Last Updated on August 25, 2025 by Full-Time Job From Home
Rakuten is pretty popular if you’ve searched for ways to earn cashback while shopping online. It’s been around for years, and a lot of folks wonder if it’s really a safe way to score rewards, or if it’s just another online scam. I’ve used Rakuten for my own online purchases, so here’s an all-in-one run-through of what Rakuten is, how it works, and whether you can actually trust this cashback giant.
Before moving on, it’s worth remembering that cashback sites—including Rakuten—aren’t going to make anyone rich. They’re a great way to save a bit on things you already buy, but they aren’t some miracle income source. If you’re searching for more serious ways to earn from home, it’s worth checking out online business opportunities that go beyond cashback.
In this review, I’m going to dig into how Rakuten works, how you get paid, how much you can realistically get back, and lay out whether I think it’s legit. If you’ve wondered about the best cashback platforms, there’s a bonus section at the end covering those as well.
Rakuten Review
Site: Rakuten
Type: Cashback Shopping Portal
Verdict: Legitimate
My own experience with Rakuten has been completely legit. Every cashback payout I’ve earned has landed in my PayPal account without hassle. Rakuten is one of the biggest and most reliable cashback sites out there. It helps people get extra value from their regular online purchases. It’s not going to send you huge paychecks, but the process is simple and the cashback rewards add up over time.
Rakuten stands out thanks to its huge partner list. You’ll find thousands of stores, including big names like Walmart and Amazon, along with specialty shops. As long as you start your shopping trip from the Rakuten site or app and finish your purchase in the same session, you can rack up cashback. Payouts aren’t instant, which sometimes confuses new users. Rakuten pays its members every quarter, so you have to be patient waiting for your “Big Fat Check” (that’s the phrase Rakuten uses in their payout notifications).
How Does Rakuten Work?
1) Sign Up for Free
You can sign up for Rakuten at rakuten.com, or by using their mobile app. The signup process is quick, and there’s usually a new member bonus available: often $10–$30 if you make a qualifying purchase through their platform within a set period. Keep an eye out for these promotions when you join, since they’re an easy way to get a little extra.
2) Browse the Partner Stores
After opening your account, browse through Rakuten’s big list of partners. There are over 3,500 stores at the time of writing. Major names include Target, Best Buy, Old Navy, and even travel platforms like Expedia.
3) Start Shopping via Rakuten
To get cashback, you need to start your shopping process either on Rakuten’s website or app. Click the link to your chosen store; this opens the official site in a new tab while Rakuten tracks your purchase behind the scenes through cookies. Complete your transaction as usual.
4) Cashback Is Added to Your Account
If the purchase is tracked, cashback shows up in your Rakuten account once the order is confirmed. Sometimes this is instant, other times it takes a few hours or days, depending on the retailer. If there’s a high return rate for the store, Rakuten will often wait until the return window closes before locking in your cashback.
5) Get Paid Four Times a Year
Your cashback is paid out every three months, either to your PayPal account or as a paper check. You need to hit a minimum of $5.01. If your balance is below this threshold, it’ll roll over to the next pay period.
6) Refer Friends for Bonus Earnings
Rakuten’s referral program is a simple way to give your balance a boost. Share your unique referral link: once your friend signs up and completes a qualifying purchase, both of you earn a referral bonus (the exact amount changes from time to time).
How Does Rakuten Pay?
One of the best things about Rakuten is its dependable payment process. Here’s how payouts work:
- PayPal: Payout goes straight to your PayPal account. Make sure your info is up to date in your settings.
- Paper Check: Rakuten’s “Big Fat Check” is mailed out to your address.
You’ll need to hit $5.01 in earned cashback (not including pending or returned items) to qualify for a payout. Payments go out every quarter—in February, May, August, and November. If you haven’t reached the minimum, your balance simply carries over to the next cycle.
How Much Can You Earn with Rakuten?
Your cashback potential depends on what and how much you’re buying. Most stores offer somewhere between 1% and 10% back, with promotions bumping some stores even higher during special events. Say you spend $500 a year online and your average cashback rate is around 5%—that equals $25 back.
