10 ways to make money online in Canada, ranked by effort

Many people wonder how to make money online in Canada, with more than half of them using this extra income to save for big expenses such as a down payment for a home. If you want to earn more money via a side hustle, be aware that legitimate online work requires time and effort, not “get-rich-quick” schemes.

Also, keep in mind that income potential varies depending on several factors. Try to research platforms thoroughly, and be wary of sites asking for upfront payment.

Key takeaways

• There are several different ways you can earn extra income in Canada, and we ranked them by the effort they require.
• For passive income, you can try internet bandwidth sharing and cashback programs.
• If you want to try something more challenging, you can complete surveys, make YouTube videos, or use your graphic design skills to work on creative projects. 
• If you make money from these gigs, you’ll need to pay taxes and register for GST/HST if your earnings in 4 consecutive quarters exceed $30,000.
• The income potential for every option on this list may vary depending on multiple factors, including your skills, previous experience, and project availability.  

How we ranked these methods (easiest to hardest)

In this article, you’ll find 10 ideas for earning money online. We have ranked them from easiest to hardest. The first two options on the list are great for passive income. Options 3-5 are freelance/skill-based, options 6 and 7 include micro-tasks and research, and options 8-10 are more creative and audience-driven. 

When looking for ways to make money online in Canada, don’t forget that CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) treats these gigs as self-employment. You’ll need to pay taxes, so set aside 25-30% of that extra cash you have earned.

1. Sharing unused internet bandwidth

The easiest way to make money online in Canada is simple: sharing your unused internet. Honeygain is a platform that lets people earn passive income by sharing their unused internet bandwidth. You just need a reliable internet connection, and you can earn a steady income effortlessly. This app can work on different devices (Android, macOS, Linux, Windows).

Once you download the app to your device(s) and set it up, let it run in the background while you use your devices normally. If you want to earn more, enable the content sharing option. There is nothing else that you’ll need to do, and you won’t even notice that the app is running.

You can also increase your Honeygain earnings by installing and running it on multiple devices. Before doing that, check with your internet service provider how much internet data you have every month. This way, you’ll know how much you can share. 

2. Stack cashback on spending you’d do anyway

Cashback won’t earn you new income, but it will recover some of the money you’d spend anyway. There are several main types of cashback platforms you should try. For example, you can try browser extensions for online shopping cashback, such as Rakuten Canada. You can also try KOHO, a card-linked app that adds cashback rewards to your spending card, for eligible purchases. 

Caddie is an app that allows you to upload your grocery receipts and get cashback on them. Which option should you choose? Well, you don’t have to choose. Instead, stack 2-3 of these apps to get multiple cashback rewards on the same purchase. 

On the other hand, don’t fall into the common trap of overspending, trying to reach more cashback. If you buy some things just to get a fraction of their price back, you are losing money instead of earning it.  

3. Content writing and copywriting

If you are a creative person with strong writing skills (bonus if you are also familiar with search engine optimization), you could find side gigs as a content writer or copywriter. This is the most accessible skilled freelance route, as you need no formal qualification to start. Despite the rising popularity of AI tools, high-quality, human-written content is still highly valued. 

There are several online platforms where you can find clients: Upwork, Fiverr, Contra, and more. According to Upwork’s freelancer stats, the average hourly rate is $39 USD. Writers are ranging from $10–$100/hour depending on niche and experience, which is a pretty decent potential income. 

Canadian freelancers have a currency advantage when working with US clients, as exchange rates can effectively add around 35–40% more when converted into CAD. Once you start earning over $30,000 in 4 consecutive quarters, GST/HST registration will be mandatory for you. 

4. Virtual assistant services

Virtual assistance is another lucrative option for many Canadians. The VA services include tasks such as inbox triage, calendar management, light bookkeeping, and customer support. General VA tasks usually pay around $15–$35 CAD/hr. More specialized tasks, such as Shopify, podcast editing, social media management, and digital marketing, are usually paid better. 

For a start, try to find your first clients among local businesses on LinkedIn. You can pitch directly to Canadian small businesses, especially the ones that are close to where you live. Your chances of getting hired are even higher if you know someone who already works there.

