Software · head to head
Rakuten Advertising vs Amazon Associates
Rakuten Advertising
Software
Performance marketing solutions with global reach
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
Amazon Associates
Software
The world's largest affiliate marketing program
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Amazon Associates has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Rakuten Advertising account terminations without clear explanation; Amazon Associates commission rates are among the lowest in affiliate marketing at 4-20% by category
- They diverge on capability: Rakuten Advertising covers Global publisher network, Amazon Associates covers Product linking tools.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Rakuten Advertising and Amazon Associates actually diverge.
| Attribute | Rakuten Advertising | Amazon Associates |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | transaction | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Browser plugin, Mobile browser |
| Founded | 1997 | 1996 |
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 Rakuten Advertising
- Global publisher network
- Influencer marketplace
- Cross-device attribution
- AI-powered insights
- Brand protection
- Google Analytics
- Adobe Analytics
- Shopify
Only in Amazon Associates
- Product linking tools
- Native shopping ads
- SiteStripe toolbar
- Commission tracking
- Real-time reporting
- WordPress
- Blogger
- YouTube
Both cover
- Web support
- Mobile support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Rakuten Advertising
- affiliate marketing management
- Workflow automation
- Reporting
Amazon Associates
- affiliate marketing management
- Workflow automation
- Reporting
Both are used for affiliate marketing management, workflow automation, reporting, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Rakuten Advertising
- Account terminations without clear explanation
- Commission payment delays of 60-90 days before payment settlement
- Support response times are slow and often unhelpful
- Limited transparency on advertiser approval reasons when applications get rejected
- Less user-friendly interface compared to CJ Affiliate and ShareASale
Amazon Associates
- Commission rates are among the lowest in affiliate marketing at 4-20% by category
- Requires $100 minimum earnings threshold before payment is issued
- Cookie duration limited to 24 hours for click tracking, compared to 60-90 days at competitors
Pricing, plan by plan
Rakuten Advertising
On request- NetworkFree
- Performance-based pricing
- Global publisher access
- Advanced reporting
Amazon Associates
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Amazon Associates review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Rakuten Advertising if
- You need global publisher network.
- You also want influencer marketplace.
Choose Amazon Associates if
- You need product linking tools.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Browser plugin, Mobile browser.
- You also want native shopping ads.
Questions people ask
- Is Rakuten Advertising or Amazon Associates better?
- Neither clearly leads. Rakuten Advertising starts at On request and Amazon Associates at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Rakuten Advertising or Amazon Associates?
- Amazon Associates has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Rakuten Advertising and Free for Amazon Associates.
- Does Rakuten Advertising or Amazon Associates run on more platforms?
- Rakuten Advertising runs on Web. Amazon Associates runs on Web, Browser plugin, Mobile browser.
- Can I use Amazon Associates for free?
- Yes. Amazon Associates has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Rakuten Advertising starts at On request.
- What is Rakuten Advertising best used for?
- Rakuten Advertising is most often used for affiliate marketing management, workflow automation, reporting.
- What can Rakuten Advertising do that Amazon Associates cannot?
- Rakuten Advertising covers Global publisher network, Influencer marketplace, Cross-device attribution, AI-powered insights. Amazon Associates covers Product linking tools, Native shopping ads, SiteStripe toolbar, Commission tracking. Both handle Web support, Mobile support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Rakuten Advertising: How does Rakuten Advertising pay commissions?
Rakuten Advertising follows a 60-to-90 day commission payment cycle tied to advertiser invoice settlement, which is industry-standard but can result in delayed payments.
SourceAmazon Associates: Is it free to join Amazon Associates?
Yes. There are no signup fees, monthly costs, or commissions paid to Amazon. Joining and participation are completely free.
SourceRakuten Advertising: What integrations does Rakuten Advertising support?
Rakuten Advertising integrates with third-party platforms including Improvado, Strackr, Wecantrack, and Kochava for data tracking and reporting across Google Ads, Microsoft Ads, and Meta Ads.
SourceAmazon Associates: How long does a click cookie last?
Amazon gives you 24 hours to earn a commission once a visitor clicks an affiliate link. You also earn a commission if a person adds a product to their cart within 24 hours and purchases it within 90 days.
SourceRakuten Advertising: How are commission rates determined on Rakuten Advertising?
Each advertiser sets its own commission rates, cookie durations, and approval requirements. Commission structures vary by individual brand and product category.
SourceAmazon Associates: What are the commission rates?
Commission rates vary by product category. Amazon Games earns 20%, Luxury Beauty at 10%, Kitchen at 4.5%, and All Other Categories at 4%. Commission rates change frequently.
SourceAmazon Associates: How often does Amazon pay affiliates?
Amazon Associates provides reports updated hourly for most orders. Earnings can be tracked in real-time through the Associates Central dashboard. Payments are issued monthly if earnings exceed $100.
SourceAmazon Associates: Can I earn commissions internationally?
Yes. Amazon Associates operates in multiple countries. OneLink allows US Associates to earn commissions internationally by automatically directing customers to their local Amazon store.
Source