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Last reviewed: by the Smart Savings Guides editorial team. How we research and update articles.
SponsoredExplore ShopBack cashback (US)Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved, at no extra cost to you. Costs, limits and who it suits are explained below.
Short answer: they work the same way but pay you differently. Both are free US cashback sites that share store commissions with you. ShopBack lets you withdraw confirmed cashback by PayPal or bank transfer any time once you have $10. Rakuten pays every three months (by February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15) by PayPal, check or some points programs once you have more than $5 confirmed, or you can take a gift card in its app sooner. Rates differ by store and change often, so the best move is to check both before a big purchase and use whichever pays more for that order.
Key takeaways
- Payout timing: ShopBack on demand ($10 minimum); Rakuten quarterly ($5.01 minimum).
- Payout methods: ShopBack: PayPal or ACH. Rakuten: PayPal, check, American Express Membership Rewards points (eligible cards) or Bilt Points, plus instant gift cards in its app.
- Confirmation waits are similar and set by the store: weeks for retail, after the trip for travel.
- Only one cashback site normally gets credit for an order, so pick one per purchase.
Prefer to withdraw whenever you like?
Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, buy or are approved through it, at no extra cost to you.
ShopBack lets you withdraw confirmed cashback any day once you reach $10, instead of waiting for a quarterly payment date.
Explore ShopBack cashback (US)
US only. Free to join. PayPal or ACH bank transfer, up to $300 a day. Rates vary by store, so compare before big purchases.
Side by side
| ShopBack (US) | Rakuten (US) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Minimum to get paid | $10 confirmed | $5.01 confirmed by the payment date ($5 for a gift card) |
| When you're paid | When you request it; usually within 10 calendar days | Every 3 months: by Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15, Nov 15 |
| How you're paid | PayPal or ACH bank transfer (up to $300 a day) | PayPal, check, Amex Membership Rewards (eligible cards), Bilt Points; gift cards in the app |
| Pending to confirmed | Varies by store, shown on each entry; travel after the trip | Typically 3 to 14 weeks online and in-store; travel 45 to 120 days after the booking is completed |
| Rates | Vary by store and change often | Vary by store and change often |
Sources: ShopBack Care and Rakuten Help, checked October 17, 2026. Both sites can change their terms at any time.
The biggest difference: when the money reaches you
With Rakuten, cashback confirmed before a payment date is sent on that schedule. Its blog says cashback earned October 1 to December 31 is paid by February 15, for example, and balances of $5.00 or less roll over to the next payment. If you want it sooner, Rakuten lets you redeem a confirmed balance of at least $5 for a gift card in its app.
With ShopBack, once cashback is confirmed and you have $10, you choose when to withdraw it to PayPal or your bank. That suits people who'd rather have cash than wait for a quarterly payment.
Can you use both?
Yes, you can have accounts on both, but use only one per order. Cashback tracking relies on a cookie from the site you clicked through from, and stores generally credit just one source for each purchase, usually the last one you clicked. Clicking through both for the same order can mean neither tracks. A simple routine:
- Before a planned purchase, look up the store on both sites and note the rate and any exclusions.
- Pick one, click through from it, and complete the order in the same session.
- Don't paste coupon codes from other websites; use codes listed on the cashback site.
- Keep your order confirmation until the cashback is paid.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose ShopBack if you want to withdraw on your own schedule by PayPal or bank transfer, and it covers the stores you use.
- Choose Rakuten if you're happy with quarterly payments, want a paper check or points, or its rate is higher at your store.
- Use both if you make larger purchases often: a minute of comparing can be worth more than loyalty to one site.
Want to know if cashback even beats your card? See cashback apps vs credit card rewards, and for ShopBack specifically, is ShopBack legit?
Explore ShopBack cashback (US)
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Frequently asked questions
Is ShopBack better than Rakuten?
Neither is better for every purchase. ShopBack lets you withdraw any time once you have $10 confirmed; Rakuten pays quarterly once you have more than $5. Rates vary by store, so compare both before a big order.
How often does Rakuten pay?
Every three months. Rakuten says it sends cashback by February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 once you have at least $5.01 confirmed; smaller balances roll over.
Can I use ShopBack and Rakuten at the same time?
You can have both accounts, but use only one for each purchase. Stores generally credit one source per order, so clicking through both can stop either from tracking.
Does ShopBack pay by check?
No. ShopBack US pays by PayPal or ACH bank transfer. Rakuten offers PayPal, check and some points programs.
Sources
Official sources this article relies on, checked October 17, 2026. Rules and prices change, so confirm details at the source.
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