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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Rakuten vs Capital One Shopping

Rakuten 4.8★ · Free to download 65
Winner Capital One Shopping
Capital One Shopping 4.9★ · Free to download 70

Capital One Shopping has a slight edge due to its higher lifetime rating and the sheer volume of positive reviews, despite significant user frustration with promotional offers and reward redemption, while Rakuten struggles with inconsistent cashback tracking and slower payment processing.

Full reviews: Rakuten · Capital One Shopping

Capital One Shopping boasts a higher volume of satisfied users and a slightly better lifetime rating, but both apps face criticism regarding inconsistent cashback tracking and issues with promotional offers. Rakuten users frequently report delays in receiving cashback and problems with in-store purchases, while Capital One Shopping users are often frustrated by unfulfilled sign-up bonuses and restrictive gift card redemption options.

Head to head

Cashback Earning & Reliability tieR2R4R8R11
Rakuten Rakuten users report earning significant cashback over time, with many praising it as an easy way to save money on purchases they already make R2R11. However, a significant number of users experience issues with cashback not tracking correctly, especially for large purchases or in-store transactions, and report frequent inconsistencies in store loading and eligibility R4R8R12. Some also claim promised cashback or referral bonuses were not honored .
Capital One Shopping Capital One Shopping users appreciate finding discounts and earning rewards, with many confirming that the cashback is real and a great way to save . However, a major point of contention is the unreliability of rewards tracking, with users reporting that activated deals don't show up, large purchases don't register, and many advertised promotions for sign-up bonuses (e.g., $40, $45, $55) are not fulfilled or require excessive hoops R61R64.
Ease of Use edge: RakutenR2R6R7R12
Rakuten Rakuten is generally considered easy to use for online shopping, with users appreciating the simplicity of going through the app before making a purchase R2. However, some find the app difficult to use, especially for in-store purchases or when dealing with specific store features R7. There are also complaints about the app not automatically popping up or failing to load websites, particularly for extended cashback offers R6R12.
Capital One Shopping Capital One Shopping is praised by some for being convenient, easy to use, and user-friendly . Conversely, many users describe the app as confusing, difficult to use, unintuitive, and frustrating . There are also reports of the app being glitchy, which hinders the user experience .
Payment & Redemption edge: RakutenR1R11R13R14
Rakuten Rakuten users appreciate receiving their cashback via PayPal or checks, with some noting the option to convert cashback into e-gift cards for quicker access R11R14. However, a major and growing concern is the significant delay in cashback verification and payment, with users reporting wait times of 14 weeks or more, a stark increase from previous quicker processing times R13R17R18R21. Some also report issues with gift card errors and missing checks R1R52.
Capital One Shopping Capital One Shopping users acknowledge that while rewards are real, it can take time for them to become available for redemption . A significant drawback is that redemption is primarily for gift cards, often from a limited selection of retailers that users may not frequent, and sometimes users cannot redeem their full cash balance R67R110. There are also reports of rewards being deducted or accounts going negative without explanation .
Customer Support tieR1R4R52R56
Rakuten Rakuten users report difficulties getting resolution for gift card errors and missing cashback R1R4. Some users mention being ghosted after emailing support or finding no way to get in touch with anyone about missing checks R52R56.
Capital One Shopping Capital One Shopping users report difficulties reaching support for missing rewards . There are also complaints about customer service taking long to respond or not providing answers, especially when rewards are taken away due to alleged 'fraud' . One user also noted support not understanding their problem regarding a bait-and-switch offer .
Pick Rakuten if

You prioritize a wider range of cashback redemption options, including PayPal and checks, and are comfortable with potential delays in receiving your earnings R11R14. You primarily shop online and value a generally straightforward app experience for activating cashback R2.

Pick Capital One Shopping if

You are a Capital One customer and want to integrate your savings with your existing financial services, or you are comfortable with gift card redemption as your primary reward . You are patient with reward tracking and willing to navigate potential glitches for the discounts offered .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, so the free-vs-paid asymmetry rule does not apply. Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to cashback not tracking or promotions not being honored, which is a common complaint for this category of apps. Capital One Shopping has a much larger user base and more reviews, which could naturally lead to a higher volume of both positive and negative feedback.

