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- Introduction
- Rakuten and Honey Compared
- How Savings Are Delivered
- Cashback and Reward Rates
- Coupon Code Features
- Feature Comparison Summary
- Store and Brand Coverage
- Mobile and Browser Access
- Getting Set Up
- Device and Browser Compatibility
- How to Use Rakuten and Honey
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recommended Reads
Introduction
Online shopping is easy, but many people do not get all the savings they could have. Rakuten and Honey are two top tools made to help with this. Rakuten lets you earn cash back when you buy things. Honey looks for and uses coupon codes for you. Both give you ways to save money, but each has its own main feature. This guide will show you how the two work, so you can know which one is better for the way you shop.
Rakuten and Honey Compared
Rakuten and Honey are both free tools that work with many stores so people can save money. Rakuten gives cashback, which means you get some real money back when you make a purchase that meets the rules. Honey is by PayPal. It looks for coupon codes and also has something called Honey Gold. You get points from Honey Gold, which you can use later.
The two apps match different ways you like to save money. Rakuten is good for people who want to get cashback they can count on. Honey works well for those who want to see savings and price drops right away.
What Rakuten Offers
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) gives you money back when you shop through its website or browser tool. It works with big stores like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. After you buy something that counts, you get cashback. This money is sent to you every three months by PayPal or by check in the mail.
Rakuten gives out referral bonuses and sometimes shares special codes. The cashback rates are shown clearly, so people can compare deals before they buy. If you want to get real money back from shopping, Rakuten is a good choice for that.
What Honey Offers
Honey is a tool you can add to your browser or phone. It helps you save money by finding and using coupon codes when you are checking out online. The app works with many stores. It also has something called Honey Gold, which is its rewards system. When you buy certain things, you get Gold points. You can turn these points into gift cards or PayPal credit. This makes it easy for people to get something extra when they shop.
Honey offers tools like Droplist to track prices and Best Price to compare deals. While the Honey Gold rewards are not as steady as Rakuten’s cashback, Honey makes things easy by using the top coupon codes right away. This helps people save money without much effort.
Criteria | Rakuten | Honey |
---|---|---|
Payout Frequency | Every 3 months | On-demand (after reaching 1,000 Gold points) |
Minimum Redemption Threshold | $5 in cashback | 1,000 Honey Gold points |
Reward Format | Cash via PayPal or check | Gift cards or PayPal credit |
Referral Bonuses | Available with cash bonuses | Not prominently advertised |
In-Store Cashback | Available via mobile app | Not supported |
Price Tracking Tool | Not included | Drop list |
Best Use Case | Planned purchases and higher savings | Instant discounts and casual browsing |
How Savings Are Delivered
Rakuten gives users cash back. You earn more and more as you shop. This money adds up and later you get paid in real cash. Honey, on the other hand, helps you get discounts right when you check out. It also rewards you with points called Honey Gold. You can use these points for other deals.
Rakuten helps people who make big or planned buys. Honey is good if you want to pay less right away. The one you pick depends on how you like to spend your money. Both of these can help you save more.
Cashback and Reward Rates
Rakuten gives clear cashback rates from over 3,500 partner stores. You get a set percent back when you make a purchase. The company sends payments four times a year through PayPal or by mailing you a check. You need to have at least $5 in rewards to get your money.
Honey Gold works in a different way. You get points after your purchase is checked. The points you earn change, but they are usually between 1% and 5% of your whole order. When you save up 1,000 Gold points, you can use them to get gift cards or PayPal credit. While Rakuten gives people cashback in a steadier way, Honey lets people choose from more options for rewards. This is good for those who like to get things they can redeem.
Coupon Code Features
Honey does better than Rakuten when it comes to using coupons. Its extension looks for and uses coupon codes when you check out. This helps people get the best deal with little work. It can also point out times when you get free shipping or extra savings.
Rakuten gives you some coupons with its cashback deals. But using coupons is not what the site does best. Honey helps you more because its tool makes it easy to get discounts. This is great for people who want to get savings fast.
