Software · head to head
Rakuten vs Save to Google Drive
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Rakuten minimum withdrawal amount of $5.01 creates friction for light users; Save to Google Drive cannot capture chrome:// pages or Chrome Web Store pages due to browser security restrictions
- They diverge on capability: Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Save to Google Drive covers Save to Drive.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Rakuten and Save to Google Drive actually diverge.
| Attribute | Rakuten | Save to Google Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Platforms | Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) | Chrome |
| Founded | 1999 | 2013 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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
- Cash back rewards
- Coupon codes
- In-store offers
- Price comparisons
- Firefox support
- Edge support
- Safari support
Only in Save to Google Drive
- Save to Drive
- Multiple formats
- Screenshot capture
- Context menu integration
Both cover
- Chrome 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
Save to Google Drive
- Cannot capture chrome:// pages or Chrome Web Store pages due to browser security restrictions
- Full-page image capture often fails despite correct settings configuration
- Authorization errors when saving images via context menu occur intermittently
- Save as Google Document feature gets stuck on 'Downloading' for some users
- No automatic file organization or categorization upon saving
Pricing, plan by plan
Rakuten
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.
Save to Google Drive
Free- FreeFree
- Save images
- Save documents
- Save web pages
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.
Choose Save to Google Drive if
- You need save to drive.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Chrome.
- You also want multiple formats.
Questions people ask
- Is Rakuten or Save to Google Drive better?
- Neither clearly leads. Rakuten starts at Free and Save to Google Drive at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Rakuten or Save to Google Drive?
- Rakuten starts at Free and Save to Google Drive at Free.
- Does Rakuten or Save to Google Drive run on more platforms?
- Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Save to Google Drive runs on Chrome.
- 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 Save to Google Drive cannot?
- Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons. Save to Google Drive covers Save to Drive, Multiple formats, Screenshot capture, Context menu integration. Both handle Chrome 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.
SourceSave to Google Drive: What file formats can Save to Google Drive capture?
The extension can save pages as PDF, Google Docs, raw HTML, MHTML, or images (visible or full page), with configurable options for each save.
SourceRakuten: 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.
SourceSave to Google Drive: Does Save to Google Drive count against storage limits?
Yes, all content saved to Google Drive counts against your storage limit. Free Google accounts come with 15GB shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
SourceRakuten: 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.
SourceSave to Google Drive: Can the extension capture entire web pages?
The extension has reported issues with full-page capture functionality, despite settings configured for 'Image of entire page' - this feature reportedly worked better in the past.
SourceSave to Google Drive: Does the extension have organization features?
No, the extension has no automatic organization features. Files land in whatever folder you designate with no built-in categorization or tagging.
SourceRelated pages
More on Save to Google Drive
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