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Did you know you could get paid to shop? It sounds too good to be true, but legitimate mystery shopping (also called secret shopping) is a real way to earn extra cash while running errands you might already be doing. When you’re trying to make your budget work harder, mystery shopping can be that little boost that helps pay for extras without taking time away from your family. The problem is finding companies you can trust in an industry filled with questionable opportunities.
Many people give up on mystery shopping after encountering scams or companies that waste their time with low-paying assignments. I’ve heard from countless readers who signed up with mystery shopping companies only to find themselves spending more on gas than they earned, or worse, falling victim to check cashing scams that left them in debt. Mystery shopping should put money in your pocket, not take it out.
That’s why I’ve researched and compiled this list of legitimate mystery shopping companies that actually pay fair rates for your time. Each company on this list has been verified for legitimacy, payment reliability, and mystery shopping assignment availability. Whether you’re looking to add a few hundred dollars to your monthly budget or just want to score some free meals, these companies offer real opportunities without the risks.
Also See: How To Become a Mystery Shopper
Trusted Mystery Shopping Companies Worth Your Time
1. BestMark
BestMark stands as one of the most established names in the mystery shopping industry, with operations dating back to 1987. Their longevity speaks volumes about their reliability in an industry where companies frequently come and go. BestMark partners with major businesses across retail, restaurants, automotive, and financial sectors throughout the United States and Canada.
The company’s shopper portal deserves recognition for its intuitive design that makes finding and managing assignments straightforward. Shoppers can expect to receive payment for their work twice monthly, either through direct deposit or traditional check. What separates BestMark from many competitors is its automotive evaluation program, which offers significantly higher compensation than standard retail assignments. These automotive shops sometimes involve test-driving vehicles and evaluating the sales experience without any obligation to purchase.
Requirements: Mystery shoppers must be at least 19 years old and possess reliable transportation. Written communication skills are essential since report quality directly impacts future assignment opportunities. The application includes submitting a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to observe details and communicate clearly—skills that are fundamental to successful mystery shopping.
2. Market Force
Market Force maintains one of the most extensive client networks in the mystery shopping world, translating to a greater variety of potential assignments in most geographical areas. Their client roster spans major brands across retail, restaurant, grocery, and financial service industries, giving shoppers diverse options.
The company has embraced technology with their Eyes:On mobile application, which revolutionizes how shoppers find and complete assignments. This app allows you to search for opportunities based on your current location, submit reports directly from your smartphone, and monitor your payment status without needing a computer. The convenience factor cannot be overstated for busy parents juggling multiple responsibilities.
Advancement Opportunities: Market Force implements a tiered shopper system that rewards consistency and quality. As you complete assignments successfully, you gain access to more lucrative opportunities and occasional bonuses. This progression system motivates shoppers to maintain high standards and build a relationship with the company. Payment processing occurs monthly through direct deposit, providing regular income for consistent shoppers.
3. Secret Shopper
Although the name might sound generic, Secret Shopper has established itself as a legitimate and respected player in the mystery shopping industry. Their certification by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association adds an extra layer of credibility, as does their 25+ years of continuous operation in the field.
Secret Shopper offers assignments across multiple sectors, including retail evaluations, dining experiences, banking interactions, and apartment community assessments. The company has earned positive feedback for their comprehensive instructions and responsive support team—two critical factors when you’re learning the mystery shopping ropes.
Application Process: Becoming a Secret Shopper involves completing a background verification and passing a certification test designed to assess your understanding of mystery shopping fundamentals. While this process is more thorough than some companies require, it helps maintain quality standards that benefit serious mystery shoppers. Payment distribution occurs on the 20th of each month via PayPal for the previous month’s completed assignments, providing a predictable payment schedule.
4. IntelliShop
IntelliShop has carved out a reputation for offering assignments across an impressive range of more than 30 industries. This diversity translates to unique shopping opportunities beyond the typical retail and restaurant evaluations that dominate the mystery shopping landscape.
The company distinguishes itself through detailed yet clear instructions and reasonable timeframes for report submission. Many shoppers appreciate that IntelliShop’s assignments often involve more comprehensive evaluations, which correlates with higher compensation rates. Their high-end evaluations for luxury brands and automotive experiences rank among the most coveted in the industry due to both the experience and the compensation.
