How to Make Extra Money in Canada: 15 Legit Ways to Earn on the Side (2026)

The best way to make extra money in Canada depends on what you have to offer: time (delivery, errands), skills (freelancing, tutoring), things you own (a car, spare room, or items to sell), or simply your opinions (paid research).

Most of the options below are free to join, and none of them guarantees income. What you earn depends on your location, your hours, demand in your area, and platform fees.

This guide covers 15 real platforms and methods available to Canadians, with their requirements, fees, and drawbacks. Fees and rules change often, so confirm current terms on each official site before you commit.

Quick Comparison: Ways to Earn Extra Income in Canada

Platform/Method	Best For	What You Need	Starting Cost	Canadian Availability
Upwork	Skilled freelancers	A marketable skill	Free to join; Connects to apply ($0.15 each)	Yes
Fiverr	Packaged services (design, writing, video)	A skill and a gig listing	Free; 20% commission	Yes
SkipTheDishes	Local delivery income	Age of majority, licence, insured vehicle or bike, work eligibility	Free (delivery bag needed)	Canadian cities
DoorDash	Flexible delivery	Background check, ID, licence if driving	Free	80+ Canadian cities
Uber Eats	Delivery with a car or bike	21+ for cars, insurance, screening	Free	Many Canadian cities
Rover	Animal lovers	Approval as a sitter/walker	Free; 20% service fee (some Canadian sitters are in a pilot with different fees)	Yes
Prolific	Flexible paid research	Screening to join	Free	Yes
Preply	Language tutors and teachers	18+, profile and intro video	Free; 18–33% commission	Check at signup
Kijiji	Selling unused items locally	Items to sell	Free for basic ads	Canada-wide
Facebook Marketplace	Local resale	Facebook account	Free locally; fees on shipped orders	Yes
eBay.ca	Collectibles, niche items	Items, shipping ability	Percentage of sale	Yes
Etsy	Handmade and digital products	Products to sell	Listing and sale fees	Yes
Airbnb	People with a spare room or home	Eligible property, local compliance	3% or ~14–16% host fee (depending on fee model)	Yes, with local rules
Turo	Car owners	Eligible car, insurance rules	Earnings-plan share	Yes
TaskRabbit	Handy people, movers, cleaners	19+, SIN, Canadian bank account	$25 one-time registration	Active cities only

1. Upwork

What it is and how it works: Upwork is a freelance marketplace where clients post jobs in writing, design, programming, bookkeeping, virtual assistance, and more. You send proposals and get paid by the hour or per project.

How to get started:

1. Create a profile with your skills, portfolio, and rate.
2. Get your identity verified.
3. Apply to jobs that fit your experience.
4. Deliver the work and invoice through the platform.

Requirements: A skill clients will pay for, and a profile that stands out. There is no Canada-specific restriction.

Earning potential: Entirely skill-dependent. Rates range from modest to professional, and new accounts often start with low-priced jobs to build reviews.

Fees: Freelancers pay a variable service fee of 0% to 15% per contract, shown before you submit a proposal and locked for that contract. Connects, used to apply for jobs, cost $0.15 each. Withdrawal fees depend on the method and country, and Upwork converts currency at its own rate rather than the interbank rate. A $2.99 fee now applies to each direct withdrawal to a U.S. bank if your tax address is outside the United States. Canadians should compare CAD withdrawal options.

Pros: Large client base; suits skilled workers who want repeat clients; work from anywhere.
Cons: Competitive for beginners; you pay to send proposals; fees and conversion costs reduce your take.

Best for: Freelancers with existing professional skills.

Official website: upwork.com

2. Fiverr

What it is and how it works: Instead of bidding, you list fixed-price “gigs” (logo design, voice-over, video editing, proofreading), and buyers order directly.

How to get started: Create a seller profile, verify your identity, publish gigs with clear packages, and respond quickly to buyers.

Earning potential: Varies widely. Income depends on your niche, reviews, and search ranking. Low starting prices are common for new sellers.

