Mystery Shopping Company Directory

Looking for real mystery shopping companies that pay? You’re in the right place. This directory lists 53 verified companies across the US and Canada. Every company here is legit — no scams, no gimmicks.

Mystery shopping companies hire everyday people to shop stores, eat at restaurants, and report back. It’s a real way to earn extra money. But finding good companies can be hard with so many scams out there.

We’ve done the work for you. This directory includes sign-up links, payment details, and MSPA status for each company. Use it to find firms that fit your area and interests.

Reviews in Progress

We’re writing full reviews for every company in this directory. So far, 15 detailed reviews are live — look for the “Our Review” links in the tables below. We add more all the time, so check back often.

Directory at a Glance

53
Verified Companies
15
In-Depth Reviews
30+
MSPA Members
2
Countries Covered

Browse by Category

Not all mystery shopping companies are the same. Some focus on restaurants. Others handle hotels or retail stores. A few only do store audits. Pick the type that fits what you want to do.

Traditional Mystery Shopping

The big players. They handle retail, restaurants, banks, and more across many fields.

32 companies listed

Hospitality Specialists

Companies that focus on hotels, resorts, spas, and luxury travel.

3 companies listed

Industry Specialists

Niche firms for apartments, health care, theme parks, and specific fields.

5 companies listed

Canadian-Focused

Companies based in Canada or with strong Canadian work available.

3 companies listed

Merchandising & Audits

Retail stocking, display resets, and store audit work.

10 companies listed

App-Based Platforms

Mobile-first gig apps for quick retail tasks and audits.

2 companies listed

What Is MSPA Status?

MSPA stands for Mystery Shopping Providers Association. It’s the main trade group for the field in North America. Member companies agree to follow ethical rules and best practices.

MSPA status is one of the best ways to check if a company is real. Not all good companies are members, but it does give you extra peace of mind. The top level is “MSPA Elite Member” — that’s the gold standard.

Pro Tip

Sign up with more than one company. Most active shoppers work with 10 to 20 firms at once. The more you join, the more jobs you’ll see in your area.

How to Sign Up

Click any company name to visit their site. That’s where you create your shopper account. It’s always free — never pay to join a mystery shopping company.

Traditional Mystery Shopping Companies

These are the main players in the field. They cover fast food, banks, retail stores, and more. Most work across the full US and Canada. They’re great first stops for new shoppers.

Industry Leaders

These firms have the biggest networks and the most steady work. Start here if you’re new.

Company Coverage MSPA StatusReview
IPSOS US & Canada Member (6x Award Winner)Our Review
Market Force Information US & Canada Member (10+ Years)Our Review
BestMark Inc. US & Canada Elite MemberOur Review
IntelliShop US & Canada Member (Award Winner)Our Review
Secret Shopper US & Canada Member (Award Winner)Our Review
Confero Inc. US Only Elite Member (Founding)Our Review
Intouch Insight US & Canada Member (Award Winner)Our Review
BARE International US & Canada (Global) Elite Member (Founding)Our Review
Second To None US & Canada MemberOur Review
Jancyn Evaluation Shops US Only Elite Member (6 Years)Coming Soon

Established Regional & Specialty Providers

These companies have strong track records and steady work. Some focus on specific fields or regions.

Company Coverage MSPA StatusReview
A Closer Look US Only BBB AccreditedOur Review
TrendSource US & Canada Charter MemberComing Soon
Service Evaluation Concepts US & Canada (Global) Member (Award Winner)Our Review
Shoppers’ View US & Canada MemberComing Soon
DSG Associates US, Canada, Puerto Rico Charter MemberComing Soon
CXE Inc. US Only Elite MemberComing Soon
Cirrus Marketing Intelligence US Only Member Since 1992Coming Soon
Reality Based Group US & Canada Member (Award Winner)Our Review
Sentry Marketing Group US, Canada, Mexico UnknownComing Soon
Customer Perspectives US Only Charter Member (Founding)Coming Soon
Customer Impact US Only MemberOur Review

Additional Traditional Providers

These companies round out the field. Many have loyal shoppers who keep coming back year after year.

Company Coverage MSPA StatusReview
Sinclair Customer Metrics US Only UnknownOur Review
Quest for Best US Only (Strongest Midwest/Southwest) UnknownOur Review
Ann Michaels & Associates US & Canada MemberComing Soon
Quality Assessments (QAMS) US, Canada, Puerto Rico MemberComing Soon
ICU Associates US, Canada, Puerto Rico MemberComing Soon
ACE Mystery Shopping US Only Member (Award Winner)Coming Soon
Impact Marketing US Only Member (Award Winner)Coming Soon
The Brandt Group US Only UnknownComing Soon
AboutFace Corporation US, Canada, Latin America UnknownComing Soon
Capstone Research US Only UnknownComing Soon
GuestCheck Inc. US Only UnknownComing Soon

Hospitality Mystery Shopping Companies

Love hotels and travel? These companies pay you to stay at resorts, eat at upscale spots, and visit spas. The pay is better, but the bar is higher too. Most want long, detailed reports.

