Top 50 Customer, UX, and Market Research Companies in the US (2026)
Finding the right research partner is crucial for teams trying to understand customers, improve UX, and make smarter market bets. To help you navigate the research landscape, here’s an updated 2026 list of top customer, UX, and market research companies in the United States, spanning market intelligence platforms, UX research leaders, enterprise research firms, and specialized consultancies.
Market Intelligence Leaders
1. GWI
A modernized consumer research platform putting high-impact insights at your fingertips.
Location: New York, USA (with additional offices in UK, Greece, Czech Republic, Singapore)
Summary:
Provides immediate answers about US audiences through an easy-to-use platform. Covers 80K+ annual sample representing 250 million US consumers across all 50 states. Offers deep psychographic consumer insight with custom research solutions for specific questions.
Use cases:
- Marketing strategy (ad targeting, brand tracking)
- Revenue growth (media ad sales, client retention)
- Product development
- Competitive advantage
2. MRI-Simmons
Long-standing provider of US consumer insights through probabilistic sampling.
Location: New York, USA
Summary:
Offers complete view of American consumers via national studies, print research, and focus studies on emerging trends. Data based on 50K+ US consumers across 48 states, updated twice yearly.
Use cases:
- Audience profiling
- Market sizing
- Media planning
3. UserCall
AI-native research platform for voice-based customer insight at speed and scale.
Location: United States, South Korea, Singapore
Summary:
UserCall is built for teams who want qualitative depth without the traditional fieldwork bottlenecks. Instead of scheduling live interviews, teams can run AI-moderated voice interviews asynchronously, then get instant transcripts, themes, sentiment, and key quotes. This is especially useful when you need fast learning loops across multiple segments or markets.
U
se cases:
- Concept and message testing (voice-based, insight-rich feedback)
- Product discovery, onboarding and churn diagnosis
- Multi-market qualitative studies without live moderation overhead
- Always-on “voice of customer” programs with automated synthesis
4. Bixa
Business intelligence firm driving data-backed decisions that enhance customer lives.
Location: Virginia, USA
Summary:
Helps businesses build meaningful connections with customers through focused intelligence. Sources data from surveys, feedback channels, and industry analysis.
Use cases:
- Brand health tracking
- Market expansion
- Product development
5. Morning Consult
Real-time decision intelligence powered by consumer opinion polling.
Location: Washington, D.C., USA
Summary:
Provides timely consumer opinions alongside economic data and political trends. Daily surveys give businesses agility to pivot strategies quickly in changing markets.
Use cases:
- Brand health tracking
- Market sizing
- Political risk analysis
6. Ipsos
Global intelligence provider helping clients make smarter decisions faster.
Location: New York, USA (with global offices)
Summary:
Sources consumer data through surveys, behavioral analysis, and social listening. Offers specialist insight into affluent Americans and pays attention to public opinion trends.
Use cases:
- Brand health tracking
- Digital marketing strategy
- Sentiment tracking
7. Gartner
Expert research company delivering solutions for informed decision-making.
Location: Connecticut, USA (with global offices)
Summary:
Provides on-demand diagnostics, insights, and benchmarking tools. Outlines impact of technology on businesses and consumers through market analysis and expert consultations.
Use cases:
- Competitive advantage
- Customer experience
- Digital marketing strategy
8. Kantar
Leading data and consulting firm offering global and local audience insights.
Location: New York, USA (with global offices)
Summary:
Serves consumer insights across various media channels through its Target Group Index survey. Based on 700K+ respondents across 50 markets, promising decision-quality insights in hours.
Use cases:
- Ad targeting
- Market segmentation
- Media planning
9. 1+1 Research
Full-service fieldwork company providing tailored research solutions.
Summary:
Focuses on helping clients develop effective brand strategies through customized research approaches. Emphasis on actionable insights that address specific client questions.
Use cases:
- Brand strategy
- Custom research
- Market segmentation
10. SIS International Research
Full-service consulting firm supplying market intelligence worldwide.
Location: New York, USA (with global offices)
Summary:
Specialist experience across B2B, supply chain, and healthcare research. Sources insights from global field researchers alongside consumer surveys and interviews.
Use cases:
- Competitive advantage
- Digital marketing strategy
- Market expansion
UX Research Leaders
11. Nielsen Norman Group
Pioneering UX research firm defining industry standards and best practices.
Location: Delaware, USA
Summary:
Founded by Jakob Nielsen and Don Norman, known for establishing UX research methodologies. Studies real users interacting with websites and applications to develop evidence-based recommendations.
Use cases:
- Expert reviews
- User testing
- Team training and education
12. AnswerLab
Enterprise UX research agency delivering insights across product development stages.
Location: New York, USA
Summary:
Uses both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to provide user insights for digital products. Offers educational materials to help clients build internal UX capabilities.
Use cases:
- UX research at scale
- Research operations
- Accessibility testing
13. Usability Sciences
UX research agency supporting the entire product lifecycle.
Location: Irving, Texas
Summary:
Combines comprehensive research solutions with significant operational scale, conducting over 175 projects annually. Pioneer behind usability.com resource platform.
