Mystery shopping will not replace a full-time job, and you often have to buy something first, which the site pays back.
For each site, I tell you in which countries it has assignments, how you get the money and how long you wait for it.
3 good mystery shopping sites to start
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#1 BestMark
Best for: Assignments from big brands in the US and Canada
It has been in mystery shopping since 1986 and has worked with hundreds of Fortune 500 companies, so you find assignments from big brands.
- Paid via
- PayPal · Bank transfer (US bank account) · Tango gift cards
- When you get paid
- Twice a month, automatically
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#2 Market Force
Best for: Big cities in North America and Europe
It has plenty of assignments in most major cities in North America and Europe. Its app works on Android and iPhone.
- Paid via
- Check by mail · Bank transfer
- When you get paid
- Once a month, for last month’s assignments
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#3 IntelliShop
Best for: Joining from any country
It is available globally, and there are always a decent number of assignments on any given day.
- Paid via
- PayPal
- When you get paid
- Once a month, about 30 days after the month ends
This is not a ranked list, so pick the sites that work where you live. I recommend you join around 5 to 7 of them.
On this page7 sections
Compare all 11 mystery shopping sites
| Site | Where it works | Paid via | When you get paid | Join or read review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US and Canada | PayPal · Bank transfer (US bank account) · Tango gift cards | Twice a month, automatically | ||
| North America, and the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy and France | Check by mail · Bank transfer | Once a month, for last month’s assignments | ||
| Worldwide, after a test | PayPal | Once a month, about 30 days after the month ends | ||
| More or less worldwide · most assignments in big cities | PayPal | Once a month, automatically | ||
| US, UK, UAE, Kuwait, Australia, Mexico, Dominican Republic | Check by mail | Once a month; the check takes a while to arrive | ||
| US and Canada only | Bank transfer · PayPal ($1 fee) | Once a month, for last month’s assignments | ||
| Job board, worldwide · most jobs in US, UK and Canadian cities | PayPal | Depends on the company that offers the job | ||
| Home tours and hotel visits · US and Canada | PayPal · Bank transfer | Not clear yet | ||
| App · most jobs in US and Canadian cities | PayPal · Amazon gift cards · Tango gift cards +1 more | When your job is approved | ||
| Many countries · photo and ID needed | Bank transfer | After each approved assignment | ||
| In-person, web and phone jobs · US and Canada | PayPal | Once a month, automatically |
No site on this list matches these filters.
11 best mystery shopping sites
The list below is not a prioritized list. Meaning the site listed first doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best site to join, as the best option will depend on your personal preferences. So, evaluate these sites according to your preferences.
I will keep updating this list if I find new mystery shopping sites that are worth joining, so make sure to bookmark this page and check on it from time to time for new opportunities.
#1 BestMark
- Where it works
- US and Canada
- Paid via
- PayPal · Bank transfer (US bank account) · Tango gift cards
- When you get paid
- Twice a month, automatically
BestMark has been in the mystery shopping business since 1986, so it’s a very established name in the mystery shopping industry. It has worked with hundreds of Fortune 500 companies, so you’ll find assignments from big brands and companies.
You can get paid via PayPal or direct bank transfer. You can also convert your earnings to Tango gift cards. However, the bank transfer option is only available if you have a US bank account. Payments will be processed automatically every 15th and 30th day of the month, and you don’t have to reach a threshold to get paid.
Read more
BestMark is available in the US and Canada, so if you are a resident of either of those countries, you’ll be able to sign up as a mystery shopper.
#2 Market Force
- Where it works
- North America, and the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy and France
- Paid via
- Check by mail · Bank transfer
- When you get paid
- Once a month, for last month’s assignments
Another popular mystery shopping site is called Market Force. It has plenty of mystery shopping assignments in most major cities in North America and Europe.
You can get paid via check through postal mail, or you can withdraw your earnings via direct bank transfer. It processes payments every 15th day of the month, and you don’t have to reach a threshold to withdraw your earnings. You’ll get paid as long as you’ve earned from mystery shopping assignments in the past month.
Read more
Market Force is available in certain countries in Europe, and it is also available in North America. But they have different platforms for each country.
If you live in Europe, specifically in the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, and France, you have to register through the appropriate portal. You will find the link to their European shopper portal on their Shopper Force login page.
