Payday loans offer fast access to cash when you need money urgently. It’s easy to apply and get approved, even if you have bad credit, and some lenders fund loans almost instantly.
But where can you find the best payday loans in Ontario? Keep reading to find out.
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loans
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for borrowing over a continued period of time and are expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing. If you're experiencing financial hardship call Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.Maximum borrowing costs will vary by province. Review the maximum borrowing cost for your province before entering into a loan agreement.
If you’re searching for instant payday loans in Ontario, iCash has you covered. This online payday lender offers instant decisions 24/7, and it’s easy to apply via the iCash website or app. If approved, you can get the funds in a matter of minutes via e-Transfer.
Loan details
Loan amount: $100 – $1,500
Loan term: 7 - 62 days
Interest rate: Varies by province
Serviced provinces: AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI
Types of income accepted: employment insurance, child tax, ODSP, AISH, provincial disability, CPP, OAS and social assistance
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: Yes
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the iCash website and select Get a loan.
Enter your email address and select Ontario as your province of residence.
Provide information such as your name, phone number, address, Social Insurance Number, date of birth, employment and income.
Enter your desired loan amount and submit your application.
PAY2DAY offers instant payday loans in Ontario in-store and online. You can apply online or via a mobile app within minutes, and you’ll then be sent your loan amount within 1-2 hours by e-Transfer. And if you have any questions or problems with your loan application, 24/7 customer support is also available.
Best online payday loan: GoDay
If you’re searching for a lender that offers online payday loans in Ontario, there’s a lot to like about GoDay. This online-only lender offers a simple paperless application process, instant pre-approvals are provided, and you can get your loan funds in a matter of minutes via e-Transfer.
Loan details
Loan amount: $100 – $1,500
Loan term: Up to 62 days
Interest rate: Varies by province
Serviced provinces: AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI, SK
Types of income accepted: CCB, disability tax credit, OAS, CPP and private pensions
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: Yes
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the GoDay website and select Apply now.
Select Ontario as your province from the drop-down menu.
Choose your requested loan amount.
Provide your personal and contact information as well as your employment details.
iCash is a 24/7 payday lender that operates completely online. It’s simple to apply for a loan through iCash’s website or app, and the lender uses an automated system to offer instant loan approvals. If you’re approved, you’ll get fast access to your funds via Interac e-Transfer.
Cash Money offers a simple and stress-free loan application and funding process. As one of the largest payday lenders in Canada, Cash Money allows you to apply online, in-store or over the phone. This lender is also flexible with the types of income it accepts, so you can still get a loan if you earn non-employment income such as Employment Insurance, Child Tax Benefits and Canada Pension Plan.
Loan details
Loan amount: $100 – $1,500
Loan term: 5 - 40 days
Interest rate: Varies by province
Serviced provinces: BC, MB, NL, NS, ON, SK
Types of income accepted: CPP, child tax credit, unemployment, disability
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: Yes
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the Cash Money website and select Apply now.
Select your province and confirm that you are applying for a payday loan.
Provide your email address, create a password and set up a security question and answer.
Provide your name, contact details, and income and employment information.
Upload any supporting documents required.
Submit your application.
Pros and cons
Easy application process
Fast approvals and funding
Established in 1992
Expensive
Short repayment period
Summary of ratings and reviews
Feature
Details
Trustpilot rating
4.5 out of 5 stars based on 4,165 Cash Money reviews
Google rating
Review score varies depending on location
BBB accreditation
No
BBB rating
A+
BBB reviews
1 out of 5 stars based on 13 Cash Money reviews
Reviews as of
March 3, 2024
Runner-up: Speedy Cash
Speedy Cash offers no credit check payday loans in-store and online. It’s simple to apply, and you can get funded within 1 hour to 1 business day via e-Transfer or direct deposit. Speedy Cash also accepts income from a variety of sources, including employment insurance, child tax benefit and pensions.
Best 24/7 no credit check payday loan: PAY2DAY
There’s no credit check required when you apply for a PAY2DAY payday loan, and all types of credit are accepted. You also get the convenience of applying with a lender that approves and funds loans 24/7, ensuring that you can access an emergency loan whenever you need it. Customer support is also available 24/7. E-transfer funding means you’ll get your loan within 1-2 hours of being approved.
Loan details
Loan amount: $300 – $1,500
Loan term: Up to 62 days
Interest rate: Varies by province
Serviced provinces: ON, BC, NS
Types of income accepted: EI, retirement income
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: No
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the PAY2DAY website and select Apply online.
Select the application for new customers.
Choose your loan amount and province, and specify how you earn your income.
Enter your contact details, name, birth date and employment information.
Submit your application.
