I checked out SmartSpotter, a mystery shopping app, and made a video about how you earn with it. It is legit and pays well per task, but only in nine countries, and mostly if you live in a major city. 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 SmartSpotter himself and does not earn a commission from it.Learn more about Mikael
Last retested · First published
Legit mystery shopping, good in major cities only
Spots usually pay around £4 to £10 each, by bank transfer. Only in nine countries, and few spots outside big cities.
On this page
The short answer
SmartSpotter is a legit mystery shopping app that pays you to complete short tasks, called spots, in shops near you. Spots usually pay around £4 to £10 each, which is a decent amount for the time.
But it is only available in nine countries, and how much you earn depends on where you live. In a major city there are plenty of spots. In a less populated area, there won’t be many, if any.
- Has a user-friendly app
- Offers a convenient payment method (direct bank transfer)
- Pays well for every assignment you complete
- Higher ranks let you accept more spots, with more time
- No payout threshold if you accept a small fee
- Limited earning opportunities
- Availability of assignments will depend on your location
- Their site doesn’t tell you the reward you will get for participating in their referral program
- Only available in nine countries, sometimes with a waiting list
- Shop staff may question you, and you are not paid if you have to leave
My experience with SmartSpotter
I checked out the SmartSpotter app and website, and made a video that explains exactly how you earn with it. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First checked
- March 2021Review first published Mar 2, 2021
- Latest retest
- Checked: spots, ranks, payouts, countries
- Pay per spot
- Around £4 to £10A decent time-to-money ratio
- Countries
- NineSome with a waiting list
- The Spots section in list mode and map mode
- The spot details and the steps to accept a spot
- The ranks and the PRO Spotter assignment
- The referral invite, the payout settings and the FAQ
- Completing a paid spot. My review does not show that I completed one.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from SmartSpotter.
An inside look at SmartSpotter
In the video below, I explain exactly how you can earn with SmartSpotter. It does not show a payout.
Screenshots from my test
SmartSpotter only works well in big cities. These sites work wherever you live.
See the best sites in your countrySmartSpotter at a glance
| What it is | Mystery shopping app. You gather data and give feedback in shops. |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Spots (assignments), referral program |
| Pay per spot | Usually around £4 to £10, plus Smart Points that raise your rank |
| Payout method | Direct bank transfer (IBAN and BIC) |
| Minimum cashout | None. Automatic payout at £20, usually the following week. Below £20, a £0.50 transaction fee. |
| Ranks | Junior Spotter, Spotter, Senior Spotter, PRO Spotter |
| Countries | Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, Czechia, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, United Kingdom |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Apps | Android and iOS. You need the app for spots; the website is for registration and checking status. |
| Support | FAQ in the app and on the website, contact form in the app, email: info@smartspotter.com |
Is SmartSpotter legit and safe?
Yes, SmartSpotter is legit. But the real question is whether it is worth using. Here is what you should know.
- Your location decides your earnings
In a major city, there will likely be plenty of spots. In a less populated area, there is a low chance of getting spots, and the app’s earning potential drops drastically.
- Nine countries, sometimes a waiting list
You can only register if you live in one of nine countries. If your country has many registered spotters, you are put on a waiting list and get an email invitation when a slot opens.
- Shop staff may question you
Spots are done anonymously. Taking photos is not illegal, but it sometimes raises questions with shop employees. Calmly explain that you work on SmartSpotter’s behalf. If you are asked to leave, do so courteously. You still submit the spot, but you are not paid for it.
- Short time limits for new members
As a Junior Spotter, you have one hour to complete a spot and can accept only two at a time. Higher ranks get more spots and more time.
- The referral reward is unclear
SmartSpotter does not tell you what you get for inviting someone, so you do not know whether you will get anything.
My takeAll in all, if you are eligible to become a member of SmartSpotter and like doing mystery shopping tasks, this is a good app to use, but only if you live in a major city with lots of opportunities. If you live in a less populated area, don’t expect to earn much from it, because there won’t be many assignments, if any.
How you earn on SmartSpotter
There are 2 ways to earn. Spots make up the bulk of your earnings. Tap one to read more.
Spots (assignments)Around £4 to £10 each
Go to the “Spots” section to see all available spots, in list mode or map mode. I prefer the map mode, because I can easily see which spots are near me. Press a spot to see the full details, including the reward.
Read the instructions carefully. When you are ready, click “Accept this spot”. Spots usually ask you to take photos of products and answer a few questions. Submit everything on the spot page.
SmartSpotter verifies your work. If it meets their requirements, you get the promised reward and Smart Points, which raise your rank.
As a Junior Spotter, you can accept two spots at a time and have one hour per spot. A Spotter can accept three, with two hours each. A Senior Spotter can accept four, with two hours. A PRO Spotter can accept five, and each spot stays open for three hours. You reach the first three ranks automatically. To become a PRO Spotter, you complete the “Become PRO Spotter Now!” assignment, which unlocks at Senior Spotter.
