Payday loans in Ontario are common; to serve Canada’s most populous province, there are a multitude of lenders, both online and offline, that offer these loans. However, before you consider getting an instant payday loan, take time to consider exactly how they work, and the other personal loans available to you. Payday loans in Ontario are usually not the cheapest option, and may not be the best way for you consider other alternatives on Smarter Loans.
To help you understand the different forms of short term financial assistance available in Ontario, here we’re going to take an in-depth look at payday loans, including online payday loans, as well as some alternatives that can provide emergency funds in just a few minutes.
To get you started, we have curated a list of reputable lenders that provide various types of fast funding. Take a look at the table below to find both online services and details of companies that have offices in Ontario.
Click on a lender to see their full profile, loan details and to find their online application. You can also apply right here with Smarter Loans, and we will connect you to the lender that best suits your needs.
A payday loan is an unsecured loan available to retail consumers, and it works just like most other loans. You complete an application process, and if approved, you receive a sum of money. You may use this money as you wish.
You then have to repay the loan, plus interest and fees, according to the repayment plan in the payday loan agreement. Most of these loans must be repaid when the borrower receives his/her next payday.
Chart showing breakdown of borrowers in Ontario by age and gender.
Getting instant payday loans in Ontario is simple, and minimal personal and financial information is required. Eligibility rules state that applicants must:
And that’s it! No credit check is required; neither is any form of collateral. As long as you can show the above, you are likely to receive approval.
Their easy application process and minimal requirements are a big part of why these loans are so popular for dealing with unexpected expenses and emergencies.
Chart showing income sources by % of Ontario borrowers.
Crucially, the income needed to qualify for an instant payday loan does not have to be employment income; any form of regular income counts. This includes:
Ontario residents enjoy some of Canada’s lowest payday loan rates. This is because the maximum allowable cost is not controlled by lenders, but by the provincial government via the Payday Loans Act.
This maximum cost is set to $15 per $100 borrowed. The cost is expressed in this way rather than as an interest rate because most payday loans are intended to be repaid in one lump sum from your next paycheque, so their cost is advertised as a ‘flat fee’.
However, you should know that this is the cost only if you pay back the cash on time, and does not account for other fees or interest that will increase if you fail to repay. The total cost may therefore be much higher.
It’s also worth noting that even with this cost cap, payday loans in Ontario are still significantly more expensive than other online loans and short term loans. Even if you have a poor credit score, there is financial support available that can provide quick access to urgent funds. Research by the Government of Canada found that 57% of people who get these loans were aware of their high costs versus their alternatives.
Chart showing distribution of borrowing amounts. Most people borrow under $500.
The amount Ontario residents can borrow with a payday loan is smaller than with other personal loans in Ontario. The maximum borrowing amount is set by the financial regulator, and is $1,500.
You cannot increase the loan amount. This is because there are rules that state customers can only take out one loan at a time from each lender. You must therefore repay all of the money you borrow before you can access extra funds.
The application process for payday loans in Ontario is easy, and does not require much paperwork. You’ll just need to provide:
If using an online loan application, you will need to have high quality images or scans of these items.
Table showing the share of the market covered by the top three lenders.
Payday loans are available at retail stores in convenient locations across Ontario, as well as online. This form of instant loan is provided by non-bank institutions that must be registered with the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.
There is no need to go anywhere to get a quick cash loan in Ontario; online payday loans are readily available from a wide range of online lenders, under the same terms as store-bought payday loans.
Very fast. Most lenders (whether you apply online or in person) will provide an almost instantaneous turnaround time. This means you can apply in just a few clicks, receive instant approval, and get your funds into your bank account in just moments. The entire process can take as little as a few minutes.
Their speed is one of the primary attractions of payday loans, as they allow those experiencing a financial emergency an almost immediate solution.
Chart showing distribution of instant cash loan market. Most people still choose to borrow money in person rather than get an online payday loan.
Online payday loans Ontario are essentially the same instruments as in-store payday loans. And because so many people want convenience, the majority of lenders now offer an online application form; once submitted, you can receive an almost instant decision on your online loan application, and if approved have funds deposited directly into your bank account or sent via Interac e-transfer.
So online payday loans are extremely accessible and those in the Ontario area can get funds fast, without having to go anywhere. But physical locations for most instant cash lenders are present throughout Ontario as well, with most open outside of regular business hours.
The security of your personal information online will depend more on your personal setup than the loan provider’s security; any reputable online lender in Canada will have robust security protocols. You should verify the trustworthiness of a lender before you apply for payday loans online. And if you’re at all worried about sharing personal information online, just visit a nearby payday loan store instead.
Unlike with other loans, a credit check is not necessary when you apply for payday loans; the only really important factor is income. This means payday loans are a great option for those with a poor credit history, or who wish to avoid a credit check for any reason.
It’s important to realize though that payday loans are not suitable as a means to rebuild your credit. This is because most lenders do not report payments to credit bureaus, so positive payment will not be taken into account in your credit history.
Chart showing typical loan uses. The majority of users want money to cover unexpected payments.
Due to their structure, instant payday loans are best suited to provide cash for financial support in times of emergency, or to cover unexpected expenses. Their size and interest rate makes them less suitable for long-term borrowing or large amounts of money.
This doesn’t mean those accessing them are restricted in how they can use their funds; on the contrary, payday loans in Ontario can be used for any purpose, including:
Once your loan application has been through the approval process and accepted, your entire loan amount will be automatically deposited into your bank account, or sent to you via Interac e-transfer.
This is one of the ways in which payday loans are so convenient: there is no long assessment period by a loan officer, and no credit check; instant approval is possible. And funds will be sent electronically, so via online banking you’ll be able to see them right away. Hassle free, quick cash is available via a very easy process.
That depends on the loan agreement you signed. Most who borrow money via payday loans do so with the intention of paying the money back within a few weeks.
If you extend your borrowing beyond your next payday, you may end up paying much more money for your loan. Payday loans are high cost loans, so should be considered as short term loans only; if you need more time to repay, you may be better off considering other solutions for your immediate financial needs.
Graph showing percentage of insolvent debtors with rapid loans.
If you are an Ontario resident and your loan application is denied, it’s probably because you already owe money to that lender. Try applying through another lender.
Or, work on paying off your outstanding debts and building your credit with services such as credit counselling or a debt management program, so you can more easily access short term loans in the future.
No. While you need to be able to prove your income when applying for instant loans, your employer does not need to know, and lenders should in no circumstances inform your employer.
It’s also worth noting that it is illegal for lenders to take payment in the form of automated paycheque deductions.
Graph showing number of lenders in different regions in Ontario. East Central Canada has the most options.
With so many options to choose from, picking the right lender can seem tough. This is especially true if you are looking at payday loans online.
To find an online option that works for you, first check whether a lender offers an online application. You should know that many lenders use the terms “cash advance” and “no credit check loan” to describe the same products.
Then check whether the lender is transparent about their fees. Do they encourage responsible borrowing? What do they charge for access to quick cash?
Then finally ask: what are their reviews like? What do other people getting their cash from this type of loan say? Do they have a customer support team to help explain the loan terms or discuss your financial needs?
Finding the right instant payday loans is not just about cost – you also need to take into account the reputability and practices of the lender.
Chart showing the cost of borrowing for different loan types.
A major reason many turn to payday loans in Ontario is that they are unable to access cash by any other means; 65% of these borrowers in Canada do not have access to a credit card. If you combine this issue with the prevalence of bad credit, it’s easy to see why payday loans are so popular.
But given their cost, it’s worthwhile considering if any of the other loans in Ontario that are available may better suit your needs; for example, bad credit borrowers can access other types of short term loan, and many of these lenders have an online application form. Or, if time is of the essence, other lenders have hassle free online application processes that allow borrowers to access cash fast – some even providing direct deposit or e-transfer of borrowed funds within a day.
As loans in Canada, of all types, have become more popular, and online lending has surged, pretty much any type of loan you can think of is available online, and lenders of all kinds – including banks, credit unions, credit card companies and alternative lenders – have multiple options that make getting a loan much easier than you might think.
Chart showing reasons people get a fast cash loan.
Here are some of the best alternatives to payday loans in Ontario, that can help you deal with unexpected costs, without suffering punitive interest rates:
Credit Card Cash Advance
This is structured as a line of credit, where the cash advance offered is dependent on the unused credit limit on the borrower’s credit card, rather than on income. This type of cash advance is provided directly by the credit card company (not the issuer), and receives the same type of treatment as any other ordinary purchase made with a credit card.
In some cases, credit card companies charge higher interest rates on cash advances than on ordinary credit purchases, so it is important for the borrower to understand the rate differential, and act accordingly.
Bad Credit Loans
It’s a myth that you need a high credit score to secure a personal loan. Those who can’t pass traditional lenders’ credit checks still still gain access to quick loans – most usually from bad credit lenders who specialize in products geared towards those with less-than-perfect credit. You may have to pay more in interest for a bad credit loan than you would for a traditional personal loan, but it still may be cheaper overall than Ontario payday loans online.
Secured Loans
Another option if you’re worried about credit checks is a secured loan. It is easier for those with bad credit to access secured loans than unsecured loans. By providing collateral against a short term loan, you can reduce the risk to the lender, and so access more money and better rates.
Short Term Personal Loans
If you have reasonable credit, short term personal loans in Ontario will have much better interest rates and more flexible terms than any other quick loans. Many lenders offer these instruments online, with fast application processes and funds available via deposit into your bank account or e-transfer. In this way these loans can be as convenient as payday loans in Ontario, while still allowing you to access cash fast.
Savings
Research has shown that even those with high income and savings turn to fast cash loans in Ontario to get extra cash in times of need. This is believed to be an education issue; people would rather keep savings accounts ring-fenced, and take on new debt, than dip into rainy day funds.
However the math on this does not add up, as a third loan costs more than using savings, and can potentially affect your credit rating and overall financial health too. The best advice states that it is better to use savings when encountering an unexpected expense, and then rebuild them slowly from your monthly pay, than it is to take on unnecessary debt.
Lenders in Canada are regulated and have to comply with specific requirements in order to operate. These requirements state that those who offer payday loans in Ontario – including those who offer online payday loans – must:
There are also mandated borrower rights, including:
In addition, the Payday Loan Act puts restrictions on a lender’s behaviour if a customer fails to repay their borrowed funds. Lenders cannot:
Chart showing that some illegal behaviour still occurs.
Borrow up to $1,500 at a time
Repay from your next paycheque
Pay $15 per $100 borrowed in interest
Funds can be used for any reason
No credit check required
You must have some form of income to qualify
Fast cash is available within minutes
Amy Orr is a professional writer and editor with over 10 years of experience in the Canadian, U.S. and U.K. financial markets. She has written for numerous publications on topics as diverse as economic literacy, corporate finance, and technical analysis of numerical data. Prior to transitioning to full-time writing, she worked in the hedge fund sector. Her academic background is astrophysics, and she has a Masters in Finance from the University of Edinburgh Business School.
Jenna West is Smarter Loans' in-house financial writer and content director. She has been covering the Canadian FinTech and finance industry since 2017, including financial trends analysis, industry surveys, regulatory updates and changes in Canadian consumer behaviour when it comes to finance.
