Poker rakeback comparison 2026

This poker rakeback comparison lines up the programs of each room by type, starting rate, top rate, payout frequency and payout form. Measured as the share of the rake you pay that the room gives back, top rates run from 20% at partypoker to ≈80% at GGPoker, by GGPoker's own estimate, while starting rates begin at 3.5% at Stake Poker. Read the starting rate if you play a few hours a week and the top rate only if your volume can reach it.

Updated October 29, 2026

Poker rakeback comparison table

First roomSecond room

GGPoker and PokerStars side by side
Feature	GGPoker	PokerStars
Rakeback type	VIP levels	VIP levels
Starting rakeback	≈16% (Higher value)	15%
Highest rakebackof the rake you pay, returned to you	≈80% (Higher value)	60%
Payout	n/a	On reaching a level
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 0.05/0.10	5% · Cap $1	5% · Cap $1
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 0.10/0.25	5% · Cap $2	4.5% · Cap $2 (Higher value)
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 0.25/0.50	5% · Cap $4	5% · Cap $2 (Higher value)
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 0.50/1	5% · Cap $5	5% · Cap $2.50 (Higher value)
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 1/2	5% · Cap $6	5% · Cap $2.75 (Higher value)
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 0.01/0.02	n/a	5% · Cap $1
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 0.02/0.05	n/a	5% · Cap $1
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 2/4	n/a	5% · Cap $3
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 2.50/5	n/a	5% · Cap $3
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 3/6	n/a	5% · Cap $3.50
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 5/10	n/a	4.5% · Cap $3
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 10/20	n/a	4.5% · Cap $3
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 25/50	n/a	4.5% · Cap $3
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 50/100	n/a	4.5% · Cap $5
Rake, No-Limit Hold'em 100/200	n/a	4.5% · Cap $5
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 0.01/0.02	n/a	3.3% · Cap $0.30
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 0.02/0.05	n/a	3.9% · Cap $1
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 0.05/0.10	n/a	4.25% · Cap $1.50
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 0.10/0.25	n/a	4.25% · Cap $2
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 0.25/0.50	n/a	5% · Cap $2
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 0.50/1	n/a	5% · Cap $2.50
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 1/2	n/a	5% · Cap $2.75
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 2/4	n/a	5% · Cap $3
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 2.50/5	n/a	5% · Cap $3
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 3/6	n/a	5% · Cap $3.50
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 5/10	n/a	4.5% · Cap $3
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 10/20	n/a	4.5% · Cap $3
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 25/50	n/a	4.5% · Cap $3
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 50/100	n/a	4.5% · Cap $5
Rake, Pot-Limit Omaha 100/200	n/a	4.5% · Cap $5
Network	GG Network	PokerStars network
Licenses	UKGC 47768 (NSUS Limited), Isle of Man GSC (GG International Limited), MGA (NSUS Malta Ltd), Belgian Gaming Commission B+ 3805 (Deba Square / Concept Booth BV), KSA 3661/01.410.598 (NSUS Malta Ltd), iGaming Ontario, Spelinspektionen (NSUS Malta Ltd), GGL Germany (NSUS Malta Ltd), and Kahnawake Gaming Commission 927 (Puretech International Ltd.)	UKGC 39108, MGA/B2C/213/2011 (TSG Interactive Gaming Europe Limited), Isle of Man GSC (Rational Entertainment Enterprises Limited), ANJ (Reel Malta Limited, pokerstars.fr), SRIJ 005 (Reel Europe Limited, pokerstars.pt), Spelinspektionen (TSG Interactive PLC, pokerstars.se, до 31.12.2028), DGOJ 04-11/POQ/46124I/SGR (TSG Interactive Spain, pokerstars.es), ADM 16023 (TSG Italy S.R.L., pokerstars.it), Belgian Gaming Commission A+ 20635 / E121495 (pokerstars.be), Casino Davos AG concession (pokerstars.ch), and iGaming Ontario (Ontario)
Availability	United Kingdom and Canada	United Kingdom and Canada
Crypto deposits	Yes	No
Minimum deposit	n/a	$10
Software	Desktop and Mobile	Desktop, Mobile, and Browser

GGPokerGGPoker's own estimate

PokerStars

GGPoker or PokerStars: full comparison

Each row of the poker rakeback comparison is one room, and each column answers one question about its program. A blank cell means the room does not publish that figure in its own terms, so the table leaves it out instead of estimating it.

