Honey vs Rakuten In 2023 [Which Is Better & Safe Extension]
As more and more shopping is done online, consumers are always looking for ways to save money on their purchases. Two of the most popular browser extensions that promise to help you save money while shopping online are Honey and Rakuten.
While both of these tools are designed to help you save money, they work in different ways and offer different features. So which one is the best for your needs?
In this article, we'll be comparing Honey vs Rakuten in a head-to-head showdown to see which one offers better savings and features for online shoppers.
We'll take a look at how each tool works, its pros and cons, and any other relevant factors you should consider before deciding which one to use. So whether you're a seasoned online shopper or just starting out, read on to find out which tool will help you save the most money on your purchases.
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What Is Honey?

Honey is a popular browser extension that helps users save money while shopping online. This extension automatically applies coupon codes at checkout, ensuring that users always get the best possible deal.
With Honey, users can also earn cash back on purchases from over 4,000 participating online stores. The extension is easy to install and use, and it is compatible with most major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Honey is a convenient tool for anyone who wants to save money while shopping online without the hassle of searching for and manually entering coupon codes.
Advantages of Using Honey:

- Honey is an easy-to-use browser extension that makes it simple to take advantage of great deals and discounts.
- Installing Honey will give users access to various store coupon codes, saving time and money with each purchase.
- With Honey, there's no need for manual searching or copy/pasting - click one button, and the code is applied automatically!
- Everyone can experience the convenience of using Honey today.
Disadvantages of Using Honey:

