Rakuten TV has a rich library of Asian TV shows and movies, but its official "offline mode" is only available to mobile devices. The biggest problem isn't just the device limit. It's expiration. Most Rakuten rentals expire within 48 hours once you hit play.
If you want to own the Rakuten content you pay for, a professional Rakuten downloader is necessary. I tested several popular tools against the latest 2026 DRM updates. I've shortlisted the most reliable Rakuten TV downloaders in this post, including their pros, cons, and my test results.
Why You Need an Extra Rakuten TV Downloader?
The official Rakuten TV app offers a "Download" button, but it comes with heavy "Digital Rights Management" (DRM). Rakuten TV's offline feature often fails due to storage encryption errors or regional licensing shifts that can make your downloaded movie disappear overnight.
But with a Rakuten downloader, we can:
- Ignore the 48-Hour Window: Save downloads permanently on a hard drive or NAS.
- Device Freedom: Break free from the Rakuten app. Watch downloads on PC, TV, and even gaming consoles.
Note: Any Rakuten downloader should be used for personal use. Always comply with the ToS and use them responsibly, and don't download copyrighted content from Rakuten TV.
Top 5 Rakuten TV Downloaders Review
I tested 5 popular Rakuten downloaders on my Windows PC. I mainly paid attention to their download speeds, DRM-analyzing capabilities, and video output quality. Check them from the most recommended to the least recommended.
My Test Environment
- OS: Windows 11 24H2 (Build 26100)
- Network: Wi-Fi 6E 500 Mbps / LAN latency 6-8 ms
- Target: Rakuten TV UK & Japan (For both "Rentals" and "Free with Ads" libraries)
- Note: All tests were conducted in May 2026.
KeepStreams for Rakuten TV
KeepStreams for Rakuten TV is a dedicated downloader for Rakuten TV. It's made to bypass the latest Widevine DRM updates. It excels at batch processing and download stability. Also, its update frequency is very impressive too.
📌 In my test, KeepStreams downloaded a 2-hour movie in just 3 minutes. The best part I love about KeepStreams is the auto-download function. While the official Rakuten app and most clunky rippers force me to babysit the screen and click "download" for every single file, KeepStreams has this auto-download perk. It essentially acts like a digital assistant that snags my favorite shows the second they're available without me lifting a finger.
- ✅ Pro: Smooth download and additional functions
- ❌ Con: The premium tier is slightly expensive for casual users, starting at $34.99
Here's how I used KeepStreams:
- Open the built-in browser and select "Rakuten TV" from the VIP Services list.
- Log in and play your target movie.
- Customize your audio/subtitle tracks and click "Download Now".
StreamGaGa Rakuten TV Downloader
StreamGaGa Rakuten TV Downloader is also a tool exclusive to Rakuten TV. It has nearly all the useful functions that a reliable downloader should have: 720p saving, batch download, metadata saving, and even auto-download.
📌 But I list it behind KeepStreams because it has less frequent updates. Sometimes, I even have to wait for a month before the new patch is released to solve the Rakuten download problems. But generally, it performs well, especially when detecting and extracting subtitles as SRT files.
- ✅ Pro: Stable download and great subtitle extraction
- ❌ Con: It can't get updated frequently
Here's how I used StreamGaGa:
- Paste the Rakuten TV video URL into the search bar.
- Wait for the pop-up window to analyze the link.
- Select your preferred resolution and subtitles, then hit "Download".
BBFly Downloader
BBFly is an all-in-one downloader. It means it can not only download from Rakuten TV, but from Netflix, Prime Video, DMM, and 150+ streaming services. While not exclusively tailored for Rakuten, it's not as stable as KeepStreams or StreamGaGa, but the cost-effectiveness is incomparable.
📌 It isn't as fast as KeepStreams during the analysis and downloading, but still, it gets the job done for offline viewing. I also tested Netflix and Prime Video, and BBFly successfully downloaded from both of the services.
- ✅ Pro: Very affordable and supports a massive list of secondary streaming sites.
- ❌ Con: Slower URL parsing speed and occasional failures on newly released UHD rentals.
Here's how I used BBFly:
- Navigate to Rakuten TV via the internal browser.
- Play the video you wish to save.
- Confirm the format settings in the prompt and download.
PlayOn Home
Unlike direct DRM decryptors, PlayOn Home is a specialized screen recorder for desktop. It records the video in real-time as it plays invisibly in the background, without a black screen.
📌 PlayOn is immune to Rakuten's DRM updates because it captures the screen instead of decrypting the video file. However, this method requires patience. PlayOn might fail to record without telling us what the problem is. When this happens, we can only try again and again.
- ✅ Pro: Not so fragile to DRM updates
- ❌ Con: Real-time recording means a 2-hour movie takes 2 hours to save, and the interface is complex.
Here's how I used PlayOn:
- Link your Rakuten TV account in the PlayOn dashboard.
- Search for your rented movie in the interface.
- Click "Record" and let it run in the background.
Online Downloader (Web-based)
Apart from the professional programs, some online downloader sites can also work as a Rakuten TV Downloader. These tools rely on network sniffing—essentially a digital scout scanning your browser’s background traffic for a video link.
📌 I put three top-tier online downloaders to the test, and frankly, the results were a letdown. They'll snag a free trailer in a heartbeat, but they hit a brick wall the second DRM (the digital lock protecting paid content) gets involved.
- ✅ Pro: Free, no installation required.
- ❌ Con: 99% failure rate on full-length premium content. Often plagued by intrusive pop-up ads.
Here's how I used Online Downloader:
- Copy the URL from your browser (from the top search bar).
- Paste it into the online downloader's text box.
- Click "Download" (but expect an error for protected content).
FAQs
Q1. Is it legal to use a Rakuten downloader for my rented movies?
A1. In most regions, it's considered fair use if you download content you have access to for personal, offline viewing. But the moment you bypass DRM (those annoying digital locks) to share or upload files, you're looking at a legal mess. My best advice? Keep it strictly for yourself and give your local laws a quick glance first.
Q2. Can KeepStreams for Rakuten TV download content from different regions, like Japan and the UK?
A2. Yes. Not only KeepStreams, but nearly all professional downloaders can also parse URLs from various regional Rakuten TV domains. However, because Rakuten enforces strict geo-blocking, the software can only download what your network can access. If you are in the UK trying to download from Rakuten TV Japan, you must run a reliable VPN on your PC during the parsing process.
Q3. Will my downloaded MP4 files expire after 48 hours?
A3. No. Once a tool like KeepStreams or StreamGaGa saves the video as a local MP4 or MKV file, the 48-hour rental timer or 30-day download expiration is completely removed. The file is yours to keep permanently on your local drive.
Final Words
Rakuten TV’s strict 48-hour rental windows and the lack of a native PC offline mode are annoying, but we can reclaim control over the content we've paid for with the help of a Rakuten TV downloader.
If you want the fastest DRM decryption and a smooth experience, KeepStreams is my top recommendation. If you prefer a completely different approach that is immune to DRM updates, PlayOn is a safe screen-recording alternative. Just remember to use these tools responsibly for your personal media collection.
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