How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- BestMark suits beginners, with work since 1986, an A-plus BBB rating, and twice-monthly payments.
- Market Force suits shoppers who want the most assignments, with work across North America and several European countries.
- IntelliShop suits shoppers who pass its entry test, with worldwide work paid monthly through PayPal.
- Secret Shopper suits shoppers in big cities worldwide, with monthly automatic PayPal payments.
- Sinclair Customer Metrics suits shoppers in the US, UK, and several other countries, paid by mailed check.
- Second to None suits US and Canadian shoppers, with bank transfer or PayPal payments.
- iSecretShop suits shoppers who want a job board across many companies, while PrestoShopper suits app-based shoppers.
- Scam warning: legitimate mystery shopping companies never charge you to join, and any job that asks you to send money somewhere is a scam.
Quick comparison
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Starting priceFree
Free planYes
BestMark is one of the oldest and most trusted names in mystery shopping, connecting shoppers with companies since 1986 for retail stores, car dealerships, banks, and restaurants. It pays twice a month automatically through PayPal, bank transfer for US accounts, or Tango gift cards, and holds an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau. Tasks typically run 30 to 60 minutes and pay $10 to $20, with some assignments paying $25 to $50.
Payment delays and processing issues are reported by some shoppers, and detailed reporting takes time. BestMark fits beginners who want a long-established, legitimate company with wide job variety and flexible scheduling. Scam warning: legitimate companies never charge a registration or certification fee, and any job that asks you to send money to evaluate a money-transfer service is a scam, with no exceptions.
What we like- Operating since 1986
- A-plus BBB rating
- Twice-monthly payments
- Wide job variety
Watch out for- Tasks typically 30 to 60 minutes
- Pay often $10 to $20
- Payment delays reported by some shoppers
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Market Force is one of the largest mystery shopping companies, working with fast food, grocery, and entertainment clients across North America and the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and France. It offers consistent job availability, a user-friendly dashboard, and an app for completing assignments, with an A-plus BBB rating. Most jobs pay $8 to $25, with some high-end or time-intensive gigs paying more, plus reimbursement for purchases or meals.
Payments arrive once a month for the prior month's assignments, by mailed check or bank transfer. Market Force fits shoppers who want the most assignments and steady work, especially in suburban and urban areas.
What we like- Largest assignment volume
- Works with major brands
- App for assignments
- A-plus BBB rating
Watch out for- Pay often $8 to $25
- Monthly payments
- UK task pay lower at about 3 to 15 pounds
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
IntelliShop offers mystery shopping worldwide after shoppers pass an entry test, with PayPal payments once a month, about 30 days after the month ends. Its assignments cover retail, restaurants, and services, and its global reach suits shoppers outside the US who want consistent work. The entry test filters for shoppers who follow detailed instructions and write clear reports.
The test bars some applicants, and the payment lag means work done in one month pays about a month later. IntelliShop fits shoppers worldwide who pass the test and want reliable monthly PayPal payments.
What we like- Worldwide work after entry test
- PayPal payments
- Monthly automatic payments
Watch out for- Entry test required
- Pay varies by assignment
- Monthly payment lag of about 30 days
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Secret Shopper offers mystery shopping more or less worldwide, with most assignments in big cities, and pays once a month automatically through PayPal. Its coverage suits urban shoppers who want regular work across retail, dining, and services, with assignments that fit city life and public transport.
Rural shoppers will find fewer assignments, and pay varies by assignment. Secret Shopper fits city-based shoppers who want automatic monthly PayPal payments and worldwide platform coverage.
What we like- More or less worldwide coverage
- Monthly automatic PayPal payments
- Big-city assignment depth
Watch out for- Most assignments in big cities
- Pay varies by assignment
- Rural coverage thinner
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Sinclair Customer Metrics offers mystery shopping across the US, UK, UAE, Kuwait, Australia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, with assignments in retail, dining, and services. Its multi-country reach suits shoppers who travel or live outside the US, and its established record gives it credibility among long-running mystery shopping firms.
Payments arrive by mailed check once a month, and the check takes a while to arrive, which frustrates shoppers who prefer PayPal or bank transfer. Sinclair fits multi-country shoppers who accept mailed checks and want an established company.
What we like- US, UK, UAE, Kuwait, Australia, Mexico, and Dominican Republic coverage
- Established company
Watch out for- Paid by mailed check
- Check takes a while to arrive
- Monthly payment cycle
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Second to None offers mystery shopping in the US and Canada only, with payments once a month for the prior month's assignments by bank transfer or PayPal, with a $1 fee on PayPal. Its assignments cover retail, dining, and services, and its straightforward payment schedule suits shoppers who want predictable monthly income.
