Shopping extensions promise to save you money, but they work in fundamentally different ways. Very Big Price Tracker monitors prices and alerts you when they drop. Rakuten gives you cashback on purchases. Capital One Shopping automatically finds and applies coupon codes at checkout.
They’re not competitors — they’re complementary tools that save money at different stages of the buying process. Here’s when to use each.
Quick Verdict
- Very Big Price Tracker — Best for saving money by buying at the right time (price monitoring)
- Rakuten — Best for earning money back on purchases you were already making (cashback)
- Capital One Shopping — Best for reducing your total at checkout (coupon codes)
How They Compare
| Feature | Very Big Price Tracker | Rakuten | Capital One Shopping |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it saves money | Alerts when price drops | Cashback on purchases | Auto-applies coupon codes |
| When it works | Before you buy (timing) | During purchase (cashback) | At checkout (discounts) |
| Retailer coverage | Any website | 3,500+ partner stores | 30,000+ stores |
| Average savings | 15-30% on tracked items | 1-10% cashback | Varies by available codes |
| Requires purchase? | No — monitors only | Yes — earn after buying | Yes — applies at checkout |
| Data collection | Minimal | Shopping history shared | Shopping history shared |
| Payout method | N/A (saves by timing) | PayPal or check ($5 minimum) | Credits or gift cards |
| Free tier | 5 products tracked | Free (always) | Free (always) |
Very Big Price Tracker: The Patience Play
Very Big Price Tracker saves money the old-fashioned way — by helping you buy at the right time. Track a product, wait for the price to drop, buy when you’re happy with the price.
The savings potential is highest on big purchases. A $1,300 laptop that drops to $1,050 saves you $250 — more than years of cashback rewards on smaller purchases. Electronics, appliances, furniture, and flights are where price tracking delivers the biggest returns.
It works on any website — not just partner stores. If a small Shopify brand drops their prices, you’ll know. Rakuten and Capital One Shopping only work with participating retailers.
Best for: Patient buyers making considered purchases, especially on high-ticket items.
Rakuten: The Cashback Machine
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is the largest cashback platform. Shop through Rakuten’s links at 3,500+ stores and earn 1-10% back on your purchases. Some seasonal promotions offer up to 15-20% back.
The savings are passive. You’re buying things you were already going to buy — Rakuten just routes you through their affiliate link so you earn a percentage back. Over a year, active shoppers can earn $100-300+ in cashback.
The caveat: Rakuten’s business model depends on you shopping. It tracks your purchases across partner stores and shares data with retailers. If privacy is a priority, this is worth considering.
Best for: Frequent online shoppers who want to earn back a percentage on purchases they’re already making.
Capital One Shopping: The Checkout Optimizer
Capital One Shopping (formerly Wikibuy) activates at checkout. When you’re about to pay, it automatically searches for coupon codes and applies the best one. It also price-compares across retailers to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
The convenience is the selling point. You don’t have to search for coupons or compare prices manually. The extension does it automatically at the moment of purchase.
Success rate varies. On some purchases, it finds a working coupon and saves you 10-20%. On others, no codes are available. The average user saves a modest amount per transaction, but it adds up over time.
You don’t need a Capital One card to use it — it works for anyone, despite the branding.
Best for: Shoppers who want automatic coupon application without manual deal-hunting.
The Optimal Stack
These tools don’t conflict with each other. The most effective approach:
- Very Big Price Tracker — Track expensive items and wait for price drops before buying
- Rakuten — When you’re ready to buy, check if the retailer offers cashback through Rakuten
- Capital One Shopping — At checkout, let it auto-apply any available coupon codes
This covers all three savings mechanisms: timing (buy when cheap), cashback (earn on what you spend), and coupons (reduce the final price).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these extensions conflict with each other? No. They operate at different stages. Very Big Price Tracker monitors, Rakuten routes through cashback links, and Capital One Shopping applies codes at checkout.
Which one saves the most money? Very Big Price Tracker on large purchases (hundreds saved on electronics/appliances). Rakuten over time on regular shopping ($100-300/year for active shoppers). Capital One Shopping varies per transaction.
Are they safe to use? All three are established extensions with millions of users. Rakuten and Capital One Shopping collect shopping data as part of their business model. Very Big Price Tracker is more privacy-focused.
The Bottom Line
Don’t pick one — use all three. Very Big Price Tracker for timing expensive purchases, Rakuten for cashback on everything, Capital One Shopping for coupon codes at checkout. Together, they cover every way to save money when shopping online.