Second to None is a mystery shopping company that has been around since 1989. I checked out its platform to see what you can expect as a mystery shopper. It is legit and pays quite well, but only in the US and Canada, and you wait a month to get paid. Below is what I found, and which sites I recommend instead.
Tested by Mikael (EarnWithMike)Founder and lead testerMikael founded PaidFromSurveys in 2016 and has personally tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites since then. He shows his tests and payment proof to 555K+ subscribers on his YouTube channel, EarnWithMike. He checked out Second to None himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit mystery shopping, but only in the US and Canada
Assignments usually pay more than $10, with no payout threshold. You often pay up front, the report must be perfect, and you are paid once a month.
On this page
The short answer
Second to None is a legit mystery shopping site that has been around since 1989. Assignments usually pay more than $10, there is no payout threshold, and payments are processed automatically.
But it is only available in the US and Canada, and you have to wait a month before you actually get paid. Most assignments ask you to buy a product or service first, and payment is declined if you miss one detail in your report.
- No payout threshold
- Offers convenient payment methods
- Processes payments automatically
- Has a user-friendly mobile app you can use
- Purchases are reimbursed
- Limited earning opportunities
- You’ll have to wait quite a while to get paid
- Requires quite a bit of time to earn
- Only available in the US and Canada
- A $1 fee on PayPal payments
My experience with Second to None
I checked out the Second to None website and app, the sign-up and the assignments. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- November 2020Review first published Nov 27, 2020
- Latest retest
- Checked: assignments, payments, app, support
- Company
- Since 1989Office in Michigan
- Pay per assignment
- Usually more than $10Varies by client
- Signing up and the Independent Contractor Agreement
- The Open Shops section with the available assignments
- The payment options and rules
- The mobile app for Android and iOS
- The FAQ and the Help Desk
- Completing a mystery shop and submitting a report.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from Second to None.
An inside look at Second to None
These screenshots show the shopping assignments, the payment methods, the app and the sign-up form.
Screenshots from my test
Want an easier way to earn from home, without out-of-pocket purchases? See the top sites in your country.
See the best alternativesSecond to None at a glance
| What it is | A mystery shopping company, around since 1989, with its office in Michigan |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Mystery shopping assignments only |
| Pay per assignment | No flat rate. Varies by client, usually more than $10. |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Most assignments ask you to buy a product or service. The client reimburses you according to the assignment. |
| Payout methods | Direct bank transfer or PayPal |
| Minimum cashout | None |
| Payment schedule | On or before the 17th of each month, for shops completed the previous month |
| Fees | $1 per PayPal payment. None mentioned for bank transfer. |
| Apps | Android and iOS. Submit reports from a laptop or desktop. |
| Who can join | US and Canada only |
| Support | FAQ and Help Desk in the dashboard, and a phone number during office hours |
Is Second to None legit and safe?
Yes, Second to None is a legit mystery shopping company, around since 1989. But that does not mean it is worth it for everyone. Here is what you should know before you sign up.
- One missed detail can cost your payment
Payment for an assignment is declined if you miss one detail in your report. The report is actually more important than the shopping. In 2023, two readers had a shop withdrawn or a report declined, and found the company hard to deal with.
- You pay first
Most assignments ask you to purchase a product or service. The client reimburses you according to the agreement in the assignment, but you need the money up front.
- You wait a month to get paid
Payments are made on or before the 17th of each month, for shops completed and documented in the previous month.
- The Independent Contractor Agreement
You may never contact Second to None’s clients or tell a shop that you are a mystery shopper. Read the agreement before you accept it.
- It should never ask for your credit card
A reader asked if Second to None asks for your credit card. It shouldn’t. If someone does, be careful: it might be someone else pretending to be them.
My takeIf you love being a mystery shopper, Second to None is definitely a site you can join. It pays quite well and processes payments automatically. But you will have to wait a month before you actually get paid, and earning from it isn’t quite as simple as you might think.
How you earn on Second to None
There is one way to earn: mystery shopping. Tap it to read more.
Mystery shoppingUsually more than $10
Log in to the site or app and go to the Open Shops section to see all available assignments. Each one has instructions you must follow to the “T”, so make sure you understand them first.
Usually, you purchase a product or service. Then you submit a report, normally by the next day. A complete report includes responses to each required question, support for all responses, commentary, and documentation such as a receipt, a business card, product brochures or a photo of the location.
Second to None’s editors validate whether all requirements were met. If everything is in order, you are paid for the assignment and reimbursed for your expenses.
How much can you make?
Second to None doesn’t have a flat rate. Rewards vary by client, but assignments generally pay quite well: you will usually earn more than $10 per assignment.
The availability of assignments mostly depends on your location. Some towns and cities have more assignments than others; that’s what I observed while testing the platform. You can usually expect plenty in major cities in the US and Canada.
So it is case by case. Second to None only has good earning potential if you live in a city or town with plenty of its clients.
Payout methods and schedule
| Method | Minimum | Fee | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct bank transfer | None | None mentioned | On or before the 17th of the month |
| PayPal | None | $1 per payment | On or before the 17th of the month |
Once your report is accepted, the assignment is listed as pending. When it is paid, it shows under Payment History in the My Report Center. You can request payment once a month. Because there is no threshold, you are paid every month in which you complete an assignment.
To maximize your earnings, direct bank transfer is your best option. See the top survey sites that pay via direct bank transfer.
Who can join, devices and support
Second to None is only available in the US and Canada. Sign up with your own login details, or with your Facebook, Google or Apple account. Then accept the Independent Contractor Agreement and answer a few basic profile questions, and you can start looking for assignments.
The app for Android and iOS is very user-friendly. Use it to check available assignments before they fill up, or to review the requirements. For submitting reports, I highly suggest a laptop or desktop.
For questions, check the FAQ page in the member dashboard. Otherwise, go to Help → Help Desk and fill out the form. You can also call the number on the Contact page during office hours; the office is in Michigan, so mind the time zone.
What readers told me
This review has 9 comments since April 2022: 5 from readers and 4 replies from me.
Two readers had a poor experience with a shop or report and with the support contact. Follow every instruction to the letter.
Readers asked for other mystery shopping and remote options. See the alternatives below.
It shouldn’t. If someone asks, it might be someone pretending to be Second to None.
“Second to None is not one of the better mystery shopping organizations in my opinion. The instructions for my first shop said to wait for an email confirmation before completing the shop. I did not get the confirmation … I received a notification that my shop had been “withdrawn”.”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
“Does Second to none ask for your credit card”
Mikael: No, they should’nt. If they do, then be careful and see if it might be someone else pretending to be them.
Second to None alternatives I have reviewed
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey Junkie | Easy to use. US, Canada, Australia and the UK | $5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| YouGov | Regular surveys, with an email for every new survey | Varies by country | 4.3 / 5 |
| Angus Reid | Chat-style surveys from a well-known Canadian pollster | $25 | 3.8 / 5 |
| iShopFor Ipsos | Mystery shopping in 80+ countries, best in big cities | No threshold; PayPal | 3.1 / 5 |
Love mystery shopping? See the best mystery shopping sites. Want an easy way to earn from home, without out-of-pocket purchases? See the top survey and GPT sites in your country.
How I scored Second to None
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
Second to None scores 56 out of 100. For an easier way to earn from home, see these sites.
See the best alternativesSecond to None FAQ
Is Second to None a scam?
No. Second to None is a legit mystery shopping company that has been around since 1989.
How much does Second to None pay?
There is no flat rate. It varies by client, but you usually earn more than $10 per assignment, plus reimbursement for your purchases.
How and when does Second to None pay?
By direct bank transfer or PayPal, on or before the 17th of each month for shops completed the previous month. There is no threshold. PayPal payments have a $1 fee.
Do I have to spend my own money?
Usually, yes. Most assignments ask you to buy a product or service. The client reimburses you according to the assignment.
Who can join Second to None?
Only people in the US and Canada.
Does Second to None ask for your credit card?
It shouldn’t. If someone does, be careful, because it might be someone else pretending to be them.
Can I mystery shop remotely?
In most cases, mystery shopping jobs cannot be done online. For remote options, see the top survey and GPT sites in your country.
Is there a Second to None app?
Yes, for Android and iOS. It is best for checking assignments. Submit reports from a laptop or desktop.
Who checked Second to None for this review
Founder of PaidFromSurveys.com since 2016. Mikael has tested hundreds of survey and GPT sites and shares his tests with 555K+ subscribers on YouTube (October 2026).
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with Second to None, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
Second to None is not one of the better mystery shopping organizations in my opinion. The instructions for my first shop said to wait for an email confirmation before completing the shop. I did not get the confirmation (yes, I checked my spam box). I received a notification that my shop had been “withdrawn”. The shop contact was rude and defensive to my inquiry as to what had gone wrong in the chain of communication. Not worth the hassle, there are a ton of other mystery shopping organizations to join.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Would you be willing to share a better one to join instead? I’m looking for ways to make some side money. . Focus groups and mystery shopping and it’s actually pretty difficult to find the legit good ones. There is a lot of weeding out the bad
Thank you!! Any help would be appreciated!
You can check a list of the best mystery shopping jobs here.
And here is a list of the best focus groups.
I had a similarly poor experience with this company. I complete mystery shops for quite a few companies, and this is the only one I’ve had issues with. I am very detailed in my reports and take time to ensure everything I report is accurate. The company declined one of my surveys and refuse to discuss it with me. I definitely don’t recommend using this company, as the pay out is not worth the stress and frustration.
Does Second to none ask for your credit card
No, they should’nt. If they do, then be careful and see if it might be someone else pretending to be them.
Is it possible to be a Mystery shopper remotely? That is, can the shopping be done online? The reason I ask is, this job opportunity came up when I was searching remote jobs, as I have a disability that makes it difficult for me to work outside my home
In most cases, mystery shopping jobs can not be done online.
But which country do you live in? Then I can suggest some options that can be done remotely.