Pros and cons
No credit check
24/7 approvals and funding
Fast access to funds
High rating on Trustpilot
Short repayment terms
Expensive
Summary of ratings and reviews
Summary of ratings and reviews
Feature
Details
Trustpilot rating
4.8 out of 5 based on 5,054 PAY2DAY reviews
Google rating
Review score varies depending on location
BBB accreditation
No
BBB rating
A-
BBB reviews
1 out of 5 stars based on 3 PAY2DAY reviews
Reviews as of
March 3, 2024
Runner-up: Credit Club
Credit Club offers easy access to no credit check loans online. You can apply and get funded 24/7, and all types of credit are accepted. If you’re approved, you can get your loan funds via e-Transfer in as little as 30 minutes.
Best bad credit payday loan: Loan Express
Bad credit won’t stop you getting a loan from Loan Express. This popular payday lender doesn’t carry out credit checks, so you can qualify for funding even if your credit history is far from ideal. Apply online 24/7. Loan Express’ automated systems make it possible to get instant approval and fast funding.
Types of income accepted: Many types, including pension, disability, child tax credit, most other government benefits paid regularly
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: No
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the Loan Express website and select on Get a loan.
Choose Ontario as your province of residence.
Select your desired loan amount.
Provide your name, contact details, date of birth and SIN.
Provide your income and bank account details.
Review all details before submitting your application.
Pros and cons
All types of credit accepted
24/7 approvals and funding
Get funded within minutes
Doesn’t accept EI as income
Expensive
Customer support isn’t available 24/7
Summary of ratings and reviews
Feature
Details
Trustpilot rating
4.8 out of 5 stars based on 7,262 Loan Express reviews
Google rating
4.8 out of 5 stars based on 526 Loan Express reviews
BBB accreditation
No
BBB rating
C+
BBB reviews
2.33 out of 5 based on 3 Loan Express reviews
Reviews as of
March 3, 2024
Runner-up: Mr. Payday
Mr. Payday is an online payday lender that lets you apply for a loan and get funded in as little as 30 minutes. There are no credit checks or collateral required, and you can apply online or via a mobile app. If you’re approved, funds will be sent out via e-Transfer.
Best in-store payday loan: Money Mart
Prefer the convenience of getting a payday loan in-store? Money Mart is worth checking out. The lender operates dozens of stores across Ontario, so there’s a good chance you’ll find one near you. Bad credit won’t stop you from getting a loan, and it’s easy to apply for a loan in person and get funded within minutes.
Loan details
Loan amount: $120 – $1,500
Loan term: 1 - 62 days
Interest rate: Varies by province
Serviced provinces: AB, BC, MB, NS, NT, ON, SK, YT
Types of income accepted: child tax credit, EI, disability and pensions
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: No
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply in person
Visit your nearest Money Mart location.
Provide your name, contact details, date of birth and income and employment information.
Provide proof of ID, your most recent pay stub, a bank statement and a void cheque or pre-authorized debit form.
Pros and cons
Network of over 500 stores across Canada
Fast access to funds
Bad credit is okay
High cost of borrowing
Short repayment terms
Summary of ratings and reviews
Feature
Details
Trustpilot rating
4.5 out of 5 stars based on 3,988 Money Mart reviews
Google rating
Review score varies depending on location
BBB accreditation
No
BBB rating
F
BBB reviews
1 out of 5 stars based on 13 Money Mart reviews
Reviews as of
March 3, 2024
Runner-up: Cash 4 You
Cash 4 You has been offering payday and installment loans in Ontario since 2001. It operates over 100 store locations and you can apply in-person within minutes. Best of all, Cash for you has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 based on over 19,500 reviews on Trustpilot.
Best payday loan if you’re self-employed: Usolve Financial
Some payday lenders don’t accept self-employed income when you’re applying for a loan, but Usolve Financial does. This Brampton-based payday lender also offers loans 24/7, so you can apply and get funded within minutes. You also have the option to either apply online or in-person at one of its 10 stores across Ontario.
Loan details
Loan amount: Up to $1,500
Loan term: Up to 62 days
Interest rate: Varies
Serviced provinces: N/A
Types of income accepted: N/A
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: Yes
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the Usolve Financial website and select Apply online.
Answer Yes when asked if you live in Ontario and specify your source of income.
Provide your personal information and contact details before uploading proof of ID and a selfie.
Submit your application.
Pros and cons
Apply online or in-store
Fast access to funds
Apply 24/7
Expensive
Short repayment terms
Summary of ratings and reviews
Feature
Details
Trustpilot rating
N/A
Google rating
4.8 out of 5 stars based on 142 Usolve Financial reviews
BBB accreditation
No
BBB rating
N/A
BBB reviews
No Usolve Financial reviews available
Reviews as of
March 3, 2024
Runner-up: Cash Money
Cash Money accepts a wide range of income types when assessing your payday loan application. You can apply for funding online, in-store or over the phone, and instant decisions mean you get fast access to funds. Enjoy added peace of mind from dealing with a lender that’s been in business since 1992.