Not life altering, but you’re getting cash for purchases you would make anyway. During the holidays, you’ll notice many stores turn up their cashback rates, letting you score even more rewards.
Certain categories, like travel or luxury items, can pay out much higher rates. I personally landed a $40 bonus on a holiday sale during a Rakuten double cashback event—just by doing the shopping I would have done anyway. You can add credit card rewards to this for even more value.
Cashback isn’t meant to replace your paycheck, but it’s free money on things you’re already buying. Over a year, it can add up nicely if you shop consistently.
Does Rakuten Actually Pay?
Based on my experience and what I’ve seen in user reviews, Rakuten pays its members dependably every quarter. Plenty of folks post their Big Fat Checks or screen shots of PayPal payments on social media as proof.
If you run into an issue where cashback doesn’t track, Rakuten customer support is generally quick to respond and will work with you as long as you have prepped order details and followed their cashback rules. The process isn’t instant, but the record for payouts is solid.
Here’s proof of my latest “Big Fat Check” (PayPal Payment):
Rakuten Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Simple setup and easy to use
Even if it’s your first time trying cashback sites, Rakuten’s interface is a breeze. The browser extension is especially useful because it pops up automatically at partner stores to remind you of possible savings. - Massive store selection
There are thousands of retailer options, from brands like Nike and Sephora to big box stores like Walmart or Target. - Quarterly, consistent payments
You get a “Big Fat Check” every quarter. Payments are reliable, so you don’t have to worry about missing money. - Referral program lets you stack up
The referral bonus is an easy way to score an extra reward, especially when Rakuten is running a promotion. - Works in stores too
Link your credit card to your Rakuten account, and you can enable select offers for in-person shopping as well.
Cons:
- Quarterly payouts take patience
You won’t see instant money; rewards only come every few months. - Occasional missed cashbacks
If a purchase isn’t tracked properly (for instance, if you didn’t click through Rakuten), you could lose out. Keeping order confirmations makes it easier to dispute any issues. - Minimum payout holds back smaller balances
You need to reach $5.01 in cashback before seeing a payout, so light shoppers may wait longer between payments. - Not all purchases or retailers qualify
Some fine print applies, and certain products or categories might not count, so it’s a good idea to double-check store pages on Rakuten before finalizing your purchases.
The Most Popular Cashback Sites Worth Checking Out
Rakuten isn’t the only game in town. If you want to mix in some variety when earning while you shop, here are several popular cashback sites I’ve used or checked out:
- Ibotta: Helps you get cashback in stores and online—especially strong for grocery and everyday household shopping.
- Swagbucks: Alongside cashback for shopping, you also earn by answering surveys, watching videos, and more. Payout as PayPal cash or gift cards.
- Upside: Helps you get cashback when you buy gas.
Each of these sites has their own apps or browser tools. The smart move is to compare rates before any major purchase. Some people use several at once (just don’t activate more than one per transaction, or you might lose tracking and miss out).
Is Rakuten a Scam or the Real Deal?
Personally, I think Rakuten is the real thing. They’ve paid out millions to members, including me. You do need to follow their instructions closely—start your shopping session from the Rakuten site or app, and make sure your browser cookies are enabled. There are no sneaky tricks here.
The biggest complaints tend to deal with missed cashback (which is usually fixable by keeping proof of your transactions and following their rules) or having to wait months for a payout. I always save order confirmations so it’s easy to sort things out if needed—and so far, every eligible bonus has appeared in my account.
If you want to mix things up, trying out Ibotta or Swagbucks can offer more rewards, especially if you compare cashback percentages. Using Rakuten’s browser extension is an easy step so you never forget a possible reward.
For anyone interested in saving money on things they would buy anyway, Rakuten is definitely worth a look. While it won’t change your life, it’s a simple way to give your regular online shopping a little more value. Bottom line—it’s a win in my book!
If you’d like to join Rakuten, visit Rakuten.com, and you’ll be eligible for a $30 sign-up bonus after your first shopping trip!
Using Rakuten to save money while you shop is a no brainer but it’s not the only way to earn money online. Check out these helpful links:
Extra Income Sites that Pay Me Each Month
Start Your Own Online Business
Do you use Rakuten to save money while you shop? Know of any other scam-free alternatives? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.