Which cashback app offers the best deals: Rakuten vs Ibotta?

1. Introduction.

If you love to shop online but you don’t use any cashback apps, then you are really living under a rock. There are many reward and cashback apps which makes it hard for you to decide the right one.

Today we brought two such amazing cashback reward platforms Rakuten vs Ibotta which helps you narrow your choices and decide the cashback app faster.

Both apps that we talk about today offer amazing ways to earn money. But you have to choose the app based on your shopping frequency and habits to enjoy maximum benefits.

2. What is Rakuten? 

Rakuten, also known as Ebates, is a cashback app that was founded in the year 1999. It also pays the users for shopping at their affiliated stores. They partnered with more than 2500 stores and offer upto 40% cashback on every purchase. 

In the year 2014, Ebates was acquired by Rakuten and changed its name to Ebates. The rest all are made sure to stay the same as a platform. It is found that Rakuten paid over $1billion as a cashback to its users till date. 

2.1 Pros and Cons of using Rakuten

Pros:

1. Smooth and free sign up process.
2. Cashback will be applied automatically.
3. Various bonus options
4. Partnered with many stores.
5. Available in many countries.

Cons:

1. It takes time to process the cashback before crediting into your account.
2. You get paid only once in three months.

3. What is Ibotta?

Ibotta started as a company that provides cashback on grocery shopping. It was started in the year 2012 and it provides groceries like milk, bread, vegetables, meats and many more.

Ibotta provides a digital version of mailer coupons which is more convenient. The company is partnered with more than 300 retailers at over 5,00,000 locations in the USA and Puerto Rico. 

In recent years it expanded its business into areas like gas stations, liquor stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and offices. 

3.1 Pros and Cons of using Ibotta.

Pros:

1. It is free and easy to sign up.
2. It offers $10 as a sign-up bonus.
3. Wide range of bonuses available.
4. You don’t need to link your credit/debit cards.
5. You can earn cashback on any Brand.
6. You can also earn through referral codes.

Cons:

1. It is not completely automatic
2. You should have the minimum balance of $20 to withdraw the cash back.
3. It can only be used in the USA and Puerto Rico.

4. Features – Ibotta vs Rakuten

5. Differences between rakuten vs ibotta

By looking at these differences you can probably understand which can suit your needs the best.

5.1 Minimum cash out

Cashback doesn’t always be accurate when it comes to using cashback apps, as they get paid in small percentages on each transaction. For Rakuten, you need a minimum $5.01to cash out your money as reward. Whereas for Ibotta the minimum cashout is $20. 

As Rakuten has a low payout it send the payment automatically after reaching the payout limit which is better than Ibotta.

Winner: Rakuten.

5.2 Redeem options.

Rakuten users can cash out their payments for membership rewards points, which Ibotta lacks. Rakuten has a unique feature so Rakuten wins here again.

Winner: Rakuten.

5.3 In-store cash back.

In this category, Rakuten offers a smoother process than Ibotta. You just add an In-store offer in the app and use the linked card for completing the purchase. Whereas in Ibotta you have to choose between adding offers and scanning receipts which is complicated when compared to Rakuten.

Winner: Rakuten.

5.4 Offers.

Rakuten has offers but it doesn’t give offers for free items. Instead Rakuten gives BOGO (Buy One Get One) offers. As Ibotta’s free offers are free of cost for the users they can be valuable.

Winner: Ibotta.

6. What is the best part of using these apps?

Both Rakuten and Ibotta and legit apps that provide cash back to its users when they purchase through the app. Below given are the few similarities between Rakuten and Ibotta.

6.1 Free to use

Both the apps are free to use and cost you absolutely nothing. In fact, they allow you to save and earn money in return. It only takes a few seconds for the user to earn cash/rewards using these apps. So these apps are worth the time and free to use.

6.2 Wide opportunities:

The user will get thousands of retailers to choose and shop from. Not only shops, they can also choose where to get cashback from based on the given percentages. So purchasing using this app anytime you need will make a few bucks in your account.

6.3 Redemption options:

Unlike other cashback apps that allow you to redeem the cash only in the form of rewards and gift cards. Ibotta and Rakuten allows the user to redeem your rewards in the form of cash directly.

6.4 Referral Bonus:

Both Rakuten and Ibotta offer pretty generous referral bonuses when you refer their app to your friends and family. You don’t have to put your efforts or time into it to get paid. You will get the referral bonus whenever your friends make a purchase using the app.

7. Which app should you use?

If your goal is to learn how to save your hard earned money then you should definitely try using these apps Rakuten and Ibotta for your daily shopping needs. 

But when it comes to choosing the best app between them it can be hard. Because you can try using both of them at different times and for various needs. You can choose the app that offers more cashback rate for your daily purchases to make more money.

Hope you found what you have been searching for today. By following the above steps and process you can start your Cashback app within no time and can run successfully within a few months.

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