Rakuten Alternatives: 10+ Best Cashback Sites (Compared)

Are you looking for the best Rakuten alternatives? Yes? Here are some of the best cashback sites that work similarly to Rakuten.

Cashback sites offer a compelling way to save money on everyday purchases. These platforms partner with a wide variety of retailers to provide users with a percentage of their spending back in the form of cash or points.

One of the best cashback sites is Rakuten. However, it’s not the only option. There are many well-known cashback sites available on the market that work similarly to Rakuten.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the best Rakuten alternatives.

What is Rakuten?

Rakuten is one of the most popular cashback sites, allowing members to earn money back on their purchases at thousands of partner retailers.

It was founded as Ebates in 1998 and was later acquired by the Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, leading to the rebranding as Rakuten Rewards.

Rakuten partners with over 3,500 retailers, including Temu, Macy’s, Nike, eBay, CVS, Sephora, Best Buy, and Ulta Beauty.

To get started, you can just create an account on the Rakuten website or mobile app. Later, you can start shopping at Rakuten’s partner stores. As you shop on store sites, Cash Back adds up in your account. 

Why Do You Need Rakuten Alternatives?

While Rakuten is the most popular cashback site on the market, it has some drawbacks. Shoppers typically look for Rakuten alternatives for several key reasons, which often relate to maximizing earnings, payment flexibility, or addressing common service complaints:

• Higher Cashback Rates: Over the last few years, many competitors to Rakuten have emerged. They often promise to beat or match Rakuten’s rates, leading people to use multiple platforms and check a comparison site to ensure they get the highest percentage back for a specific retailer or purchase.

• Payout Frequency: Rakuten offers a payment as soon as 15 days after your first purchase. However, the standard payment schedule is quarterly (every three months), which can be a long wait for your money.

• Different Types of Rewards: Rakuten only pays in cash via PayPal or check. Rakuten competitors offer gift cards and crypto as rewards.

• Various Earning Opportunities: Rakuten only focuses on online shopping cashback. Its competitors, like Swagbucks, offer various earning opportunities.

In short, the main purpose of seeking Rakuten alternatives is to find a platform that offers better payout rates, faster payments, rewards tailored to a specific shopping habit (like groceries or gas), or a more reliable user experience.

Top Rakuten Alternatives (Compared)

1. TopCashBack

TopCashback is one of the best cashback sites, known for offering the highest cashback rates. It allows users to earn cashback on purchases made through its platform at thousands of affiliated retailers.

It partners with over 7,000 retailers to start saving money. You’ll find great cashback rates on everything, such as airport parking, hotel bookings, and car rentals, as well as your favorite fashion, electronics, and home brands.

To get started, create an account on the TopCashBack website or app. Later, browse retailers to shop via TopCashBack links. You make your purchase as normal on the retailer’s site. TopCashBack records your purchase and the cashback amount added to your account.

You can’t withdraw your earnings straight away. The retailer needs to confirm the purchase after the return period (usually 1-3 months), and the cashback amount becomes available for you to withdraw. You can withdraw your cashback earnings via bank account, PayPal, or Gift Cards.

Pros:

• It claims to offer high cashback rates compared to other cashback sites.
• It is free to join.
• There is no minimum cash-out threshold.
• You can receive up to 5% bonus on your cashback when choosing to be paid out via gift cards.
• It partners with thousands of retailers.
• It has a browser extension.

Cons:

• There is a waiting period for the cashback amount to be payable.
• The best rates and selection of retailers are primarily focused on the UK and US markets.

2. BeFrugal

BeFrugal is another popular cashback and coupon site that helps shoppers save money on their everyday purchases.

It partners with over 5,000 top online stores, including Walmart, Nike, Kohl’s, Macy’s, CVS, Best Buy, Expedia, and Amazon. You can get up to 40% cashback on your online purchases.

Apart from cashback, it offers coupons and promo codes that can be applied at checkout for immediate discounts.

To get started, create an account and explore your favorite stores to get cashback. As a new member, you’ll get a $10 bonus.

There is no minimum payout threshold. You can withdraw your cashback earnings via PayPal, check, direct deposit, Venmo, Zelle, or gift cards.