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Feature Comparison Summary
Each platform has distinct features:
- Rakuten: Get higher cashback rates, clear reward tracking, and bonuses when you refer friends.
- Honey: It will find coupons for you, offer Honey Gold rewards, and let you know when the price drops with Droplist.
Picking the best platform comes down to what you want most. If you like real cash payouts, go with that. If you want tools that find and use discounts for you, pick one that has those.
Store and Brand Coverage
Platform | Number of Partner Stores | Example Retailers |
---|---|---|
Rakuten | Over 3,500 | Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Groupon |
Honey | Over 40,000 | eBay, Nike, Uber Eats, H&M, Google Play Credit |
Honey has more total partners, but Rakuten often gives you better cashback rates. The best choice for you will depend on where you shop most of the time.
Mobile and Browser Access
Both Rakuten and Honey have easy-to-use browser extensions and mobile apps. The Rakuten app lets you get cashback in stores. You can also find special deals with services like Uber and Lyft. The Honey app is a Smart Shopping Assistant. It puts all its coupon and price check tools in one place to make shopping simple.
Honey mainly helps people find and use coupons on their phones. Rakuten, on the other hand, gives a wider range of savings both online and in stores.
Getting Set Up
To start with Rakuten or Honey, you need to put in their browser add-ons or mobile apps. You have to sign up with them first. It is simple to do.
- Rakuten: Sign up and link your PayPal to it. Or you can pick to get your cashback by check. After you set it up, you can start to get cash back.
- Honey: Make an account with your email address. Then, add the Honey extension. You will use it to find coupon codes. You will also earn Gold when you shop.
Both setups are easy to use and good for beginners.
Device and Browser Compatibility
Rakuten and Honey work well with new devices and web browsers. They both can be used on Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. You can also use them on Android and iOS phones through their apps. Each one connects right in the browser, so you get deals while you shop. They let you use safe ways to pay, like PayPal, to help keep your money safe.
How to Use Rakuten and Honey
Step 1: Install the App or Extension
Get the Rakuten or Honey add-on from their main websites or wherever you get apps. Follow the steps that show up to begin.
Step 2: Shop at Partner Retailers
Use Rakuten or Honey when you shop online at stores that take part. Rakuten will show you the cashback amounts for each store. Honey will find and put in working coupons when you pay.
Step 3: Activate Cashback or Coupons
Before you buy something, click to turn on Rakuten cashback offers. Honey will do this for you by finding and using the best coupon during checkout.
Step 4: Redeem Rewards
Rakuten sends out payments every three months. You can get your money by PayPal or by check once you have at least $5. With Honey, you can get a gift card or PayPal credit when you have 1,000 Gold points. Both of these places have an easy way to get your rewards. They also keep it safe for you.
Final Thoughts
Rakuten and Honey both give you good ways to save when you shop online. But they do things in a different way. Rakuten works well if you want to get cashback that you know you will get on your buys. Honey gives you quick discounts and gift card rewards that you can use in many ways. The best one for you will depend on how you like to shop. You can try both to see which fits your needs and goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Rakuten and Honey at the same time?
No. Cashback cookies might not work well together if you have both extensions on when you check out. You should turn on only one at a time. This will help make sure that your rewards get tracked the right way.
Which app gives better cashback for U.S. shoppers?
Rakuten often gives better cashback rates that you can count on. The cashback at Honey changes and is not always the same.
Are Rakuten and Honey safe to use?
Yes. Both platforms use safe data steps and work with PayPal for safe money deals. They ask for very little information about you.
How do I get paid?
Rakuten gives people their earnings through PayPal or by check every three months. When you use Honey, you can get Gold points and then trade them for gift cards or PayPal credits after you reach the needed amount.

Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: Rakuten vs. Honey: Which App Saves You More?
https://fangwallet.com/2025/07/21/rakuten-vs-honey-which-app-saves-you-more/
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