Rakuten is a legitimate cashback site offering up to 15% cashback at thousands of online retailers, plus a $30 signup bonus. It's one of the most established cashback platforms (formerly Ebates). Install the browser extension and it activates automatically when you shop. Rating: 9.0/10 — essential for online shoppers.
Quick Facts
Note: We no longer actively recommend signing up for Rakuten, but this review is kept for informational purposes.
What is Rakuten?
If you shop online and you're not using Rakuten, you're literally leaving money on the table. That's not hype - it's just math. Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) gives you cash back on purchases you're already going to make at stores you're already going to shop at.
Here's the simple version: Rakuten has deals with 3,500+ online retailers. When you click through Rakuten before shopping, those retailers pay Rakuten a commission. Rakuten then shares that commission with you - typically 1-15% depending on the store. You pay the same price you always would; you just get money back.
The company has been doing this since 1998 (when it was called Ebates) and has paid out over $3.7 billion in cash back to members. In 2014, Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten acquired them for $1 billion. This is a massive, legitimate operation - not some sketchy startup that might disappear with your earnings.
How Rakuten Works
The Basic Process
- Create a free Rakuten account: Takes about 30 seconds.
- Find your store on Rakuten: Search for where you want to shop (Amazon, Target, Walmart, etc.).
- Click through to the store: This activates your cashback tracking.
- Shop normally: Buy what you were going to buy anyway.
- Cashback appears in your account: Usually within 48 hours, but may take longer to become "available."
- Get paid quarterly: Rakuten sends payments via PayPal or check every 3 months.
Featured Retailers & Typical Rates
| Retailer | Typical Cashback | During Sales Events |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon (select categories) | 1-4% | Up to 8% |
| Walmart | 1-3% | Up to 10% |
| Target | 1-2% | Up to 5% |
| Macy's | 2-6% | Up to 15% |
| Nike | 3-8% | Up to 12% |
| Sephora | 2-4% | Up to 10% |
| Hotels.com | 3-6% | Up to 10% |
The Browser Extension Is Key
Install the Rakuten browser extension. It automatically notifies you when cashback is available at a site you're visiting, so you never forget to activate it. One click activates your cashback - no need to go to Rakuten's site first. This alone will probably double your earnings.
Payment Schedule
Rakuten pays out quarterly:
- Feb 15: For purchases Oct 1 - Dec 31
- May 15: For purchases Jan 1 - Mar 31
- Aug 15: For purchases Apr 1 - Jun 30
- Nov 15: For purchases Jul 1 - Sep 30
Payments are sent automatically if you've earned at least $5. No manual withdrawal needed.
Realistic Earnings
Your Rakuten earnings depend entirely on how much you shop online. Here's what different shopper profiles might expect:
| Shopper Type | Monthly Online Spending | Annual Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal Online Shopping | $50-100 | $15 - $40 |
| Average Online Shopper | $200-400 | $60 - $150 |
| Heavy Online Shopper | $500-1000 | $150 - $400 |
| Family/Business Purchaser | $1000+ | $300 - $600+ |
It's Not "Earning" - It's Saving
Let's be clear: Rakuten won't add income to your life. What it does is reduce spending on things you were going to buy anyway. That's actually better in some ways - you're not trading time for money. The "earnings" here are pure profit on money you'd have spent regardless.
Maximizing Your Returns
- Time big purchases around sales events: Rakuten regularly runs "Double Cash Back" days where rates are 2x normal.
- Stack with store sales: Cashback applies to sale prices too. 10% off + 8% cashback = 18% total savings.
- Use a cashback credit card: Triple dip: store discount + Rakuten cashback + credit card rewards.
- Check for in-store options: Some stores offer in-store cashback via the Rakuten app with linked cards.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Completely free money on purchases you'd make anyway
- $30 signup bonus (after first $30 purchase)
- 3,500+ partner retailers
- Browser extension makes activation effortless
- $3.7 billion paid out - extremely reliable
- Stacks with coupons, sales, and credit card rewards
- PayPal option for payment
- In-store cashback available at some retailers
- Mobile app for shopping on the go
- No minimum purchase required
Cons
- Quarterly payouts (have to wait up to 3 months)
- Some popular stores have low rates or aren't included
- Cashback can take weeks to become "available"
- Must remember to click through (or use extension)
- Some exclusions on certain product categories
- Amazon cashback is limited to specific categories
- Occasionally cashback doesn't track properly
Payment Proof & Reliability
Trust Level: Extremely High
- Over $3.7 billion paid to members since 1998
- Owned by Rakuten Group (Japanese e-commerce giant, $15B+ company)
- 15+ million members in the US alone
- A+ rating with Better Business Bureau
- 4.4/5 rating on Trustpilot (60,000+ reviews)
- Automatic quarterly payments - you don't even have to request them
Rakuten is as close to a "sure thing" as exists in the online earning world. They've been paying users consistently for over 25 years. The parent company is one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. There's essentially zero risk that they won't pay you.
The only common complaint is occasional tracking failures where cashback doesn't register. This happens with all cashback services, and Rakuten's customer service is generally good about resolving it if you have proof of purchase.
Tips for Maximizing Cashback
- Install the browser extension: Cannot stress this enough. It's the difference between remembering to use Rakuten 30% of the time vs 90% of the time.
- Shop during Double Cash Back events: Rakuten runs these regularly, especially around holidays. Rates can double or triple.
- Check for bonus offers: Some stores offer elevated rates for limited times. The extension will show you current rates.
- Link credit/debit cards for in-store: Activate in-store offers in the app, then pay with your linked card. Cashback happens automatically.
- Stack strategically: Store coupon + Rakuten + cashback credit card + portal bonuses = maximum savings.
- Book travel through Rakuten: Hotels, flights, and car rentals often have 3-10% cashback.
- Refer friends: Both you and your friend get $30 after their first qualifying purchase. Easy money.
- Screenshot your cashback activations: If something doesn't track, this helps customer service fix it.
Rakuten vs Other Cashback Services
| Feature | Rakuten | TopCashback | Ibotta |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Stores | 3,500+ | 3,000+ | 300+ (grocery focus) |
| Signup Bonus | $30 | $15 | $10 |
| Payment Frequency | Quarterly | On request | Anytime |
| Min Payout | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Average Rates | Good | Often highest | Good (groceries) |
| In-Store Cashback | Yes (limited) | No | Yes (strong) |
The verdict? Use multiple services and compare rates. TopCashback sometimes has higher percentages. Ibotta is better for groceries. But Rakuten has the best overall combination of store variety, ease of use, and reliability. Many power users run Rakuten as their default and check TopCashback for big purchases.
Final Verdict
Verdict: Highly Recommended (Essential for Online Shoppers)
Rakuten is a no-brainer for anyone who shops online. It's free money on purchases you'd make anyway, from a company that's been reliably paying users for 25+ years. The quarterly payment schedule is the only minor annoyance. With the browser extension, using Rakuten is almost effortless.
Best for: Everyone who shops online. Even if you only save $50-100 per year, that's $50-100 more than you'd have otherwise. Stack with credit card rewards and store sales for maximum savings. The $30 signup bonus makes it worth trying even if you're skeptical.
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