What the program type tells you

The type column shows how the room decides your rate. It predicts how much your return changes as you play more.

Fixed means one rate for all rake, so a casual player and a regular get the same percentage.
VIP means the rate rises with a level that you earn through points over a set period.
Cashback means a weekly payout once you reach a points target, with the count starting again each week.
Hybrid means the room runs two models side by side or lets you choose between them.

Starting rate and top rate

The starting rate is what a new account earns before any level or target is reached. The top rate is the highest percentage the program pays, usually at a level that needs heavy volume. A room with a fixed deal shows the same number in both columns.

Compare the rate you can actually reach. If you pay $200 of rake a month, a program whose top level depends on a large annual points total may keep you near its starting rate all year. The rakeback calculator shows which level your rake reaches.

How often each room pays

Payout frequency is how often credited rakeback reaches your balance. Stake Poker credits it instantly and lets you claim it whenever you want. 888poker, partypoker and BetOnline Poker pay weekly. A shorter cycle means less money waiting in the program and earlier use of it at the tables.

What the payout arrives in

Rooms pay in three forms. Cash goes straight to your balance and can be withdrawn. Bonus money or bonus points need to be played through first. A program currency has to be exchanged, sometimes at a rate that depends on the amount.

Weekly Rakeback at 888poker and Weekly Cashback at partypoker both pay cash. GGPoker and Natural8 pay GEMs, which you exchange in the rewards store. Guts Poker pays Reward Points that you convert to euros yourself, and Unibet Poker pays part of its loyalty rewards as bonus points.

How the rooms' programs differ

GGPoker and Natural8 share Ocean Rewards on the GG Network, with eight levels from Fish to Shark set by Tide Points earned in the calendar year. GGPoker estimates its Shark level at ≈80%, and Natural8 gives the same estimate for Shark on its own site. See GGPoker rakeback and Natural8 rakeback for the level details each room publishes.

888poker returns 5% to 50% of cash game rake each week, with the rate set by that week's rake. Only accounts that have deposited qualify for this weekly promotion.

Weekly Cashback at partypoker needs a one-time opt-in, counts 1 point per $1 of rake in every format and pays between 8% and 20% every Monday. Read more on partypoker cashback.

BetOnline Poker credits 10% to 30% automatically each week, depending on your level in a VIP program that runs from Bronze to Black.

ACR Poker enrolls every account in Elite Benefits, where Combat Points earned from rake are exchanged for cash. Players can ask support to switch to flat rakeback instead.

Guts Poker resets levels monthly and pays 10% to 30%. Stake Poker pays a flat 3.5% from Bronze VIP. Global Poker uses a fixed 30% for cash games. Unibet Poker runs a quarterly program that starts at 4%. Compare these with the best rakeback poker sites in the USA.

Head-to-head rakeback comparisons

For a closer look at two rooms at once, these pages set the programs side by side and explain which player each one fits.

Questions and answers

Which poker room pays the highest rakeback rate?

GGPoker and Natural8 publish the highest top rate in this comparison, an estimated ≈80% at the Shark level of Ocean Rewards. Reaching it takes the highest annual volume in the program, and both rooms present the figure as their own estimate.

Which rakeback program pays in cash?

Weekly Rakeback at 888poker and Weekly Cashback at partypoker pay cash. GGPoker pays GEMs that you exchange for cash.

Is a fixed rakeback deal better than a VIP program?

It depends on your volume. A fixed deal pays the same rate from the first hand, while a VIP program pays more only once your points reach its higher levels.