Referral programUnclear reward
Enter the email addresses of the people you want to invite and press “Send the invitation”. When they sign up through the link in that email, they become your referral.
You will then usually receive a reward, but SmartSpotter does not tell you what it is. That makes it less appealing than referral programs that tell you clearly what to expect.
Check Out the Top Micro Job Sites
How much can you make?
Like on other mystery shopping platforms, it depends on your location, because the number of spots depends on where you live. In a major city, there will likely be plenty. In a less populated area, there is a low chance of getting spots.
You typically earn around £4 to £10 per task, which is a decent amount, in my opinion. So in terms of time-to-money ratio, SmartSpotter is pretty good.
Higher ranks help you earn more, because you can accept more spots and have more time for each. So it pays to stay active.
Overall, I would say its earning potential is pretty good, but only if you live in a major city with plenty of spots. If you don’t, don’t expect to earn a lot from it.
How you get paid
| Option | Minimum | Fee | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic bank transfer | £20 | None | Usually the week after you reach £20 |
| Manual bank transfer | None | £0.50 if you have less than £20 | When you request it |
Add your IBAN and BIC to your profile page to get paid. Technically, there is no payout threshold, because you can withdraw at any time. To avoid the transaction fee, I highly recommend the automatic payout at £20.
In my opinion, their payment system is pretty simple, and bank transfer is very convenient. For more sites with this method, see the top sites that pay via direct bank transfer.
How to join SmartSpotter
You must be at least 18 and live in Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, Czechia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia or the United Kingdom. Complete the registration form, then click the activation link in the email SmartSpotter sends you.
If your country has many registered spotters, you are added to the waiting list. When a slot opens and you are next, you get an email invitation, so check your email regularly.
After you activate your account, complete your profile in the app or on the website, so you can start taking on spots. The app is user-friendly and available for Android and iOS. You need it to complete spots; the website is only for registration and checking your spots and earnings.
If you have questions, check the FAQ in the app or on the website. Otherwise, use the contact form in the app or email info@smartspotter.com.
What 6 readers told me
This review has 6 comments since March 2021: 3 from readers and 3 replies from me. These are the things readers mention.
A reader in a small town found few tasks, but had a good impression so far. That matches what I found: spots depend on where you live.
You can see the value of points in your country inside the app.
“Vor kurzem habe ich auch angefangen mit Smartspotter Geld zu verdienen, lebe in Kleinstadt daher nicht so viele Aufgaben leider, aber bis jetzt gute Eindruck”
Mikael: Thanks for sharing your experiences.
“hello can anyone tell me how many points equal to 5 euro”
Mikael: You can see the value of points in your country inside the app.
SmartSpotter alternatives I have tested
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Opinion | Surveys only, fast payouts | $5 or $10, by country | 4.6 / 5 |
| TimeBucks | Many earning methods and automatic payouts | $3 | 3.9 / 5 |
| JumpTask | Micro tasks with many payout options | $0.50 | 3.4 / 5 |
| ClickWorker | Surveys and micro tasks, paid in euros | $10, around €9 | 2.7 / 5 |
See also the top micro job sites. If SmartSpotter has few spots where you live, see the top survey and GPT sites in your country. You will find sites where you can earn regularly.
How I scored SmartSpotter
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
SmartSpotter scores 58 out of 100. If there are few spots where you live, start with these sites.
See the best sites in your countrySmartSpotter FAQ
Is SmartSpotter a scam?
No. SmartSpotter is a legit mystery shopping app that pays you to complete spots. But how much you earn depends on where you live.
How much does SmartSpotter pay per spot?
Typically around £4 to £10 per task.
How does SmartSpotter pay?
By direct bank transfer. Add your IBAN and BIC to your profile. You are paid automatically at £20, usually the following week. Below £20, a payout costs a £0.50 transaction fee.
Which countries can join SmartSpotter?
Australia, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, Czechia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and the United Kingdom. You must be at least 18.
Why am I on a waiting list?
If your country has many registered spotters, new members go on a waiting list. You get an email invitation when a slot opens.
Can I use SmartSpotter on a desktop?
Only for registration and checking your spots and earnings. You need the Android or iOS app to complete spots.
What if a shop asks me to leave?
Leave without objection and stay courteous. Submit the spot anyway and explain under Remarks why you could not complete it. You will not be paid for it.
How do I contact SmartSpotter?
Check the FAQ in the app or on the website. Otherwise, use the contact form in the app or email info@smartspotter.com.
Who checked SmartSpotter 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 the SmartSpotter app, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
hello can anyone tell me how many points equal to 5 euro
You can see the value of points in your country inside the app.
Vor kurzem habe ich auch angefangen mit Smartspotter Geld zu verdienen, lebe in Kleinstadt daher nicht so viele Aufgaben leider, aber bis jetzt gute Eindruck,ich bleibe noch dran ?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Very helpful to earn money online.
Happy to help.