of stores
- Extension can also apply coupon codes at checkout
- In-store and restaurant cash back through a linked card
- Cash back stacks with sales and card rewards
Why people leave
- Cash back is paid out periodically, not instantly
- Purchases sometimes fail to track and need a claim
- Mainly useful for US shoppers
Rakuten vs Honey, Fetch and Slickdeals
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Rakuten | Honey | Fetch | Slickdeals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension | Browser extension, iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Browser extension | Web, iOS, Android, Browser extension |
Top Rakuten alternatives
See all 4- 1Honey61.8
Focuses on automatically testing coupon codes at checkout, with PayPal-linked rewards.
- 2Fetch42.3
Earn gift-card points by scanning almost any shopping receipt, in store or online.
- 3Slickdeals42.3
Free community-voted deal feed with alerts for specific products.
- 4
Upside42.3Covers in-person spending on gas, groceries and restaurants that online cashback portals miss.
Why people left Rakuten
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Rakuten, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Rakuten: common questions
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten: Cash back shopping portal, app and browser extension that pays you back on purchases at thousands of stores. Best for US online shoppers who want cash back on everyday purchases with minimal effort. Available for Web, iOS, Android and Browser extension.
Is Rakuten free?
Yes, Rakuten is free to use.
How much does Rakuten cost?
Rakuten is free to use. Cost: Free; brands pay Rakuten. Checked on Rakuten's own site, November 2026.
Is Rakuten open source?
No, Rakuten is not open source.
What platforms does Rakuten run on?
Rakuten is available for Web, iOS, Android and Browser extension.
What are the best alternatives to Rakuten?
The highest-ranked Rakuten alternatives right now are Honey, Fetch and Slickdeals. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Rakuten vs Honey: what's the difference?
Both Rakuten and Honey are free to use. Only Rakuten runs on Web.