Browser Extensions · head to head
Honey vs Rakuten
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Honey browser extension requires permission to access browsing and shopping data; Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users
- They diverge on capability: Honey covers Automatic coupon codes, Rakuten covers Cash back rewards.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Honey and Rakuten actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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 Honey
- Automatic coupon codes
- Price history
- Honey Gold rewards
- Price drop alerts
- Opera support
Only in Rakuten
- Cash back rewards
- Coupon codes
- In-store offers
- Price comparisons
Both cover
- Chrome support
- Firefox support
- Edge support
- Safari support
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Honey
- Browser extension requires permission to access browsing and shopping data
- Limited to 30,000+ retailer sites; not all retailers supported
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
Honey
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Honey review.
Rakuten
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Honey if
- You need automatic coupon codes.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge.
- You also want price history.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Honey or Rakuten better?
- Neither clearly leads. Honey 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, Honey or Rakuten?
- Honey starts at Free and Rakuten at Free.
- Does Honey or Rakuten run on more platforms?
- Honey runs on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge. Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
- Can I use Honey for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What can Honey do that Rakuten cannot?
- Honey covers Automatic coupon codes, Price history, Honey Gold rewards, Price drop alerts. Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Safari support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Honey: Is Honey free to use?
Yes, Honey's browser extension is completely free to use with no subscription fees. Users can earn rewards through purchases on participating sites and redeem points for gift cards.
SourceRakuten: Is Rakuten free to use?
Yes, the Rakuten browser extension is completely free with no membership fees. Users never pay to earn cashback rewards.
SourceHoney: What browsers does Honey support?
Honey is available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge browsers on desktop. iOS users can enable the extension for mobile Safari through the PayPal mobile app, but Android does not currently support the mobile extension.
SourceRakuten: 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.
SourceHoney: How does Honey search for coupon codes?
Honey automatically searches for and tests available coupon codes at checkout on 30,000+ popular sites. If a working code is found, Honey applies the one with the biggest savings to your cart.
SourceRakuten: 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.
SourceHoney: Can I track price drops with Honey?
Yes, Honey's Droplist feature allows you to add items and receive notifications about price drops, helping you find the best time to purchase.
Source