Fees and payment: Fiverr takes a flat 20% commission, and buyers pay upfront into escrow; funds clear after a 14-day period once the order is approved. Withdrawal options have included PayPal, the Fiverr Revenue Card, and bank transfer. Available methods can change, so check your account.

Pros: Clients come to you; easy to scale by adding gig tiers.
Cons: The flat 20% cut applies to all orders including large ones; competition pushes prices down; the 14-day hold slows cash flow.

Best for: Creatives and specialists who can package a service into a repeatable product.

Canadian availability: Canadian freelancers can sell on Fiverr.

Official website: fiverr.com

3. SkipTheDishes

What it is and how it works: Skip is a food delivery company based in Winnipeg. You deliver restaurant and store orders as a self-employed courier and choose your zones and availability.

How to get started:

1. Apply through the courier site.
2. Submit ID and proof of work eligibility.
3. Complete the background check.
4. Set your delivery zones and weekly availability in the courier app.

Requirements: You must be the age of majority in your province, have a reliable vehicle, and provide a valid driver’s licence, proof of work eligibility, and a background check, plus a smartphone with data, direct deposit details, and thermal bags. Skip’s courier site also mentions bike couriers in some locations, so check your city.

Earning potential: Skip doesn’t publish an earnings figure; pay depends on how many deliveries you complete and the distance of each. Expect variation by city, time of day, and demand.

Payment: Couriers keep 100% of tips. Payouts are by direct deposit, often weekly. Alcohol delivery is available only to certified couriers in certain provinces and has provincial age and certification rules.

Pros: Canadian company; flexible scheduling; tips are yours.
Cons: Vehicle costs (fuel, insurance, wear) come out of your pocket; income is uneven; you’re self-employed, so there’s no employer benefits.

Best for: People who want flexible evening or weekend income and already have a vehicle or bike.

Official website: couriers.skipthedishes.com

4. DoorDash (Dasher)

What it is and how it works: DoorDash offers delivery orders to “Dashers,” who accept, pick up, and drop off.

How to get started: Complete your Dasher profile, choose your vehicle type, submit to a background check through Checkr (which needs five years of address history and two pieces of ID), activate your Red Card, and set up direct deposit.

Requirements: Documentation includes consent to a background check, two pieces of government ID, a valid Business Number or SIN, and a full-class driver’s licence if applicable; DoorDash accepts any car, plus scooters or bicycles in select cities. Only full licence classes are accepted in Canada.

Earning potential: Varies by city, order volume, and tips. DoorDash doesn’t guarantee an hourly rate.

Pros: Any car qualifies; works in over 80 Canadian cities per DoorDash; fast onboarding once the background check clears.
Cons: Slow periods mean unpaid waiting time; you cover vehicle expenses; background check delays are possible.

Best for: Drivers and cyclists in mid-sized and large cities.

Official website: dasher.doordash.com/en-ca

5. Uber Eats (Delivery)

What it is and how it works: You deliver orders using the Uber driver app. Uber shows the payout before you accept each order.

Requirements: For car delivery in Canada you must be at least 21, have a 2- or 4-door car, valid insurance in your name, and proof of work eligibility. Canadian delivery people must also pass a background screening. Bike and scooter delivery is available in some cities with different requirements shown in the app.

Earning potential: Pay is per delivery based on factors like distance and demand, so it varies by city and time. Uber doesn’t guarantee earnings.

Payment: Earnings transfer to your bank account weekly, and you keep 100% of tips. Instant cash-out options have been offered in the past, but availability can vary.

Pros: Easy to switch on and off; if you drive for Uber already, you can opt in from the app.
Cons: The 21+ requirement for cars excludes younger drivers; income fluctuates; vehicle costs are yours.

Best for: Drivers 21+ who want a large order volume in busy cities.

Official website: uber.com/ca/en/deliver

6. Rover (Pet Sitting and Dog Walking)

What it is and how it works: Rover connects pet owners with sitters and walkers. You set your services and prices (boarding, house-sitting, drop-ins, walks).

How to get started: Build a profile, complete the approval and background check steps, set your rates and calendar, and book a meet-and-greet with new clients.

Requirements: Comfort with animals, a suitable home for boarding (if offered), and Rover’s approval process.

