Rakuten vs TopCashback (US): Which Cashback Site Is Better for American Shoppers?

Rakuten vs TopCashback (US, 2026 Guide)
Which Cashback Site Really Pays More – And Which One Is Safer for You?

Key Takeaways (Summary Table)

Introduction: Rakuten vs TopCashback – What This Guide Covers

Cashback websites are one of the simplest ways for US shoppers to earn money back on purchases they already make. You don’t have to buy anything special or change what you buy – you just route your purchase through a cashback portal and earn a percentage back.

Two of the most searched and discussed platforms in this space are Rakuten and TopCashback.

• Both are real. They pay legitimate cashback.
• Both have loyal US users who swear by them.
• Both can save you hundreds of dollars a year if used consistently.

However, they work differently, and depending on how you shop, one may be far more profitable – or far less frustrating – than the other.

This guide breaks down Rakuten vs TopCashback for US users in detail, focusing on:

• Cashback rates (who actually pays more over time)
• Tracking reliability and reversed rewards
• Payout speed and methods
• Ease of use (beginner vs power user)
• Customer support and dispute handling
• Brand trust and long‑term experience
• Which site suits different types of shoppers

You’ll also see how smart US shoppers use both Rakuten and TopCashback together to squeeze maximum cashback out of every purchase.

Quick Verdict (For High-Intent Searchers)

If you’re here to decide fast:

• Choose Rakuten if you want simplicity, strong brand trust, and predictable payouts.
• Choose TopCashback if you want the highest possible cashback rates and don’t mind extra effort, fine print, and disputes.

For many US users:

• Rakuten wins on ease, reliability, and fewer headaches.
• TopCashback appeals to deal maximizers who treat cashback like a game they’re willing to actively manage.

Platform Overview: How Each Site Works

Rakuten (US)

1. Definition

Rakuten is one of the most established cashback platforms in the United States. Formerly known as Ebates, it was rebranded to Rakuten after being acquired by the Japanese e‑commerce giant Rakuten Group.

Rakuten’s core value proposition is ease of use:
You click through their site or extension, shop as normal, and receive quarterly payouts via PayPal or check.

2. Why Rakuten Matters to US Shoppers

Rakuten has become a household name in the US cashback space because:

• It focuses on simple user experience, not complicated gaming or niche tricks.
• It has strong relationships with major US retailers, including department stores, clothing brands, travel companies, and subscription services.
• It pays out on schedule, which builds trust.

In other words, Rakuten is designed so your busy everyday shopper can use it without thinking too hard.

3. Core Features (Actionable Overview)

• Payout schedule:
  Rakuten pays out quarterly, typically referred to as your “Big Fat Check.” This can arrive by:

  • PayPal (fast and widely used)
  • Physical check (for those who prefer traditional methods)

• Minimum payout:
  Rakuten does require a minimum balance to trigger payout. If you don’t reach that amount, your earnings roll forward to the next quarter.

• US retail coverage:
  Rakuten covers a wide range of mainstream US retailers, making it ideal for:

  • Clothing and fashion
  • Department stores
  • Electronics and home goods
  • Travel bookings
  • Digital subscriptions

• Beginner-friendly design:

  • Clean dashboard showing pending and confirmed cashback
  • Straightforward activation via website, app, or browser extension
  • Less overwhelming fine print for most offers

4. Example Scenario

You’re buying a $150 pair of shoes from a major US retailer:

1. You open Rakuten’s website or extension.
2. You search for the retailer and click “Shop Now.”
3. Rakuten tracks your visit and records any purchase.
4. You receive 5% cashback ($7.50) as pending cashback.
5. After the return window closes and the retailer confirms the purchase, Rakuten approves your cashback.
6. On the next quarterly payout date, you get your Big Fat Check or PayPal payment.

5. Pro-Tips & Nuances

• Rakuten’s quarterly schedule can feel slow, but it’s predictable – you know when to expect money.
• If you regularly shop at Rakuten’s partner stores, their stable rates + reliable tracking often beat higher but unreliable rates elsewhere.
• Use the browser extension: It alerts you when cashback is available and helps prevent “forgot to click first” mistakes.

