The best cash back shopping sites for Canadians include GeniusCash, Rakuten, and Great Canadian Rebates. They make it painless to earn rewards on your everyday shopping, plus other valuable opportunities, like cash back when you're approved for credit cards and bank accounts.
This article reviews the top 6 cash back sites so you can decide which ones are worth your time. There's also an overview of Canada's best cash back credit cards to help you get even more value from your spending.
Key Takeaways
- GeniusCash is one of the best cash back shopping sites and mobile apps for Canadians, rewarding users for opening select credit cards and financial products.
- Rakuten, Aeroplan eStore, Great Canadian Rebates, and other cash back platforms give you a small percentage in cash or points for your purchases.
- Shopping with a cash back credit card allows you to earn even more, especially if you’re using a card like the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard.
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Cash back websites in Canada
Here's a summary of some of the best cash back websites in Canada:
| Program | What it Offers |
|---|---|
| GeniusCash | Cash back on financial products and services |
| Rakuten | Cash back when shopping online |
| Aeroplan eStore | Aeroplan points when shopping online |
| Great Canadian Rebates | Cash back or gift cards when shopping online |
| Checkout 51 | Cash back for purchasing partner products |
| Swagbucks | Cash back on surveys, downloading partner apps, etc |
GeniusCash
GeniusCash has paid out over $5.6 million to Canadian users (as of January 2026). This generous program keeps it simple: $1 GeniusCash is equal to $1 CAD.
When you sign up and are approved for credit cards and other financial products and services through GeniusCash offers, you'll earn cash back.
You can also earn monthly cash back through the GeniusCash app. Download the app, and you can enjoy rewards on your everyday spending. GeniusCash is paid out via Interac e-Transfer or PayPal, so there's no waiting around for a cheque to be delivered.
Rakuten
Rakuten is one of the best-known cash back shopping sites in Canada, offering free cash back on purchases made via partner links at over 3,500 stores.
Users can browse the Rakuten site, find their preferred retailer, and click the link provided to start shopping. Once the shopping is complete and the order is placed, you'll earn a certain percentage back on the pre-tax amount.
Every quarter, as long as you have at least $5.01 accumulated, you get your cash back paid out.
How much can you get back? It depends on the retailer, but it can range from 1% to as much as 25% back.
Aeroplan eStore
While the Aeroplan eStore isn't technically a cash back website, users do earn valuable Aeroplan points on all purchases.
When shopping online, you can sign in to your Aeroplan account and head to the eStore. From there, use their links, and you can earn Aeroplan points.
The minimum earn rate is 1 Aeroplan point per $1 spent pre-tax, which equates to a 2% return on your purchases, but it's easy to snag bonuses on spending with select partners.
Here's our full guide to the Aeroplan eStore.
Great Canadian Rebates
Great Canadian Rebates is a cash back website for online shopping.
Although the website and interface are a little old-fashioned, you can earn cash back from over 900 retailers – anywhere from 0.5% to 10%.
You also don't have to get cash back – you can instead choose from a selection of e-gift cards.
GCR has preset payout dates, and you'll need a balance of $5 to receive yours.
Checkout 51
Checkout 51 is a completely different type of cash back website. It's essentially modern couponing and has a very convenient mobile app.
After shopping at a store, open up the app and see if you bought any of the products. If you did, scan your receipt into the app. Once they have verified that you made the purchase, they'll credit the applicable cash to your account.
After you've accumulated $20, they'll send you a cheque, or you can request electronic payment through a third-party app. Simple and easy cash back.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks isn't a site that rewards you for your spending. Instead, it gives cash back for completing certain activities.
The most common option is to complete surveys and respond to polls. But you can also earn cash back in these ways:
- Signing up for featured services
- Playing games
- Accepting free samples
- Downloading mobile apps
Earn more cash back with a cash back credit card
There's an easy way to earn cash back no matter where you shop – with a cash back credit card.
Here are some of our favourite choices:
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Cash Back Rate | Welcome Bonus | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBNA Rewards World Elite® Mastercard® | $120 | 2.37%* | Up to 30,000 bonus points (terms) | Learn more |
| Neo World Elite® Mastercard - Gas & Grocery | $149 | 2.55% |  $25 GeniusCash + $100 bonus cash back, first year free (terms) | Learn more |
| SimplyCash® Card from American Express | $0 | 1.46% | 5% cash back for the first 3 months (terms) | Learn more |
| Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card | $120 | 2.08% | $175 GC Boost + 15% cash back for the first 3 months, first year free (terms) | Learn more |
| Rogers Red World Elite® Mastercard | $0 | 1.5% | None | Learn more |
*The MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard is not strictly a cash back card. This card earns MBNA Rewards. But since one of your redemption options is cash, we compare its cash back earn rate alongside straight cash back cards. Considering all redemption options, this card's average earn rate is a bit higher: 2.86%.
