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Rakuten vs Great Canadian Rebates: Which Is Better?

CCM TeamJanuary 10, 20254 min read

Rakuten vs Great Canadian Rebates: The Ultimate Comparison

Two of the biggest names in Canadian cashback are Rakuten and Great Canadian Rebates (GCR). But which one should you use? Let's break it down.

Cashback Rates

Winner: GCR (usually)

While both sites offer competitive rates, GCR often edges out Rakuten by 0.5-2% on many stores. However, this isn't always the case - some stores offer better rates on Rakuten.

Pro tip: Always compare rates on Canada Cashback Monitor before clicking through!

Store Selection

Winner: Rakuten

Rakuten partners with over 750 Canadian stores, while GCR has around 500. If a store isn't on GCR, it's likely on Rakuten.

Payout Options

Rakuten:

  • PayPal
  • Cheque
  • Quarterly payouts
  • $5 minimum

GCR:

  • PayPal
  • Direct deposit
  • Cheque
  • $25 minimum

Winner: Tie - GCR offers more options, but Rakuten has a lower minimum.

User Experience

Winner: Rakuten

Rakuten's browser extension and mobile app are more polished. GCR's interface is functional but dated.

Sign-up Bonuses

Rakuten: $30 for new members (after first $30 purchase)

GCR: Varies, typically $2-5

Winner: Rakuten

Final Verdict

Use both! Sign up for both sites and compare rates before each purchase. There's no rule saying you can't use multiple cashback sites.

For the best results, use Canada Cashback Monitor to quickly see which site offers the highest rate for your specific store.

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