Are you tired of the daily grind and looking for ways to boost your income without investing a dime?
There are some ways to make money online in Canada for free.
From freelance writing to virtual tutoring, there are countless avenues for Canadians to earn extra cash from the comfort of their own homes.
Whether you’re a student looking to pay off tuition fees or a stay-at-home parent seeking financial independence, this article will explore the top strategies for making money online in Canada without any initial investment.
1. Take Online Surveys
Surveys are one of the easiest ways to make some extra money online in your free time.
Companies are always looking for consumer opinions on their products and services.
By sharing your thoughts in online surveys, you can earn anywhere from $1 to $50 per survey completed.
Some popular survey sites open to Canadians include:
- Swagbucks – Earn gift cards to popular shops for taking surveys
- InboxDollars – Get paid to read emails and take short surveys
- Survey Junkie – Take surveys, participate in focus groups, and more
The key is being consistent and taking as many surveys as you qualify for. It adds up over time!
2. Get Cash Back When Shopping Online
If you regularly shop online at your favorite stores, you should sign up for sites like Rakuten in Canada that give you cash back.
It costs nothing to join. Simply visit Rakuten before you start shopping, select the online store you want to visit, and start shopping.
Rakuten will track your purchases and reward you with cash back deposited into your account.
Popular stores like Walmart, Amazon, Indigo, and 500+ other retailers are included.
You can earn anywhere from 1-10% cashback for purchases you’d make anyway. Redeem your earnings via check or PayPal.
3. Watch Videos and Take Paid Surveys With InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a reputable site that pays you to complete various free offers online, such as:
- Watch fun video ads & earn cash
- Take high-paying surveys
- Play web games for money
- Read emails and get paid
- Complete offers and earn rewards
As a member of InboxDollars, you’ll earn cash for activities you enjoy doing!
It’s free to join and easy to accumulate extra spending money when you’re bored.
4. Sell Your Used Items
If you have extra items around the house that you don’t use anymore, you can turn them into cash.
Websites like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and Craigslist make it easy to post your used items for sale locally.
Consider selling:
- Old cell phones, tablets, game consoles
- Clothing and shoes in good condition
- Books, DVDs, video games you’ve finished with
- Sporting goods and exercise gear
- Collectibles
- Furniture and home decor
The process is simple – take some good photos of what you’re selling, write an appealing description highlighting the most desirable features, provide details like condition and dimensions, and post.
As items sell, remove listings and bump remaining posts back to the top slot to keep them visible. Meet local buyers somewhere public for transactions.
5. Promote Brands on Social Media
Influencer marketing has boomed in recent years across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
Brands partner with regular people to promote their products and services to engaged followers.
The first step is building an audience on your favorite social channels by consistently posting engaging content.
Once you have 1,000+ followers, you can apply to various influencer affiliate programs.
Some popular platforms that connect brands with social media influencers include:
The more niche your audience and content, the better chance you have standing out to brands.
Make sure to disclose sponsorships appropriately.
6. Start a Blog
Blogging represents a scalable way to earn income online if you put in work upfront.
Choose a niche topic you’re truly passionate experts about like health, business, cooking or travel.
Sign up for a free blogging platform like WordPress.com and start creating content regularly. The key topics to cover in your blog posts include:
| Keyword Hints | Description |
|---|---|
| Background and basics | Explain key concepts clearly for beginners |
| How-to tutorials | Teach step-by-step processes |
| Product reviews | Evaluate gear, apps, or services in your niche |
| Case studies | Profile inspiring stories and examples |
| Lists and comparisons | Breakdown top options for readers |
Once you build traffic, add affiliate links, display ads, sell digital products, or offer consulting services to profit.
Top bloggers in Canada make 5-6 figures monthly!
7. Teach English Online
In today’s increasingly globalized economy, learning English as a second language is extremely valuable.
And with video chat technology, you can tutor students from around the world without leaving home.
Some sites that connect tutors with students include:
- Verbling – Teach 1-on-1 video chat lessons
- SayABC – Tutor kids in China early mornings
- QKids – Lead English immersion classes
- Cambly – Casual video conversations
Flexibility is a major perk.
You set your own hours and rates, earn as much or little as you want, and can tutor anywhere with wifi access on a laptop or phone.
If you enjoy teaching and conversing in English, it’s an educational side job to consider.
8. Sell Your Photography
If you have a DSLR camera and an eye for photography, you can sell your photos online to earn decent money without investment.
Stock image sites like Shutterstock and iStock offer platforms where your photos can be bought and downloaded starting at $49 per image.
To get started, build up a portfolio of high-quality photos focused on unique concepts, emotions, locations, colors, angles etc.
Ensure you have full rights to every photo. Format images properly and provide detailed titles, descriptions and keywords.
The more niche and evocative your images are, the higher the chances of standing out and selling at premium rates in this stock marketplace.
Over time, your photo catalog can earn you thousands in passive income each year.
9. Flip Domain Names
Savvy online entrepreneurs know that short, memorable domain names are valuable digital real estate.
One way to profit is registering catchy domain names early on and re-selling them down the road.
You can snap up names that become available for cheap annual fees on domains.google.com.
Focus your searches on popular keywords, brands and trends.
