For many people, going to the store automatically means spending money. Whether it’s for groceries or a trip to the mall, unless you’re just browsing, you’ll likely need to open your wallet to make a purchase.
But did you know that some individuals actually get paid to shop and evaluate customer service and products in stores around their city? These individuals are known as mystery shoppers, and there are thousands of them not just across the U.S., but globally as well.
If you’re on the hunt for a side hustle and want to earn money during your next shopping trip, mystery shopping could be the perfect fit for you. With an understanding of the job’s requirements and the right company to partner with, you can easily turn shopping trips into an income-boosting opportunity.
Top Mystery Shopping Companies to Consider
Over the past decade, the world of mystery shopping has evolved. Thanks to mobile apps and the rise of the gig economy, it’s easier than ever to earn extra money as a mystery shopper. You can even use multiple apps to increase your chances of finding more opportunities. Below are some noteworthy companies you can look into.
1. Field Agent
Field Agent is one of the most well-known apps for mystery shoppers, boasting over 1 million users across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, and the U.K. If you’re looking for an app to find mystery shopping jobs close to home, this app is a great place to start.
Signing up is free. Once you create an account, you’ll fill out a quick questionnaire about your demographics, helping Field Agent match you with relevant gigs. Afterward, you can begin your mystery shopping tasks.
The app displays jobs through a map in your area. Each job shows pay details, task requirements, and distance from your location. The majority of tasks take about two hours to complete, which makes Field Agent a handy app to use when you’re already out and about.
Field Agent offers a variety of tasks:
- Mystery Shopping: Visit specific stores and complete tasks like finding a product or evaluating customer service.
- Audits: Take pictures or videos of store displays and shelving units.
- Buy and Try: Get paid for purchasing a product or food item and giving feedback.
Once you complete a task, Field Agent will review your submission. After verification, your earnings will appear in your account. The app has no minimum cash-out requirement and pays through direct deposit.
While not every job is a high-paying opportunity, you can be selective about the tasks you take. And if you’re already out running errands, it’s an easy way to make money while shopping.
2. Shopkick
While Shopkick isn’t a traditional mystery shopping app, it has a rewarding component that can be classified as mystery shopping. Plus, it offers multiple ways to earn, making it worth your attention.
Shopkick rewards you for engaging with partner brands through various activities:
- Walking into partner stores
- Scanning specific product barcodes
- Shopping for offers using a linked card
- Uploading receipts
- Watching videos in the app
In essence, Shopkick pays you for doing tasks that resemble mystery shopping but with added flexibility. You can earn kicks, Shopkick’s points system, and once you accumulate 250 kicks, it’s worth $1. These kicks can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards. The low minimum requirement of $2 to redeem most gift cards makes it easy to start earning quickly.
With over 250,000 stores involved in Shopkick, you’ll never run out of opportunities to earn. If you want to boost your earnings, you can stack Shopkick with other apps like Ibotta or Fetch Rewards for more chances to make money.
3. Premise
Premise, a data analytics platform launched in 2012, offers an unconventional mystery shopping approach. Instead of traditional shopping tasks, Premise asks you to complete short tasks and collect data, in exchange for PayPal cash or even Bitcoin.
To get started, simply download the Premise app on Android or iOS. Tasks can range from answering brief surveys to confirming product prices or photographing specific locations in your city. These gigs often pay less than $1 per task but can add up over time.
Premise operates in over 120 countries, so it’s widely accessible. Plus, if you’re into cryptocurrencies, it’s one of the few platforms where you can earn Bitcoin for your efforts.
4. IntelliShop
IntelliShop is another trusted name in the mystery shopping industry. With its long history (dating back to 1999) and presence in over 180 countries, it’s one of the best-known platforms for mystery shoppers worldwide.
To get started with IntelliShop, submit an online application and you may be asked to take a short screening test. This test evaluates your attention to detail, a key skill for a mystery shopper. If you pass, you can apply for various tasks, ranging from phone calls to in-store visits and online shopping evaluations.
IntelliShop pays monthly on the 20th via PayPal for tasks completed the previous month. What’s more, there’s no minimum payout threshold, which makes it easy to access your earnings quickly.
5. BestMark
Founded in 1986, BestMark is one of the oldest and largest mystery shopping networks. The company has a wide range of roles for mystery shoppers, known as “field representatives,” including:
- Mystery Shopper: Evaluate customer service and products, make purchases, and complete standard mystery shopping tasks.
- Intercept Interviewer: Ask customers to fill out surveys after they shop.
- Compliance Auditor: Check whether stores follow pricing, placement, and other retailer guidelines.
- Panelist: Participate in focus groups and product testing.
BestMark is open to shoppers who are at least 18 years old with reliable internet access and strong written communication skills. After applying, you can begin accepting local jobs and earning money in different roles.
6. Market Force
Market Force, founded in 2005, is a mystery shopping network that works with over 250 clients, including many major Fortune 500 companies. The platform processes over 100,000 tasks each month.
Once you sign up for free, you can download the Eyes:On app, which helps you locate mystery shopping gigs near you. You can also view job requirements, pay details, and available dates, giving you the flexibility to schedule tasks as you like.
Market Force typically offers gigs that pay cash or provide free meals, particularly in the fast-food and restaurant sectors. If you’re a foodie, this is a great network to join for flexible work opportunities.
7. Mobee
Mobee is an easy-to-use app that lets you earn gift cards by completing mystery shopping tasks. Once you download the app, you can begin finding local missions.
Each task typically involves visiting a business, taking photos, asking for customer service, or completing a short survey about your experience. For every task you finish, you earn Mobee points. Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards from retailers like Amazon, Target, and Starbucks.
Mobee tasks generally pay a few dollars, and bonus points can be earned if a task is further away or if your submission is of high quality. While Mobee may not make you rich, it’s a simple way to earn gift cards when you’re on the go.
8. Observa
Observa is a mystery shopping app that allows you to get paid in either PayPal cash or Bitcoin. If you’re into cryptocurrencies, this is an ideal platform to consider.
The process is similar to other mystery shopping apps like Mobee and Field Agent. After signing up, you can accept tasks in your area. Most gigs require you to complete your tasks within two hours. Upon approval, Observa pays you within 72 hours.
The company has been operating since 2016 and has already paid out over $500,000 to mystery shoppers. Most jobs take 10-15 minutes to complete and pay between $4 to $12. With the option to get paid in Bitcoin, Observa is a great choice for anyone interested in cryptocurrency.