Everyone is looking to put a little extra cash in their pocket. This is especially true when times are tough! Today, smartphone apps are offering a whole new way to earn real money, and we’re not just talking about the familiar “side gig” apps like Uber, Lyft, Airbnb, and the like. Figuring out which money-making apps in Canada are worth your time and effort can be a time-consuming task. So, we've done some of the homework for you! (Of course, you'll have to use your own discretion when it comes to figuring out which apps you feel most comfortable using.) Whether you’re looking for money-making apps for android, or iPhone apps that pay you money, here are 15 apps that earn you money!
1. AskforTask and Jiffy
Are you handy around the house, good with a paintbrush, or got a green thumb? These two Toronto-based apps that pay you let you connect with other fellow Canadians needing help with all kinds of household chores and home projects, such as house cleaning, plumbing, appliance repair, electrical work, painting, moving, junk removal, lawn maintenance, and much more. Prices are competitive (for example, on Ask for Task general help can earn you up to $15 per hour while skilled help can earn you as much as $40 per hour). Because you’ll be going to people’s homes, you'll have to pass a criminal background check, but once you’re cleared these apps can help you earn real money!
2. Caddle
One of our favourite personal finance blogs, Savvy New Canadians, calls Caddle a “juicy cashback app for Canadians.” Once you’ve downloaded the app, you can browse weekly offers and get paid when you either buy featured products at the store of your choice and take a photo of the receipt, complete a questionnaire (usually eight questions or less) or watch an ad (usually 30 seconds or less). Receipts are processed, and voila! Cash is credited to your account. To get paid, simply request to “cash out” once you’ve accumulated $20 or more.
3. Checkout 51
This app allows you to earn cash back when you shop — you could get back as much as 35% of the price you paid! Here’s how it works: Each week, Checkout 51 sends you a variety of different offers. To redeem an offer, simply purchase the item(s) you want at any store, then scan and upload your receipt on your mobile device. Once you’ve reached $20, you can request a cheque be sent through the mail.
4. Drop
Drop is an app that lets you earn cash rewards when you shop at your favourite retailers. Whether you’re reserving a flight on Expedia or ordering food from Grubhub, you can shop directly from the Drop app to effortlessly earn points redeemable at places like Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks. What makes it different from other money-making apps is that it's connected directly with your debit or credit card, so there's no need to take photos of receipts. (Of course, there are some risks when linking anything to your debit card or credit card, which is why it's so important to read security and privacy policies before signing up.) You just shop like you normally would and you'll automatically earn points when you purchase items from retailers you've selected. 3 million people are currently using the app, so find out what they hype is all about.
5. GasBuddy
Feel like you’re paying more at the pump these days? Then get an app that pays you when you spend on gas! GasBuddy does just that. The app has an army of 30 million users updating fuel prices throughout Canada and the US who report on gas prices, so you know where to go to gas up for less. Plus, you can earn points for submitting prices or reviews, which can be used to enter contests to win weekly gas card giveaways.
6. Field Agent
If you’ve ever wanted to go undercover and become a mystery shopper, this could be your chance! The Field Agent app is paying thousands of people across Canada to act as “agents” (similar to mystery shoppers) who collect information about their local businesses. You can search for local jobs on the app to see what type of information the client is looking for you to collect and how much they’re willing to pay (jobs generally range from $3-$12 each).
7. Ipsos i-Say
If you’re over 18 and living in Canada, Ipsos i-Say wants you to join their panel! This legitimate market research company (which is also available in other countries as well) is all about surveys. When you register, you’ll be asked a series of questions (don’t worry, it only takes a few minutes) and then you’ll be sent surveys that you qualify for based on your answers and profile. Surveys might not come to you fast and furiously since you have to fit the customer profile they're looking for first, but when they do you can earn points for retailers like Starbucks and Amazon, or you can redeem them for a prepaid Visa card or PayPal cash.