Training and Support: IntelliShop offers a straightforward certification process complemented by robust training materials designed to help new shoppers succeed from their first assignment. Their shopper support team receives consistently positive feedback for their helpfulness and knowledge. Payment processing occurs monthly through direct deposit, with an option for expedited payment for those who need faster access to their earnings (for a small processing fee).
5. Perception Strategies (Phone Mystery Shopping)
Perception Strategies offers a unique opportunity in the mystery shopping world by specializing in telephone evaluations for healthcare providers. This company is ideal for those who need work-from-home options that accommodate family responsibilities or other commitments that make in-person shopping difficult.
Telephone mystery shopping involves calling medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics, or specialized practices to gather specific information or attempt to schedule appointments. During these calls, you evaluate various aspects of the customer experience, including hold times, staff knowledge, and overall courtesy. Each evaluation includes both the call itself and completing a detailed report about your experience.
Work Environment: The home-based nature of these assignments eliminates transportation costs and allows for flexible scheduling around family obligations. Parents find this particularly valuable during school breaks or when childcare options are limited. The healthcare focus means assignments remain relatively consistent throughout the year since medical services don’t experience the same seasonal fluctuations as retail. Payment processing happens through PayPal within 30 days of assignment completion.
6. Sinclair Customer Metrics
Sinclair Customer Metrics focuses on specialized sectors including financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and government agencies. These niche markets typically require more specific knowledge from shoppers but compensate accordingly for this expertise.
Assignments through Sinclair often involve evaluating more complex customer service scenarios than basic retail interactions. For example, you might assess how well a bank representative explains account options or evaluate a telecommunications employee’s troubleshooting skills. The company provides comprehensive training materials to prepare shoppers for these more sophisticated evaluations.
Quality Standards: Sinclair maintains high expectations for their mystery shoppers, requiring strong attention to detail and excellent writing abilities. While these standards make the application process more selective, they also result in more consistent work opportunities for accepted shoppers since clients trust the quality of evaluations. The company processes payments monthly via direct deposit, providing regular income for active shoppers.
7. Coyle Hospitality
Coyle Hospitality stands out in the mystery shopping world by focusing exclusively on the hospitality industry, offering evaluations for upscale restaurants, luxury hotels, spas, and even cruise lines. For those who enjoy fine dining or travel, these assignments can provide experiences that would otherwise be financially out of reach.
The evaluations for Coyle require more detailed and nuanced reporting than typical retail shops. You’ll need to assess numerous aspects of the hospitality experience, from the greeting upon arrival to the cleanliness of facilities and the quality of service throughout your stay. The compensation structure reflects this additional detail work, with assignments typically offering both monetary payment and reimbursement for the experiences themselves.
Selection Process: Coyle maintains exceptionally high standards for their shoppers, requiring professional-level writing skills and a sophisticated understanding of hospitality standards. The application process includes writing samples and thorough background verification to ensure shoppers can represent the typical clientele of luxury establishments. For those who qualify, however, the rewards can include experiences like staying in five-star hotels or dining at award-winning restaurants while being compensated for your evaluation.
8. Ath Power
Ath Power has established itself as a specialist in financial institution mystery shopping, working with banks, credit unions, investment firms, and mortgage companies. These assignments focus on evaluating financial advisors, loan officers, tellers, and other banking professionals on their service quality and compliance with regulations.
Financial mystery shopping typically involves scenarios like inquiring about opening accounts, discussing investment options, or exploring loan possibilities. These shops require careful attention to specific details like disclosure statements, identity verification procedures, and the accuracy of financial information provided. Due to the specialized nature and importance of compliance evaluation, these assignments typically offer higher compensation than general retail shops.
Training Resources: Ath Power provides comprehensive training on financial terminology and regulatory requirements to help shoppers succeed in these specialized evaluations. This knowledge transfer represents an added benefit beyond the direct compensation, as shoppers gain insights into financial services that can benefit their personal financial decisions. The company’s scheduling system allows for booking assignments well in advance, enabling better planning around other commitments. Payment processing occurs monthly through either direct deposit or check.
9. MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association)
The Mystery Shopping Providers Association serves as the governing body and professional organization for the mystery shopping industry rather than a direct employer of shoppers. However, its importance cannot be overstated for anyone serious about pursuing mystery shopping as a consistent income source.
