Canadians are making money from home in 2025 by freelancing, selling creative products online, taking surveys, using cash back sites, and snagging welcome offers by opening new bank accounts. You’ll make money fast with welcome offers and freelancing, but others take more time to get going.
Making money from home can help alleviate financial stress. It’s a great way for Canadians to side hustle for extra pocket money, try out a new career, or simply monetize a hobby or passion.
Whatever your reasons, here's a list of 27 ways you can easily make money from the comfort of your own home.
Key Takeaways
- Canadians can make money from home with freelancer work, including writing and proofreading.
- People with creative minds and abilities can sell handmade items and/or sell their skills online.
- There are plenty of online opportunities for those with marketable skills.
- You can even make money through affiliate marketing and other methods that require little more than lifting a finger.
Try the freelancer lifestyle and make money from home
Whatever your specialty, freelance work can be an easy and convenient way to make a few extra dollars by working from home in your spare time.
You can freelance on top of your high-paying job or freelance if you got laid off.
1. Become a freelance writer
Fear not, you don't need to be Shakespeare's apprentice to be a writer.
There may be a freelance writer job for you, as long as you're able to clearly convey ideas through words.
You could offer:
- Copywriting to market a product
- Technical writing to explain how the product works
- Capturing a major news story
Make sure you have a computer and a portfolio – you could qualify for tons of freelance writing jobs.
2. Become a freelance editor or proofreader
If you prefer to fix grammatical errors or suggest how to structure content, you may love editing or proofreading.
There’s a growing need for editors, especially with so many people self-publishing. You could specialize in a certain genre, like novels or articles.
Check out these examples of freelance editors for hire via Upwork.
3. Become a freelance photographer
Photography is competitive, but good photographers will always be in high demand.
If you own a good camera – or if you’re a skilled photo editor – photography could be a very profitable home-based side hustle that can grow as your skills increase.
Here are some examples of freelance photographers advertising their work.
4. Become a freelance videographer
Instead of watching streaming services and earning zero dollars, why not learn to capture and edit video content for pay?
You may have to leave your house to capture content, but you can definitely stay home and get paid to work as a video editor. If you know video editing software, look for YouTubers, local businesses, or even filmmakers who could use your services.
Here are some examples of freelance video producer profiles.
5. Become a freelance translator
Knowing more than one language is an extremely valuable skill.
If you know French well enough to work as a translator, this is a hugely valuable skill in Canada as we have two official languages.
Punjabi, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and other language translations can be equally as desirable.
Start by studying these freelance translator rates to see if it’s worth your time.
6. Do some freelance web development or programming
Programming is a highly valuable skill. If you’re already a developer or if you’re looking for a new side hustle, learning programming languages can be a profitable way to make money from home.
We checked Upwork, and here's a list of the many, many categories for dev freelancers:
So if any of those categories sound like you, this may be exactly what you're looking for.
7. Become a freelance graphic designer
Graphic designers – the really skilled ones – earn top dollar. Freelance graphic designers can build a profitable work from home business by specializing in a certain niche. If you know your way around Photoshop or similar software, create a portfolio and start reaching out.
Some companies prefer to work with freelancers to save money instead of keeping one on staff.
Check out these freelance graphic designers currently marketing themselves for hire.
8. Become a freelance customer service agent
Many companies will hire work-from-home customer service agents. Some are freelance roles, some are full-time with benefits.
If you’re a people-person and you don’t mind working on the phone, then look into becoming a customer service agent. This is a field that may be easier to transition into from other industries.
Here are some freelance customer service agents for hire right now.
9. Check out freelance websites
Like the sound of some of these freelance positions, but didn't quite find your niche?
There are multiple freelance websites that you can join, 100% free. Start with the 3 platforms below and research which skills are currently most desired on the freelance market:
10. Do small tasks on Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelance site built on the do-it-for-$5 model.
You might be surprised at what people will pay you to do for $5, from translation and voice acting to editing and one-on-one lessons.
But $5 is just a starting place. Most freelancers on Fiverr scale up and earn more than $5 per task.