You can also bid on the already posted jobs on LinkedIn, as many companies look for their VAs this way. Don’t make one common mistake, though. You’ll probably feel tempted to say yes to every service type. That’s a bad idea. Instead, specialize and find a niche that will make you the most money. 

5. Graphic design and digital illustration

Another great industry for creative people is in graphic design and digital illustration. Most graphic designers have a formal education or have completed online courses before starting work, but it is possible to be self-taught and still reach a high level of professional development in this field. 

You can choose between two routes, the first one being client work (logos, decks, social, and design for web development projects ). The second option includes selling digital products (templates, fonts, brushes). The best platforms for aspiring graphic designers are Creative Market, Gumroad, and Etsy’s digital section.

The best part about becoming a graphic designer is that one well-made template can sell hundreds of times, which means you have a reusable inventory. However, avoid spreading across styles. The clients look for specialists, not generalists.

6. Completing data labeling tasks

If you don’t have many professional qualifications, but you are a fast learner, you should try data labeling tasks. These tasks include categorizing images, transcribing audio, rating search results, and comparing AI responses. By completing them, you help train AI models, as these models learn from human input. 

The best platforms for data labeling tasks are Prolific, Respondent, and Amazon Mechanical Turk. The work can be repetitive, but the more you do it, the better you become at it. Keep in mind that even though everyone can do these tasks, accuracy matters a lot and impacts your earnings. 

Instead of rushing through tasks, focus on quality. Many of these data labeling tasks start with guidelines or a short tutorial. Pay close attention to any instructions you get, because your work and payment request might get declined if the accuracy is too low.  

7. Participating in online market research

If you enjoy completing online surveys, participating in online market research could be a good side hustle for you. Paid survey sites reward users for completing surveys on spending habits, brands, entertainment, and more. There are even options to participate in focus groups, deeper discussions that can last up to a few hours (but also pay more).

Stay vigilant when answering any surveys and questions online. While you should give honest answers, you should never share any personal and sensitive info about yourself, such as credit card numbers, login info, etc. Phishing scams are rather common, and you don’t want to become their next victim. 

8. Selling handmade goods on e-commerce platforms

Many Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs have turned to online marketplaces, such as Amazon, Shopify, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy. The e-commerce business model is lucrative because it lets you open an online store without investing in a traditional one. 

If you don’t have your own website, but you want to sell handmade goods, Etsy is your best option. It is easy to set up, and it already has a vast buyer base waiting to buy from you. However, shipping logistics could be challenging for new sellers. 

If you are shipping within Canada, it is a pretty straightforward process. But if you want to ship your goods outside Canada, for example, to the US, your costs and paperwork will increase, especially when it comes to customs forms and tracking. Finding a balance between product quality and shipping costs should be your top priority. 

9. Starting a niche blog or YouTube channel

A niche blog or YouTube channel could be a smart long-term income strategy, especially if you have good writing and/or video editing skills. However, the income won’t come instantly, and you might wait up to 6-18 months before any meaningful income. Most people quit around month 4, and if you want to succeed, don’t be one of them. 

On YouTube, it’s all about consistent effort and finding your niche. For example, you can act as an online tutor and create educational content, or if you’re more into becoming a social media influencer, you can post blogs and videos on celebrity gossip. Other popular niches are finance, fitness, gaming, beauty, fashion, and many more. 

A loyal following is always more valuable than a large casual audience, as loyal viewers/readers will be more likely to pay a monthly fee for exclusive content, click on the affiliate links, or buy products from you. 

Monetization usually happens in layers. Your first income will probably come from AdSense, but as your YouTube channel grows, you will become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program. Brands start to notice you, so you get offers for affiliate partnerships and sponsorships.  

10. Selling stock photography or digital prints

Many amateur and professional photographers are selling their work as stock photos and digital prints. There are two ways you can sell your high-quality photos: through stock licensing (Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, Alamy) or via print-on-demand (Society6, Redbubble).

Before starting to make any photographs, research what’s in demand. Some popular categories include lifestyle, technology, and health, as brands from these industries constantly look for good visuals. Then, try to find an underserved niche in one of those popular categories. 

You’ll need at least 500+ assets for meaningful monthly stock income. Still, you upload those assets only once, but keep earning from them for many years. Don’t make a common mistake: many photographers upload what they like, not what the potential buyers might like.