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
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 listedHospitality Specialists
Companies that focus on hotels, resorts, spas, and luxury travel.
3 companies listedIndustry Specialists
Niche firms for apartments, health care, theme parks, and specific fields.
5 companies listedCanadian-Focused
Companies based in Canada or with strong Canadian work available.
3 companies listedMerchandising & Audits
Retail stocking, display resets, and store audit work.
10 companies listedApp-Based Platforms
Mobile-first gig apps for quick retail tasks and audits.
2 companies listedWhat 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 Status | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPSOS | US & Canada | Member (6x Award Winner) | Our Review |
| Market Force Information | US & Canada | Member (10+ Years) | Our Review |
| BestMark Inc. | US & Canada | Elite Member | Our 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 | Member | Our 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 Status | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Closer Look | US Only | BBB Accredited | Our Review |
| TrendSource | US & Canada | Charter Member | Coming Soon |
| Service Evaluation Concepts | US & Canada (Global) | Member (Award Winner) | Our Review |
| Shoppers’ View | US & Canada | Member | Coming Soon |
| DSG Associates | US, Canada, Puerto Rico | Charter Member | Coming Soon |
| CXE Inc. | US Only | Elite Member | Coming Soon |
| Cirrus Marketing Intelligence | US Only | Member Since 1992 | Coming Soon |
| Reality Based Group | US & Canada | Member (Award Winner) | Our Review |
| Sentry Marketing Group | US, Canada, Mexico | Unknown | Coming Soon |
| Customer Perspectives | US Only | Charter Member (Founding) | Coming Soon |
| Customer Impact | US Only | Member | Our Review |
Additional Traditional Providers
These companies round out the field. Many have loyal shoppers who keep coming back year after year.
| Company | Coverage | MSPA Status | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sinclair Customer Metrics | US Only | Unknown | Our Review |
| Quest for Best | US Only (Strongest Midwest/Southwest) | Unknown | Our Review |
| Ann Michaels & Associates | US & Canada | Member | Coming Soon |
| Quality Assessments (QAMS) | US, Canada, Puerto Rico | Member | Coming Soon |
| ICU Associates | US, Canada, Puerto Rico | Member | Coming 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 | Unknown | Coming Soon |
| AboutFace Corporation | US, Canada, Latin America | Unknown | Coming Soon |
| Capstone Research | US Only | Unknown | Coming Soon |
| GuestCheck Inc. | US Only | Unknown | Coming 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.