Get some ideas or try out Fiverr yourself.
Make money from home by embracing your creative side
Whatever your creative interest – crafting, photography, parkour – monetizing your creative hobby can be a fun way to work from home and rake in the cash.
11. Sell stock images online
Stock images are in demand around the world, especially by bloggers who need royalty-free images for their articles.
Anyone can become a stock photographer, but you’ll make the most profit by capturing unique content. Take a look at sites like Pexels and Pixabay and decide where you could stand out. Is it orange cats on desks? Small-town baseball fields?
Another example of a stock image site you could contribute to is 123rf.com.
12. Do some voice acting
Voiceovers and narrations are very valuable as freelance skills. You may not be the next Siri, but you might be the perfect voice for:
- An animated short film
- An indie video game
- An audio book
- A podcast
- And more
Don’t sell yourself short. Unique voices, accented voices, and boring voices are all desirable – you just have to find the right project.
Here are some people who are hiring themselves out as voice talent.
13. Sell handmade products on Etsy
Etsy is an online marketplace filled with handmade gift ideas and one-of-a-kind products.
Artists, rejoice! You can sell your bookmarks, jewellery, knitted scarves, art prints, and so much more. Whether you’re a prolific gothic miniatures artist or a small custom baby blanket crochet business, your audience may be waiting for you on Etsy.
It’s super easy to set up a profile on Etsy and start selling, but you may need to do some social media marketing to get the word out. And be careful with high shipping costs to non-Canadian buyers.
14. Design products on Redbubble
If you love to draw and design products, Redbubble might be a great place to get your art off the computer and out into the world with no overhead costs.
Instead of shipping things out yourself, all you have to do is upload your design and Redbubble will handle the rest.
Here are some examples of the items that your designs can be printed on through this site:
- T-shirts
- Tote bags
- Sweatshirts
- Pants
- Stickers
- Posters
- Pillows
- Phone cases
- Journals
- Hats
15. Write a book
It’s challenging to actually write down a story, but once it’s written you can make money from your book.
Simply put your book of any genre on Amazon via self-publishing and make money every time someone buys it. Choose between eBook format or POD (print-on-demand).
Poetry collection? Yes! Fantasy novel? Definitely. Beginner’s guide to painting in Excel? Why not! Just note that self-publishing can undermine your ability to publish that material professionally in the future.
16. Start a YouTube channel
YouTube has made people into millionaires. We don’t foresee that this market will stop growing.
No matter where you live or what you’re into, filming videos for YouTube could be a fun and profitable work from home project. Your smartphone’s camera is probably good enough. In fact, you don’t even need to show your face if you don’t want to – you can record B-roll or generate animated sequences and then narrate.
Find your niche, monetize, and live the YouTube dream.
Use your marketable skills to make money online
You've got skills. Maybe you acquired them from your full-time job, or maybe from honing your craft in your spare time. Either way, you can work from home, put those skills to use, and earn some extra income.
17. Sell online courses
No matter who you are, chances are you know something someone else doesn't.
Selling courses online is an easy way to help people – it’s also a lucrative money-making strategy. You’ll be most successful if you teach an in-demand, popular skill. For example, underwater basket weaving is not super popular. However, character drawing, stock market investing, and Python all made the list of top Udemy courses in 2024.
Choose a site like Udemy.com to reach a larger audience.
Here are some of the high-demand categories where you could find your niche:
18. Virtual administrative assistant
Business owners need help with the "little things," like data entry, responding to emails, and research.
You could be a part-time or full-time virtual admin assistant while working from home. Enjoy taking a huge load off someone's plate, all while sipping your coffee on your favourite chair.
Look for roles in industries where you have experience, or try to get a free certificate in VA work to set yourself apart from other applicants.
Check out these admin support freelancer profiles to see how you could get started.
19. Tutor online
If you don’t want to teach a language, try tutoring in another topic. Maybe you’re a retired high school math wiz or physics pro. Maybe you could specialize in helping ADHD junior high schoolers build healthy and effective study habits ahead of college.
Help a struggling student and earn money from home with tutoring. Virtual tutoring means you never have to leave your house.
