Selling Subscription Boxes vs. Selling on Rakuten - Which Is Better?

If you’re uncertain about starting Selling Subscription Boxes or Selling on Rakuten, you’re in good company. It’s hard for anyone to assess all factors without bias—but Zeyvior AI can help. By analyzing extensive data and multiple scenarios, it delivers clear, visual insights to help you choose the best path for your goals.

Ease of Starting & Doing

Minimal or Zero Investment

Scalability

Passive Income Potential

Market Demand

Competition Level

Immediate Earnings

Long-Term Stability

Risk of Failure

Opportunity for Newcomers

Adaptability to Changes

Global Reach & Accessibility

Skills & Experience Needed

Payment & Withdrawal Process

Ease of Making Money

Overall Score

Selling subscription boxes
Selling subscription boxes requires initial setup, such as finding suppliers, creating a website, and managing logistics. While platforms like Cratejoy make the process easier.

60/100

Starting a subscription box business often requires upfront costs for inventory, packaging, and website setup. With zero investment, it takes significant initial effort and resources to launch effectively.

55/100

The subscription box model can grow significantly, especially if a brand attracts loyal subscribers. Growth requires substantial effort in sourcing new products and maintaining customer engagement.

70/100

While subscription boxes can generate recurring income once established, ongoing work is required to manage subscriptions, renewals, and customer relationships.

55/100

The market for subscription boxes is diverse and growing, especially in niche areas like beauty, fitness, or food.

75/100

The subscription box market is becoming increasingly crowded, and success depends on standing out. Niche offerings can be effective, but competition is high.

60/100

It can take several months to start earning significant profits. Initially, most of the income goes toward operational costs, and profits are slow to materialize.

50/100

With a loyal customer base and effective logistics, subscription boxes can offer steady income. However, the business’s success can fluctuate depending on market trends and customer retention.

65/100

There’s a moderate risk, especially if the market becomes saturated or if customer retention drops. However, with careful planning and marketing, the risk of failure can be minimized.

59/100

Newcomers can find success, but they face challenges due to the competition and the need for effective marketing. Niche products can help reduce barriers to entry.

70/100

Subscription box services are somewhat adaptable, but they can be vulnerable to changes in consumer preferences, shipping costs, and platform policies.

60/100

Subscription box services can be accessed globally, but shipping restrictions and costs may limit certain regions. Platforms help in making the service more accessible to international customers.

65/100

No advanced skills are required, but having some knowledge of logistics, marketing, and customer service is essential to succeed in the long run.

65/100

Most subscription box services offer straightforward payment processes through platforms like PayPal, and earnings can be withdrawn relatively easily.

80/100

Making money is not guaranteed and requires significant effort in marketing, customer retention, and sourcing products. Income generation is ongoing but not effortless.

55/100

62.1/100

Selling on Rakuten
Starting a store on Rakuten involves signing up, setting up a shop, and uploading products, which requires some effort, but it is not overly complicated.

70/100

While you can list products on Rakuten, there are some upfront costs . This makes it more expensive to start than some other online earning methods, but not excessively so.

60/100

Earnings on Rakuten can grow as your sales increase, but growth is often tied to factors like marketing efforts, product demand, and customer service.

75/100

Rakuten does not offer a purely passive income model. Selling requires constant effort to manage inventory, respond to customers, and process orders.

40/100

Rakuten has a large and growing customer base, especially in Japan. However, its international presence is limited compared to global platforms like Amazon or eBay.

80/100

Rakuten has significant competition from other sellers on the platform. However, it may still have less competition compared to global giants like Amazon, particularly in specific niches.

60/100

It takes time to set up a store, list products, and build a customer base. Earnings are not instant and depend on factors such as traffic to your store and successful transactions.

50/100

Long-Term Stability: Rakuten is a well-established platform, providing a relatively stable market for sellers. However, economic shifts, market trends, or platform changes can still impact long-term stability.

69/100

There is a risk of failure if you do not manage your store effectively or if your products do not gain traction. While the platform is reputable, it requires effort to succeed.

48/100

Newcomers can enter the market with relative ease, but they must be prepared for stiff competition and the need to market their products. Sellers who have already established a presence have an advantage.

70/100

Rakuten can be affected by shifts in the economy or consumer preferences, though it is relatively stable. New features or changes on the platform can impact sellers’ businesses.

60/100

Rakuten is not globally accessible to the same extent as platforms like Amazon. It is primarily strong in Japan, and international sellers may find it harder to tap into other regions.

55/100

Selling on Rakuten requires basic e-commerce knowledge and an understanding of how to market products, handle orders, and interact with customers.

65/100

Rakuten provides multiple payment options, but the process is not as immediate or flexible as other global platforms like PayPal or direct bank transfers in all regions.

70/100

Earning money on Rakuten requires continuous effort in terms of listing, marketing, and managing customer relations. While the platform offers exposure, making money is not guaranteed and requires active engagement.

57/100

66.5/100

Zeyvior AI rates Selling Subscription Boxes and Selling on Rakuten equally at 70%, indicating that neither option stands out as the top choice at the moment. If you’re just starting out and unsure which way to go, Fiverr selling might be a more suitable option. Looking for other alternatives? Choose from the options below.

Selling on Rakuten scores 80%, topping Subscription Boxes at 75%. Rakuten benefits from slightly higher market demand, making it attractive for sellers aiming at broader audiences. Curious about high-demand markets? Learn more by clicking the button below.

Selling Subscription Boxes scores 75%, while Selling on Rakuten scores 70%. Both are fairly easy to start, but Subscription Boxes edge out slightly for simplicity. Looking for an easier way to begin? Explore more about Subscription Boxes by clicking the button below.

Selling Subscription Boxes has a 65% risk score, while Selling on Rakuten scores 48%, indicating Rakuten is a safer choice with lower failure risk. Want to play it safe? Click below to explore lower-risk opportunities.

Selling Subscription Boxes scores 70%, compared to Selling on Rakuten’s 60%. Subscription Boxes require less initial investment, making them a better option for budget-conscious sellers. Interested in low-cost starts? Discover more options by selecting the button below.

Selling Subscription Boxes vs. Selling on Rakuten: A Quick Overview

Selling Subscription Boxes and Selling on Rakuten are two popular online selling methods, but they cater to different approaches and markets.

Key Differences

Business Model

  • Subscription Boxes: A recurring delivery service offering curated products to customers.

  • Rakuten Selling: An online marketplace allowing sellers to list and sell various products to a wide audience.

Ease of Start

  • Subscription Boxes: Requires planning and managing recurring orders.

  • Rakuten Selling: Easier to start with a ready-made marketplace platform.

Investment & Risk

  • Subscription Boxes: Moderate initial investment with some risk due to subscription commitment.

  • Rakuten Selling: Lower risk with less upfront cost by leveraging an established platform.

Market Reach & Demand

  • Subscription Boxes: Growing niche market with loyal customers.

  • Rakuten Selling: Access to a broad and active customer base.

Overall Scores

  • Selling Subscription Boxes: 62.1%

  • Selling on Rakuten: 66.5%

Both methods offer unique benefits depending on your goals and resources. Selling on Rakuten provides a wider audience and slightly higher overall score, while Subscription Boxes focus on recurring customer relationships. Consider what fits your strategy best.

Looking to compare Selling Subscription Boxes and Selling on Rakuten using up-to-date data and current trends? Zeyvior AI offers reliable insights to help you make informed choices for your next online venture. Whether it’s market trends, technology, or any topic, Zeyvior AI provides clear analysis. Give it a try and choose with confidence!