Whether you're a newcomer to Canada or have been living here all your life, having the right apps on your phone can make a world of difference. These tools will help you save money, manage your time, and reduce stress. And the last app on this list might even help you build new friendships.

Rakuten

Earn Cashback on Your Purchases

Rakuten is a free cash-back app that rewards you for shopping at over 750 retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy. Unlike some credit cards with fees or credit score requirements, Rakuten offers a simple, no-strings-attached way to save.

• How It Works: Shop through Rakuten, and earn 1–10% cash back on purchases. Payouts are made quarterly via cheque, PayPal, or gift cards.

Get $30 BONUS when Signing up for Rakuten using this link.

Flipp

Find the Best Grocery Deals

Flipp is an incredibly useful tool for newcomers to Canada who want to save money while shopping for groceries. By turning traditional paper flyers into a digital, easy-to-navigate platform, Flipp allows you to browse local grocery deals and discounts right from your phone or computer. All you have to do is enter your postal code, and Flipp will show you the current promotions, sales, and weekly offers available at stores near you. This makes it much easier to compare prices across different stores, plan your shopping trips, and ensure you’re getting the best deals. Whether you’re looking for discounts on everyday items or special offers, Flipp helps you stretch your budget further without the hassle of sorting through piles of paper flyers. It’s a practical way to save money on your grocery bill, which is especially important when adjusting to a new country and managing living expenses.

• Features:
  • Search for specific items on sale.
  • Create shopping lists and compare prices.
  • Use price matching by showing deals to cashiers for further savings.

Download Flipp here.

LinkedIn

Build Connections and Advance Your Career

Networking is essential in Canada, and LinkedIn is the ultimate platform for newcomers looking to expand their professional connections and navigate the job market. As you settle into life in Canada, LinkedIn provides a powerful tool to connect with industry professionals, employers, and peers. It allows you to build a digital presence that showcases your skills, experience, and aspirations while offering direct access to valuable networking opportunities. Joining relevant groups, engaging with content, and reaching out to connections in your field can help you stay informed about local trends and job openings. LinkedIn is also a great way to learn from others’ experiences, seek mentorship, and find guidance as you establish yourself in Canada’s diverse and competitive workforce.

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• How to Use It:
  • Treat your profile like a polished, humanized resume.
  • Keep your profile up-to-date and use professional photo.
  • Join local or industry-specific groups. Engage in conversations, show your knowledge and interest
  • Connect with professionals by personalizing invitations.
  • Connect with recruiters working with your field and keep and eye on their pages, as many of them post job openings there

Keep in touch with people, and if the new opportunity presents itself, you might be the first candidate on their mind.

Create a LinkedIn profile here.

Chexy

Turn Rent Payments into Credit Score Boosts

Chexy allows renters to build credit by reporting rent payments to Equifax. It also enables rent payments through credit cards, letting you earn rewards like credit card cashback, leading to hundreds, and even thousands of dollars saved annually!

• Key Benefits:
  • Build your credit history as a renter.
  • Gain cashback on your rent payments
  • Maximize credit card rewards for rent payments.
    • You will need to use a credit card with cash back at least 2% to maximize your profit.

Get your 1st month fees waived when signing up for free using our link here.

Ratehub

Compare Financial Products

From credit cards to insurance to mortgage rates, Ratehub simplifies financial decisions by offering a comparison tool for Canadians. Use the simple interface to let Ratehub know what criteria are most important to you, and it will give you recommendations on what credit card or insurance plan to go with baesd on your circumstances and lifestyle.

• Features:
  • Compare rates for credit cards, mortgages, and insurance to find the best financial service for you
  • Apply for credit cards you like right from the platform.
  • Use tools like mortgage affordability calculators to understand your finance options

Start comparing on Ratehub here.

Wealthsimple

Simple Saving and Investing

Wealthsimple makes financial management accessible to Canadians by offering a range of intuitive tools designed to help with saving, investing, and even tax filing. Whether you’re just starting out on your financial journey or looking to optimize your portfolio, Wealthsimple simplifies the process. It's free to open and it serves as one of the most convenient alternatives to the costly and slow moving Canadian banks.

• Why We Love It:
  • No fees for basic accounts like Saving, Cash Account, Investing or Cash Card
  • Robo-advisors for effortless investing.
    • You don't have to be a finance or investment expert to start investing
    • You can set up automatic investment deposits by answering just a few questions.
  • Investing into RRSP, TFSA, FHSA.
    • You can automate your savings and investing, without having to worry about it
  • No foreign transaction fees and 0 fee cash withdrawal at ATM abroad with their Wealthsimple Cash card - perfect for travelling.

Get $25 bonus when opening a Wealthsimple account with this link.

Wise

Low-Cost International Money Transfers

Wise offers transparent, low-fee international money transfers with competitive exchange rates. You can see all the fees you will pay upfront, as well as control methods and time it takes to transfer. Most transfers take less than 48 hours.

• Why Use Wise:
  • Send money to over 160 countries.
  • Competitive transactions fees and quick transfer time.
  • Multi-currency accounts for managing international finances. Perfect for those earning in one currency and having accounts in another.

Sign up to Wise here.

Meetup, Eventbrite, Luma

Meet new people and make friends

When you move to a new country, one of the most important steps in settling in is building a new social network. Platforms like Meetup, Luma, and Eventbrite make it easier than ever to connect with others and discover local events tailored to your interests. Whether you’re looking to join a hobby group, attend a professional networking event, or explore exciting local activities, these platforms offer a variety of opportunities to meet new people, make lasting connections, and truly feel at home in your new environment.

• For newcomers or anyone looking to make friends, Meetup connects you with local groups and events based on your interests. Perfect for people who are looking for friends based on the same hobbies and interests and informal meetings. You can also create you own Meetup group and find like-minded people
• Eventbrite: Discover concerts, festivals, and workshops. Some events are paid, some are free. Perfect for people looking for conferences and workshops to meet professionals working in your field and network.
• Luma: Ideal for smaller-scale and virtual events. Perfect for introverts who prefer online meetings to break the ice and build connections.

Find events on Meetup here.

Explore events on Eventbrite.

Create your first online event with Luma.

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