Top 10 Mystery Shopping Companies in the UK for 2024
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Explore the top 10 mystery shopping companies in the UK for 2024, ideal for earning additional income through diverse and engaging tasks.
Mystery shopping offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to supplement their income while engaging in shopping activities. Identifying the best platforms is crucial to maximise your earnings and experience.
Our guide focuses on the top 10 mystery shopping companies in the UK for 2024, evaluating them based on payment rates, variety of tasks, and reputation.
This selection is designed to cater to both seasoned mystery shoppers and newcomers, providing reliable avenues to earn money through shopping. Our recommendations aim to ensure you find opportunities that align with your shopping preferences and financial goals.
Quick Overview of Top 10 UK Mystery Shopping companies in 2024
| Company | Best For | Task Nature | Time Commitment |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeMyEye | Shoppers looking for a variety of tasks via a mobile app | On-site & Remote Tasks | Less than a couple of hours |
| Market Force | Those wanting a wide range of tasks with slightly lower pay | On-site | Varies |
| MCE Secret Shopping | Shoppers interested in diverse niches like healthcare and hospitality | On-site | Less than a couple of hours |
| ESA Retail | Individuals looking for unique tasks, such as social media reviews | On-site & Remote Tasks | Less than a couple of hours |
| Tern | Shoppers aiming for higher payouts, up to £40 per task | On-site | Varies |
| Assosia | Individuals who prefer not to maintain a "secret identity" | On-site | Less than a couple of hours |
| Sonata GBW | Those seeking premium tasks with high pay and training | On-site | One day |
| Serve Legal | Shoppers looking for challenging tasks with a focus on compliance | On-site | Less than a couple of hours |
| Ipsos | Individuals interested in a mix of surveys and mystery shopping | Remote | Less than a couple of hours |
| Mystery Dining | Food enthusiasts who want to dine out and earn money | On-site | Less than a couple of hours |
What Is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping, also known as secret shopping, is a technique used by market research companies to measure the quality of service and compliance with regulations, or to gather specific information about products and services.
As a mystery shopper, your task is to visit a physical store or the website of the target company. You will need to perform the appointed task, such as buying a product, trying a service, or testing a new feature on an online platform. Then, you will report your findings, which the company will use to assess their customer service and improve various aspects of their operations. You get paid for finishing each task.
Our Top 10 Best Mystery Shopping Companies in the UK (2024)
To access mystery shopping opportunities, start by selecting and registering with a mystery shopping platform. The variety of companies available means there's a wide selection of tasks and niches. It's important to choose a company that aligns with your shopping preferences and habits.
We’ve compiled our top 10 based on factors like range of tasks, reputation, and earning potential.
Check out our selection below!
1. BeMyEye
Because of its size, reputation, and variety of tasks available,
BeMyEye takes the top spot on our list. The company boasts more than three million users as of writing, having grown rapidly in the past few years. BeMyEye’s main strength is in its mobile app, which offers a wide range of tasks. Your job can be as simple as taking photos of a shelf or as complex as talking to store staff and asking them about product recommendations.
2. Market Force
Market Force is another one of the popular mystery shopping companies in the UK. It offers a wide range of tasks — even more than BeMyEye. However, the pay range is slightly lower. Still, the sheer amount of jobs you can do will make it easier to achieve your goal income.
3. MCE Secret Shopping
Formerly known as Retail Maxim, MCE Secret Shopping is another established company in the industry. The company offers a wide range of tasks in various niches, such as healthcare, hospitality, and dining. The tasks are usually simple, although some will require you to do fieldwork, such as interviewing other shoppers. Thankfully, the pay is reasonably proportional to the complexity of the task.
4. ESA Retail
ESA Retail is another giant in the niche, rivalling Market Force and ByMyEye in terms of the number of tasks available. The feature that makes ESA Retail a standout is the uniqueness of the tasks. For example, you may need to check out social media posts and submit a review. Another task would require you to enter a local casino and evaluate how the staff operates a table or game.
5. Tern
Tern deserves a spot in the top five because of the earning potential. On average, you earn around £5 for each task you accomplish. However, we’ve found that it has one of the highest payouts, with some reaching as high as £40 per task. These jobs are more complex, but they are well worth the high rewards.
6. Assosia
Working as a mystery shopper for
Assosia is a bit different from our top five. In fact, you can reveal to others that you are a mystery shopper. This company is great if you’re someone who can’t maintain the “secret identity.” Plus, the pay is above average, with most tasks rewarding at least £10.
7. Sonata GBW
Sonata GBW is a premier marketing and customer satisfaction company that hires “Evaluators.” You will undergo a bit of training to learn how to mystery shop effectively, but the pay is great. Many tasks will pay an average of £35. Plus, you have complete control over the type of tasks you do. Sonata GBW has plenty of clients with the numbers still growing, so you have plenty of options in terms of jobs.
8. Serve Legal
For those who want to try the more challenging tasks,
Serve Legal is the company to try. You work as an “Auditor” who helps assess whether a company is following legal requirements, compliance regulations, and other similar areas. For example, you will pose as a shopper and determine if the company is offering products that are free of allergens. The complex nature of the tasks results in higher pay, often averaging £40 per job.
9. Ipsos
We’ve already
discussed Ipsos as a great paid survey platform. However, the company’s marketing services extend beyond that. Ipsos also works with mystery shoppers to help its clients gain customer experience data. As an established company in the industry, Ipsos offers legitimate tasks and fast, guaranteed pay.
10. Mystery Dining
If you’re someone who loves to eat out, then why not make some money with it by signing up for Mystery Dining? As the name implies, this mystery shopping company focuses on the restaurant and dining niche. Many of the tasks involve visiting food establishments as a guest and reviewing the menu, dishes, customer service, and other aspects of the business.
Final Thoughts
With mystery shopping as a side hustle, you’re helping companies improve their customer service while earning rewards! It’s a great side hustle to help supplement your daily income. So, if you’re someone who likes to shop, check out our top 10 list and sign up for these companies.
BEFORE YOU GO...
So, you've chosen the mystery shopping company you want to work with – that's great! But that's just the beginning of your mystery shopping journey. There's a whole world of opportunities and strategies out there that can really help boost the income you earn from mystery shopping gigs.
Excited to dive deeper and become a true mystery shopping master? Our next article, "How to Become a Mystery Shopper: A Comprehensive Guide for Starting Mystery Shopping," is the perfect next step for you. It's jam-packed with expert tips, essential skills, and insider knowledge that will make sure you're fully prepared to get the most out of every single mystery shop.
Don't miss out on turning your shopping trips into profitable adventures! This guide will give you all the tools you need to start raking in the cash just by doing a bit of discreet shopping and reporting back. Who knows, mystery shopping could end up being your new favourite side hustle!
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Top 10 Mystery Shopping Companies in the UK for 2024
Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.
Today, we're discussing the Top 10 Mystery Shopping Companies in the UK for 2024. Choosing the right mystery shopping tasks is essential for a successful side hustle, especially for those looking for home-based opportunities. Opt for companies that offer a mix of on-site and remote tasks to suit your skills and interests. For those skilled in evaluating online customer service, digital mystery shopping through companies like Ipsos can be rewarding and flexible, ideal for managing alongside other commitments.
For food enthusiasts, mystery dining is a valuable niche. Working with companies like Mystery Dining by HGEM allows you to review various restaurants, providing feedback that can improve dining experiences while earning extra income. Selecting tasks in areas you're passionate about, such as technology or dining, not only makes the work more enjoyable but also leads to more insightful feedback, making your mystery shopping efforts both profitable and aligned with your interests.
That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!
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