Friendbuy vs Rakuten Advertising
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading affiliate marketing solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Friendbuy if you need Referral programs and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Rakuten Advertising if you prioritize Global publisher network and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. Friendbuy has a higher user rating (4.6 vs 4.3).
Friendbuy vs Rakuten Advertising: At a Glance
| Criteria | Friendbuy | Rakuten Advertising |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6 | 4.3 |
| Pricing | $249/month | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | subscription | commission-based |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Mobile | Web, Mobile |
| Category | Affiliate Marketing | Affiliate Marketing |
| Founded | 2010 | 1997 |
Feature Comparison: Friendbuy vs Rakuten Advertising
| Feature | Friendbuy | Rakuten Advertising |
|---|---|---|
| Referral programs | ||
| Loyalty programs | ||
| A/B testing | ||
| Fraud detection | ||
| Attribution tracking | ||
| Shopify | ||
| Klaviyo | ||
| Attentive | ||
| Yotpo | ||
| Gorgias | ||
| Web support | ||
| Mobile support | ||
| Global publisher network | ||
| Influencer marketplace | ||
| Cross-device attribution | ||
| AI-powered insights | ||
| Brand protection | ||
| Google Analytics | ||
| Adobe Analytics |
Friendbuy vs Rakuten Advertising: Pricing Breakdown
Friendbuy Pricing
Model: subscription
- Referral program
- Basic analytics
- Email support
Rakuten Advertising Pricing
Model: commission-based
- Performance-based pricing
- Global publisher access
- Advanced reporting
Pros and Cons
Friendbuy
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.6/5)
- Rich feature set with 12+ capabilities
- Strong Referral programs functionality
- Strong Loyalty programs functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Rakuten Advertising
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Rich feature set with 10+ capabilities
- Strong Global publisher network functionality
- Strong Influencer marketplace functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Friendbuy vs Rakuten Advertising?
Choose Friendbuy if you:
- Need Referral programs
- Have a budget of $249/month+
- Work primarily on Web and Mobile
- Value Loyalty programs
Choose Rakuten Advertising if you:
- Need Global publisher network
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web and Mobile
- Value Influencer marketplace
Frequently Asked Questions: Friendbuy vs Rakuten Advertising
Is Friendbuy better than Rakuten Advertising?
It depends on your needs. Friendbuy has a 4.6/5 user rating while Rakuten Advertising has 4.3/5. Friendbuy excels in Referral programs and Loyalty programs, while Rakuten Advertising stands out with Global publisher network and Influencer marketplace. Consider your budget ($249/month vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Friendbuy or Rakuten Advertising?
Friendbuy starts at $249/month. Rakuten Advertising starts at Contact for pricing. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.
Can I use Friendbuy and Rakuten Advertising together?
While both are affiliate marketing tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core affiliate marketing needs.
What are the main differences between Friendbuy and Rakuten Advertising?
The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs commission-based), platform support (Web, Mobile vs Web, Mobile), and feature focus. Friendbuy emphasizes Referral programs, Loyalty programs, A/B testing while Rakuten Advertising focuses on Global publisher network, Influencer marketplace, Cross-device attribution. User ratings differ slightly: 4.6 vs 4.3 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Friendbuy and Rakuten Advertising.