Earning potential: You set prices, so income depends on your local market, services, and repeat clients.

Fees: Rover applies a 20% service fee per booking, though people living in Canada may be part of a pilot program with different fees. Check the current fee in your account.

Pros: You choose your prices; repeat clients can become steady income; Rover offers a Guarantee that mainly protects pets.
Cons: The 20% fee is meaningful; demand is seasonal and higher around holidays; you’re responsible for animal safety.

Best for: Animal lovers with flexible schedules.

Official website: rover.com

7. Prolific (Paid Research Studies)

What it is and how it works: Prolific connects researchers with participants for studies including surveys, behavioural experiments, user feedback, and AI training tasks.

How to get started: Apply as a participant, complete the screening, then take studies that match your profile. You see the estimated time and pay before starting.

Requirements: Prolific runs a Canada-specific participant programme with a short 10- to 15-minute screening. It welcomes participants from all education backgrounds, from no high school diploma to PhD.

Earning potential: Prolific’s own recruiting page says researchers tend to pay up to $18 per hour per study. That’s a ceiling, not a guarantee, and studies are limited by availability and your demographic profile.

Payment: Earnings accumulate in your Prolific account and can be withdrawn (PayPal has been the common route). Check the current minimum and options.

Pros: Free; no start-up costs; better-regulated than most survey sites.
Cons: Study availability is unpredictable; some tasks require strict attention or a strong internet connection; not a full-time income.

Best for: Students, parents, and anyone who wants flexible screen-based income.

Official website: prolific.com

Read also: Online Jobs for Beginners in Canada: 12 Legit Entry-Level Options With No Experience Required

8. Preply (Online Tutoring)

What it is and how it works: Preply is a tutoring marketplace, mostly for languages. You set your hourly rate and teach over video.

How to get started: Fill out a profile, upload a photo and a two-minute intro video, and set your availability; no tutoring experience or certification is required, though you must be 18+ and verify your ID and any claimed credentials.

Earning potential: You set your rate, but demand and competition determine bookings. New tutors usually need time to build reviews.

Fees: Preply keeps 100% of the first lesson with a new student, then takes between 18% and 33% depending on total hours taught. Tutors can withdraw via Payoneer, PayPal, or Skrill, though options may change, so check for Canadian availability during signup.

Pros: No prior experience required; flexible hours; can teach English or your native language.
Cons: The first lesson with each new student earns you nothing; high commission early on; competitive.

Best for: Bilingual Canadians, native French/Spanish/Mandarin speakers, and subject specialists.

Official website: preply.com

9. Kijiji

What it is and how it works: Kijiji is Canada’s local classifieds site for selling furniture, electronics, sporting goods, vehicles, and more.

How to get started: Photograph your item, write an honest description, price it against similar listings, and post it.

Fees and payment: MoneySense reports zero commissions and no listing fees, with up to nine free ads, and payment by cash, Interac e-Transfer, or PayPal. Featured ads may cost extra.

Earning potential: One-time proceeds from things you already own. It’s a way to declutter for cash, not an ongoing income stream, unless you flip items.

Safety: Kijiji warns sellers about people who offer to post ads elsewhere, sell on your behalf for a fee, or overpay. Overpayment requests where you’re asked to send back the difference are a known scam. Meet in public and prefer in-person payment.

Pros: Free; local pickup means no shipping; no commission.
Cons: Time-wasting buyers and no-shows; scam risk; slow for niche items.

Best for: Decluttering and selling bulky items.

Official website: kijiji.ca

10. Facebook Marketplace

What it is and how it works: A local buy-and-sell feature inside Facebook. Listings are tied to your Facebook profile and nearby buyers can message you.

Fees: Local pickup listings are generally free. MoneySense lists a 5% fee on most sales for the platform’s selling-fee model, which applies to shipped orders, so verify what applies to your listing.

Earning potential: Same as Kijiji: proceeds from items you already own, or from resale if you source cheap items.

Pros: Huge local audience; easy to list from your phone; buyers see your profile.
Cons: Lowball offers and no-shows; scams; less structured payment protection than a formal marketplace.