Use cases:
- Usability testing
- Field studies
- Persona development
14. Experiment Zone
Specialized in website optimization and conversion rate research.
Location: Texas, USA
Summary:
Helps businesses unlock more value from websites through research and conversion optimization. Develops roadmaps aligned with business goals and customer needs.
Use cases:
- UX research
- Conversion optimization
- Website audits
15. UserTesting
Leading platform for on-demand human insights.
Location: San Francisco, USA
Summary:
Provides rapid access to targeted customers who test products, websites, and apps. Offers video-based feedback showing real user interactions and verbalized thoughts.
Use cases:
- Product validation
- Competitive benchmarking
- Design feedback
Market Research Innovators
16. Forrester Research
Technology-focused market research company guiding digital transformation.
Location: Massachusetts, USA
Summary:
Combines traditional market research with technology expertise. Offers deep consumer insights alongside recommendations for tech adoption strategies.
Use cases:
- Customer experience
- Digital marketing strategy
- Market differentiation
17. Resonate
AI-powered consumer intelligence platform providing predictive insights.
Location: Virginia, USA
Summary:
Operates through "rAI" intelligence model for holistic audience views. Blends behavioral data with surveys and psychographics to understand consumer motivations.
Use cases:
- Audience profiling
- Brand health tracking
- Digital marketing strategy
18. NielsenIQ
Global leader in data analytics and consumer intelligence.
Location: Chicago, USA
Summary:
Provides comprehensive tools analyzing consumer behavior and market trends. Offers real-time tracking of purchase patterns across FMCG, retail, and consumer goods.
Use cases:
- Product strategy
- Retail analytics
- Category management
19. Westat
Research firm specializing in healthcare, education, and social studies.
Location: Rockville, Maryland
Summary:
Expertise in survey research and complex data analysis. Offers program evaluation, statistical analysis, and custom survey design across public and private sectors.
Use cases:
- Healthcare research
- Public policy insights
- Statistical modeling
20. J.D. Power
Authority in consumer insights and satisfaction measurement.
Location: Troy, Michigan
Summary:
Provides data-driven reports on customer satisfaction and product quality. Industry-specific research reflecting customer experiences and opinions.
Use cases:
- Customer satisfaction tracking
- Quality assessments
- Industry benchmarking
21.Dynata
Leading provider of first-party data for market research.
Location: Dallas, Texas
Summary:
Offers diverse research solutions including surveys, consumer panels, and online communities. Extensive global reach across multiple industries for accurate, timely insights.
Use cases:
- Survey research
- Panel management
- Data collection
22.Harris Interactive
Pioneer in online market research methodologies.
Location: Rochester, New York
Summary:
Focuses on understanding consumer opinions and behaviors. Provides brand tracking, satisfaction surveys, and political polling with real-time insights.
Use cases:
- Brand perception tracking
- Political research
- Consumer behavior analysis
23. Research Now SSI
Global data collection firm with extensive reach.
Location: Dallas, Texas
Summary:
Provides access to millions of consumers for survey insights. Offers quick, actionable data supporting decision-making across retail, healthcare, and technology.
Use cases:
- Survey programming
- Sample access
- Data quality management
24. Gold Research
Customer journey and shopper insights specialist.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Summary:
Specializes in journey mapping for B2C and B2B, shopper insights, and brand tracking. Clients include major retailers, consumer brands, and technology companies.
Use cases:
- Customer journey mapping
- Shopper insights
- Brand tracking
25. QualSights
Human insights platform for authentic consumer understanding.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Summary:
Helps brands generate deeper, more authentic insights worldwide. Combines qualitative and quantitative methods for comprehensive understanding.
Use cases:
- In-context research
- Hybrid qual/quant studies
- Global insights
Specialized Research Consultancies
26. C+R Research
Full-service insights agency with deep industry expertise.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Summary:
Combines traditional research methods with innovative approaches. Specializes in youth, shopper, and multicultural research with quantitative and qualitative capabilities.
Use cases:
- Youth and family insights
- Shopper research
- Multicultural studies
27. Savanta
Data-driven market research consultancy.
Location: New York, USA
Summary:
Offers fast, smart, accessible research through combined methodologies. Emphasizes actionable insights that drive measurable business impact.
Use cases:
- Brand tracking
- Customer experience
- Product development
28. Provoke Insights
Strategic research and branding agency.
Location: New York, USA
Summary:
Combines market research with branding expertise. Uses both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to deliver actionable insights.
Use cases:
- Brand strategy
- Market assessment
- Customer segmentation
29 .Curion
Product experience insights company.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Summary:
Focuses on product testing and sensory research. Uses proprietary methodologies to evaluate consumer responses to products across CPG sectors.
Use cases:
- Product testing
- Sensory evaluation
- Package testing
30. Zoho Survey
Digital survey platform for customer and market feedback.
Location: Pleasanton, California
Summary:
Provides accessible survey tools for businesses of all sizes. Enables custom research design, distribution, and analysis in an integrated platform.
Use cases:
- Customer feedback
- