Swagbucks and Rakuten are two popular platforms offering cashback and rewards for various activities, including shopping, completing surveys, and watching videos. Both have gained a significant user base due to their money-saving potential.
In this comparative analysis, we’ll explore various aspects of Swagbucks and Rakuten to determine which might be better suited for different users.
1. Overview
Swagbucks: Launched in 2008, Swagbucks is a rewards and loyalty-program operator. It offers points (SBs) for activities like shopping online, completing surveys, watching videos, and using its search engine. These points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash back via PayPal.
Rakuten: Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is a Japanese company founded in 1997. It’s primarily a cashback website, offering a percentage of cash back when you shop at partner retailers through their portal. Cashback is paid out quarterly via check or PayPal.
2. Earning Potential
Swagbucks:
- Variety: Offers more diverse ways to earn points, including surveys, watching videos, and searching the web.
- Point System: Each activity earns a certain number of SBs, which can be converted into cash or gift cards.
Rakuten:
- Shopping Focus: Mainly focuses on cashback from online shopping.
- Cashback Rates: Offers varying percentages of cashback depending on the retailer and current promotions.
3. User Experience
Swagbucks:
- Interface: User-friendly interface, but with multiple options, it can be overwhelming for new users.
- Mobile App: Available and efficient for earning points on the go.
Rakuten:
- Simplicity: Easier for users who are primarily interested in cashback from shopping.
- Mobile App: Also has a mobile app, which is straightforward and easy to use.
4. Reward Redemption
Swagbucks:
- Flexibility: Offers a variety of redemption options, including gift cards to popular retailers and PayPal cash.
- Threshold: Minimum redemption threshold varies depending on the reward.
Rakuten:
- Cashback Payouts: Pays out quarterly via check or PayPal.
- Minimum Payout: A minimum of $5 cashback is required to get a payout.
5. Partner Retailers
Swagbucks:
- Extensive Network: Has partnerships with a wide range of retailers and service providers.
- Deals and Coupons: Also offers coupons and deals, adding more savings.
Rakuten:
- Select Retailers: Partners with over 2,500 retailers.
- Higher Cashback Rates: Often offers higher cashback rates compared to Swagbucks.
6. Additional Features
Swagbucks:
- Surveys and More: The availability of surveys, games, and videos makes it a more engaging platform for users who enjoy these activities.
- Referral Program: Offers points for referring friends.
Rakuten:
- In-Store Cashback: Offers the option for in-store cashback, which is a unique feature.
- Travel & Vacation Cashback: Specializes in higher cashback rates for travel and vacation bookings.
7. Reliability and Customer Support
Swagbucks:
- Reputation: Generally considered reliable with a large user base.
- Support: Offers customer support, but some users report slow response times.
Rakuten:
- Established Reputation: Known for its reliability in cashback payments.
- Customer Service: Generally receives positive reviews for customer support.
8. Who Should Use Each Platform?
Swagbucks: Ideal for users who spend a good amount of time online and are willing to participate in various activities to earn points. It’s also suitable for those who prefer flexibility in redemption options.
Rakuten: Best for frequent online shoppers who are interested in straightforward cashback on their purchases. It’s particularly beneficial for those who shop at the partner retailers frequently.
9. Pros and Cons
Swagbucks:
- Pros: Diverse ways to earn points, flexibility in redemption.
- Cons: Lower cashback rates, activities can be time-consuming.
Rakuten:
- Pros: Higher cashback rates, simple and direct cashback system.
- Cons: Limited to shopping, payouts are quarterly.
10. Conclusion
Choosing between Swagbucks and Rakuten depends on individual preferences and online habits. Swagbucks offers more variety in earning points but requires more active participation. Rakuten, on the other hand, is ideal for users focused on shopping cashback.
Also read: Swagbucks Vs InboxDollars – Which is Better?
For those looking to maximize their rewards, using both platforms in tandem might be the best strategy. Swagbucks can be used for activities like surveys and web searches, while Rakuten can be utilized for shopping cashback.
Swagbucks Vs Rakuten: Which is Better?
Summary
Choosing between Swagbucks and Rakuten depends on your online activities and reward preferences. Swagbucks offers a variety of ways to earn points, such as taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online, making it suitable for those who enjoy diverse online activities.
Its points can be redeemed for gift cards or cash, providing flexibility. However, earning substantial rewards can be time-consuming. Rakuten, on the other hand, focuses primarily on shopping cashback. It typically offers higher cashback rates than Swagbucks but lacks the variety of earning methods.
Rakuten’s straightforward approach is ideal for frequent online shoppers who prefer a simple cashback system.
In summary, Swagbucks is better for users looking for varied online tasks and multiple reward options, while Rakuten is more suitable for those focused on maximizing cashback from their online shopping.
Pros
When comparing Swagbucks and Rakuten, it’s essential to consider the unique features, advantages, and drawbacks of each platform to understand which might suit your needs better.
Swagbucks
Pros:
- Diverse Earning Opportunities: Swagbucks offers various ways to earn points (SBs), including taking surveys, watching videos, playing games, searching the web, and shopping online.
- Multiple Redemption Options: Points can be redeemed for gift cards, cash back via PayPal, or other rewards, providing flexibility.
- Low Redemption Threshold: Some gift cards can be redeemed with a relatively low number of points.
- Referral Program: Users can earn more points by referring friends to the platform.
- Regular Promotions: Often runs bonus point offers and promotions to help users earn more points.
Rakuten
Pros:
- High Cashback Rates: Typically offers higher cashback rates on purchases compared to Swagbucks, especially with featured stores and during special promotions.
- Simple and Straightforward: Focused primarily on shopping cashback, making it easy and straightforward for users to earn rewards.
- Welcome Bonus: Offers a sign-up bonus for new users who make qualifying purchases.
- In-Store Cashback Options: Provides options for earning cashback on in-store purchases, not just online shopping.
- Reliable Payouts: Cashback is paid out quarterly, and the process is generally reliable and well-reviewed.
Cons
Swagbucks
Cons:
- Time-Consuming Activities: Earning significant points can require considerable time and effort, particularly for activities like surveys and watching videos.
- Lower Cashback Rates for Shopping: When compared to Rakuten, Swagbucks generally offers lower cashback rates for online shopping.
- Variability in Survey Availability: Access to surveys can be inconsistent, and users might not qualify for all surveys they attempt.
- Points Expiration: If you don’t earn or redeem points within a certain period, your points might expire.
Rakuten
Cons:
- Limited to Cashback on Shopping: Earning potential is primarily limited to shopping cashback, with no other ways to earn rewards like surveys or videos.
- Quarterly Payouts: Cashback is paid out only four times a year, which means you don’t have immediate access to your earnings.
- Minimum Payout Threshold: You must accumulate at least $5 in cashback to receive a payout.
- Dependency on Partner Stores: The amount of cashback you can earn depends on whether you shop with Rakuten’s partner retailers.
Conclusion
Swagbucks is more versatile, offering various ways to earn rewards, but it might require more time and effort to accumulate significant points. It’s better suited for users who enjoy engaging in different online activities and prefer flexible reward options.
On the other hand, Rakuten is ideal for users who do a lot of online shopping and prefer a straightforward, shopping-centric platform for earning cashback. It offers higher cashback rates but lacks the diverse earning opportunities provided by Swagbucks.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your online habits and preferences regarding how you’d like to earn and redeem rewards.
