45 Legit Mystery Shopping Platforms You Can Join Today
Mystery shopping is one of the most popular flexible side hustles. If you are one of those who want to earn money while visiting shops, restaurants, hotels, banks, and even theme parks, then this gig is for you. Businesses use mystery shoppers to measure customer service, compliance, and overall experience, and shoppers get paid for providing detailed feedback.
In this guide, you’ll learn what mystery shopping is, how to become a mystery shopper, average pay per task, and you’ll find 45 legitimate mystery shopping platforms you can sign up for today.
What Is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping is a form of market research where individuals pose as regular customers and evaluate a business based on specific criteria. Assignments may involve:
- Visiting retail stores
- Dining at restaurants
- Calling customer service lines
- Testing age-verification compliance
- Evaluating hotels, banks, or car dealerships
After completing a visit, the shopper submits a detailed report, often with photos or receipts.
How to Become a Mystery Shopper
Becoming a mystery shopper is straightforward and usually free. If a platform asks you to pay to join, it is a scam and should be avoided. Below are the general steps to join, but some sites may ask for additional information:
- Register with legitimate mystery shopping platforms (never pay to join).
- Complete your profile accurately, including location and availability.
- Pass any required practice tests or certifications.
- Apply for assignments that match your area and schedule.
- Complete tasks exactly as instructed and submit reports on time.
Most platforms pay via PayPal or bank transfer within 1–4 weeks.
How Much Do Mystery Shoppers Get Paid?
Average Mystery Shopping Pay (Per Task)
- Retail or compliance checks: £5–£15 / $7–$20
- Restaurant or dining shops: £10–£30 / $15–$40 (often includes reimbursement)
- Hotel or luxury shops: £30–£100+ / $40–$150+
- Phone or online audits: £5–£12 / $7–$15
Mystery shopping won’t replace a full-time income, but it works well as a flexible side hustle, especially when combined across multiple platforms.
45 Legit Mystery Shopping Platforms to Join
Global & Large Mystery Shopping Networks
- Secret Shopper
A long-established global mystery shopping company offering retail, restaurant, and service-based assignments worldwide.
👉 https://www.secretshopper.com - Market Force
One of the largest mystery shopping providers, widely used by major restaurant and retail brands.
👉 https://www.marketforce.com - Ipsos iShop (Ipsos Mystery Shopping)
Operated by Ipsos, this global platform offers professional mystery shopping across multiple industries.
👉 https://ishopforipsos.com - TrendSource (MSI Mystery Shopping)
A North American-based firm with a strong presence in retail, food service, and banking.
👉 https://www.thesourceagents.com/ - Service Evaluation Concepts (SEC)
A long-running US mystery shopping company covering restaurants, retail, and hospitality. - Reality-Based Group
Specialises in retail and quick-service restaurants, with technology-driven reporting tools.
👉 https://www.realitybasedgroup.com - Anonymous Insights
Provides mystery shopping and customer experience research for service-based businesses. - International Service Check
A global mystery shopping agency offering international coverage across many industries.
👉 https://www.isc-cx.com - Second To None
North American CX and mystery shopping provider with enterprise-level clients.
👉 https://www.second-to-none.com - Secret View
European mystery shopping platform with a modern dashboard and a large shopper community.
👉 https://www.secretview.io
UK & Europe-Friendly Mystery Shopping Platforms
- Mystery Shoppers Ltd
UK-based provider covering retail, hospitality, leisure, and service environments.
👉 https://www.mystery-shoppers.co.uk - Customerwise
UK mystery shopping and compliance specialist, often used by regulated industries.
👉 https://www.customerwise.co.uk - HGEM Mystery Dining
Popular UK platform focused on restaurant and hospitality mystery dining assignments.
👉 https://www.mysterydining.net - Serve Legal
Specializes in age-verification test purchasing across the UK and Ireland.