US and Canada coverage excludes international shoppers, and the PayPal fee, while small, adds up for frequent shoppers. Second to None fits US and Canadian shoppers who want bank transfer payments and steady monthly work.
What we like- US and Canada coverage
- Bank transfer or PayPal payments
- Monthly payments for prior month
Watch out for- US and Canada only
- PayPal carries a $1 fee
- Assignment volume varies by area
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
iSecretShop is a job board for mystery shopping, listing jobs from many companies worldwide, with most jobs in US, UK, and Canadian cities. Its board format suits shoppers who want to browse across companies rather than joining each one separately, and PayPal payments depend on the company offering each job. The board gives shoppers a wide view of available work in one place.
Pay and quality vary by the posting company, and the board format needs filtering to find good assignments. iSecretShop fits shoppers who want a single board to scan jobs from many mystery shopping companies.
What we like- Job board across many companies
- Worldwide coverage
- Most jobs in US, UK, and Canadian cities
Watch out for- Pay depends on the offering company
- Quality varies by posting company
- Board format needs filtering
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
PrestoShopper is an app-based mystery shopping platform, with most jobs in US and Canadian cities and payments through PayPal, Amazon gift cards, Tango gift cards, and other options when the job is approved. Its app workflow suits shoppers who want quick, phone-based assignments with fast approval-based payment, rather than waiting for a monthly cycle.
Most jobs sit in US and Canadian cities, and pay varies by job. PrestoShopper fits app-based shoppers who want approval-based payments and flexible, phone-first assignments.
What we like- App-based assignments
- PayPal, Amazon, and Tango gift card payments
- Paid when job is approved
Watch out for- Most jobs in US and Canadian cities
- Pay varies by job
- App-only workflow
How we chose
We ranked companies on legitimacy, assignment volume, payment reliability, geographic coverage, and 2026 guide consensus, weighting BBB ratings, payment history, and free signup. Companies scored on how consistently they pay and how widely they operate, not on promised earnings, since mystery shopping pays modest supplemental income, not a full salary. Every company here is free to join, with no registration or certification fee, and runs a live mystery shopping business in 2026 with a public site.
Start with legitimacy checks, since scams are common in this category. Verify the company through the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association database at mspa-americas.org, which lists member companies that meet professional standards and a code of ethics. Never pay to join, never pay for certification, and never accept a job that asks you to send money somewhere, since that is always a scam. Sign up with several companies at once, since assignments in any one area are limited and multiple accounts increase available work.
Next, match the platform to your location and payment preference. Urban shoppers should shortlist Secret Shopper and PrestoShopper, US and Canadian shoppers should shortlist BestMark, Market Force, and Second to None, and international shoppers should shortlist IntelliShop and Sinclair. Start with simple shops, submit detailed accurate reports on time, and build a reliability rating, since shoppers with strong records get access to higher-paying assignments within a few months. Treat earnings honestly: casual shoppers earn about $50 to $100 monthly in guides, while organized shoppers who batch assignments geographically earn about $300 to $800 monthly. Finally, keep records from day one. Save assignment instructions, photos, receipts, and report copies, since payment disputes usually turn on documentation, not memory. Track hours and pay per assignment in a simple sheet, so you can see which companies and job types pay best for your time. Drop companies that pay late repeatedly, and keep the ones that pay on time, since reliability matters more than a single high-paying job. Review your roster every quarter and replace weak performers with new signups, since fresh companies often have more assignments in your area. Stay organized. Good luck. Start small.
Frequently asked questions
Is mystery shopping legitimate?
Yes, with established companies like BestMark, Market Force, and IntelliShop, but scams are common. Legitimate companies are free to join, never charge fees, and never ask you to send money.
How much can I earn mystery shopping?
Casual shoppers earn about $50 to $100 monthly in published guides, while organized shoppers who batch assignments and sign up with several platforms earn about $300 to $800 monthly. It is supplemental income, not a full salary.
Do I need experience to start?
No degree or certification is needed. You need a smartphone with a decent camera, reliable transportation, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions and write clear reports.
How do I avoid mystery shopping scams?
Never pay to join, never pay for certification, and never accept a job that asks you to send money. Verify companies through the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association database before signing up.
When do I get paid?
It varies: BestMark pays twice monthly, Market Force, IntelliShop, Secret Shopper, Sinclair, and Second to None pay monthly, and PrestoShopper pays when the job is approved. Check each company's schedule before starting.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
BestMark
Market Force
IntelliShop
Secret Shopper
Sinclair Customer Metrics
Second to None
iSecretShop
PrestoShopper