Best for: Everyday resale in cities and towns.

Official website: facebook.com/marketplace

11. eBay.ca

What it is and how it works: eBay lets you sell nationally and internationally, and it suits collectibles, trading cards, electronics, and niche parts.

Fees: Rates vary by category. One tracker of Canadian rates puts the typical final value fee at about 13.6% of the total sale (item plus shipping) plus C$0.30–0.40 per order, with the fee applying to taxes collected as well. That’s a third-party figure, so check eBay’s official fee schedule for your category.

Payment: eBay manages payments and pays out to your bank account.

Pros: Global buyers; strong for rare items; buyer traffic without your own website.
Cons: Fees eat margin on cheap items; shipping costs and returns; a learning curve.

Best for: Collectors and resellers of specialized items.

Official website: ebay.ca

12. Etsy

What it is and how it works: Etsy is a marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items, craft supplies, and digital downloads (printables, templates).

How to get started: Open a shop, list products with strong photos and keywords, set shipping profiles, and connect your payout account.

Fees: Canadian sellers pay a listing fee (about CAD 0.28), a 6.5% transaction fee, and payment processing of 3% plus CAD 0.25. Other costs can include a 15% or 12% Offsite Ads fee on attributed sales, and a one-time shop setup fee introduced in 2024. Verify the current setup fee for Canada.

Earning potential: Highly variable. Competition is heavy, so results depend on product quality, photos, pricing, and search visibility. Your true profit must account for materials, shipping, and time.

Pros: Built-in buyers; suits craft businesses and digital products; low listing costs.
Cons: Stacked fees; saturated categories; effective fees are higher on low-priced items.

Best for: Makers with a product they can produce consistently.

Official website: etsy.com

13. Airbnb Hosting

What it is and how it works: Rent out a spare room or, where legal, your home while you’re away.

Fees: Hosts pay a service fee typically in the 14–16% range under the host-only model, and Canadian hosts can choose between the split-fee and host-only models. Under the split-fee model the host portion is lower (about 3%) while guests pay a separate fee; confirm what applies in your account.

Canadian rules matter most here: Short-term rental rules vary by municipality and province. British Columbia’s provincial law generally restricts short-term rentals to principal residences in larger municipalities. Ottawa limits most short-term rentals to your primary residence and requires registration. Toronto also requires registration and principal-residence use. Condo or strata bylaws and your lease can prohibit hosting outright. Check your insurance too.

Earning potential: Depends on location, season, and occupancy. Costs include cleaning, supplies, utilities, and possible municipal taxes.

Pros: Can be lucrative in tourist or event-heavy areas; you control availability.
Cons: Heavy regulation; guest turnover work; damage or complaint risk; licensing costs.

Best for: Homeowners or tenants with permission and a spare room.

Official website: airbnb.ca

14. Turo (Car Sharing)

What it is and how it works: Turo lets you rent out your personal vehicle to vetted guests, keeping a share of each trip’s price.

Insurance and protection: This is the key issue. For Canadian hosts, your personal auto insurance is not in effect during a Turo trip, so read Turo’s protection terms closely. Turo announced changes to its Canadian host protection plans in 2026.

Fees and earnings: Your host share depends on the earnings plan you choose; a higher share comes with higher damage responsibility. Turo’s published median earnings for Canadian hosts are gross figures that don’t subtract ownership costs like maintenance and insurance. Treat those numbers as a top line, not profit.

Pros: Turns an idle car into income; you set price and availability.
Cons: Wear and tear, cleaning, damage responsibility, and depreciation; insurer and lender rules may restrict car sharing.

Best for: Owners of well-maintained cars that aren’t needed daily.

Official website: turo.com/ca/en/list

15. TaskRabbit

What it is and how it works: TaskRabbit connects people with “Taskers” for furniture assembly, moving help, cleaning, mounting, and errands.

Requirements: Canadian Taskers must be 19+, live in an active city, provide ID verification including a SIN, have a Canadian bank account (savings accounts and prepaid cards don’t qualify), and pay a one-time, non-refundable $25 registration fee.