TopCashback (US)

1. Definition

TopCashback is a cashback platform that markets itself as a high-rate, user-first site, often saying it passes “100% of commissions back to users.”

The key message:
TopCashback is where you go when you want the highest possible cashback percentages, even if that comes with more complexity.

2. Why TopCashback Matters

For US shoppers who:

• Habitually compare cashback rates
• Participate in deal forums and cashback communities
• Are comfortable reading term details and chasing missing payouts

TopCashback can be more lucrative than Rakuten.

Its approach is more aggressive and optimizer-oriented:

• Higher headline rates at many stores
• Extra bonuses for certain payout methods (e.g., gift cards in some cases)
• Frequent special promotions and boosted rates

3. Core Features (Actionable Overview)

• Payout schedule:

  • On-demand once earnings are confirmed and reach payable status.
  • You don’t wait for quarterly cycles; you withdraw when ready.

• Minimum payout:

  • Often no minimum or a very low minimum for key payout methods.
  • This makes it easier to cash out small earnings.

• Payment methods:

  • PayPal
  • Bank transfer (ACH) in many cases
  • Occasionally, other methods like gift cards, depending on your region and current offerings.

• Interface and complexity:

  • The dashboard tends to be busier and more complex than Rakuten’s.
  • There’s more fine print: extra rules, exclusions, and conditions for each retailer.
  • More reliance on manual claims when tracking fails.

4. Example Scenario

You’re buying the same $150 shoes as the earlier example:

1. You check both Rakuten and TopCashback:
   • Rakuten offers 5%
   • TopCashback offers 7%
2. You choose TopCashback and click through their site.
3. The purchase appears as “pending” cashback: $10.50.
4. Two weeks later, the retailer reports a return or mismatch, and your cashback reverses – or never moves to payable.
5. You open a support ticket and submit proof.
6. Weeks later, your claim is either:
   • Approved (you get your 7%), or
   • Declined (the retailer denies it, and you earn nothing).

If it tracks correctly and is approved, you can withdraw your cashback immediately, instead of waiting for a quarterly cycle.

5. Pro-Tips & Nuances

• Use TopCashback when the difference in rate is big enough (e.g., 7% vs 3% or 10% vs 2%) to justify the extra hassle if something goes wrong.
• Expect to file missing cashback claims if you are a heavy user.
• Track your purchases with:
  • Screenshots of the offer and percentage
  • Order confirmations from retailers
  • Notes on exclusion terms (e.g., sale items, gift cards, coupon codes)

Cashback Rates: Who Actually Pays More?

Rakuten Cashback Rates

1. Definition

Rakuten’s cashback rates are generally moderate but stable. They may not always be the highest percentage on paper, but they tend to be:

• Consistent
• Well-tracked
• Less likely to disappear later

2. Why Rate Stability Matters

Many shoppers get drawn in by flashy 10%–15% rates, only to see their cashback rejected or reversed. A lower, more conservative rate that actually pays out can be worth more over the long term.

Rakuten tends to:

• Avoid overly inflated promotional rates that are difficult to honor.
• Work with solid contracts and clear terms with retailers.
• Approve cashback more consistently than some high-rate competitors.

3. Where Rakuten Shines (Best Categories)

Rakuten is particularly strong for:

• Clothing and fashion brands
  Major apparel retailers frequently run steady, mid-range cashback offers.
• Department stores
  Large US department store chains often feature on Rakuten with competitive rates.
• Travel and subscriptions
  Flights, hotels, car rentals, and subscription services (streaming, software, etc.) are often better managed and tracked through a stable partner like Rakuten.

4. Example Comparison

• Rakuten offers 4% at a clothing store.
• TopCashback offers 6% at the same store.

Over ten $100 purchases:

• Rakuten:
  • You earn $40 if tracking is solid and rejections are low.
• TopCashback:
  • On paper, you should earn $60.
  • If a few purchases don’t track or are reversed, your actual earnings might be closer to
    40–40–$40–$50, and you’ll have spent time fighting disputes.

5. Pro-Tip

If you’re a casual shopper who doesn’t want to monitor every order:

• The “moderate but stable” model of Rakuten is often more profitable in practice, even if the percentage numbers are slightly lower.

TopCashback Cashback Rates

1. Definition

TopCashback is known for higher headline cashback rates than many competitors, including Rakuten. The site often appears at or near the top when comparing portals.

2. Why High Headline Rates Can Be Misleading

While TopCashback does often list higher percentages, those higher rates typically come with:

• More exclusions
• Stricter rules
• Higher risk of reversals
• More frequent tracking disputes

This doesn’t mean TopCashback is dishonest; it means the retailers themselves impose more conditions, and the platform passes those on to users.

3. Risk vs Reward

TopCashback can absolutely pay more over thousands of dollars in purchases – if:

• You understand how tracking works.
• You clear cookies and avoid conflicts with other apps/extensions.
• You’re willing to submit missing cashback claims when orders don’t track.
• You’re okay with some losses and frustrations along the way.

4. Example Scenario

Two frequent shoppers:

• User A (Rakuten):

  • Uses Rakuten only, earns consistent 3%–5% on most purchases.
  • Has very few missing or reversed cashback incidents.

• User B (TopCashback):

  • Uses TopCashback where the rate is significantly higher.
  • Earns 6%–10% more on some big-ticket orders.
  • Experiences several transactions with missing or reversed cashback.
  • Files multiple support tickets and sometimes loses disputes.

After a year:

• User A (Rakuten) might earn $150 quietly and stress-free.
• User B (TopCashback) might earn
  180–180–$180–$220, but only after considerable effort.

5. Pro-Tip

TopCashback makes more sense if:

• You’re comfortable with a few battles along the way.
• You keep records and treat cashback like a small side hustle rather than passive income.
• You only choose TopCashback when the rate difference vs Rakuten is meaningful (e.g., double or more).

Tracking Reliability & Reversals

This is where many US users notice the biggest difference between Rakuten and TopCashback.

Rakuten Tracking

1. Definition

Rakuten’s tracking system is designed to minimize tracking conflicts and rejections. It leans toward conservative approval policies, prioritizing accurate attribution.

2. Why Rakuten’s Approach Matters

Every time you:

• Use a coupon extension
• Click on a promotional email
• Open a shopping app that injects its own affiliate link

You risk overwriting the cashback portal’s tracking.

Rakuten mitigates this by:

• Working closely with retailers on cleaner affiliate setups.
• Avoiding overly complex or risky campaigns where tracking is messy.
• Being conservative in the offers it advertises.

3. Key Principles

Rakuten prioritizes:

• Fewer tracking conflicts
  Less overlap with other affiliate programs and tools.
• Cleaner attribution
  Aggressive use of clear affiliate links and integration.
• Conservative approval policies
  Fewer “too good to be true” offers that later get rejected.

4. Real-World Result

For typical Rakuten users:

• Lower rejection rate: Most purchases that track end up paying.
• Fewer surprises: You see pending cashback, it turns confirmed, and it pays out on schedule.
• Less need for support: Missing cashback issues still happen but less frequently.

5. Pro-Tip

If you’re the type who forgets to check portal rules, uses multiple coupon apps, or shops from your phone where multiple apps may compete for tracking, Rakuten’s more stable tracking may save you from losing entire orders’ cashback.

TopCashback Tracking

1. Definition

TopCashback relies heavily on:

• Retailer self-reporting
• Manual claim processes

to confirm cashback transactions.

2. Why This Increases Risk

When retailers:

• Fail to report transactions correctly
• Change their attribution rules
• Reject a transaction because of a coupon code, browser extension, ad click, or other tracking conflicts

TopCashback often has less power to override those decisions.

As a result, users see:

• Higher potential rewards
• But also higher rejection and dispute rates

3. What This Looks Like in Practice

TopCashback users frequently encounter:

• Purchases that show as “pending” but never turn “confirmed”
• Cashback that reverses weeks or months later due to retailer decisions
• Transactions that never track at all, requiring manual “missing cashback” claims

4. Real-World Scenario

You buy:

• A $500 flight
• A $200 electronics item
• Several
  50–50–$50–$100 clothing orders

On TopCashback:

• Your flight cashback is reversed because of a promo code that voided the commission.
• Your electronics cashback never tracks, and your ticket takes weeks to resolve.
• Your clothing purchases track correctly and pay out, but one order is rejected due to returns.

You may still come out ahead, but you’ll likely:

• Spend more time managing tickets.
• Experience more frustration when high-value purchases reverse.

5. Pro-Tip

To improve your tracking success with TopCashback:

• Disable other browser extensions that add coupons or cashback.
• Always click through TopCashback as the last step before checkout.
• Avoid using unlisted coupon codes that might void cashback.
• Keep order numbers and screenshots to strengthen your manual claims.

Payout Speed & Methods (US)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rakuten: Slower but Predictable

1. Definition

Rakuten operates on a quarterly payout schedule, famously marketed as sending you a “Big Fat Check”.

2. Why This Matters

• You don’t have to track when to withdraw.
• You always know roughly when you’ll be paid.
• It feels like a quarterly bonus rather than a drip of small payments.

3. When This Works Well

If you:

• Make regular purchases throughout the year
• Don’t need the money immediately
• Like the feeling of one lump-sum payout

Rakuten’s quarterly system is ideal.

4. Example

You accumulate:

• $30 in Q1
• $45 in Q2
• $25 in Q3

Each quarter, you receive a single payout if you’ve met the minimum threshold.

5. Pro-Tip

Think of Rakuten as a “set it and forget it” cashback savings account that pays you every three months. It’s not about instant gratification; it’s about steady, reliable rewards.

TopCashback: Faster, Less Consistent

1. Definition

TopCashback allows on-demand payouts once your cashback moves from pending to payable and reaches whatever minimum applies (often none for PayPal/bank).

2. Why This Matters

You can:

• Withdraw funds as soon as they’re ready.
• Use cashback for short-term budget relief (e.g., paying bills).
• Avoid large sums sitting in your account for months.

3. When This Works Well

If you:

• Are using cashback as part of your monthly budgeting strategy
• Prefer immediate access to your money
• Make frequent small purchases and want quick gratification

TopCashback’s payout model is more attractive.

4. Example

You:

• Earn $8 from a subscription
• $12 from a small electronics purchase
• $6 from a clothing order

With TopCashback, once those are payable, you can withdraw $26 right away, instead of waiting for a quarterly cycle.

5. Pro-Tip

Just remember: “Faster payouts” doesn’t mean “fewer problems.”
Cashback must track and be approved first, and this is where TopCashback has more volatility.

Ease of Use: Beginner vs Power User

Rakuten: Beginner-Friendly

1. Definition

Rakuten is built to be intuitive and forgiving for shoppers who:

• Have never used a cashback site
• Don’t want to study fine print
• Prefer a clean, simple interface

2. Why It’s Easier

Rakuten is ideal for:

• First-time cashback users who just want to “turn it on and save.”
• Casual shoppers who won’t compare rates on every purchase.
• People who frequently forget to activate cashback; the extension helps catch those opportunities.

3. How Rakuten Reduces Mistakes

• The browser extension pops up at partnered sites, reminding you to activate cashback.
• The dashboard is simple: you see pending vs confirmed.
• The platform avoids hyper-complicated offers that require reading paragraphs of conditions.

4. Example

You install the Rakuten extension on Chrome or Safari:

• You visit a major retailer’s site.
• A small Rakuten popup asks if you want to activate 5% cashback.
• You click one button, continue shopping, and Rakuten handles the rest.

5. Pro-Tip

If you’re helping a parent, relative, or friend start with cashback, Rakuten is usually the best first platform to avoid confusion and negative experiences.

TopCashback: Power User Tool

1. Definition

TopCashback is more of a power user’s platform, suitable for:

• Experienced deal hunters
• People who already understand how affiliate tracking works
• Shoppers comfortable reading fine print and exclusions

2. Why It’s More Complex

TopCashback users often need to:

• Compare multiple store rates and conditions.
• Avoid actions that break tracking (apps, other extensions, coupon sites).
• File missing cashback claims and follow up on support tickets.

3. Who It Suits Best

TopCashback suits:

• Experienced deal hunters who track their savings.
• Users who are willing to file disputes for missing or reversed cashback.
• Shoppers who don’t mind reading “Terms & Conditions” before clicking “Shop.”

4. Example

Before purchasing a new laptop:

1. You compare rates across portals.
2. You see TopCashback offering 8%, Rakuten offering 5%.
3. You check TopCashback’s terms:
   • Excludes using specific coupon codes
   • Excludes gift card purchases
   • Requires purchase on desktop site, not app
4. You carefully follow the rules and complete the purchase via TopCashback.

You earn more, but you had to be deliberate and detail-oriented.

5. Pro-Tip

If you treat your cashback earnings like a small part-time optimization hobby, TopCashback can be very rewarding. But it’s not the best “fire and forget” tool.

Customer Support Comparison

Rakuten Support

1. Definition

Rakuten’s customer support is:

• Somewhat slower in response
• More structured and rule-driven
• Relatively inflexible when retailers deny cashback

2. Why This Matters

Rakuten cannot simply decide to pay you out of pocket when a retailer refuses to pay them commission. As a result:

• It often enforces the retailer’s decision.
• It uses clear policies to explain why cashback is denied.

3. User Experience

• You may wait a bit for replies.
• When you’re denied, it’s usually because “the retailer did not approve the transaction.”
• Rakuten is not very likely to make exceptions or issue “goodwill” adjustments.

4. Example

You bought a product using a coupon that wasn’t allowed in the cashback terms:

• Cashback doesn’t appear.
• You contact Rakuten support.
• They explain that the retailer reported the purchase as ineligible due to the coupon.
• Rakuten cannot override that decision and communicates this clearly.

5. Pro-Tip

The upside: fewer issues reach support in the first place due to stable tracking.
The downside: when there is a dispute, Rakuten is strict about rules.

TopCashback Support

1. Definition

TopCashback uses a more ticket-based support system and leans heavily on:

• Manual claims
• Back-and-forth communications with retailers

2. Why It Feels Different

Because there are more tracking issues and reversals, TopCashback users:

• Open more support tickets.
• Wait longer for resolutions.
• Experience more uncertainty about outcomes.

3. User Experience

• You’ll interact with support more often if you’re a heavy user.
• The platform is structured to handle lots of claims, but this means:
  • Longer queues
  • Potentially slower replies
  • Cases that drag on for weeks

4. Example

Your $400 purchase never shows as pending:

1. You file a missing cashback claim with order details.
2. TopCashback forwards this to the retailer.
3. You wait – sometimes for many weeks – for a decision.
4. The outcome can be:
   • Approved: You get full cashback.
   • Denied: Retailer claims tracking went to another affiliate or terms weren’t met.

5. Pro-Tip

If you use TopCashback heavily:

• Treat support tickets like case files – keep records, follow up periodically.
• Accept that not every claim will be resolved in your favor, especially when retailers are strict.

Trust & Brand Recognition (US Market)

Rakuten

1. Definition

In the US, Rakuten:

• Has strong brand recognition, especially since its Ebates days.
• Has been operating for many years, building a long track record.
• Has high advertiser trust, which translates into stable partnerships.

2. Why This Influences Shoppers

Brand trust affects:

• Whether new users feel comfortable connecting PayPal or providing personal info.
• Whether they believe the cashback is real and will actually pay out.
• How likely they are to use the platform for big-ticket purchases like travel, electronics, and furniture.

3. Example

Someone who has never used cashback hears about Rakuten from:

• A TV commercial
• A major sports sponsorship
• A referral from a friend

They sign up because they recognize the name and assume it’s legitimate.

4. Pro-Tip

If you’re referring family and friends who are skeptical of cashback in general, Rakuten’s brand reputation makes it an easier sell.

TopCashback

1. Definition

TopCashback is:

• Well-known among deal communities, bargain forums, and cashback enthusiasts.
• Less mainstream than Rakuten in the broader US population.

2. Why This Matters

For some users:

• A lesser-known brand can create hesitation, especially around linking bank accounts or trusting payouts.
• However, savvy shoppers who frequent deal sites often trust TopCashback because they see many people sharing their success stories and strategies.

3. Example

You might first hear about TopCashback from:

• A Reddit thread about stacking deals
• A deal blog comparing cashback portals
• An enthusiast friend who maximizes every purchase

This is more of a “power user discovery” than a mainstream commercial.

4. Pro-Tip

New users who are brand-conscious or wary of smaller names may prefer starting with Rakuten, then adding TopCashback later once they’re comfortable.

Which One Is Better for Different Types of US Shoppers?

Choose Rakuten If You:

1. Profile

Rakuten is ideal if you:

• Shop online regularly at mainstream US retailers
• Want minimal effort
• Prefer predictable, reliable payouts
• Value stability over maximal percentage rates

2. Why Rakuten Fits This Profile

Rakuten matches:

• Busy professionals who don’t want to micromanage cashback.
• Families that do a lot of everyday online shopping.
• People who want to avoid support tickets, disputes, and fine print.

3. Example Shopper

• You buy:
  • Groceries from big-box retailers
  • Clothes for the family
  • Occasional electronics
• You:
  • Use Rakuten’s extension
  • Let earnings accumulate
  • Enjoy the quarterly payouts without stress

4. Pro-Tip

If you only have the patience to master one cashback site, Rakuten is usually the best choice.

Choose TopCashback If You:

1. Profile

TopCashback is best if you:

• Actively chase the highest rates on most purchases
• Don’t mind cashback disputes and occasional frustration
• Are comfortable reading fine print and navigating exclusions
• Want faster withdrawals once cashback is payable

2. Why TopCashback Fits This Profile

TopCashback is built for:

• Cashback optimizers who consider this a sport.
• Users who track purchases and fight for missing cashback.
• People buying high-ticket items, where even a few extra percentage points matter.

3. Example Shopper

• You:
  • Always compare rates between portals.
  • Use TopCashback whenever it beats Rakuten significantly.
  • Keep spreadsheets or notes of major purchases.
• You accept:
  • Some cashback will be denied or reversed.
  • You’ll file multiple support tickets each year.

4. Pro-Tip

If you’re comfortable treating cashback as a high-engagement hobby, TopCashback can outperform Rakuten in total dollars earned.

Can You Use Both? (Smart Strategy for US Shoppers)

Yes – and many experienced users do.
In fact, using both Rakuten and TopCashback is often the most profitable approach.

1. The Hybrid Strategy: How It Works

A common, smart approach:

• Step 1: Check both platforms for the store you’re shopping at.
• Step 2: Use Rakuten for everyday buys where the rate difference is small.
• **Step 3: Use TopCashback when its rates are significantly higher than Rakuten’s.
• Step 4: Track big-ticket purchases carefully when using TopCashback.

2. Why This Works

You get:

• Rakuten’s reliability for routine purchases (less stress, fewer disputes).
• TopCashback’s high upside for large or high-rate opportunities.

This way, you maximize earnings while minimizing the number of frustrating experiences.

3. Example

You’re planning a month of purchases:

• Everyday clothing, small Amazon orders, household stuff:
  • Rakuten offers 3%, TopCashback offers 4%.
  • Rate gap is small; you decide the reliability of Rakuten is worth more than the extra 1%.
• One big electronics purchase:
  • Rakuten offers 2%, TopCashback offers 6%.
  • The difference is huge on a $1,000 laptop.
  • You choose TopCashback and follow all tracking best practices carefully.

4. Pro-Tip

Bookmark both sites or install both extensions (but keep only one enabled at checkout). Before a purchase:

• Open a rate comparison.
• Decide if the risk premium of TopCashback is worth it.
• Default to Rakuten unless you’re confident the big rate difference justifies the extra work.

Final Verdict: Rakuten vs TopCashback (US)

There is no single universal winner. But there is a clear best choice depending on your personality and shopping style.

• Rakuten excels in:

  • Consistency
  • Ease of use
  • Brand trust
  • Lower rejection rates
  • Beginner friendliness

• TopCashback excels in:

  • Potentially higher cashback rates
  • On-demand payouts
  • Value for power users / deal maximizers

For most US shoppers – especially beginners – Rakuten is the safer and more reliable option.

