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Software · head to head

Mailgun vs Rakuten

Mailgun logo

Mailgun

Software

Email delivery built for developers

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Rakuten logo

Rakuten

Software

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: Mailgun free plan caps at 100 emails per day; Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Mailgun and Rakuten actually diverge.

Attributes where Mailgun and Rakuten differ
AttributeMailgunRakuten
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelusage-basedUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebBrowser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
FoundedUnknown1999

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Mailgun

Nothing recorded that Rakuten does not also cover.

Only in Rakuten

  • Cash back rewards
  • Coupon codes
  • In-store offers
  • Price comparisons
  • 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.

Mailgun

  • Free plan caps at 100 emails per day
  • Basic plan starts at $15/mo for 10,000 emails then overages from $1.80 per 1,000; Foundation and Scale plans discount overage rates but still meter every email beyond the included volume
  • Foundation ($35/mo) and Scale ($90/mo) plans are free for the first month only, then bill at full price

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

Mailgun

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Mailgun review.

Rakuten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Mailgun if

Nothing in the data separates Mailgun from Rakuten on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Mailgun 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 Mailgun or Rakuten better?
Neither clearly leads. Mailgun 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, Mailgun or Rakuten?
Rakuten has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Mailgun and Free for Rakuten.
Does Mailgun or Rakuten run on more platforms?
Mailgun runs on Web. 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. Mailgun starts at On request.
What can Mailgun do that Rakuten cannot?
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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