#3 IntelliShop
- Where it works
- Worldwide, after a test
- Paid via
- PayPal
- When you get paid
- Once a month, about 30 days after the month ends
IntelliShop, at its core, is an independent customer experience research and improvement firm. For them to help their clients, they conduct mystery shopping assignments. There are always a decent number of mystery shopping assignments available on any given day.
You’ll get paid via PayPal approximately 30 days after the last day of the month in which your assignments were completed. They usually pay on the 20th of the month (or the following business day). And you don’t need to reach a payout threshold to receive your earnings.
Read more
You can apply to become an IntelliShop shopper from any country. But you do have to take a test so that they can check how well you can retain information. Once you pass it, you will become a provisional shopper, and you can start applying for mystery shopping assignments.
#4 Secret Shopper
- Where it works
- More or less worldwide · most assignments in big cities
- Paid via
- PayPal
- When you get paid
- Once a month, automatically
Secret Shopper is one of the premier mystery shopping sites that will reward you for completing mystery shopping assignments. It has been around for quite a while, and it does offer plenty of assignments, especially in big cities.
You will be paid via PayPal every 20th day of the next month, and the payment will be processed automatically, so you won’t have to keep requesting payment. It has a mobile app you can download, and it will work with both Android and iOS devices.
Read more
Secret Shopper is available more or less worldwide. It is available in most African countries, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania. But as I’ve mentioned earlier, the opportunities can usually be found in big cities.
#5 Sinclair Customer Metrics
- Where it works
- US, UK, UAE, Kuwait, Australia, Mexico, Dominican Republic
- Paid via
- Check by mail
- When you get paid
- Once a month; the check takes a while to arrive
Sinclair Customer Metrics is mainly a market research company that also offers mystery shopping opportunities for its members. It has been around since 1987 and has rewarded thousands of mystery shoppers over the years.
You will be paid once per month, and the payment will be mailed out in the form of a check during the last week of the following month in which your completed assignments took place.
Read more
So, you need to be a bit patient when receiving your earnings because this payment method will take quite some time. Sinclair Customer Metrics is only available in the US, UK, UAE, Kuwait, Australia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.
#6 Second to None
- Where it works
- US and Canada only
- Paid via
- Bank transfer · PayPal ($1 fee)
- When you get paid
- Once a month, for last month’s assignments
Second to None is a mystery shopping company that has been around since 1989, so it’s got a lot of mileage and has rewarded thousands of mystery shoppers over the years. It offers a decent number of mystery shopping assignments every day.
You can request payment either via direct bank transfer or PayPal once a month. Just be aware that for PayPal payments, there will be a $1 transaction fee that will be deducted from the payment you will receive.
Read more
It has a mobile app you can download, and it is called ShopperHub. Be careful with your reports, though, because Second to None declines the payment if you miss one detail. It is only available in North America, specifically the US and Canada.
#7 iSecretShop
- Where it works
- Job board, worldwide · most jobs in US, UK and Canadian cities
- Paid via
- PayPal
- When you get paid
- Depends on the company that offers the job
iSecretShop is essentially a job board that offers mystery shopping opportunities. The good thing is that there are plenty of jobs available at any given time.
iSecretShop won’t be the one to pay you for completing a job. Instead, it will be the MSB (Mystery Shopping Broker – the company or brand that offered the job) who will pay you. Normally, you will get paid via PayPal, and the amount you will receive will be the amount stated in the contract of the job.
Read more
Some MSBs will pay immediately, while some will only schedule payments at a certain time of the month. iSecretShop has a mobile app you can download so you can take on any mystery shopping job, even if you are not in front of a computer.
iSecretShop lets you sign up from any country. But based on my testing, most of the opportunities to earn will come from major cities in the US, UK, and Canada, so you can’t expect the earning potential to be the same in all of the countries.
#8 Clear Evaluations
- Where it works
- Home tours and hotel visits · US and Canada
- Paid via
- PayPal · Bank transfer
- When you get paid
- Not clear yet
Clear Evaluations is a different kind of mystery shopping company, as it offers tasks I have not come across on other platforms.
You can get paid to pretend you are looking for a new house or apartment and have to participate in full tours of new homes. In addition to this, it also offers mystery shopping tasks, where you have to visit hotels.
Read more
The tasks pay better than most other mystery shopping jobs, but you will also have to spend more time.
You can get paid in cash via PayPal or direct bank transfer. Just be aware that this platform is only available in the US and Canada.
