Rakuten US

Rakuten is one of the most recognized cashback platforms in the United States, and it carries a handful of VPN deals that are worth paying attention to. The headline number is 97% cashback on NordVPN — one of the highest rates available outside of TopCashback. Combine that with Rakuten’s current $50 signup bonus for new members, and you’re looking at a genuinely compelling way to save on your next VPN subscription. But the full picture is more nuanced than a single rate. Let’s break down exactly what Rakuten offers VPN shoppers in 2026.

What Is Rakuten?

Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a cashback platform owned by Rakuten Group, a Japanese e-commerce and fintech conglomerate with a market cap north of $10 billion. The US cashback service launched in 1998 as Ebates and was acquired by Rakuten in 2014 for $1 billion, rebranding fully in 2019.

With over 17 million active members in the US and partnerships with more than 3,500 retailers, Rakuten is one of the most established cashback services available. It operates on a straightforward model: you shop through Rakuten’s links, and a percentage of your purchase is returned to you as cashback. The company earns its revenue by collecting affiliate commissions from retailers and sharing a portion with you.

Rakuten’s longevity and corporate backing make it one of the safest bets in the cashback space. They’ve paid out over $4 billion to members since launch. This isn’t a startup that might disappear with your pending cashback — it’s a mature platform backed by significant financial infrastructure.

How It Works

Getting VPN cashback through Rakuten is simple:

1. Create a free Rakuten account — sign up at rakuten.com (or use a referral link to claim the $50 bonus).
2. Search for your VPN provider — type the VPN name in Rakuten’s search bar or browse the software category.
3. Click “Shop Now” — this redirects you to the VPN provider’s website through Rakuten’s tracked link.
4. Complete your purchase — buy your VPN subscription as you normally would. Do not use any external coupon codes unless Rakuten specifically provides them, as this can void your cashback.
5. Cashback appears in your account — usually within 24-48 hours as “pending.” It becomes payable after the retailer confirms the sale, which typically takes 30-60 days.

Rakuten also offers a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge that automatically notifies you when cashback is available on a site you’re visiting. This is useful for catching deals you might otherwise miss, but for VPN purchases, going directly through the Rakuten website or app ensures the cleanest tracking.

Signup Bonus

Rakuten’s signup bonus is one of the most generous in the cashback industry. As of February 2026, new members receive a $50 welcome bonus after making their first qualifying purchase of $25 or more. This bonus fluctuates between $30 and $50 depending on the promotional period, but it has been sitting at the higher end recently.

Here’s the practical impact: if you sign up and immediately purchase a NordVPN Basic plan ($83.43), you’d receive the $50 signup bonus plus 97% cashback on NordVPN ($80.93). That’s $130.93 in total value from a single VPN purchase — more than the subscription itself costs.

VPN Cashback Deals

Here’s the complete breakdown of Rakuten’s VPN cashback rates as of February 2026:

The standout deal is NordVPN at 97%. This is the second-highest NordVPN cashback rate available anywhere (only TopCashback at 100% beats it). On a $83.43 Basic plan, you’d get approximately $80.93 back, bringing your effective cost to around $2.50 for 27 months of service.

The rest of Rakuten’s VPN rates are noticeably lower. At 20-25%, they’re decent but not exceptional compared to platforms like TopCashback or Extrabux, which regularly offer 75-100% on the same providers. PureVPN at 12.5% is particularly underwhelming when Extrabux offers 95% on the same service.

Bottom line on rates: If you want NordVPN, Rakuten is an excellent choice. For any other VPN provider, you’ll find significantly better cashback rates elsewhere.

Payout Methods & Timing

Rakuten pays out on a quarterly schedule — this is one of its notable quirks. Rather than letting you cash out whenever your balance reaches a threshold, Rakuten issues payments on a fixed schedule:

• Q1 earnings are paid out on May 15
• Q2 earnings are paid out on August 15
• Q3 earnings are paid out on November 15
• Q4 earnings are paid out on February 15

The minimum payout threshold is just $5.01, which is low enough that virtually any VPN cashback purchase will qualify. You can choose from three payout methods:

• Check — mailed to your address (the default option).
• PayPal — deposited directly to your PayPal account. This is the fastest and most convenient method.
• American Express Membership Rewards points — a unique option that converts your cashback into Amex MR points at a rate of 1 cent = 1 point. This is particularly attractive for travel hackers, as Amex MR points can be worth 1.5-2 cents each when transferred to airline partners, effectively increasing your cashback value by 50-100%.

The quarterly payout schedule means you might wait up to 3-4 months after your cashback becomes confirmed before receiving payment. This is slower than platforms like TopCashback (which lets you cash out anytime) but predictable.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional $50 signup bonus — among the highest in the industry
• 97% cashback on NordVPN is outstanding
• Amex MR points payout can boost effective cashback value for travel hackers
• Extremely trustworthy platform with 25+ years of operation and billions paid out
• Browser extension makes it easy to catch deals automatically
• Low $5.01 minimum payout threshold
• Generous $30-50 signup bonus for new members

Cons:

• VPN cashback rates are mediocre outside of NordVPN (12.5-25% vs. 75-100% on competing platforms)
• Quarterly payout schedule means slower access to your money
• Only available to US shoppers (no international version for VPN deals)
• Check is the default payout method — you need to manually switch to PayPal
• Fewer VPN merchants listed compared to TopCashback or Extrabux

Tips for Maximizing Your Cashback

Use the signup bonus strategically. Since you only get one signup bonus, combine it with a high-value VPN purchase like NordVPN to maximize total returns. The 97% cashback on NordVPN plus the $50 bonus yields over $130 in value.

Switch to PayPal payouts immediately. After creating your account, go to Account Settings and change your payout method from Check to PayPal. You’ll get your money faster and avoid the risk of a lost check.

Consider the Amex MR points option. If you hold an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards points (like the Amex Gold or Platinum), converting your cashback to MR points can be worth significantly more than cash — especially if you transfer to airline partners for premium cabin redemptions.

Time your purchase around the quarterly payout cycle. If you buy early in a quarter, your cashback has more time to be confirmed before the payout date. Buying at the very end of a quarter may push your payment to the following cycle.

Disable ad blockers before clicking through. Ad blockers and privacy extensions can interfere with Rakuten’s tracking. Temporarily disable them (or use a clean browser profile) to ensure your cashback is recorded properly.

Do not stack external coupons. Unless a coupon code is listed directly on Rakuten’s page for that retailer, using external codes from coupon sites can void your cashback. Stick to the offers presented within Rakuten.

The Verdict

Rakuten is a strong choice for VPN cashback in one specific scenario: you want NordVPN. The 97% cashback rate on NordVPN Basic, combined with the $50 signup bonus, makes Rakuten one of the best platforms for that particular purchase. You’re looking at approximately $130 in total value on an $83 subscription — that’s hard to beat.

For other VPN providers, however, Rakuten’s rates fall significantly behind the competition. Getting 20% back on Surfshark or ExpressVPN is fine, but when platforms like Extrabux offer 90% on the same services, the math doesn’t favor Rakuten.

The platform itself is rock-solid. Twenty-five years of operation, billions in payouts, and backing from a publicly traded multinational company means your cashback is about as safe as it gets. The Amex MR points option is a genuinely unique perk that no other major cashback platform offers, adding extra value for the right user.

Our recommendation: Sign up for Rakuten to grab the $50 bonus and the NordVPN 97% deal. For all other VPN purchases, check TopCashback or Extrabux first — their rates are substantially higher across the board.

Cashback rates verified as of February 2026. Rates are subject to change — always confirm the current offer on Rakuten before purchasing.