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Browser Extensions · head to head

Rakuten vs Honey

Rakuten logo

Rakuten

Browser Extensions

Get cash back on every purchase

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Honey logo

Honey

Browser Extensions

Automatically find and apply coupon codes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users; Honey browser extension requires permission to access browsing and shopping data
  • They diverge on capability: Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Honey covers Automatic coupon codes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Rakuten and Honey actually diverge.

Attributes where Rakuten and Honey differ
AttributeRakutenHoney
PlatformsBrowser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge
CategoryUnknownBrowser Extensions
Founded19992012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), free tier (Yes), 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 Rakuten

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

Only in Honey

  • Automatic coupon codes
  • Price history
  • Honey Gold rewards
  • Price drop alerts
  • Opera support

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.

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

Honey

  • Browser extension requires permission to access browsing and shopping data
  • Limited to 30,000+ retailer sites; not all retailers supported

Pricing, plan by plan

Rakuten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.

Honey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Honey review.

Which should you pick?

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

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.
Honey review

Questions people ask

Is Rakuten or Honey better?
Neither clearly leads. Rakuten starts at Free and Honey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Rakuten or Honey?
Rakuten starts at Free and Honey at Free.
Does Rakuten or Honey run on more platforms?
Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Honey runs on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge.
Can I use Rakuten for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Rakuten do that Honey cannot?
Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons. Honey covers Automatic coupon codes, Price history, Honey Gold rewards, Price drop alerts. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Safari support.

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
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.

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
Honey: 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.

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
Honey: 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.

Source
Honey: 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
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