Pros:

• It guarantees the highest cashback rates in the industry.
• It partners with over 5,000 online retailers, covering a wide range of categories from electronics and clothing to travel and home goods.
• It has a browser extension that automatically finds and applies the best available coupons and promo codes at checkout.
• It offers multiple payment methods.
• There is no minimum payout threshold.
• It is available as a website, a mobile app for both iOS and Android, and a browser extension.
• There is a sign-up bonus for new members.

Cons:

• The cashback is limited to online purchases.
• It can take some time for your cash back to be processed and become available for withdrawal.

3. Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping is a well-known tool for finding coupons and promo codes. It is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, as well as a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices.

You don’t need to be a Capital One customer to use this service. Capital One Shopping’s standout feature is its price comparison tool. When you view a product on sites like Amazon, the extension automatically checks if other retailers have it for a lower price.

Apart from coupons, it has a shopping rewards program. For purchases made at participating retailers, you can earn “Shopping Rewards.” Later, you can redeem shopping rewards for various gift cards.

Pros:

• It’s free to use and has no subscription fees or hidden costs.
• The tool works in the background to find and apply discounts.
• It works with thousands of online retailers.
• It has a browser extension to find and apply discounts effectively.

Cons:

• You can only redeem your earnings for gift cards.
• Not all purchases are eligible for rewards.

4. Honey

Honey is another well-known coupon browser extension and mobile app that works similarly to Capital One Shopping.

It helps online shoppers find and automatically apply discount coupon codes and earn rewards. It was acquired by PayPal in 2020.

It has a program called “PayPal Rewards.” You can get PayPal Rewards on eligible items by shopping at participating stores.

To get started, you can just create an account. Later, you can shop at participating stores to earn Gold (points). Later, you can redeem your Gold for gift cards to your favorite stores. Currently, redeeming PayPal Rewards points within PayPal is only available in the U.S. 

Pros:

• Find and apply discount coupon codes.
• It has a PayPal Rewards program on eligible items.
• Redeem your points for gift cards and PayPal.

Cons:

• Low earning potential with PayPal Rewards.
• It has faced controversy for allegedly overriding affiliate links used by content creators.

5. Ibotta

Ibotta is a popular cashback app that allows users to earn money back on everyday purchases, both in-store and online. It partners with over 3,000 retailers, including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kohl’s, Ulta, and Chewy.

Unlike Rakuten, which focuses on fashionable items, Ibotta offers cashback on groceries. That makes it one of the best Rakuten alternatives on the market.

To get started, download the app and create an account. You can add offers to your shopping list before heading to the store. You can scan the receipts when shopping in-store.

When shopping online, you can either use the Ibotta app or its browser extension to activate cashback offers before making a purchase.

Once you earn $20, you can withdraw your earnings via direct deposit to your bank account, PayPal, or various gift cards.

Pros:

• It offers real money as cash back instead of points.
• It partners with over 3,000 retailers, including major grocery chains, big-box retailers, drugstores, and online marketplaces.
• It offers cashback on everyday purchases, from groceries to fashionable items.
• It has a referral program to boost your earnings.

Cons:

• High payout threshold.

6. Upside

Upside, formerly known as GetUpside, is a cashback app that provides money-back offers at participating gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.

Upside claim users can earn up to 3x more cash back on essential purchases like groceries, dining, and gas. It partners with a wide range of retailers, including Domino’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, BP, Taco Bell, and Casey’s.

To get started, download the Upside app and create an account. The app uses your location to show available deals near you. You claim a cashback offer in the app, pay for your purchase with a linked credit or debit card, and then receive your cashback amount in your Upside account.

You can withdraw your earnings directly to your bank account, PayPal, or a gift card. However, they charge a $1 fee for cashing out small dollar amounts (under $10 or $15).

Pros:

• It’s free to download and use, with no membership fees.
• It pays in real cash, instead of points.
• You can cash out via PayPal, a bank transfer, or gift cards.
• It offers savings on common and high-cost expenses like gas and groceries.

Cons:

• Not all gas stations, restaurants, or grocery stores participate.
• It charges a $1 fee for cashing out small dollar amounts.

7. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is a reward app that allows users to earn points by simply snapping and submitting photos of their shopping receipts.

You can earn points every time you shop in-store or online. Also, you can earn points for playing games and downloading apps.

Apart from mobile apps, Fetch Rewards has a Chrome browser extension to find the internet’s most rewarding deals. It partners with over 600 brands, including Lotrimin, Starbucks, Ben & Jerry’s, Doritos, and Dove.