If you are willing to:

• Spend more time
• Tolerate more disputes
• Learn the fine print

then TopCashback can be a powerful second tool that you selectively use to boost your total cashback.

For maximum benefit, use both:

• Rakuten for day-to-day reliability
• TopCashback for high-value, high-rate opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Rakuten or TopCashback better for beginners in the US?

Rakuten is better for beginners.
It’s simpler to use, has a cleaner interface, fewer tracking surprises, and more predictable quarterly payouts. If you’re new to cashback, start with Rakuten, learn how portals work, then consider adding TopCashback later.

2. Does TopCashback really pay more than Rakuten?

TopCashback often lists higher cashback rates than Rakuten for the same retailers, and in many real-world cases, it does pay more – especially for power users who:

• Follow tracking best practices
• Avoid conflicting coupons
• File missing cashback claims

However, those higher rates come with more exclusions and more frequent reversals, so the extra earnings are not guaranteed. Over time, casual users sometimes earn similar or even better net results with Rakuten, because fewer transactions go wrong.

3. Can I safely use both Rakuten and TopCashback?

Yes. Many experienced shoppers use both, and this is often the optimal strategy.

Just follow these rules:

• Use only one portal per purchase. Don’t click both for the same order.
• Disable the extension you’re not using for that purchase to avoid tracking conflicts.
• Compare rates, and choose TopCashback only when it clearly beats Rakuten and you’re willing to manage any potential tracking issues.

4. Why does my cashback sometimes reverse on TopCashback but not on Rakuten?

Cashback reversals typically happen when:

• A retailer reports that:
  • The purchase was returned or partially refunded.
  • Another coupon or cash-back source got credit for the sale.
  • Terms weren’t met (e.g., you used a restricted promo code).

TopCashback works with more aggressive offers and more complex retailer setups, which often come with stricter rules and higher reversal risk. Rakuten tends to:

• Promote less aggressive but more stable campaigns
• Work with retailers in a way that yields fewer conflicts and reversals

This is why users often perceive more reversals on TopCashback than on Rakuten.

5. Is it safe to connect my PayPal or bank account to Rakuten and TopCashback?

Both Rakuten and TopCashback are established cashback platforms that operate legitimate businesses. Connecting PayPal is a standard method for receiving payouts.

• Rakuten: Uses PayPal and checks, backed by a large, well-known global company.
• TopCashback: Uses PayPal and ACH (bank transfer), and is widely used by deal communities.

As with any financial connection:

• Enable two-factor authentication on your PayPal and email accounts.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each cashback site.
• Regularly monitor your accounts for any unusual activity.

6. Why didn’t my cashback track at all?

Common reasons cashback doesn’t track (on either platform) include:

• Ad-blockers or privacy extensions interfering with tracking cookies.
• Multiple cashback or coupon extensions active at the same time.
• Clicking another affiliate link (e.g., in an email, influencer link, search ad) after visiting the cashback site.
• Completing the purchase in a store app instead of the browser session where you clicked the portal.
• Using unapproved coupon codes that void commission.

To reduce tracking failures:

• Turn off other extensions during checkout.
• Always click through your chosen cashback portal last, right before buying.
• Complete the entire purchase in the same browser window, without switching devices or apps.

7. Which is better for large purchases like travel or electronics?

For large purchases, consider:

• Rakuten if:
  • The rate difference is small.
  • You want maximum confidence that your cashback won’t disappear.
• TopCashback if:
  • The rate difference is large (for example, 2% vs 7%).
  • You’re willing to be extremely careful with tracking and acceptance of some risk.

For a

1,000+purchase,evenafewextrapercentagepointscanmean∗∗1,000+ purchase, even a few extra percentage points can mean **

1,000+purchase,evenafewextrapercentagepointscanmean∗∗50–$70 more in cashback**, making a carefully executed TopCashback transaction potentially very lucrative – but only if you follow all the rules and understand the risk of reversal.

Use this guide as your playbook for Rakuten and TopCashback in the US:
Start with stability (Rakuten), layer in aggressiveness (TopCashback) when it clearly pays, and you’ll get the best mix of high earnings and low frustration.