MSPA certifies legitimate mystery shopping companies, requiring member organizations to adhere to ethical standards and best practices. This certification helps shoppers identify trustworthy companies and avoid mystery shopping scams that plague the industry. Additionally, the association offers shopper certification programs that can give you priority access to assignments with many top companies in the field.
Certification Benefits: The MSPA offers two levels of shopper certification—Silver ($15) and Gold ($30)—that verify your knowledge of mystery shopping standards and professional practices. Many companies give preference to MSPA-certified shoppers when assigning their most desirable or highest-paying opportunities. Beyond certification, the MSPA website provides valuable resources including a directory of verified companies, industry news, and educational materials that help shoppers maximize their earnings potential.
10. Presto Insta-Shops
Presto Insta-Shops has modernized the mystery shopping experience by creating a mobile app platform that combines traditional mystery shopping with quick micro-tasks. This innovative approach allows shoppers to find and complete brief assignments that might take only minutes rather than the hour or more required for traditional evaluations.
The company specializes in simple retail checks and product evaluations that can be completed quickly. A typical assignment might involve verifying product placement, checking stock levels, or evaluating a single aspect of customer service rather than the comprehensive evaluations other companies require. The simplified reporting process through their mobile app allows shoppers to submit evaluations immediately, often before even leaving the store.
Efficiency Factor: While individual assignments pay less than traditional mystery shops, the ability to complete multiple evaluations in close proximity often results in better overall earnings efficiency. The app’s geo-location feature identifies nearby opportunities, allowing shoppers to cluster assignments and minimize travel time. Payment processing operates on a weekly schedule through PayPal once shoppers reach the $25 minimum threshold, providing faster access to earnings than monthly payment systems.
11. GAPbuster Worldwide
GAPbuster Worldwide (now known as GBW) offers a global perspective on mystery shopping with operations spanning more than 50 countries. This international presence makes them an excellent option for shoppers who travel frequently or live outside major metropolitan areas where assignments from other companies might be limited.
The company works with global brands across retail, restaurant, and entertainment sectors, providing consistent assignment opportunities in diverse locations. Their scheduling system allows shoppers to view and claim assignments up to a month in advance, enabling better planning and coordination with other responsibilities. This forward visibility is particularly valuable for budgeting purposes.
International Advantage: What truly distinguishes GAPbuster is their cross-border presence, allowing travelers to continue earning during vacations or business trips. The company’s global standard operating procedures ensure consistent expectations regardless of location, making it easier to adapt to assignments in different regions. Payment processing occurs monthly through direct deposit or PayPal, depending on your location and preference.
12. Premier Service
Premier Service has expanded beyond traditional mystery shopping to include customer satisfaction surveys and competitive intelligence gathering in its business model. This diversification creates more stable work opportunities throughout the year, including during traditionally slow periods in the retail shopping calendar.
Assignments through Premier Service cover retail, banking, and automotive sectors throughout the United States and Canada. The company has developed a reputation for providing clear, detailed instructions and setting reasonable deadlines for report submission—factors that significantly reduce stress for shoppers juggling multiple responsibilities.
Shopper Support: Premier Service earns high marks for their responsive coordinator team that helps shoppers resolve questions or issues quickly. Their shopper portal provides comprehensive resources and training materials to help both new and experienced shoppers succeed. Payment processing follows a monthly schedule through direct deposit, with options for expedited payment available to shoppers who maintain consistent quality ratings.
Also See: List of Mystery Shopper Companies Hiring
Turn Shopping Into Earnings
Mystery shopping won’t replace a full-time income, but it can be a practical way to add extra dollars to your monthly budget while doing everyday activities. The companies on this list offer legitimate opportunities without upfront fees or suspicious payment methods. The key to success lies in working with multiple companies simultaneously to increase your assignment options and maintain a steady workflow throughout the month.
Start by applying to two or three companies that align with your interests and availability. Focus initially on assignment quality rather than quantity, as building a positive reputation will open doors to better opportunities over time. Remember the cardinal rules of legitimate mystery shopping: never pay to become a mystery shopper, avoid cashing checks from companies you haven’t thoroughly researched, and always report your earnings accurately at tax time. With the right approach and reliable companies, you can transform ordinary shopping trips into productive income-generating opportunities.