Company Specialty Coverage
Coyle Hospitality Group Luxury Hotels, Resorts, Spas, Cruises US & Canada (Global)
TrueGuest Hotels, Resorts, Forbes-Style Audits US Only
Goodwin Hospitality Restaurants, Bars, Hotels US Only

Industry Specialist Companies

These firms focus on a single niche. If you live near apartments, theme parks, or medical offices, they can be a great source of steady work.

Company Specialty Coverage
Ellis (EPMS) Apartment Communities US Only (All 50 States)
Amusement Advantage Theme Parks, Zoos, Museums US & Canada (49 States)
Perception Strategies Healthcare Only US Only
Northwest Loss Prevention (NWLPC) Loss Prevention, Casinos, Restaurants Pacific Northwest, CA, TX, IL
Kinesis CEM Banks & Credit Unions US Only

Canadian-Focused Companies

These companies are based in Canada or have strong Canadian coverage. A few also work with US shoppers.

Company Coverage MSPA Status
Mystery Shopping Canada Canada Unknown
Premier Service Canada (North America) Unknown
Shoppers Confidential Canada & US Member

Merchandising & Audit Companies

These companies handle retail work — stocking shelves, setting up displays, and checking store standards. It’s not mystery shopping, but it’s similar work and can pay well.

Know the Difference

Most store audit jobs are W-2 positions with set hours. Mystery shopping is usually gig work as an independent contractor. Audit jobs often need more physical effort and fixed schedules.

Company Work Type Coverage
Retail Merchandising Services (RMS) Merchandising, Audits US Only
Premium Retail Services Merchandising, Brand Ambassadors US & Canada
Acosta Sales & Marketing Merchandising, Sales US & Canada
Advantage Solutions Merchandising (Parent Company) US & Canada (Global)
SAS Retail Services Merchandising, Resets US & Canada
Anderson Merchandisers Merchandising, Displays US Only
Driveline Retail Merchandising, Audits US Only
CROSSMARK Merchandising, Sales US & Canada (Global)
ActionLink Tech Retail, Merchandising US Only
Retail Odyssey Merchandising (Kroger Partner) US Only (35+ States)

App-Based Mystery Shopping Platforms

These mobile apps let you grab quick gigs on the go. Pay is usually lower, but the work is fast and easy. They’re great for filling gaps between bigger shops.

Company Work Type Coverage
Field Agent Audits, Mystery Shops, Surveys US & Canada (Global)
Gigwalk Audits, Mystery Shops, Inspections US & Canada

Job Boards & Aggregators

These aren’t mystery shopping companies. They pull job listings from many firms into one place. Great for finding shops without logging into dozens of sites.

Platform What It Does
JobSlinger Free job board pulling from hundreds of SASSIE-based companies
iSecretShop Mobile app with jobs from many mystery shopping firms

How to Avoid Mystery Shopping Scams

Scammers target people looking for mystery shopping work. Here’s how to stay safe.

Red Flags to Watch For

Never pay to join. Real firms don’t charge fees to sign up. If someone asks for money upfront, it’s a scam.

Watch for fake checks. If you get a check before doing any work, don’t cash it. This is a common scheme that leaves you on the hook for the funds.

Be wary of cold emails. Legit companies don’t send random emails with big pay promises. They recruit through their own sites.

Check MSPA status. The MSPA Americas site has a member list. Use it to verify any company before you sign up.

Getting Started Tips

New to mystery shopping? Here are a few things to know before you dive in.

Quick Start Checklist

Sign up with 10 or more companies. More sign-ups mean more jobs. Start with the industry leaders listed above.

Check job boards each day. Good shops go fast. Set aside time each morning to browse what’s new.

Start with easy shops. Fast food and basic retail are simpler than restaurants or hotels. Build your skills first.

Read all instructions. Each shop has its own rules. Missing a detail can get your report rejected.

Submit reports fast. Most firms want reports within 12 to 24 hours. The sooner you submit, the sooner you get paid.

Ready to Sign Up?

Click any company name in the tables above to visit their site and create a free account. Start with five or ten companies, then add more as you get going.

Directory Updates

This directory is updated often as companies change, merge, or close. We’re also adding full reviews for every company listed here — 15 are live now with more on the way. Last update: March 2026.

Found an error or know a company we missed? Let us know and we’ll look into it.