Try marketing yourself online on a site like Pear Deck.
20. Teach English (or any other language you know)
There’s someone out there right now who wants to pay you to learn the language you speak.
Many people just want a conversation partner to practice with. They don’t even need formal lessons. If you speak English, try looking for students abroad. If you speak another language like Hindi or Thai, advertise online and see who shows up.
The best part of language teaching is that it can all be done online, thanks to the wonders of voice and video chat.
Start by checking out these online teaching jobs you could apply for right now.
Make money from home the easy way
Looking for a way to make money from home that requires minimum effort? Don't worry, there are plenty of ways you can do this.
21. Start affiliate marketing
It works like this: A company gives you a special link that you share with your audience. When people buy through your link, you earn a small commission.
Affiliate marketing is super popular, and it’s everywhere from Instagram to Youtube to our own website. Note that affiliate earnings can be notoriously small, so it’s best to choose a high-yield industry like finance and build up a big audience.
If you have a bit of an audience built up already or you’re passionate about a topic, affiliate marketing could be a great way to earn some cash.
22. Do surveys and other market research
Market research is a great way to earn cash while unwinding in front of the TV.
Quick surveys are the easiest and fastest, but they pay the least (or pay in free gift cards). These mostly focus on the things you buy and places you visit. Companies like Google use your opinions to improve their products.
User research studies take more time but they pay much better. You have to qualify for these, and they may involve video chats or even in-person visits.
23. Earn cash back on your regular purchases
Want another easy way to earn some extra cash at home? Try saving money when you’re shopping – and we don’t mean shop at the Dollar Store.
Make your purchases through a cash back site – like Rakuten or Great Canadian Rebates – and get up to 30% cash back on regular purchases. The trick is remembering to check these sites before making an online purchase. Otherwise, you’re leaving free money on the table.
Price comparison sites can help you save significant amounts too.
24. Rent out your car with Turo
If your car isn't getting a ton of use, then try Turo. Turo is a rental car alternative where you can rent out your car. The site boasts an average earn rate of $712 per month.
There are a lot of details to consider before listing your vehicle, including insurance coverage. Check out all the information on Turo’s site.
25. Sell stuff you don't need
Most of us have stuff we don’t use or don’t need. So, sell it for profit instead of letting it clutter up your space.
Get the most bang for your buck by working with a consignment store for particularly valuable or well-kept items.
Otherwise, your online selling options include:
Each of these – including eBay – has a handy mobile app too, so making money from your unused stuff is uber simple.
26. Invest with a robo advisor
If you want a set-it-and-forget-it approach to investing, a robo advisor may be exactly what you're looking for.
These tried-and-true algorithms can invest your money for you. And since everything is done online, they have great ways to track how your investments are doing – all from the comfort of your home.
Though this is a slower way to make money, it's also one of the easiest and potentially lucrative.
Here are some robo advisors in Canada:
27. Use Shopify or Wix to create your site
Starting your own website is a smart way to keep more profit, rather than giving large chunks of your sales to Etsy or Redbubble.
With Shopify or Wix, just keep in mind that you'll be entirely responsible for the marketing side of things whereas Etsy helps you get discovered. However, your own site gives you far more customization options and a set pricing structure – it's up to you if it's worth the trade off.
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FAQ
Can you really make money working from home?
Yes, you can definitely earn extra income this way. From freelancing work to renting out your, there are plenty of choices. Some are more work than others, and some will earn more than others, but the options are out there.
How can I make money from home?
You can make money from home in many ways. You can try freelance writing, voice acting, teaching English online, or even selling unused items on eBay. Using a freelance platform like Fiverr and Upwork can help you find work.
What are creative ideas to make money from home?
If you love being creative with your hands, selling your creations on Etsy is an easy way to get an audience and start generating a cash flow. Other options include freelance copywriting and writing a book.
Are there real ways to make money from home for free?
Yes, there are real, easy, and lucrative ways to make money from home without startup costs. Try selling your unused stuff or completing online surveys to earn some extra cash. Many of these opportunities simply require having a computer.
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