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Browser Extensions · head to head

Greasemonkey vs Rakuten

Greasemonkey logo

Greasemonkey

Browser Extensions

The original userscript manager, for Firefox

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: Greasemonkey firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.; Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users
  • They diverge on capability: Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Rakuten covers Cash back rewards.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 15 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Greasemonkey and Rakuten actually diverge.

Attributes where Greasemonkey and Rakuten differ
AttributeGreasemonkeyRakuten
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsFirefoxBrowser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
FoundedUnknown1999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Browser Extensions).

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 Greasemonkey

  • Userscript execution
  • Built-in script editor
  • GM. API
  • @resource support
  • Script localisation
  • Firefox for Android

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.

Greasemonkey

  • Restyling or de-cluttering a site you use dailynot Rakuten
  • Automating a repetitive action on a web applicationnot Rakuten
  • Adding a missing feature to a site you do not controlnot Rakuten
  • Running userscripts on Firefox for Androidnot Rakuten
  • Writing and testing your own scripts in the browsernot Rakuten

Rakuten

  • Cash back on online purchases from partner retailersnot Greasemonkey
  • Cash back on in-store purchases using linked cardsnot Greasemonkey

Where each one falls short

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

Greasemonkey

  • Firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.
  • Its API diverged from the Tampermonkey conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script from a sharing site may need adjusting to run.
  • The dashboard is plainer than Tampermonkey's, with no diff view when a script updates itself.
  • No cloud sync of the kind Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey offer; moving machines means exporting.
  • A userscript manager can read and rewrite every page you visit, so the security of the arrangement depends entirely on the scripts you choose to install.

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

Greasemonkey

Free
  • Open sourceFree
    • Unlimited scripts
    • Built-in editor
    • No account required

Rakuten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Greasemonkey if

  • You need userscript execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Firefox.
  • You also want built-in script editor.
Greasemonkey 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 Greasemonkey or Rakuten better?
Neither clearly leads. Greasemonkey 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, Greasemonkey or Rakuten?
Greasemonkey starts at Free and Rakuten at Free.
Does Greasemonkey or Rakuten run on more platforms?
Greasemonkey runs on Firefox. Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Can I use Greasemonkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Greasemonkey best used for?
Greasemonkey is most often used for restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily, automating a repetitive action on a web application, adding a missing feature to a site you do not control, running userscripts on firefox for android. Of those, restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily and automating a repetitive action on a web application are not what Rakuten is typically brought in for.
What can Greasemonkey do that Rakuten cannot?
Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Built-in script editor, GM. API, @resource support. Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Greasemonkey: Is Greasemonkey still maintained?

Yes. Version 4.14 was released on 2 June 2026, and the project has an active repository, bug tracker and discussion groups.

Source
Rakuten: Does Rakuten charge membership fees?

No. Rakuten is completely free to join and use. There are no membership fees, setup fees, or any charges to members. Rakuten's revenue comes from merchant commissions, not user fees.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey work on Chrome?

No. It is a Firefox extension and has never shipped for Chrome. Violentmonkey and Tampermonkey are the equivalents there.

Source
Rakuten: Is there a cost to use the Rakuten browser extension or mobile app?

No, both the browser extension and mobile app are free to download and use at no cost.

Source
Greasemonkey: Will Tampermonkey scripts run in Greasemonkey?

Often, but not always. Greasemonkey's API diverged from the conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script may need its header or its GM calls adjusted.

Source
Rakuten: How does Rakuten make money if it's free?

Brands partner with Rakuten and pay commissions to bring them customers. Rakuten shares a portion of these commissions with members as cash back rewards.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey run on mobile?

On Firefox for Android, from version 4.12. There is no iOS build, because Firefox on iOS cannot load extensions of this kind.

Source
Greasemonkey: What is the GM API?

The set of functions a userscript manager exposes to scripts, named after Greasemonkey, which defined it. Greasemonkey supports the promise-based GM. form including GM.xmlHttpRequest and GM.registerMenuCommand.

Source
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