Frequently asked

How long does it take to get cashback from Rakuten?
Rakuten cashback verification and payment can take 14 weeks or more, which is a significant increase from previous times when it was often verified within 24 hours to a week R13R17R18R21.
Can I get a sign-up bonus with Capital One Shopping?
Many Capital One Shopping users report issues with advertised sign-up bonuses (e.g., $40, $45, $55) not being fulfilled, often requiring additional steps like installing browser extensions on a computer that were not initially disclosed R61R64R81R88.
Does Rakuten work for in-store purchases?
While Rakuten offers in-store cashback with linked cards, users frequently report that it "never gives credit for in-store purchases at approved stores" R8.
How can I redeem rewards with Capital One Shopping?
Capital One Shopping rewards can typically only be redeemed for gift cards, often from a limited selection of retailers, and users sometimes cannot redeem their full cash balance R67R110.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Rakuten 5/5 · US Easy way to earn money: I have been using this app for a couple years now and I’ve made over $1000. It really is as easy as going through the app first before I make a purchase or book some travel.
  2. [R4] Rakuten 1/5 · US Money back: Seams that every time is a big purchase the money back is not added to the account and even when you follow up with them they will give you a bull… excuse
  3. [R8] Rakuten 4/5 · US Cash back is great WHEN ot works.: Shopping with the app is a breeze. Quick updates on cash back earned. However, shopping in-store with a linked card is another story, it never gives credit for in-store purchases at approved stores.
  4. [R11] Rakuten 5/5 · US Cash back is real!: I’ve made hundreds of dollars back, just from shopping for the things that I need and want. It’s always deposited into my PayPal account, when it’s supposed to be. Great application/ and website. 🤩
  5. [R6] Rakuten 3/5 · US Should improve: I find that it doesn’t automatically pop-up when you are not in the app and I think it should when you are a Rakuten member
  6. [R7] Rakuten 1/5 · US Hard af to use!: Bad
  7. [R12] Rakuten 3/5 · US Inconsistent: I used to love this app and earned so much cash back in the last 8 years or so, but now it is super inconsistent and half of the time, the stores I want to buy from don’t load when I click through and I can’t shop. Super frustrating.
  8. [R1] Rakuten 1/5 · US Gift cards: Frequent submission for gift card errors no resolution at all.
  9. [R13] Rakuten 1/5 · US What a joke!: Rebate that takes 4 months to confirm. I use programs that post my rebate instantly. Not worth the effort.
  10. [R14] Rakuten 5/5 · US One of the best feelings is getting paid to shop.: Love that I not only earn cash back, but also love that I can instantly convert my cash back into an egift card of my choice, so no more waiting for the check to come in. My only complaint is that I wish I’d known about this feature before now, which is why I’m sharing this feedback, for those that don’t know about it.
  11. [R52] Rakuten 1/5 · US Missing my check: I have been reaching out to Rakuten about my missing check and there is no way to get in touch with anybody anymore.
  12. [R56] Rakuten 1/5 · US Do not recommend app: I’ve had this app forever. However, I use it to see what’s going on but not for purchases. I typically order using my laptop. The *one time* I recently used the app as a pass-through to buy something I didn’t get my cash back as the purchase was deemed “ineligible.” I’ve emailed twice and they’re ghosting me. Depending on the outcome of this purchase, I will delete my Rak
  13. [R17] Rakuten 4/5 · US Slow pay back: I understand there’s a time period to give for returns and etc but now it can take 14 weeks or more to post the rewards this is sad I have some pending from April which is more than 14 weeks.
  14. [R18] Rakuten 3/5 · US Not what it used to be: I have been using this app for a long time, and always enjoyed receiving some big checks every quarter. But now it takes so long for the cash back to be verified. The cash back used to be verified within 24 hours, or at most within a week. Now you have to potentially wait 14 weeks for your cash back!
  15. [R21] Rakuten 3/5 · GB How long to get cash back??: Another cash back app that takes forever to get anything.
  16. [R61] Capital One Shopping 1/5 · US Um, where’s my reward?: Just bought some supplements and got a pop up saying I would get 40$ for signing up. I signed up and did the whole process. There’s 0$ in the app account at the end. While signing up the 40$ amount kept changing at every step. For a credit card company I’ve been with for a long time this feels totally scammy.
  17. [R64] Capital One Shopping 1/5 · US scam: the app is a scam, no u cant get a 45$ bonus from downloading it and making an account u also have to use it to spend money add it to ur computer and a bunch of other scammy time wasting activities
  18. [R81] Capital One Shopping 3/5 · US False advertisement: So I have had capital one for 3 years now. It’s been great and has helped me build my credit. However, the shopping app is complicated and does not get you free bonus like it says. I went through the whole steps and didn’t get a free $45 coupon “on us” and I have an iPhone. Weird… but just to warn others who got that notification and are debating on getting the extension… don’
  19. [R88] Capital One Shopping 1/5 · US Promotions FAKE: Most of the promotions are very fake. Completed a $45 redeem quote and received nothing. Not worth your time and money.
  20. [R67] Capital One Shopping 1/5 · US Awful experience, barely worked, deleted: Had this app for a few years. In 12 attempts to use it for a rebate, it worked a whopping 4 times. Then I finally had enough and went to redeem my cash back and a) the experience made me want to throw my phone across the room in frustration and b) you can only redeem for gift cards, mostly from retailers I never shop at anyway, and to top it off c) you can
  21. [R110] Capital One Shopping 1/5 · US Treacherous: Bought an item on ebay so I could get a $50 gift card but after a month, what I got is not an ebay $50 dollar that can use for ebay. I got random useless gift card for shops that I do not buy.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store