Rakuten vs. Honey: The Ultimate Showdown

Today, we're diving into the world of cash back and coupon savings with two of the most popular tools out there: Rakuten and Honey. If you're all about getting the best deals and saving those hard-earned bucks, then this post is for you. Let's break down what each one offers, their pros and cons, and which one might be the best fit for your shopping style.

What’s the Deal with Rakuten?

Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is like the OG of cash back sites. It’s been around since 1998, which in internet years is like a century. The idea is simple: you shop through Rakuten's links, and they give you a percentage of your purchase back in cash. Easy money, right?

Pros:

Cash Back on Almost Everything: From fashion to travel, Rakuten partners with over 2,500 stores. There's a good chance your favorite shop is on there.
In-Store Cash Back: Not just online, folks. You can link your credit card to Rakuten and get cash back in physical stores too.
Quarterly Payments: Every three months, you get your cash back via check or PayPal. It’s like a little bonus for being a smart shopper.

Cons:

Need to Remember: You have to remember to start your shopping journey through Rakuten's site or app. If you forget, no cash back for you.
Not Instant: Cash back isn't immediate. You might have to wait a bit before it shows up in your account.
Limited In-Store Options: While the in-store cash back is cool, it’s not available for all the stores yet.

What’s the Buzz About Honey?

Honey is like the new kid on the block, but it's made a big splash. This nifty little browser extension automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout. Plus, they've got their own cash back program called Honey Gold.

Pros:

Automatic Coupons: No more hunting for promo codes. Honey does it for you and applies the best one at checkout.
Honey Gold: Earn points (Honey Gold) on your purchases which you can redeem for gift cards. It’s like a different take on cash back.
Price Drop Alerts: Honey keeps an eye on your favorite items and lets you know when prices drop. Super handy!

Cons:

Coupon Hit or Miss: Sometimes Honey doesn't find any working coupons, especially for smaller or niche stores.
Limited Cash Back Options: Honey Gold is great, but it's not available for as many stores as Rakuten’s cash back.
Browser Extension Required: You need to install the Honey extension to get the full benefits. Some people aren’t a fan of extra browser add-ons.

The Ultimate Showdown: Rakuten vs. Honey

Alright, so how do these two stack up against each other? Here’s the lowdown.

Ease of Use:

Rakuten: Simple but requires you to remember to use it before you shop.
Honey: Effortless, as it automatically searches for coupons and applies them.

Cash Back:

Rakuten: Offers direct cash back on a wide variety of stores and even in-store purchases.
Honey: Offers Honey Gold points which can be redeemed for gift cards, but has fewer participating stores.

Coupons and Deals:

Rakuten: Mostly focuses on cash back rather than coupon codes.
Honey: Excels at finding and applying coupon codes at checkout, saving you money right away.

Payments:

Rakuten: Quarterly payments via check or PayPal.
Honey: Redeem Honey Gold for gift cards anytime you hit the minimum amount.

Which One Should You Use?

Honestly, why not both? Rakuten and Honey each have their strengths. If you’re all about maximizing your savings, using both can cover all your bases. Shop through Rakuten’s links to get cash back, and have Honey ready to snag those sweet coupon codes. It’s like having your cake and eating it too!

If you prefer simplicity and don’t want to juggle multiple apps, think about what’s more important to you: cash back or instant coupon savings. Rakuten is great for regular cash back lovers, while Honey is perfect for those who want effortless coupon clipping.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, both Rakuten and Honey are fantastic tools to help you save money. They’ve got their quirks, but hey, who doesn’t? Give them both a try and see which one fits your shopping style best. Happy saving, folks!

*Disclaimer: Hey there! Just a heads up – this post contains some affiliate links. That means if you click on one and make a purchase, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a great way to support the blog, and I only recommend stuff I genuinely believe in. Thanks for your support!