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Learning Management · head to head

Coursera vs Rakuten

Coursera logo

Coursera

Learning Management

Learn from top universities and companies worldwide

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rakuten logo

Rakuten

Browser Extensions

Get cash back on every purchase

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Coursera free audit does not include certificate upon completion; Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users
  • They diverge on capability: Coursera covers Video lectures, Rakuten covers Cash back rewards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Coursera and Rakuten actually diverge.

Attributes where Coursera and Rakuten differ
AttributeCourseraRakuten
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidBrowser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
CategoryLearning ManagementBrowser Extensions
Founded20121999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Coursera

  • Video lectures
  • Quizzes
  • Peer assessments
  • Certificates
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline access
  • Specializations
  • Degrees

Only in Rakuten

  • Cash back rewards
  • Coupon codes
  • In-store offers
  • Price comparisons
  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Coursera

  • Skill developmentnot Rakuten
  • Career advancementnot Rakuten
  • Professional certificatesnot Rakuten
  • Degree programsnot Rakuten

Rakuten

No use cases recorded yet. See the Rakuten review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Coursera

  • Free audit does not include certificate upon completion
  • Limited offline access to course materials
  • Paid specializations require monthly subscription rather than one-time purchase

Rakuten

  • Minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users
  • Quarterly payout schedule only, with months-long delays between earning and receiving payments
  • Amazon cashback limited to specific categories at 1-3% rates
  • Must click through Rakuten link first or cashback does not register

Pricing, plan by plan

Coursera

Free
  • Free AuditFree
  • Coursera Plus$59/month
  • Professional Certificates$39/month

Rakuten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Coursera if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want quizzes.
Coursera review

Choose Rakuten if

  • You need cash back rewards.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
  • You also want coupon codes.
Rakuten review

Questions people ask

Is Coursera or Rakuten better?
Neither clearly leads. Coursera starts at Free and Rakuten at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Coursera or Rakuten?
Coursera starts at Free and Rakuten at Free.
Does Coursera or Rakuten run on more platforms?
Coursera runs on Web, iOS, Android. Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Can I use Coursera for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Coursera best used for?
Coursera is most often used for skill development, career advancement, professional certificates, degree programs. Of those, skill development and career advancement are not what Rakuten is typically brought in for.
What can Coursera do that Rakuten cannot?
Coursera covers Video lectures, Quizzes, Peer assessments, Certificates. Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Coursera: Can I audit courses for free?

Yes. Most Coursera courses can be audited for free, allowing access to videos and assignments without a certificate.

Source
Rakuten: Is Rakuten free to use?

Yes, the Rakuten browser extension is completely free with no membership fees. Users never pay to earn cashback rewards.

Source
Coursera: What is Coursera Plus?

Coursera Plus is a subscription for $59/month or $399/year providing unlimited access to over 7,000 courses and specializations with certificates.

Source
Rakuten: How and when can I withdraw my cashback earnings?

Rakuten processes payouts quarterly in February, May, August, and November. You need a minimum balance of $5.01 to request a payout via PayPal or check.

Source
Coursera: Do enterprises get custom integrations?

Yes. Enterprise plans include SSO, APIs, AI-assisted Course Builder, and 30+ LMS integrations with dedicated customer success managers.

Source
Rakuten: How many stores does Rakuten support?

Rakuten works with over 3,500 online stores and offers cashback rates up to 40% depending on the retailer and promotion.

Source
Coursera: What is the cost of a degree program?

Coursera offers accredited degree programs starting at $50,000 and above, with costs varying by program and institution.

Source
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