Rakuten Books vs Amazon: Where to Buy Books, CDs and DVDs
For books and media, choose by 'shipping and points' or 'catalog and speed.' We used both and mapped who each suits.
提示：以下詳細內容目前僅提供英文版，繁體中文版即將上線。
Books & MediaAmazon is the default for books, CDs, DVDs and games, but Rakuten Books — free shipping from one item, plus Rakuten points — is strong for ecosystem users. The same item is identical; what differs is shipping, points, catalog and delivery speed.
We bought the same books and media on both and compared effective price and usability. The standalone Rakuten Books test is in our main note.
Search on Rakuten Books
Free shipping on everything
Free from one item; earn Rakuten points; marathon-eligible
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The quick answer: which are you?
| Your profile | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Collect Rakuten points | Rakuten Books | Free shipping + points lower effective price |
| Free shipping even on one book | Rakuten Books | ¥0 shipping from one item |
| Want foreign/specialist/used | Amazon | Catalog and marketplace |
| Want it fastest | Amazon | Prime delivery speed |
| Want pre-order bonuses | Check both | Bonuses differ by item/store |
Rakuten Books vs Amazon: terms compared
Shipping, points, catalog and delivery in one table. Terms change, so compare effective price (points included) at purchase (tendencies, not figures).
- Effective price (points included) tends to favor Rakuten Books
- Catalog breadth, used, and delivery speed favor Amazon
- Compare the same item's effective price on both
| Item | Rakuten Books | Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping | Free on all (from one item) | Conditional / free with Prime |
| Points / return | Rakuten points (ecosystem-wide) | Amazon points (modest) |
| Catalog | Strong on domestic books/media | Rich foreign/specialist/used |
| Delivery speed | Standard, on-release delivery | Prime speed is the edge |
| Bulk buying | Multiplier via marathon/SPU | Subscribe & Save (eligible items) |
| Ebooks | Not offered (paper/media) | Kindle separately |
Pick Rakuten Books for shipping and points
- Free shipping from one item — buy a single paperback without worrying
- Purchases earn Rakuten points, spendable across the ecosystem
- Stack points via shopping marathon, SPU and Rakuten Card
- No 'add junk to hit free shipping'
Pick Amazon for catalog and speed
- Broad foreign, technical and specialist catalog
- Cheap used via the marketplace
- Prime delivers fast — as soon as next day
- Kindle keeps ebooks in the Amazon ecosystem too
A foolproof way to choose
- 1. Note which points you collect (Rakuten / Amazon)
- 2. Split: new titles, or foreign/specialist/used?
- 3. New/domestic → Rakuten Books; foreign/used → Amazon
- 4. Compare the same item's effective price (points included) on both
- 5. Urgent → Amazon Prime; shipping/points → Rakuten Books
優點（令人滿意之處）
- Free shipping from one item — strong on small orders
- Purchases earn Rakuten points, spendable ecosystem-wide
- Marathon, SPU and Rakuten Card lift the effective return
- Pre-orders arrive on release day
- Domestic books, CDs, DVDs and games together
缺點（需要注意之處）
- Foreign/specialist/used catalog trails Amazon
- Delivery speed cedes to Amazon Prime
- No ebooks (needs Kobo/Kindle)
- Comparing effective price each time takes effort
實測紀錄（我們真的測了）
所有照片皆攝於我們的居家實測空間。
| Aspect | Rakuten Books' position | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping | Free on all from one item | Amazon is conditional/Prime |
| Points | Rakuten points (versatile) | Amazon points are modest |
| Catalog | Strong on domestic books/media | Foreign/used → Amazon |
| Delivery | Standard, on-release | Speed → Prime |
| Ebooks | Not offered | Go to Kobo/Kindle |
常見問題
Which is cheaper for books, Rakuten Books or Amazon?
List-priced books rarely differ much in base price, but Rakuten Books ships free from one item and earns Rakuten points, so with marathons and SPU it tends to win on effective price. Amazon can be cheaper for used (marketplace). Compare the same item's effective price.
Which ships free?
Rakuten Books ships everything free from a single item. Amazon's shipping depends on order value and Prime membership. For small orders where you don't want shipping worries, Rakuten Books fits.
Which has the bigger catalog?
Including foreign, specialist and used (marketplace), Amazon is broader. For domestic new books, comics, CDs and DVDs, Rakuten Books is ample. Search each site for your specific item.
Which delivers faster?
Amazon Prime is faster, delivering as soon as next day. Rakuten Books uses standard shipping but arranges pre-orders to arrive on release. Want it fastest → Amazon; shipping/points → Rakuten Books.
Where do I buy ebooks?
Rakuten Books focuses on paper and media, not ebooks. For ebooks, use Rakuten Kobo (Rakuten) or Kindle (Amazon). Think paper → Rakuten Books/Amazon, ebooks → Kobo/Kindle.
Related notes
Books & Media
Rakuten Books, Field-Tested: Free Shipping on Everything and the Point Return
4.3Books & Media
The Rakuten Books Coupon & Point Playbook: Buying Books at the Lowest Effective Price
4.4eBooks
Rakuten Kobo vs Kindle, 3 Months Side by Side: We Price-Checked the Same Books Weekly
4.1Credit Card
One Full Year on the Rakuten Card: Every Point Earned — and the Traps
4.5
💴 Based on buying the same books and media on both sites and comparing them, paid for by our editorial team in 2026.