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
If you want a cash back card with premium travel benefits, look no further than the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. This World Elite Mastercard includes top-notch travel insurance and generous cash back rewards for everyday purchases. You'll earn 5 points per $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills. All other purchases earn 1 point per $1 spent.
Pros:
- 10% bonus points every year on your birthday
- 13 types of insurance
- Superb welcome bonus
- Flexible redemption options
Cons:
- High income requirements
Neo World Elite Mastercard - Gas & Grocery
×3 Award winner 
GC: $25
3x Award winner The Neo World Elite Mastercard - Gas & Grocery was designed with particular spending in mind, but that doesn't mean it's not a great all-around cash back card. To start, it has high earn rates for gas, groceries, and recurring bills – for an average earn rate of 2.55%. But you'll also earn up to 5% back when shopping with Neo retail partners, and there are hundreds of partners across many, many categories.
Pros:
- Redeem cash back whenever you want
- 12 types of insurance
- First year annual fee is waived
- Secured card version available
Cons:
- Spending caps on cash back categories
SimplyCash Card from American Express
×1 Award winner Earn 5% cash back on all purchases in first 3 months - up to $100 in cash back.
1x Award winner Earn 5% cash back on all purchases in first 3 months - up to $100 in cash back.
The SimplyCash Card from American Express is a great cash back card with a 1.46% earn rate. You'll earn up to 2% on gas and groceries.
For no annual fee, you'll get Amex benefits like Front Of The Line and Amex Offers.
Pros:
- Sweet welcome bonus
- 3 types of insurance
- No income requirements
- No supplemental cardholder fee
Cons:
- Cash back only paid out once per year
Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card
×2 Award winner GC: $100 + $75
2x Award winner If you know you'll be spending a lot in the next few months, take advantage of the Scotia Momentum Visa Infinite + Card's generous welcome offer of 15% cash back for the first 3 months, up to $2,000 in spend. But even after that, you'll earn 4% back for groceries and recurring bill payments, and between 1% and 2% on other purchases. Add on the value of Visa Infinite and other associated benefits, and you've got some incredible value in your wallet.
Pros:
- 11 types of insurance
- Visa Infinite benefits
- Fuel savings at Shell
- Annual fee can be waived with the right Scotiabank chequing account
Cons:
- High income requirements
Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard
The Rogers Red World Elite Mastercard has a 1.5% average earn rate, but you can earn an extra 1.5% if you also subscribe to services with Rogers, Shaw, Fido, or Comwave. And, if you're paying for items in USD, you'll enjoy 3% cash back – a sweet offset for foreign exchange fees. Once you've got $10 banked, you can cash out those extra funds any time you like.
Pros:
- Extra cash back on USD purchases
- Includes airport lounge access
- No annual fee
- Extra perks for Rogers customers
Cons:
- No free lounge passes
FAQ
What are the best cash back websites?
While the best cash back website may depend on your preferences and needs, we tend to favour established cash back sites that offer the most bang for your buck. These sites include Rakuten, Aeroplan eStore, Great Canadian Rebates, Checkout 51, Swagbucks, and GeniusCash.
What places do cash back in Canada?
To earn cash back from shopping at physical locations, you'll have to use a cash back credit card like the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard or Neo World Elite Mastercard - Gas & Grocery. Otherwise, you can earn cash back when you start your online shopping at a cash back site.
Which platform gives the best cash back?
We recommend the GeniusCash app, since you earn large amounts of cash back when approved for featured financial products. Rakuten is another excellent, highly reputable cash back site that has thousands of retail partners and cash back offers as high as 25%.
How does Great Canadian Rebates work?
First, you sign up for a free account with Great Canadian Rebates, then turn off ad blockers for the site and begin shopping. You'll earn a percentage of everything you purchase through their website, and your earnings are paid out through direct deposit, PayPal, or eGift card.
What's the best cash back credit card?
The best cash back credit card is the MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard. There is a modest annual fee, but you'll earn 5 points per $1 spent on popular spending categories like restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills. Plus, you get a 10% bonus every year on your birthday.
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