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Learning Management · head to head

LinkedIn Learning vs Rakuten

LinkedIn Learning logo

LinkedIn Learning

Learning Management

Develop skills with expert-led courses

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rakuten logo

Rakuten

Browser Extensions

Get cash back on every purchase

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Rakuten has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LinkedIn Learning listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £5.80 to £286 per user per year for LinkedIn Learning, submitted directly by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company; Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users
  • They diverge on capability: LinkedIn Learning covers Video courses, Rakuten covers Cash back rewards.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LinkedIn Learning and Rakuten actually diverge.

Attributes where LinkedIn Learning and Rakuten differ
AttributeLinkedIn LearningRakuten
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidBrowser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
CategoryLearning ManagementBrowser Extensions
Founded20031999

Identical on both: 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 LinkedIn Learning

  • Video courses
  • Certificates
  • Learning paths
  • Skill assessments
  • LinkedIn integration
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline viewing
  • Recommendations

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.

LinkedIn Learning

  • Skill developmentnot Rakuten
  • Career growthnot Rakuten
  • Team trainingnot Rakuten
  • Professional developmentnot 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.

LinkedIn Learning

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £5.80 to £286 per user per year for LinkedIn Learning, submitted directly by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company

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

LinkedIn Learning

On request
  • Monthly$29.99/month
    • All courses
    • Certificates
    • LinkedIn integration
  • Annual$19.99/month
    • All courses
    • Offline viewing
    • Personalized recommendations
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Admin tools
    • Analytics
    • Learning paths

Rakuten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.

Which should you pick?

Choose LinkedIn Learning if

  • You need video courses.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want certificates.
LinkedIn Learning 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 LinkedIn Learning or Rakuten better?
Neither clearly leads. LinkedIn Learning starts at On request and Rakuten at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LinkedIn Learning or Rakuten?
Rakuten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for LinkedIn Learning and Free for Rakuten.
Does LinkedIn Learning or Rakuten run on more platforms?
LinkedIn Learning runs on Web, IOS, Android. Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Can I use Rakuten for free?
Yes. Rakuten has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LinkedIn Learning starts at On request.
What is LinkedIn Learning best used for?
LinkedIn Learning is most often used for skill development, career growth, team training, professional development. Of those, skill development and career growth are not what Rakuten is typically brought in for.
What can LinkedIn Learning do that Rakuten cannot?
LinkedIn Learning covers Video courses, Certificates, Learning paths, Skill assessments. Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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
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