- Honey's support page and customer service are not as comprehensive as other programs, making it challenging to solve issues.
- The program is less effective on mobile devices than on laptops or desktops.
- Coupons offered by Honey are not always guaranteed when shopping and can lead to disappointment.
How To Use Honey
- The Honey extension allows users to access offers and coupons when shopping online.
- To use the extension, click on the Honey icon and view all available offers or coupons before checkout.
- Clicking on "apply coupon" will get you a discount or percentage off your purchase in an easy manner.
What Is Rakuten?
Rakuten, previously known as eBates, is a popular cashback shopping platform that is widely recognized. Rakuten offers real cashback when you shop online with its many partners. You don't have to worry about any catches, just enjoy the savings in cash. Rakuten has fewer bells and whistles than Honey.
Rakuten could save you a solid amount of money annually if you're a serious online shopper. The average user saves $300 annually through Rakuten cash-back rewards. But it's not just about the money – Rakuten also offers a great selection of coupons and deals to help you save even more on your online purchases.
Plus, with Rakuten's Price Protection program, you can get refunded the difference if you find a lower price on an eligible item within 7 days of purchase.
Advantages of using Rakuten
- Rakuten offers cashback rewards on thousands of stores and purchases.
- It also provides coupons, deals, and price protection for eligible items.
- The Rakuten platform is mobile-friendly and easy to use.
- Users can link their credit or debit cards to earn cashback with every purchase.
Disadvantages of using Rakuten
- Rakuten only provides cashback four times a year, which can be difficult to manage financially if relying on it for everyday purchases.
- The wide range of options available to users makes them more likely to shop impulsively and buy more than they intended.
How to use Rakuten
- Visit the Rakuten website, and select from thousands of participating stores to shop from.
- Once you’ve selected a store, click the link on Rakuten's site and make your purchase as usual.
- Once your purchase is complete, cashback rewards will be credited to Rakuten automatically.
Honey Vs Rakuten: Features
In a nutshell, Honey focuses on coupon codes and gift cards, while Rakuten prioritizes cashback rewards. So let's dive deeper into each type of feature to see if you should use Honey or Rakuten the next time you shop.
Partners
The first discrepancy between the two programs is their partner stores. According to its website, Honey has over 40,000 partners, while Rakuten has over 2,500. This means that if you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your money when shopping online, Honey might be a better option for you.
Availability
Honey is available in Canada, the United States, Australia, and the UK. Rakuten is available in the United States and Canada only. Depending on where you live, this could be a determining factor when deciding which platform to use.
Cashback and Rewards
If you're looking for a specific type of discount, then Honey is a great choice. They have a wide range of coupons for different stores, so you're sure to find something that suits your needs.
Rakuten, on the other hand, offers cashback on your purchases. This means you'll get a percentage of your purchase back, which you can use as you see fit. Both options are excellent, so it comes down to personal preference.
Coupons and codes
Although Honey and Rakuten offer unique coupon codes and deals, Honey might be the more practical choice if you're seeking specific discounts. This is because Honey provides more coupons to pick from than Rakuten's focus on cashback rewards.
Reward options
Honey offers three different types of rewards Honey Gold, Amazon Gift Cards, and PayPal cash. Honey Gold for a range of free gift cards to retails like:
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
- Starbucks
- eBay
- Nike
- Uber
Rakuten offers four rewards: Cash back deposited into your account, PayPal cash, check by mail, or gift card. Rakuten also offers a higher reward percentage than Honey. So if you want more bang for your buck, Rakuten is the way to go.
Browser Extension
The main objective behind both Honey and Rakuten is to provide the user with the most savings. Both programs offer browser extensions that allow you to browse for deals and discounts when shopping online quickly. However, Honey has been known to offer more rewards than Rakuten due to their more extensive partner list.
Referral Program
Honey and Rakuten offer referral programs that reward users when they refer friends to the service. Honey provides a $5 reward, while Rakuten offers a 10% bonus on every cashback earned by referrals.
Customer Support
Rakuten has excellent customer support, with an FAQ page and email or phone support available. Honey's customer support is limited to a FAQ page and emailing their customer service department.
Mobile apps
If you're looking for a user-friendly way to keep track of your rewards, cash back, and coupon codes, look no further than Honey or Rakuten. Both companies offer mobile apps for iOS and Android devices that make it easy to stay on top of your finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Rakuten And Honey At The Same Time?
There are a few reasons why you can't combine Honey and Rakuten when making purchases. First, they are two different services that offer different deals and discounts. Second, combining the two would likely result in a lower overall value.
Is Honey or Rakuten safe to use?
Yes, both Honey and Rakuten are safe to use. Both take security very seriously and have measures to protect your data and safeguard against fraud. Additionally, all transactions made through either service are encrypted with SSL technology to keep your information secure.
What is the difference between Honey and Rakuten?
Honey offers coupons for various stores, while Rakuten provides cashback on purchases. Rakuten also has a higher reward percentage than Honey. Honey has more partner stores and a larger selection of coupons than Rakuten.
How long does it take to receive cashback from Rakuten?
The time it takes to receive cashback from Rakuten varies depending on your selected method. For PayPal and Direct Deposit, funds should arrive within 2-3 business days. Checks by mail can take up to four weeks, while gift cards are typically delivered within a few days.
Conclusion
After comparing Honey vs Rakuten, it's clear that both tools have their own unique advantages and can help you save money on your online purchases. Honey's automatic coupon search feature is great for those who want to save time and money without too much effort.
Rakuten's cashback feature is ideal for those who frequently shop at their partner retailers and want to earn money back on their purchases. Ultimately, which tool you choose will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
However, it's important to keep in mind that both tools have their limitations. Honey doesn't always find the best coupon codes, and Rakuten's cashback rates can vary depending on the retailer. It's also worth noting that using both tools together can give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to save money with coupons and earn cashback on your purchases.
In the end, the choice between Honey vs Rakuten comes down to personal preference. Both tools are free to use and easy to install, so we recommend trying them both out and seeing which one works best for you. Happy shopping, and happy saving!
Michael Restiano
I lead product content strategy for SaltMoney. Additionally, I’m helping our broader team of 4 evolve into a mature content strategy practice with the right documentation and processes to deliver quality work. Prior to Instacart, I was a content strategy lead at Uber Eats and Facebook. Before that, I was a content strategist at SapientNitro, helping major Fortune 500 brands create better, more useful digital content.