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Rakuten vs TopCashback: which cashback site pays more?
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Short answer: use both. They're free, they cover mostly the same stores, and the rate for any given store changes week to week. Checking both before a purchase takes ten seconds and is the easiest way to get the higher rate every time.
How online cashback sites work
Stores pay these sites a commission when they send a shopper their way. The cashback site passes part of that commission to you. You click through the cashback site (or its browser extension) before you shop, buy like normal, and the cashback shows up in your account as pending. Once the store's return window passes, it becomes payable.
Side by side
| Rakuten | TopCashback | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum to cash out | $5.01 | $0.01 |
| How you get paid | PayPal or check | PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards |
| When you get paid | On a quarterly schedule | Whenever you request it, once cashback is payable |
| Browser extension | Yes | Yes |
| In-store offers | Yes, by linking a card (US) | Limited |
| Best for | Set-and-forget, big-name stores | Squeezing out the highest rate |
Where Rakuten wins
- Easiest to live with. Install the extension and it pops up on store checkout pages so you don't forget to activate.
- In-store cashback. In the US you can link a card and activate offers for physical stores, not just online shopping.
- Hands-off payouts. Payments go out automatically on Rakuten's schedule once you're over the minimum.
Where TopCashback wins
- Often the higher rate. TopCashback says it passes along the full commission it earns from stores, so it frequently beats other portals on the same store.
- One-cent minimum. You can cash out almost any amount, whenever you want, instead of waiting for a payout cycle.
- More ways to get paid, including a direct bank transfer.
Tips so your cashback actually tracks
- Click through first. Go to the cashback site (or activate the extension) before you add anything to your cart.
- One portal per purchase. Clicking through both Rakuten and TopCashback for the same order can cause neither to credit. Compare rates, then pick one.
- Pause your ad blocker for that shopping trip. Blockers can stop the tracking from working.
- Don't use outside coupon codes unless the cashback site lists them. Some stores void cashback when a code from elsewhere is applied.
- Be patient. Cashback usually sits as pending for weeks while the store's return window runs.
The verdict
If you only want one, start with Rakuten for the convenience. If you're willing to check a second site before bigger purchases, add TopCashback and go with whichever shows the higher rate. Most regular online shoppers end up using both.