Earning potential: You set your hourly rate. One Canadian guide suggests roughly $20–$60 per hour depending on task, city, and experience, though that’s an estimate rather than a promise.

Pros: Fits handy or physically active people; skill-based work can pay better than basic errands.
Cons: Limited to active cities; the registration fee; demand fluctuates; you may need your own tools and transport.

Best for: Handy people in larger cities.

Official website: taskrabbit.ca

How to Choose the Right Side Income Idea

• You have free evenings but no special skills: delivery (Skip, DoorDash, Uber Eats), TaskRabbit, or Prolific.
• You have a professional skill: Upwork, Fiverr, or tutoring.
• You have items to sell: Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay.ca first; Etsy if you make things.
• You have an asset: a spare room (Airbnb) or car (Turo), after checking local rules, insurance, and lender terms.
• You love animals: Rover.

Start with one option, learn what it actually pays after fees and expenses, then decide whether to add another.

How to Avoid Side Hustle Scams in Canada

Legitimate platforms don’t charge you for the privilege of working. Watch for these red flags:

• Upfront payments for “training,” “starter kits,” or “software” before you can start.
• Guaranteed income or “make $500 a day” claims.
• Fake job offers by text or email that ask you to deposit a cheque and send money back.
• Requests for banking or SIN details before any verified hiring process.
• Recruitment-style schemes where you earn mostly by signing others up.
• Overpayment requests from buyers on classifieds sites.

Always go directly to the platform’s official website rather than clicking links in messages. If you spot fraud, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

FAQ: Making Extra Money in Canada

What is the easiest way to make extra money in Canada?
Selling unused items on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace requires no application and no start-up cost. For ongoing income, delivery and TaskRabbit have low skill barriers but require ID, background checks, and (for delivery) a vehicle or bike.

How much extra money can I realistically make per month?
There’s no reliable universal number. Results depend on your hours, city, and expenses. Platforms like Skip don’t publish earnings, and headline figures from Prolific or Turo are ceilings or gross amounts, not guarantees. Track your income after fees and costs.

Do I have to report side income to the CRA?
Yes. The CRA says platform-economy income must be reported on your tax return, generally using Form T2125 for self-employment income. Tips and similar amounts received through online platforms are also generally taxable. GST/HST registration is generally required once taxable supplies exceed $30,000 over a single quarter or four consecutive quarters, but commercial ridesharing is an exception. See the CRA’s sharing economy page or speak with an accountant for your situation.

Can newcomers or international students earn extra income?
It depends on your work eligibility. Skip accepts several proof-of-eligibility documents, including work or study permits. Study permit hours limits and other rules apply, so confirm your status before starting any job.

Which side hustle works best without a car?
Freelancing, tutoring, Prolific, and online selling are all car-free. Bike delivery is available in select cities on some platforms, and TaskRabbit suits people who can do tasks locally.

Are these platforms free to join?
Most are free, but exceptions include TaskRabbit’s one-time $25 registration fee and Etsy’s shop setup and listing fees. Every platform earns money through commissions or service fees, so read the fee schedule.

Can I do several side hustles at once?
Yes, but check your main employer’s policy on outside work and your platform’s terms. Stack income streams gradually so you can measure what each one really earns.

Conclusion

Making extra money in Canada is realistic when you match the opportunity to what you already have: time, skills, items, or assets.

Delivery and TaskRabbit offer flexible local work, Upwork, Fiverr, and Preply reward skills, Kijiji and eBay turn unused items into cash, and Airbnb and Turo can monetize a room or car but involve heavier rules and risk.

Before committing, check three things: the fees, the requirements for your province or city, and the real costs such as fuel, insurance, materials, and time. Start small, keep records for tax time, ignore anyone promising guaranteed income, and expand once you know what actually pays after expenses.

Read also:

• Online Jobs for Beginners in Canada: 12 Legit Entry-Level Options With No Experience Required
• Best Side Hustles in Canada: 12 Proven Ways to Earn Extra Income
• Online Jobs That Pay Daily in Canada: 11 Ways to Get Paid Same-Day
• Legit Online Jobs in Canada: 11 Verified Options and How to Confirm Any Opportunity Is Real