Ampli, now known as Avion Rewards, and Rakuten are popular cash back apps that reward you when you shop at retailers they are affiliated with.
They are not the only cash-back platforms in Canada; others include Paymi, Drop, Caddle, and Checkout 51.
This Ampli vs. Rakuten review covers how they work, their differences, similarities, pros and cons, and which one to choose on your next shopping trip.
Ampli vs. Rakuten
| Features | Ampli | Rakuten |
| Owned by | Royal Bank of Canada | – |
| Established in | 2019 | 1998 (Formerly Ebates) |
| Total cash back paid | Over $2 million | Over $2 billion |
| No. of partner stores | – | 3,500+ (750 in Canada) |
| No. of members | 2 million | 1.7 billion |
| Cost to use | Free | Free |
| Cash back rate | – | 40% |
| Signup bonus | – | Sign up for Rakuten and get up to a $30 bonus |
| Minimum payout threshold | $15 | $5.01 (quarterly payments set on February, May, August, and November) |
| Payout method | Interac e-Transfer (available in 3-5 business days) | Cheque, PayPal, Amazon gift cards |
| Other ways to earn | Monthly Dreamstakes offering cash prizes; referral program ($5 bonus when you invite a friend to Ampli) | Referral program (earn up to $30) |
| App ratings | 4.8 stars on the App Store; unrated on Google Play | 4.8 stars on the App Store; 3.8 stars on Google Play |
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is one of the best cash back apps in Canada. This platform was founded in 1998 and operates in multiple countries, including the United States and Canada.
Rakuten has partnerships with over 750 stores in Canada, and you can join for free here and get a $30 bonus.
It has 6 million members in Canada and has paid them over $70 million since 2012.
Rakuten
$30 sign-up bonus when you spend at least $30
Earn up to 40% cashback
Features 3,000 stores and retailers
Redeem earnings by PayPal & check
How Does Rakuten Work?
When you want to shop online, first visit Rakuten to find the store. Shop as usual, and cash back earned will automatically be added to your balance.
You can redeem your earnings using PayPal, cheque, or Amazon gift cards.
What is Ampli?
Ampli is a Canadian cash back app owned by the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). The app is free, and you can download it here.
Ampli recently announced that it is now part of Avion Rewards, an all-in-one loyalty app owned by RBC that lets you save, get cash back and earn by shopping at over 2,400 retailers.
To keep earning cash back, Ampli users are encouraged to sign up at Avion Rewards and add their bank account. You do not need to be an RBC client to register.
Ampli will end its service on February 1, 2024, and will begin the process on November 13, 2023.
If you have a cash back balance, request to cash it out via the Ampli app. Before December 31, 2023, send yourself a free Interac e-Transfer to cash out your earnings.
How Does Ampli Work?
After creating an account, connect your bank card (debit or debit card).
When you pay for purchases at partner brands using your linked card, you earn cash back, which is added to your account balance within five business days.
You can request a payout via Interac e-Transfer starting at $15.
Learn more in this Ampli review.
Ampli vs Rakuten: Cash Back Rewards
For Ampli, simply shop the offers presented on the app at the online or physical store.
Participating stores include The Home Depot, Petro Canada, Boston Pizza, HelloFresh, Rexall, Indigo, etc.
For Rakuten, visit the website or app before shopping at your favourite store. You will find discounts ranging from 1% to as high as 50% off.
Click through to make a purchase, and cash back earned is added to your balance.
Verdict: Rakuten offers more cash back opportunities than Ampli.
Ampli vs Rakuten: Cashout Options
You can redeem your earnings on Ampli starting at $15. You will need to send yourself an Interac e-Transfer, and it should normally arrive within 3 to 5 business days.
On Rakuten, cash back earned is paid out four times a year in February, May, August, and November.
You can choose to get paid by cheque, PayPal, or an Amazon gift card.
The minimum payout is $5.01.
Verdict: Rakuten has a lower minimum payout, but you get more flexibility with Ampli with no restrictions on when you can redeem as long as your balance is $15.
Ampli vs. Rakuten: Other Ways to Earn
In addition to earning cash back when you shop, Ampli also has monthly “Dreamstakes” challenges where you can win prizes.
For Rakuten, you earn when you shop the discounts and refer others (up to $30).
Ampli vs. Rakuten: App Ratings
Both Rakuten and Ampli have mobile apps.
- Ampli: 4.8/5 rating at the App Store; the app is unrated at the Google Play Store.
- Rakuten: 3.8/5 stars on the Google Play Store and 4.8/5 stars on the App Store.
You can also access Rakuten using a web interface.
Verdict: Rakuten is accessible on all devices, whereas you need the mobile app to use Ampli.
Ampli vs. Rakuten: Referral Program
When you join Rakuten and make your first purchase of $30 or more, you get a $30 bonus. You can invite friends using your Rakuten referral link, and you both get $30 when they qualify.
Verdict: Rakuten offers a referral bonus.
Ampli vs. Rakuten: Are They Safe?
Ampli is owned by one of Canada’s largest banks, and it is safe. Your transactional data is anonymized, and they get read-only access when you connect your bank cards.
Rakuten uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) internet connection to protect your personal information.
Also, the app does not access your credit card information.
Are They Legit?
Ampli and Rakuten are legitimate companies.
While Ampli is not rated on Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureaus (BBB), Rakuten holds a “B” rating on the BBB, and it is rated 4.1/5 on Trustpilot.
Pros and Cons of Ampli
Pros:
- Earn cash back easily without uploading receipts
- Enter into sweepstakes with the potential to win prizes
- Earn real cash back and not points
Cons
- Limited retailer partnership
- It can take a while to earn the $15 required for a payout
Pros and Cons of Rakuten
Pros
- $30 sign up bonus
- Low payout threshold of $5.01
- Earn real cash back, and transactions are tracked automatically
- You can use a browser extension for discount alerts
- Available on all devices
Cons
- Payout is every quarter
Ampli vs Rakuten: Which is Better?
Rakuten is the better option for online shopping. It has hundreds of stores and offers available at all times.
For in-store shopping in Canada, Ampli can be great, depending on what you are shopping for.
You can use both platforms and compare the offers before purchasing to see which one pays more.
Related:
