We’ve scoured the Internet and found some of the best revenue-generating apps and sites that can pack some extra bucks in your wallet. Some have big payouts, while others offer smaller incentives that, if you’re patient, can add up over time. If you have access to a computer, tablet, or smart phone, here’s how to make money fast online.
Best ways to make money online fast
#1. Shop with Rakuten
Got an online shopping habit? Rakuten.ca will literally pay you to shop on their website. After setting up an account, all you have to do is go to the Rakuten site, click on one of the 750+ partner retail sites (ranging from Amazon.ca to Sephora), and make a purchase. You’ll get a percentage of cash back by cheque, PayPal payment, or Amazon.ca gift card every three months. There’s some good money to be made through this site: Rakuten.ca has more than 7 million members across Canada and has paid out over $140 million in cash back.
#2. Become an Airbnb host
Got a cool pad or spare room in a high-demand location? Rent it out on Airbnb. It’s estimated that Airbnb hosts earn an average of US$4,300 a month. That’s crazy-good money that you can sock away for a rainy day. A word to the wise: check your municipal laws, rental agreement and/or condo board rules to ensure short-term rentals/subletting are A-OK.
#3. Rent your parking space
Got an empty parking spot in a prime location? There’s an app for that. Known as the “Airbnb of parking,” SpotHero matches drivers looking for parking with owners of unused parking spots. It’s really easy to get started: just type in your address, add a photo of your parking spot, and add a brief description. Then, set dates and times when your spot is available and you’re ready to go. Once your ad is posted, you’ll be notified if a SpotHero user parks in your space.
It’s also a quick and easy payout: Earnings are directly deposited into your bank account, and some owners of top spots are reportedly earning $400 to $500/month – enough to bankroll your monthly car payments.
#4. Participate in online surveys or virtual focus groups
Want to sell your two cents? Sign up to complete online surveys or join a virtual focus group. It’s simple: Register with a reputable company, like i-Say, Maru Voice Canada, or Angus Reid Forum, and then get paid to share your views and opinions on a variety of topics, products, and services. But keep in mind that the chances of becoming a zillionaire this way are virtually zilch, with the payouts being pretty meagre, ranging from $0.50 to $5.00 per survey. Plus, some sites pay in points, not cash. But the dough does add up over time, and the more you participate, the more money you make. A few hundred bucks earned can go toward paying your rent or phone bill.
#5. Open a new bank account
Canadian banks are hungry for your balance, and some will reward you handsomely for switching over from a competitor to their account. For example, if you sign up for Tangerine’s No-Fee Daily Chequing Account and switch your payroll deposits, you could get $250.
#6. Sell your extra stuff
Got stuff cluttering your closets, drawers, and cupboards? Consider selling gently used items with online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace. There are also some phone apps such as VarageSale or Karrot that make selling stuff a cinch. For speedy sales, cross-post your items on multiple platforms and remember to include eye-catching photos with your advert. Pro-tip: Clean items posed in an immaculate-looking space tend to sell faster and get top dollar.
#7. Collect your (virtual) change
Forget rooting around under the couch cushions for loose coins. Instead, download Moka, a Canadian budgeting and savings app. Here’s how it works: Install the app on your phone, and for every purchase you make, it rounds up to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. Then, sit back and watch your savings and investments grow.
#8. Open an Etsy store
Consider yourself artsy? Open a shop with Etsy – a virtual marketplace for unique and creative artisan goods. It’s a great way to turn your passion into profit: The website had nearly 95.5 million active buyers and almost $12 billion in gross merchandise sales. Once your shop is open, you can list handmade items for sale — everything from photography and paintings to jewelry and knickknacks to embroidery and pottery. Your earning potential is limitless and payment is seamless, with earnings from sales deposited directly into your bank account.
#9. Report gas prices
Getting gouged at the pump? Get GasBuddy, an ingenious app that helps you find the cheapest gas prices in your area. The app’s map lists real-time pump prices at more than 150,000 gas stations, based on reports from over 30 million users who are constantly updating fuel prices across North America. Using this app could save you as much as 10 cents or more per litre. Plus, you can earn points and achievements just for reporting fuel prices.
#10. Sell your photos
Turn your pics into dollars with Foap, an app that lets you upload your photos and sell ‘em to big-time brands all over the world, like Nivea, Bank of America, Absolut Vodka, Air Asia, and Pepsi.
The app also distributes your snapshots through partners such as Getty Images, which will boost your sales even more. Aside from posting random pics, Foap also recruits photographers for “missions”– assignments seeking specific images for clients. Foap is free to download, and for every photo sold, you get 50% of the commission. Cash-outs are easy too, thanks to PayPal integration.
#11. Freelance writing
Tap into various platforms that connect them with businesses, publications, and organizations seeking high-quality written content across multiple niches — from business and technology to lifestyle and entertainment. Popular freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer serve as valuable intermediaries, helping writers establish professional relationships and secure consistent work. While the field is competitive, dedicated writers who build strong portfolios and maintain positive client relationships can develop sustainable, lucrative careers.
The emergence of artificial intelligence has transformed the content creation landscape, streamlining certain aspects of the writing process. However, while AI tools can assist with initial drafts and basic research, they currently require substantial human oversight.
Sources
1. AirDNA: How Much Can You Really Make on Airbnb?
2. SpotHero: Home page
3. i-Say: Home page
4. Maru Voice Canada: Home page
5. Angus Reid Forum: Home page
6. VarageSale: Home page
7. Karrot: Home page
8. Etsy: Home page
9. GasBuddy: Home page
10. Foap: Home page
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