Best payday loan alternative in Ontario: Bree
If you need a short-term loan but you want to avoid expensive payday loans, Bree could be the answer. Bree offers access to a cash advance of up to $350 to tide you over until your next paycheque without incurring bank account overdraft fees. There’s a $2.99 monthly membership fee. But there are no interest charges to worry about, and you don’t need to complete a credit check to get funds.
Loan details
Loan amount: $20 – $350
Loan term: Next pay cycle (65 days max)
Interest rate: 0%
Serviced provinces: All provinces and territories
Types of income accepted: N/A
Accepts bad credit: Yes
Credit check required: N/A
Instant approval available: Yes
How to apply online
Visit the Bree website and select Sign up.
Enter your name and email address before creating a password, then confirm that you have a Canadian bank account.
Provide your personal information, contact details and bank account information.
Confirm when you will pay back your advance.
Choose either a free Standard advance or an Express advance for an additional fee.
Nyble is another option well worth considering if you’re searching for payday loan alternatives. Apply online for an interest-free line of credit of up to $250 to cover small expenses and build your credit. Get funds in 1-3 business days with a free account. For $11.99 per month, get access to premium services, including funding in 1-30 minutes, a free Equifax credit report and identity theft protection.
We’ve chosen the products on this page based on licensed lenders available through Finder and in the Ontario payday loans marketplace online. These loans are not representative of the entire market. When choosing the best payday loans in Ontario, we considered each direct lender’s speed, availability, eligibility requirements, reputation, customer reviews, application process and funding options. No single payday loan will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options before applying.
Speed and availability
Payday loans are the fastest type of consumer loan available in the marketplace, but among payday loan lenders, the application and funding time can vary, sometimes significantly. Some online payday loan lenders use automated systems to give instant approval and funding, while some have staff operating 24/7. We prioritized lenders that invest in speed and availability by putting these systems in place.
Eligibility requirements
Payday loans are typically easy to get, but lenders will still differ in their eligibility requirements. We highlight lenders that accept bad credit and multiple forms of income, such as government benefits, private pensions and self-employment income.
Reputation and customer feedback
The reputation of a payday loan matters. We prioritized lenders with a solid online presence. We also consider positive customer feedback by reviewing Trustpilot and Google customer reviews and scores.
Application process
We prioritized lenders with an easy online application process. We considered how a customer could apply (whether online, over the phone or in-store).
Customer support
We considered whether the lenders had a phone number, live chat, email address and comprehensive help centre. As a bonus, we considered the operating hours for both online and telephone customer support and in-store hours.
Funding options
We prioritized lenders that offered funding via Interac e-Transfer, as this provides funds in the fastest possible way to customers. Funding via direct deposit or prepaid debit cards were considered good perks.
Are payday loans legal in Ontario?
Yes, payday loans are legal in Ontario. However, there are strict regulations in place under Ontario’s Payday Loans Act to prevent lenders from taking advantage of borrowers. These regulations set out important information such as:
The maximum cost of a payday loan
The maximum loan amount
The maximum loan term
How much the lender can charge you if you miss a payment
How much do payday loans in Ontario cost?
The maximum cost of a payday loan in Ontario is $15 per $100 borrowed. So if you take out a $250 loan, it’ll cost you $287.50 to repay.
This might not sound all that expensive at first, but you also need to take into account the very short repayment period. Payday loans are typically designed to be repaid when you get your next paycheque, so you only have an extremely limited amount of time to repay what you borrow. As a result, payday loans have extremely high APRs—often in the triple digits.
That’s why you should only ever consider a payday loan as a last resort, and check out a range of payday loan alternatives before deciding if you should apply.
Loan amount
Loan fee
Total cost
Loan term
APR
$250
$15 per $100 borrowed
$287.50
14 days
391.07%
Am I eligible for payday loans in Ontario?
Requirements vary between lenders, but you’ll generally need to meet the following eligibility criteria to get a payday loan in Ontario:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a recurring income
Have an active chequing account
Payday loan regulations in Ontario
Before taking out a payday loan in Ontario, protect yourself as a borrower by knowing your rights. Below is a summary of payday loan regulations in Ontario, but be sure to visit the Ontario government website for more details.
Borrowing fee
You can’t be charged more than $15 for every $100 borrowed for a payday loan in Ontario.
Loan amount
An Ontario lender can’t lend more than 50% of your net income, up to $1,500.
Loan term
The maximum payday loan term in Ontario is 62 days.
