5 Great Canadian Rebates Alternatives: Earn Cashback

Cashback platforms make it easier to earn rewards on everyday spending, and there are plenty of options beyond Great Canadian Rebates. Each platform works a little differently, with its own mix of earning opportunities, payout options and retailer partnerships. In this guide, we’ll break down five Great Canadian Rebates alternatives so you can compare features and choose one that best suits your shopping habits.

1. Swagbucks

Like Great Canadian Rebates, Swagbucks lets you earn cashback from eligible online purchases, but there are other ways to earn points called SB on the platform. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash via PayPal or a mailed cheque.

How much it pays: Cashback is 1% – 10%, but the overall earning potential with Swagbucks is $1 to $250 per offer.

Payout time and method: Withdrawals take up to 10 business days to be processed. Get cash via PayPal or redeem your points for gift cards

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• How to earn cash

  • Cashback from online shopping
  • Answer surveys
  • Play games
  • Redeem Swag codes
  • Scan receipts
  • Try free samples and trials
  • Make Swagbucks your default search engine
  • Purchase gift cards
  • Join the Swagbucks Member Recognition Program
  • Refer friends

2. Rakuten

Rakuten is similar to Great Canadian Rebates as it offers cashback when you shop through its website, browser extension or app. The main difference is that Rakuten offers cashback on some in-store purchases as well.

How much it pays: Usually 1% – 10%, but more on some offers.

Payout time and method: Payments are sent quarterly in February, May, August and November. Get paid by Interac e-Transfer, PayPal or cheque.

• How to earn cash

  • Cashback from shopping online and in person
  • Signup bonus
  • Refer friends

3. Finder Rewards

Finder Rewards is a free, members-only perk that gives you digital Visa gift cards when you open an eligible account through Finder. Unlike Great Canadian Rebates, which focuses on cashback from online shopping, Finder Rewards offers larger one-time bonuses.

How much it pays: $25 to $250+ per transaction.

Payout time and method: Several weeks, Visa digital gift card.

Explore Finder Rewards

• How to earn cash

  • Apply using Finder’s promotional link and open an eligible account

4. TopCashback

TopCashback is a cashback platform that gives you money back when you shop online through its links at participating retailers. Unlike Great Canadian Rebates, which focuses on Canadian-specific cashback offers, TopCashback is more tailored to Americans and features a broader range of global retailers and cashback deals.

How much it pays: 1% – 10%. TopCashback says members earn an average of $450 a year.

Payout time and method: Cashback is credited to your account within seven days, but it isn't available to withdraw until the retailer's return policy is over. Cash out via PayPal

• How to earn cash

  • Make purchases through affiliate links
  • Install and use the TopCashback browser extension
  • Invite friends to join and earn bonuses

5. BeFrugal

BeFrugal is a cashback platform that lets you earn money back on eligible online purchases from over 5,000 partner retailers. BeFrugal offers a wider range of retailers compared to Great Canadian Rebates and matches competitors’ cashback rates up to 125%.

How much it pays: Up to 40% cashback.

Payout time and method: Cashback is added to your account within 15 to 90 days of purchase. BeFrugal says most payouts are processed on the next business day after your withdrawal request. In Canada, you can cash out via PayPal or e-gift cards

• How to earn cash

  • Make purchases through the website, app or browser extension
  • Earn bonuses for signing up and referring others

How does Great Canadian Rebates compare?

For a deeper look at Great Canadian Rebates, you can see our full review, but here are some standout points:

Great Canadian Rebates vs Rakuten

Both Great Canadian Rebates and Rakuten focus on earning cashback through online shopping, but they differ in how users access deals and receive payouts. Great Canadian Rebates is more tailored to Canadian users, with over 900 partner retailers (compared to Rakuten’s 750) and monthly payouts once you meet the minimum balance requirement.

Rakuten, on the other hand, stands out for its user-friendly experience. Its browser extension and mobile app automatically alert you to cashback opportunities, making it easier to earn without actively checking the site. Rakuten also offers in-store cashback at select retailers, while Great Canadian Rebates doesn’t. However, Rakuten pays out quarterly rather than monthly, and cashback can take longer to appear.

Overall, if you prefer a Canadian-focused platform with faster, more frequent payouts, Great Canadian Rebates may be a better fit. If convenience and broader earning options matter more, Rakuten is a strong alternative.

Great Canadian Rebates vs TopCashback

The main difference between Great Canadian Rebates and TopCashback is the target audience. Great Canadian Rebates is designed specifically for Canadians, offering localized deals and gift card rewards you can actually use in Canada. TopCashback operates on a global scale, with websites operating in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Germany, Japan and China. Its U.S. website is available to Canadians, but it’s tailored to Americans with more U.S.-based retailers, promotions and payout options.

Another difference between the two platforms is that TopCashback offers 100% of the commission it earns back to users and promises to beat other U.S.-based cashback rates by 10%, so it typically has higher cashback offers than Great Canadian Rebates.

If you’re looking for maximum cashback and don’t mind navigating a more U.S.-centric platform, TopCashback is worth exploring. But if you can’t find your favourite Canadian retailers, check out Great Canadian Rebates instead.

Bottom line

Great Canadian Rebates alternatives can be a simple way to earn extra cash on purchases you’re already making. However, most platforms share similar limitations, like delayed payouts and modest earnings, making them best used as a bonus savings tool rather than a primary income source. Great Canadian Rebates is great as it’s tailored to Canadians and offers monthly deals, but you can sign up for multiple cashback platforms to ensure you always get the highest cashback rate.

Frequently asked questions

• Is Great Canadian Rebates worth using?

  Great Canadian Rebates and other cashback platforms are worth using if you shop online regularly and want to earn a bit of money back on purchases you were already planning to make. However, you won't earn a ton, so it won't replace a regular source of income.

• Can I use multiple cashback platforms at once?

  Yes, you can sign up for and use multiple cashback platforms at once. However, you can only earn cashback from one platform per purchase. Cashback sites often have limited-time promotions, so check a few before making your purchase to ensure you're getting the highest reward.

• Are cashback sites free?

  Yes, most platforms are free to join and earn rewards.

• How do cashback sites pay users?

  Cashback sites typically pay users through PayPal, gift cards, virtual Visa cards or bank transfers.

• How do cashback sites earn money?

  Cashback sites make money through affiliate partnerships with retailers. When you click through a cashback platform and make a purchase, the retailer pays the site a commission for sending them a customer. The cashback platform then keeps a portion of that commission and passes the rest back to you as cashback.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Leanne Escobal as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Rebecca Low

Writer

Rebecca Low is a writer for Finder. She has contributed to a range of digital publications, including income.ca, Indeed, and Expatden, writing on topics like personal finance, career development, and travel. See full bio