The best mystery shopping companies to work for in 2025
What is mystery shopping?
Mystery shopping is a research technique used by businesses to evaluate customer service, product quality, and overall experience through anonymous shoppers posing as regular customers. These mystery shoppers visit stores, restaurants, hotels, or other service providers and assess factors like employee behavior, cleanliness, and adherence to company standards. Their insights help businesses identify strengths and areas for improvement, ensuring they maintain high-quality service. Mystery shopping can be done in person, over the phone, or online, making it a versatile tool for companies looking to enhance customer satisfaction and stay competitive in their industry.
How to get started?
Getting started with mystery shopping is easier than you might think! First, research and sign up with reputable mystery shopping companies—look for well-reviewed ones and never ask for upfront fees. Once registered, you’ll have access to available assignments, which can consist of dining at restaurants evaluating retail stores or even calling customer service lines. Carefully read the assignment guidelines to understand what details to observe, such as employee interactions, cleanliness, and product availability. After completing a shop, you’ll submit a report with your observations, often including receipts or photos as proof. To succeed, be observant, detail-oriented, and meet deadlines. As you gain experience and build a good reputation, you’ll have access to higher-paying and more frequent opportunities!
1- Intelli-Shop
How to Apply: Click Here
BBB Rating: A+
How you are paid: Paypal
How often are you paid: 30 days after the last day of the month your shops were completed.
2- Market force
How to Apply: Click here
BBB Rating: A+
How you are paid: Paypal
How often are you paid: 30 days after the last day of the month your shops were completed.
3-Sinclair Customer Metrics
How to Apply: Click here
BBB Rating: A+
How you are paid: Check
How often are you paid: At the end of the second month after you complete shop.
4- I shop for Ipsos
How to Apply: Click here
BBB Rating: Not rated
How you are paid: Paypal
How often are you paid: 7-10 days after shop is approved
5- Mystery shopping service
How to Apply: Click here
BBB Rating: A+
How you are paid: Paypal
How often are you paid: Payments for approved shops are typically sent on the 20th of the month following the month the shop was completed.
Beware of scams.
Do your research. Research each company, search the internet for others experiences with the company in question. Never pay for mystery shopping jobs. Now, there is a cavate to that, some field inspections DO require a background check to be paid for an submitted. With those companies, I always complete other free jobs posted and ensure that I will get paid before I submit background checks. If it feels too good to be true, then it probably is.
I have had great success in mystery shopping. I work for all of these companies and have loved my experience with each. If you have any questions, please reach out. I’d love to help you find what you are looking for.
How I Made Extra Money from Home as a Single Mom
It all begins with an idea.
I had no idea how I would go from being a stay-at-home mom to earning a full-time income. I had four kids, ranging from 7 to 2, and I knew all of their needs would fall on me. I had been a very independent individual before my relationship, usually having multiple jobs at a time. I just didn’t know how I was going to juggle homeschooling and multiple streams of income to provide for my kids.
I took to the internet to find some ideas. 3 months after I started this journey, I dove into some old ways I used to make a little extra money. I started mystery shopping. Every other weekend, I had pages and pages of jobs I had accepted, and I would work from sun up to sun down. Partly to make money, partly to distract myself from my new normal.
This paid off and turned into a more full-time gig after a few months. I started a business and have been mystery shopping at very part-time hours, making full-time income. The only thing that has changed is I have my kids full time and bring them along.
1- Mystery Shopping
There are a lot of great companies out there that don’t require money to start. If they are asking for money from you to get started, it is a scam.
2- Virtual Assistant
I have found success in asking on Facebook groups if anyone needs small administrative tasks. I found some great pricing guides online.
3- Social Media
Love to be on social media platforms? You can turn that into a lucrative side hustle. Search Facebook groups again for people who are looking for help on growing their platforms.
These are a few of the avenues I have pursued in the last 3 years. Each has a learning curve, and each has different benefits and downfalls, but there are so many ways to make money online.