#9 PrestoShopper
- Where it works
- App · most jobs in US and Canadian cities
- Paid via
- PayPal · Amazon gift cards · Tango gift cards +1 more
- When you get paid
- When your job is approved
PrestoShopper is a unique mystery shopping platform because of the way it presents its mystery shopping assignments. There are three types of mystery shopping assignments you can take on – Insta-Shops, MysteryShops, and LiveShops.
Each type has its own set of mechanics you need to follow to complete the assignment, as well as a payment method. For LiveShops, you will receive a reward rather than being issued a payment. It is for customers who already patronize a business, so your reward comes in the form of a coupon that’s usable at that business or in the form of an Amazon.com Gift Card.
Read more
For InstaShops and MysteryShops, you will be issued a payment, and you can either withdraw your earnings via PayPal or, if you live in the US or Canada, you can convert your earnings to an Amazon gift card.
PrestoShopper has a mobile app as well as a web-based platform you can use. Jobs usually pay $10 to $30, and there is no payout threshold. Technically speaking, you can join PrestoShopper from any country. But its jobs are more or less available only in the US and Canada.
#10 GBW Mystery Shopping
- Where it works
- Many countries · photo and ID needed
- Paid via
- Bank transfer
- When you get paid
- After each approved assignment
GBW is a company that helps businesses improve their customer experiences. To earn from it, you have to participate in mystery shopping opportunities.
You can log in to the member dashboard and view all the available opportunities in your area. Once you see a mystery shopping opportunity, you must apply for it and set the date and time you want to visit the store. Once your application is approved, you must submit your report within 8 hours of completing the visit.
Read more
It pays via direct bank transfer once your report is approved. It is available in many countries, but you must submit a photo of yourself and your government-issued ID to start accepting assignments.
#11 Pinnacle Mystery Shopping
- Where it works
- In-person, web and phone jobs · US and Canada
- Paid via
- PayPal
- When you get paid
- Once a month, automatically
Pinnacle Mystery Shopping is a website that will allow you to earn money by working as a mystery shopper. To earn, you need to take on mystery shopping jobs. Three types of jobs will be offered to you: in-person, web, and phone jobs.
The site will process the payments automatically every month. The cut-off date will be the 20th of each month. Jobs completed and submitted by the 20th of a month will be paid via PayPal on the 10th of the following month.
Read more
It is only available in the US and Canada, though.
What are mystery shopping sites?
A mystery shopping site lets you earn money by doing mystery shopping assignments. Usually, you visit a physical store and do a set of tasks there.
- Take an assignmentEach assignment tells you what to do, like rating the service of the staff or noting details about certain products.
- Visit the storeSometimes you have to buy something. Then the site pays you back for the purchase.
- Submit your reportAfter the visit, you send your report to the site for approval.
- Get your rewardOnce your report is approved, you receive the reward promised for the assignment.
Never let the staff spot you
If the staff find out you are a secret shopper, your report is rejected. Do not raise any suspicion. Just act like a normal customer of the store.
You do not have to pay to join
All the sites on this list are free to join. If someone asks you to pay for a course to get certified, that sounds like a waste of time and money.
How much money can you make?
What you earn from mystery shopping will not compare to a full-time job. Keep that in mind, so you will not be disappointed.
Big city
If you live in a big city, there are more assignments, so you have more chances to earn.
Small city
Mystery shopping is not a good fit for small cities. You will most likely not find any assignments there.
Have some spending money ready
More often than not, you have to buy something to complete an assignment. The site pays you back later.
To get more assignments, I recommend you join around 5 to 7 sites. Pick the ones that work in your country.
How to spot a fake mystery shopping job
Over the past few years, more and more mystery shopping scams have popped up. Some even use the names and logos of real companies, so the offer looks legit. But there are some clear signs you can look for.
- You have to pay a feeA legit mystery shopping site is free to join. If a site asks you to wire money for admin fees, service fees or taxes before you can work or get paid, it is most likely a scam.
- You deposit a check and send money backThe scammer sends you a check to deposit at your bank, and then asks you to send part of the money to someone or buy gift cards with it. I have seen people get in a lot of trouble with this one, because the check bounces.
- The offer comes from a site you never joinedAlways make sure you have signed up for the site that sends you the job. If you never did, it is not a real assignment.