8. Mylo
The idea of investing money might make you chuckle, especially if you're in debt, but Mylo makes it possible for anyone to effortlessly become an investor with just their spare change. Simply link the app to your bank account, and then every time you make a purchase, Mylo rounds up that purchase to the nearest dollar and then invests the difference into a diversified portfolio. For example, say you spend $5.70 at Tim Hortons. You’ll be charged $6.00 and then the extra 30 cents goes into your Mylo account. You can choose your investment strategy, from conservative to aggressive, and the monthly fee for Mylo is just a dollar.
9. Nielsen Homescan Canada
One of the leading market research companies in the world, Nielsen has been around for more than 90 years! To earn rewards, you’ll need to apply to join their panel (please note that it may take some time to be accepted). Once you’ve been selected, you’ll provide them with shopping data which they analyze to give feedback about spending behaviour to brands, retailers, and marketers. This is accomplished by scanning barcodes on products you buy on a weekly basis using a scanner they send you. You then receive rewards points for each weekly transmission. Points are redeemable for merchandise, including gift cards (iTunes, Cineplex, Indigo), outdoor gear, kitchen appliances, electronics, jewellery, and more. Monthly cash incentives, if applicable, are also sent through postal mail every month.
10. Paymi
The Toronto-based Paymi app is a very popular money-making app in Canada because it's so easy to use. It works for purchases made in-store and online. To start, simply link your credit and debit cards to the app (eliminating the need for any new cards, codes, or coupons but again, it's important to read security and privacy policies before signing up) and then you'll automatically start earning rewards when you shop any of the brands and retailers affiliated with the app. Partner retailers include Lowe’s, Leons, The Gap, Burger King, SportChek, CIBC, H&M, Aldo, Mark’s, Lululemon, and much more! It’s free to join and you can cash out your rewards through an e-transfer of funds.
11. Rakuten
With an A rating from the BBB, Rakuten (formerly known as Ebates) is one of the most popular services for earning cash back when you shop your favourite online stores. (They also advertise regularly on TV; perhaps you’ve caught one of their television ads.) To get started, download the app and sign up, then visit online stores through the app and earnings are automatically credited to your account. You can request payment through PayPal or receive a cheque in the mail. As a bonus, Canadians get an additional $5 credit after their first purchase of $25.
12. Rover
Love animals? Then you’ll love Rover, an app that pays you for walking dogs, dog and cat sitting, dog and cat boarding, and more. Using the app, you can set your schedule, pricing, and the type of pets you like to work with. Wondering why people trust Rover? The Rover Guarantee protects your services up to $1 million and also offers 24/7 support.
13. Survey Junkie
Are you the type of person who has an opinion on everything? Then you’ll love Survey Junkie. No, you won’t get rich using the app, but you can earn cash and get your opinions heard by the brands you love! Simply complete a user profile, and Survey Junkie will send you surveys that match your profile. You can take the surveys anywhere on any device, earning you points once you've completed a survey. Points can be redeemed instantly for PayPal cash or e-Gift cards.
14. Swagbucks
This money-making app boasts paying out members over $290 million since launching. You can accumulate points called "swagbucks" by searching the web, completing surveys, watching videos, referring your friends, shopping in the apps mall, completing special offers, voting in daily polls, finding swag codes and entering fun contests via social media. These points can be redeemed for gift cards from stores like Amazon, Target, and Walmart or for PayPal cash.
15. VIPKID Teacher
Here’s an app that pays you to teach English to children across the world and earn real money, anywhere between $14-$22 per hour. Teachers must be eligible to work in Canada or the US, possess a Bachelor’s degree in any field, as well as have at least one year of teaching or mentoring experience under their belt. The best part? You can choose your own hours; however, because many children are located in China, you might have to change your schedule to accommodate their hours. But it might be totally worth it, especially since some dedicated individuals can earn a full-time living via VIPKID.
There you have it! We hope these money-making apps in Canada for iPhone and Android users help you earn some extra cash, and be sure to check out our blog on The 6 Best Budgeting Apps. Do you know of other apps offering free money in Canada, or other ways to earn money from your mobile device? Let us know in the comments below!
