Rakuten
by Rakuten Group, Inc. · Shopping & E-Commerce · Deals & Cashback
Earn cashback on purchases from thousands of stores. Shop through the app or browser extension to get money back.
Quick Answer: Rakuten has a verified Real Score of 4/5 based on 33,500 verified reviews, compared to its App Store rating of 4.7/5. Highly recommended by verified users.
Real Score vs App Store Rating
App Store Rating
Includes unverified reviews
Verified Real Score
Based on 33,500 verified reviews
Gap Alert: Rakuten's App Store rating is 0.7 points higher than its verified Real Score. This suggests that some store reviews may be inflated by fake or incentivized ratings.
Pros & Cons
What Users Love
- Real cashback that actually pays out
- Wide retailer coverage
- Quarterly Big Fat Check payments
- Browser extension is convenient
Common Complaints
- Cashback percentages are often low
- Quarterly payment schedule is slow
- Must shop through their links
- Some exclusions and limitations
Verified Reviews (20)
Free money basically
Got a $147 Big Fat Check this quarter just from shopping I was going to do anyway. Rakuten is literally free money. I dont understand why everyone doesnt use this.
Reliable and trustworthy
Been using Rakuten for 3 years and always received my cashback. No tricks, no fine print gotchas. They do what they promise. Quarterly checks arrive like clockwork.
In-store cashback is underused
Most people only use Rakuten online but the in-store cashback feature works too. Link your card and earn cashback at physical stores. Great addition.
Low percentages on most stores
1-2% cashback at most major retailers isnt very exciting. The occasional 10%+ promotions are great but rare. Consistent low returns vs occasional high ones.
Double dip with credit card rewards
Stack Rakuten cashback with credit card rewards for double savings. On a recent $500 purchase I got 5% Rakuten plus 3% credit card. Thats $40 back for nothing.
Waiting for quarterly pay is tough
Wish I could cash out anytime instead of waiting for quarterly payments. Its annoying to see the balance sitting there. But it does always come through.
Travel booking cashback is excellent
Got significant cashback on hotel and flight bookings through Rakuten. Travel purchases add up fast so even small percentages equal real money. Always book through Rakuten.
Need to remember to activate
The biggest downside is remembering to start through Rakuten every time. If you forget and go directly to a store, no cashback. The browser extension helps with this.
Referral program is generous
Got $30 for referring a friend and they got $30 too. Have referred 5 friends and earned $150 in bonuses alone. Plus their ongoing cashback means I keep benefiting.
App is well organized
Easy to browse stores, see current cashback rates, and track your earnings. The interface is clean and the favorite stores feature helps you quickly access your go-to retailers.
Holiday bonuses are the best
During Black Friday and holidays, cashback percentages increase dramatically. Planned my holiday shopping around Rakuten bonuses and saved over $200. Worth strategizing around.
Some cashback gets denied
Had a few instances where cashback wasnt tracked properly and was denied. Customer service resolved most but its frustrating when legitimate purchases dont get credited.
Over $500 earned this year
Earned over $500 in cashback this year without changing my shopping habits at all. Just started everything through Rakuten. Its passive income with zero effort.
Browser extension is essential
The browser extension pops up automatically when you visit a partner store. No need to remember to go through Rakuten. Game changer for capturing all available cashback.
Not all stores participate
The biggest stores are covered but some of my favorite niche retailers arent on Rakuten. Would love to see the network expand. Getting better over time though.
Cash or PayPal option is nice
Can receive cashback as a check or directly to PayPal. The PayPal option is faster and more convenient. Both work reliably.
No brainer app
There is literally no reason not to use Rakuten. Its free, it gives you money back, and it takes minimal effort. Best money-saving app out there.
Tracking is transparent
Love that you can see pending cashback immediately after purchase. Full transparency on whats been tracked, whats pending, and whats been approved. Trust-building.
Exclusions can be sneaky
Some cashback offers exclude certain product categories or sale items. The fine print matters. Have been burned a couple times when cashback was denied for excluded items.
Steady and reliable
Nothing flashy about Rakuten - it just works. Consistent cashback, reliable payments, good customer service when needed. A dependable part of my shopping routine.
Showing 1-20 of 12,847 reviews
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Last updated: April 2026