- It promises big moneyMystery shopping is a way to earn extra cash, not a full-time income. If a site claims you can earn hundreds of dollars from simple assignments, stay away from it.
Buying the item is part of the job
A real assignment may ask you to buy something in the store, and the site pays you back later. A fake one asks you to pay a fee, buy gift cards, or cash a check and send money back.
How I choose the sites on this list
Mystery shopping only works when a company has assignments near you, so the best site for you depends on where you live and how many assignments it has there. I have tested each one myself, and I only include those that pay you for the work and pay back what you buy.
What I look at
- I have tested it myself
- Legit and free to join
- Has enough assignments to be worth your time
- Pays you for your work, and pays back what you buy
Ready to start?
All of these sites are free to join. I recommend you join around 5 to 7 sites, so you get access to more assignments. If you would rather earn without leaving home, check out the top survey and GPT sites in your country instead.
Know a site that belongs here, or have a question? Leave a comment below.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make good money mystery shopping?
It can be a good and fun way to earn extra cash, but it will not compare to a full-time job. What you earn depends mostly on where you live. In a big city, there are more assignments. In a small city, you will most likely not find any.
What are the downsides of being a mystery shopper?
You need some spending money, because you often have to buy something first. The site pays you back later. Your report is rejected if the staff find out you are a secret shopper. And some sites only pay once a month, or by check, so you need to be patient.
What are some legitimate mystery shopping companies?
All 11 sites on this list are legit and free to join, for example BestMark, Market Force, IntelliShop, Secret Shopper and Second to None.
The comparison shows where each one has assignments and when you get paid.
How do I get hired as a mystery shopper?
Sign up for free on a site that works in your country, then apply for the assignments in your area. Some sites ask for more first. On IntelliShop, you have to pass a test. On GBW, you have to send a photo of yourself and a government-issued ID.
Is being a mystery shopper worth it?
If you love to shop and live in a big city, it can be. You earn extra cash and help stores improve their products and service. If you would rather earn from home, the top survey and GPT sites in your country are a better fit.
I am looking for a part time job. Doing some mystery shopping at restaurants, banks, hair and nail salons, casinos, gas stations, shows. I have done some at Banks, Hair and Restaurants.
Great to hear. Thanks for sharing. You can also try gig economy jobs, if you are looking for more work in your local area.
Thank you for the information, The question I have is; were you offered at anytime to pay a $147 one time for a course to get certified?
No, I have not been offered that, and it sounds like that would be a waste of time and money. Who have offered this to you?
Great article! Video mystery shopping has a more in-depth approach to get into for several reasons. The primary advantage for clients is that the entire customer experience is captured on video, allowing for the verification of report accuracy and providing a visual training tool for management and employees. Traditionally, new homebuilders and apartments were the main industries utilizing this advanced training method. However, in today’s market, major fast food brands and retail chains have also adopted video shopping to assess their training programs, marketing strategies, and compliance. The evidence is compelling.
Since the video shopper’s performance is also captured, on audio at least, it’s imperative that the shopper fully understands the client’s needs and guidelines. Shoppers should avoid leading or prompting during interactions, and they may need to follow a specific scenario to ensure consistency across the shopping program. While most video shops take about 10 to 30 minutes to complete, new home shops require the shopper to spend about an hour with a seasoned sales representative. To ensure the best outcome, the shopper must be well-prepared to allow opportunities for the sales rep to showcase their skills.
Another critical aspect to consider is camera angles, which require trial and error to perfect when wearing concealed video recording equipment. Clear Evaluations and other video shopping companies usually help by offering new shoppers one-on-one coaching. Training is also offered at a couple of annual shopper education conferences including the MSPA. Many video shoppers are full-time professionals who find the investment of time and money well worth it. These shoppers often take on cross-country routes, diligently following up with schedulers about upcoming opportunities and planning their schedules months in advance. As a result, some shops never make it onto the job board.
Volume projects with large brands often involve routes of 25-50, or even hundreds of shops, offering pay in the thousands. Route shoppers typically set daily goals to ensure their efforts cover expenses and yield a profit. New home video shops currently (in 2024) average $100-$150 per assignment, while apartment shops range from $50-$75. Shorter 10-minute shops, such as quick-service restaurants (QSR) and retail, start around $25 or more per shop. It’s rare for a video shopper to complete just one shop in a day—they usually plan a full day of assignments to maximize their earnings.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thank you for this valuable information.