👉 https://www.servelegal.co.uk - Clickworker
Crowdsourcing platform offering audits and mystery-style in-store tasks.
👉 https://www.clickworker.com - redwigwam
UK flexible work platform offering mystery shopping and compliance checks.
👉 https://www.redwigwam.com - Field Agent Now Storesight
App-based platform offering retail audits, price checks, and mystery shops.
👉 www.storesight.com - Amusement Advantage
Specializes in theme parks, attractions, and entertainment venues across Europe.
👉 https://www.amusementadvantage.com - Albatross Global Solutions
Luxury retail and hospitality mystery shopping specialist operating globally.
👉 https://www.cxg.com - Lanla Marketing Research
Customer experience and mystery shopping provider active in Canada and Europe.
👉 https://www.lanla.com
US-Focused Mystery Shopping Companies
- Intellishop
One of the most active US mystery shopping firms with frequent assignments.
👉 https://www.intelli-shop.com - Shoppers, Inc
US-based mystery shopping provider with retail and service evaluations.
👉 https://www.insightyoucanuse.com - Mystery Shoppers, Inc
Generalist US mystery shopping company offering diverse shop types.
👉 https://www.merchant-service.us - Confero
Well-known US provider covering retail, banking, and restaurant shops.
👉 https://www.conferoinc.com - Service Check
Customer experience and mystery shopping company operating across the US.
👉 https://www.isc-cx.com - Sinclair Customer Metrics
North American CX and mystery shopping agency.
👉 https://www.sinclaircustomermetrics.com - Jancyn Evaluation Shops
US-based evaluation and mystery shopping firm with structured programs.
👉 https://www.jancyn.com - Performa Logics
Offers mystery shopping, audits, and compliance checks in North America.
👉 - Sentry Marketing Group
Provides on-site and remote mystery shopping evaluations.
👉 https://www.sentrymarketinggroup.com - Shared Insight
Delivers mystery shopping and customer feedback programs for US brands.
👉 https://www.sharedinsight.com
Niche & Sector-Specific Mystery Shopping Platforms
- Automotive Insights
Specializes in mystery shopping for car dealerships and automotive services.
👉 https://www.automotiveinsights.com - Five Diamond Hospitality
Premium hospitality and luxury service evaluation specialist.
👉 https://www.trueguest.com - Pinnacle Financial Strategies
Focuses on financial services and banking mystery shopping.
👉 https://www.pinnaclefinancialstrategies.com - Harland Clarke
Provides banking-related customer experience and mystery shopping services.
👉 https://www.harlandclarke.com - Service Scouts Mystery Shopping
Specializes in service-quality and operational evaluations.
👉 https://www.servicescouts.com - InTouch Insights
Well-known CX analytics and mystery shopping company, especially in food service.
👉 https://www.intouchinsight.com - Kinesis CEM
Customer experience measurement firm offering mystery shopping programs.
👉 https://www.kinesis-cem.com
Additional Established Mystery Shopping Providers
- Alta 360 Research
Offers mystery shopping and customer experience research services.
👉 https://www.alta360research.com - Ann Michaels & Associates
Customer experience research and mystery shopping firm.
👉 https://www.ishopforyou.com - Service Performance Group
Provides service quality audits and mystery shopping programs.
👉 https://www.spgweb.com - Service Sleuth Now HS Brands Global
Mystery shopping brand focused on service evaluation programs.
👉 https://www.hsbrands.com - Shoppers Critique International
US-based mystery shopping firm covering retail and service industries.
👉 https://www.shopperscritique.com
Is Mystery Shopping Worth It?
Mystery shopping is legitimate, flexible, and accessible, especially if you join multiple platforms and focus on higher-paying assignments like hospitality, compliance, or luxury retail.
💡 Tip: Never pay to join a mystery shopping company, and always verify assignments directly through official websites.
We always aim to provide accurate information. Please always double-check before you join.
Photo Credit: Tirachard Kumtanom/pexels