Cancellation period
Should you change your mind and want to cancel your payday loan, you have two business days to do so without facing a penalty. You also don’t have to provide a reason for cancelling.
Repayment
You can pay the full balance any time without penalty.
If you take out 3 loans within a 63-day period, lenders must offer you an extended payment plan. You have the option of paying the loan back in installments.
Loan in default
A maximum interest rate of 2.5% per month (without compounding) can apply to the outstanding principal of a payday loan in default.
A maximum fee of $25 can be charged for bounced cheques or pre-authorized debits (to be charged once only).
The lender can’t contact you more than 3 times a week.
Rollover loans
Rollover loans are not allowed. This means you can’t roll over what you owe into a second payday loan, but instead have to fully repay your payday loan in Ontario before taking out another loan with the same lender.
Other regulations
A lender can’t provide you a second payday loan until after you’ve paid off the first one.
Ontario lenders cannot ask you to sign a form that transfers your wages directly to them.
Lenders cannot offer or sell you any products or services in connection with the payday loan.
Are there instant payday loans in Ontario?
Yes. With instant payday loans in Ontario, lenders use automated systems and instant bank verification to speed up the approval process. After you apply, you get a decision within a few minutes. Once you submit your contract, you also get your funding within a few minutes via Interac e-Transfer.
Below is a sample of lenders that provide instant decisions and funding.
For a seamless application process, make sure you’re eligible for the loan first and submit all required documents. If your lender has to contact you about missing information, the process could get delayed.
Online payday loans in Ontario
Several lenders offer completely online payday loans in Ontario. It’s quick and easy to apply by filling out an application form on the lender’s website, while some lenders also allow you to apply through their mobile app. It’ll usually take 5-10 minutes to apply, and an increasing number of lenders support instant online bank verification to speed up the application process.
Once you’ve submitted your application and provided your contact details, you should receive a decision within minutes. You can receive your funds via Interac e-Transfer or direct deposit.
How can I tell if a payday lender in Ontario is legitimate?
The easiest way to make sure a lender is legit is to check their credentials with Consumer Protection Ontario. Look for the following signs to make sure you’re working with a reputable business.
The lender displays an Ontario licence number. Always check that a lender is licensed by searching its business name in this registry.
The lender doesn’t allow roll-overs or multiple loans. Ontario law doesn’t allow payday lenders to give out multiple loans. You also cannot roll-over your loan, meaning you can’t add what you owe on one payday loan onto a second payday loan.
The lender follows fee regulations. Stay away from lenders who charge more than $15 for every $100 borrowed.
Besides payday loans, where can I get financial help in Ontario?
If you find you’re frequently running short on funds and need payday loans in Ontario, it’s worth looking into the following alternatives.
Ontario assistance programs
Ontario has some programs that can help lower the costs of everyday expenses for residents and newcomers who are struggling to make ends meet.
The Ontario Child Benefit provides low-income families with financial assistance to cover expenses like medical bills, food, rent and utility bills.
Ontario Works can provide you with money and help you find a job during temporary financial difficulties.
The Canadian government’s Resettlement Assistance Program provides financial assistance to refugees and protected persons for accommodations, essential clothing, household effects and living expenses.
The Income Assistance Program provides funding to First Nations communities to help their eligible members meet basic needs, such as food, clothing and shelter.
Ontario Disability Support Program helps people with disabilities who are in financial need pay for living expenses, like food and housing.
Local financial institutions
Some credit unions and local banks offer less expensive small loans with longer repayment terms.
Credit counselling
If you’re struggling with your personal finances, you might want to consider enrolling in a credit counselling program. These programs can help you make a budget and manage your debts for the long term.
Bottom line
If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to deal with a short-term financial problem, a payday loan might be just what you need. But payday loans are very expensive to repay, so consider all your options before deciding whether to apply.
Frequently asked questions
You can file a complaint with Consumer Protection Ontario, who will act on your behalf if the company fails to respond to a preliminary letter of complaint. You can make a complaint by filling out an online form, emailing consumer@ontario.ca or sending your complaint by mail. Visit this page on the Consumer Protection Ontario website to learn more.
Yes. Some payday lenders in Ontario don't do credit checks. Examples include Speedy Cash, PAY2DAY and Credit Club.
You can get bad credit payday loans from most payday lenders. Payday lenders in general have lenient eligibility requirements, and many are open to low credit scores.
Tim Falk is a freelance writer for Finder. Over the course of his 15-year writing career, he has reported on a wide range of personal finance topics. Whether you're investing in stocks and ETFs, comparing savings accounts or choosing a credit card, Tim wants to make it easier for you to understand. When he’s not staring at his computer, you can usually find him exploring the great outdoors. See full bio
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