Short .ca domains less than 5 letters typically fetch higher sale prices when the time comes thanks to local SEO perks.
List your domain inventory on aftermarket exchanges like Dan.com and DomainNameSales.com when ready to cash in.
Patiently wait for lucrative offers, then move the name legally to the new buyer for prices many times your original registration investment.
10. Enter Contests and Sweepstakes
In your spare time between other money-making activities, don’t overlook free contests and sweepstakes.
Sites like ContestScanner.com compile reliable opportunities with cash jackpots or big-ticket prizes you can resell for profit if you get lucky.
To maximize odds, stick to Canada-only giveaways with smaller, targeted entry pools instead of massive international draws.
Answer skill-testing questions thoughtfully.
Read the rules closely to avoid mistaken disqualifications.
While it may take persistence across many contests before you win, the returns can be well worth the effort once you hit the jackpot. Stay patient and keep entering.
11. Test Websites
A flexible way to earn cash without initial outlay is testing trial websites and providing user feedback from your laptop or phone.
Companies like UserTesting.com hire everyday people to share videos and thoughts as they explore unfinished sites or apps.
Testing gigs pay $10 per 20-minute test on average.
The application process involves recording your screen and voice as you examine a sample site, describing your first impressions aloud about navigation, aesthetics, content, etc.
Once you qualify, tests become available based on your demographic. Grab them as soon as you see notifications before they get claimed by others.
Complete feedback via webcam, then funds get added to your account weekly.
12. Transcribe Audio Files
If you’re a fast, accurate typist, transcribing audio files to text format represents a viable online income stream.
Sites like Rev and TranscribeMe train beginners on proper formatting and distribute ready projects in categories ranging from corporate meetings to academic lectures.
Pay averages around $20 per hour of audio transcribed.
Most files involve general English, but higher rates apply for technical, medical, or foreign language transcription skills.
Achieve higher rankings and earnings over time by maintaining speed and quality metrics.
Ambitious beginners can soon build a full-time income transcribing from home.
Having a comfortable, distraction-free workspace helps maximize efficiency.
13. Online Tutoring
Whether you have teaching experience or just a passion to help others learn, online tutoring leverages your expertise into cash without leaving home.
Sites like TutorOcean and LearnPick connect specialist one-on-one tutors with individual students studying academic subjects, languages, music and more.
Set your own competitive rates and scheduling availability in line with personalized lesson planning abilities.
Conduct sessions via video chat platforms. In addition to stellar communication skills, top tutors emphasize relatability and adaptability to keep pupils engaged and progressing.
Tutoring niche knowledge on-demand can earn $20-50 per hour.
Great side income for educators, musicians, programmers, and other disciplines seeking to profit from their talents remotely.
14. Rent Out Parking Spaces
In major metro areas, parking shortages mean empty private spots can generate sizeable rental income.
Homeowners with laneway access or live in condos/apartments can list garages, driveways, and designated stalls on platforms like WePark or ParkPlace for hourly and daily rates.
Pricing at around 50-70% of nearby commercial parking lots ensures steady occupancy.
Set availability calendars and messaging preferences. Payment happens seamlessly online when bookings are confirmed.
Listings with central locations, camera surveillance, and EV charging enjoy premium demand with business commuters and travelers.
Little work is required once set up.
This unique asset can deliver thousands in consistent passive revenue year-round with minimal effort and overhead costs.
15. Flip Furniture
A fun side hobby with profit potential involves sourcing second-hand furniture and refresh with repairs, sanding, cleaning, and paint to resell at higher values.
Focus on solid wood pieces with good bones vs particle board. Check thrift stores, classifieds, and garage sales for hidden gems.
Simple upgrades like replacing hardware or applying trendy chalk paint transforms old finds worthy of 2-4x markups.
Style items for staging photos showing potential.
List locally via Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji first before trying wider platforms.
Leverage public interest in refurbished “upcycled” vintage decor.
Takes some hunting expertise and handiwork but can net $500-2000 extra monthly part-time.
16. Rent Out Gear
Owning specialty equipment, electronics, appliances or event/party supplies opens doors to passive profits from idle assets via peer-sharing platforms like Rentmoola.
Another one of the best way to make money online in Canada for free without investment!
Scoop up customer demand in your region by listing available inventory priced competitively below retail.
Examples include cameras, projectors, speakers, tools, tents, games, servers and more.
Set rental terms and rates, enable instant booking capability, then watch the cash roll in automatically each month as bookings occur.
Makes it smooth for renters to browse, book and coordinate logistics.
Allows buyers to cost-effectively access exactly the item needed for temporary projects without wasting money on full purchases.
List now to increase future-proof earnings.
17. Develop Mobile Apps
Though intensive on the front end initially, learning how to code and build functional mobile apps delivers immense income upside long term with minimal ongoing time investments.
Every new download and user earns you recurring passive sales.
Focus on creating useful iOS and Android apps solving common problems, gaming entertainment, or delivering helpful information on-demand.
Learn development skills online via sites like Codecademy then submit polished concepts to app stores like Google Play and Apple App Store for publishing.
Monetize ultimately through in-app ads, premium subscription upgrades, in-app purchases and other creative avenues.
Reputable apps can easily generate 5-6 figures in hands-off steady earnings.
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