+£25
12 mins
Rakuten
£25 Free Cash•12 mins
£25 Free Cash
+£25What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is one of the world's leading cashback platforms, now serving UK shoppers with access to 400+ brands.
% Shopping Cashback on popular retailers like John Lewis, ASOS, eBay and Booking.com.
One-Off Cashback on a range of banks, insurance providers and financial services.
Launched
2014
Customers
14m+
Google Play
4.3 (74k)
★★★★★★
Key Terms
Profit
+£25
New customer bonus cashback£25
Unlock bonus cashback£60 spent
Free cash arrives
Average 45 days
Depends on retailer
Step by Step Guide
Chris's overview
Optional·1 min read
Rakuten is one of the world's biggest cashback platforms. It originated in Asia, then became big in the US, and now it's growing in the UK. They give you two ways to earn: percentage cashback on shopping at 400+ retailers, plus one-off fixed cashback on financial products.
The sign-up bonus is a straightforward £25 in free cash. Spend £60 (£50 + VAT) on eligible cashback purchases within 90 days of joining, and the bonus lands in your Rakuten account. You can split that £60 across multiple purchases at retailers like eBay, John Lewis, and ASOS - no need to spend it all in one go.
The 90-day wait for your bonus to confirm might feel long, but once it's there you can withdraw instantly to your bank or PayPal. Easy money.
1
Sign up to Rakuten
5 mins
- Use the button below to visit Rakuten
- Create your account with email
This is a refer-a-friend offer - use the link below to ensure you receive the bonus.
2
Spend £60
5 mins
- Spend £60 (£50 + VAT) on eligible cashback purchases within 90 days
- Popular retailers include Argos, eBay, and Boots
- Can be spread across multiple purchases and brands
Amazon is not eligible towards the £60 spend requirement, but you do earn £1 for every £1 spent on Amazon.
3
Withdraw £25 bonus cashback45d
2 mins
£25 credited within 45 days of qualifying
- Your £25 bonus is credited to your Rakuten balance
- Withdraw to your bank or PayPal
Offer Complete
Done? Tick off each step above to see your total.
Rakuten Full Review
Completed the offer? Awesome! Here's our full review on why Rakuten could work well for you going forward.
Rakuten is the world's largest cashback platform, with over 14 million members globally. Originally founded in Japan in 1997 and acquiring US cashback pioneer Ebates in 2014, they launched in the UK to offer British shoppers access to their extensive network of 400+ retailers.
Is Rakuten safe?
Rakuten doesn't hold your money like a bank - they simply track your purchases and pay cashback to your Rakuten account, which you withdraw to your bank or PayPal. As a cashback platform rather than a financial institution, they're not regulated by the FCA (nor do they need to be). Rakuten is a publicly traded company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and has processed billions in cashback payments globally.
Who is Rakuten for?
Rakuten is ideal for UK shoppers who regularly buy from mainstream retailers online. If you're already shopping at places like Argos, eBay, Boots, or booking travel on sites like Booking.com, you might as well get paid for it. The One-Off Cashback is particularly useful if you're opening new financial products - you can often stack Rakuten's cashback with other sign-up bonuses.
Top 5 Rakuten Features
1
% Shopping Cashback
Earn cashback on everyday purchases at 400+ retailers including Argos, eBay, Boots, John Lewis, and Booking.com.
2
One-Off Cashback
Get fixed cashback amounts on financial products like bank accounts, insurance, and mobile contracts.
3
Browser Extension
Never miss cashback with automatic reminders when you visit partner sites.
4
In-Store Cashback
Link your card to earn cashback at participating high street stores.
5
Sign-up Bonus
New members get £25 when they spend £50 on eligible purchases.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓£25 sign-up bonus is generous for a cashback site
- ✓Wide range of UK retailers (400+)
- ✓One-Off Cashback on financial products
- ✓Easy PayPal or bank withdrawals
- ✓Browser extension makes activation automatic
Cons
- ✗Fewer UK retailers than TopCashback or Quidco
- ✗Some cashback rates lower than competitors
- ✗90-day wait for bonus after qualifying
- ✗Minimum £5 withdrawal threshold
Chris's Verdict
Rakuten is an excellent additional cashback platform to have in your arsenal. The £25 sign-up bonus makes it well worth joining, and the One-Off Cashback section has exclusive deals you won't find elsewhere. I keep Rakuten installed specifically for those One-Off Cashback opportunities - when a bank or insurance company offers cashback through Rakuten that isn't available on other platforms, it's free money you'd otherwise miss. The 90-day wait for your bonus to confirm might feel long, but it's a one-time thing and the £25 is guaranteed once you've qualified.
