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Rakuten vs Tampermonkey

Rakuten logo

Rakuten

Software

Get cash back on every purchase

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tampermonkey logo

Tampermonkey

Software

The most popular userscript manager

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; Tampermonkey only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • They diverge on capability: Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Tampermonkey covers Userscript management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Rakuten and Tampermonkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Rakuten and Tampermonkey differ
AttributeRakutenTampermonkey
PlatformsBrowser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Founded19992010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Unknown), 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

Only in Tampermonkey

  • Userscript management
  • Script editor
  • Auto-update
  • Cloud sync
  • Opera support

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Safari support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Rakuten

No use cases recorded yet. See the Rakuten review.

Tampermonkey

  • Auto-run custom JavaScript to add features to specific websitesnot Rakuten
  • Block ads, remove clutter, or reformat page layout via community/personal userscriptsnot Rakuten
  • Run scripts sourced from Greasy Fork or similar userscript repositoriesnot Rakuten
  • Automate repetitive web tasks such as form-filling or redirect skipping via installed scriptsnot Rakuten

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

Tampermonkey

  • Only source code up to version 2.9 is GPLv3; all newer versions are distributed under a proprietary license despite the extension itself being free to use
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_webRequest is not (yet) supported
  • Under Manifest V3, GM_xmlhttpRequest fires only one progress event instead of streaming progress, requiring a responseType: 'stream' workaround
  • Since v5.3.2, Chrome/Edge (MV3) requires the user to manually enable Developer Mode, or from Chrome 138+ a per-extension 'Allow User Scripts' toggle, before any userscript will run

Pricing, plan by plan

Rakuten

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Rakuten review.

Tampermonkey

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Tampermonkey 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 Tampermonkey if

  • You need userscript management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
  • You also want script editor.
Tampermonkey review

Questions people ask

Is Rakuten or Tampermonkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Rakuten starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Rakuten or Tampermonkey?
Rakuten starts at Free and Tampermonkey at Free.
Does Rakuten or Tampermonkey run on more platforms?
Rakuten runs on Browser Extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Tampermonkey runs on Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
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 Tampermonkey cannot?
Rakuten covers Cash back rewards, Coupon codes, In-store offers, Price comparisons. Tampermonkey covers Userscript management, Script editor, Auto-update, Cloud sync. 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
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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