Software · head to head
Rakuten Advertising vs Awin
Rakuten Advertising
Software
Performance marketing solutions with global reach
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Awin has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Rakuten Advertising account terminations without clear explanation; Awin pricing not published, available by quote only
- They diverge on capability: Rakuten Advertising covers Influencer marketplace, Awin covers Cross-device tracking.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Rakuten Advertising and Awin actually diverge.
| Attribute | Rakuten Advertising | Awin |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | transaction | quote |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 1997 | 2000 |
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
- Influencer marketplace
- Cross-device attribution
- AI-powered insights
- Brand protection
- Google Analytics
- Adobe Analytics
Only in Awin
- Cross-device tracking
- Payment processing
- Compliance tools
- Publisher recruitment
- Magento
- WooCommerce
- BigCommerce
Both cover
- Global publisher network
- Shopify
- Web support
- Mobile support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Rakuten Advertising
- affiliate marketing managementnot Awin
- Workflow automationnot Awin
- Reportingnot Awin
Awin
- Affiliate network for content creators and publishersnot Rakuten Advertising
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
Awin
- Pricing not published, available by quote only
- Commission structure and payment thresholds not disclosed
Pricing, plan by plan
Rakuten Advertising
On request- NetworkFree
- Performance-based pricing
- Global publisher access
- Advanced reporting
Awin
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Awin review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Rakuten Advertising if
- You need influencer marketplace.
- You also want cross-device attribution.
Choose Awin if
- You need cross-device tracking.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want payment processing.
Questions people ask
- Is Rakuten Advertising or Awin better?
- Neither clearly leads. Rakuten Advertising starts at On request and Awin at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Rakuten Advertising or Awin?
- Awin has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Rakuten Advertising and Free for Awin.
- Does Rakuten Advertising or Awin run on more platforms?
- Rakuten Advertising runs on Web. Awin runs on Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Awin for free?
- Yes. Awin 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. Of those, affiliate marketing management and workflow automation are not what Awin is typically brought in for.
- What can Rakuten Advertising do that Awin cannot?
- Rakuten Advertising covers Influencer marketplace, Cross-device attribution, AI-powered insights, Brand protection. Awin covers Cross-device tracking, Payment processing, Compliance tools, Publisher recruitment. Both handle Global publisher network, Shopify, 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.
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.
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.
Source