The minimum payout threshold is 3,000 points ($3). You can redeem your points for gift cards to your favorite retailers, including Amazon, Google Pay, Starbucks, Target, Dunkin’, Chipotle, and Xbox.

Pros:

• The app is highly user-friendly.
• You get points from any store, including grocery, convenience, retail, gas stations, restaurants, and even online stores.
• Low redemption threshold.
• A variety of earning opportunities.

Cons:

• Low earning potential.
• No direct cash to a bank account or PayPal.
• Only available in the US (and Puerto Rico).

8. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is the most popular GPT site that gives you points, called Swagbucks (SBs), for completing various simple tasks online.

It offers a wide range of earning opportunities, such as answering surveys, watching videos, shopping online, playing games, referring friends, and completing offers.

You can redeem your points for gift cards to your favorite retailers or cash via PayPal or Payoneer. The minimum payout threshold varies by gift card.

Unlike Rakuten, which focuses on cashback, Swagbucks offers many earning opportunities, which can help you boost your earnings.

Pros:

• A variety of earning opportunities.
• Low payout threshold compared to other reward sites.
• It has a browser extension.
• Various gift card options tailored to locations.

Cons:

• Low hourly earning potential.
• Survey disqualification is common.

9. RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot is another cashback and coupon site for online and in-store shopping. Its core purpose is to aggregate various forms of savings—including coupon codes, promo codes, sales, and cash-back offers.

It partners with thousands of retailers and brands, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, LOFT, and Expedia. It operates through its website, mobile app, and a browser extension called “Deal Finder”

To get started, create a RetailMeNot account. Later, browse the available cashback offers and activate the one you want to use. When you complete the offer, you’ll receive your cashback amount in your account.

A minimum approved balance of $5.01 is required for a redemption. You can redeem your cash back through Venmo or PayPal.

Pros:

• It offers a combination of coupon codes, printable in-store coupons, and cash-back rewards.
• It has cashback offers for nearly 3,800 stores.
• The browser extension automatically searches for and attempts to apply available coupon codes and cash-back offers at checkout.
• Low cash-out threshold.
• Real cash rewards via PayPal or Venmo.

Cons:

• Coupon expiration.
• Cashback can take several weeks to appear in the account.

10. Coupert

Coupert is a free web browser extension and mobile app that acts as an AI-powered smart shopping assistant to help users save with coupons, Cash Back, and price comparisons.

Its primary function is to automatically find, test, and apply the best available coupon codes at checkout. It also offers cashback on purchases from partnered stores. You can withdraw your cashback earnings via PayPal or gift cards.

Apart from coupons and cashback offers, it also has surveys. You can earn up to $5 per survey.

Pros:

• It offers both automatic coupon application and cashback.
• The price comparison feature ensures you get the best price.
• It’s free to use and available as an extension for major browsers and a mobile app.
• Earn rewards through shopping, referring friends, or participating in special activities.

Cons:

• Cashback delay, which is common with all cashback services.

11. RebatesMe

RebatesMe is a cashback site and browser extension that allows shoppers to earn cash back on eligible purchases.

You can get up to 40% cashback while shopping online. It partners with over 8,500 stores, including eBay, Sephora, Macy’s, Nike, and The Home Depot.

You can browse the cashback offers on the platform. When you click on a cashback offer and complete the purchase, you’ll receive your cashback. The amount is added to your account once the store confirms the purchase.

The minimum cash-out threshold is $10. You can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, Credit Card, or Alipay.

Pros:

• It offers high cashback rates.
• It partners with thousands of popular online stores.
• Multiple payout options.
• It provides a browser extension and a mobile app.
• Sign-up bonus for new members.

Cons:

• High payout threshold compared to other cashback sites.
• Maintenance fee applies after 12 months without cash back earnings.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Rakuten is the most popular cashback platform on the market. However, it has some drawbacks.

As you can see, there are several Rakuten alternatives available. Depending on your shopping style, one of these Rakuten alternatives may offer you higher cashback rates, faster payouts, or more versatile earning options.

Pro Tip: Combine multiple cashback sites to make sure you’re getting the maximum cashback possible on every purchase.

What do you think about these Rakuten alternatives? Let me know in the comments.

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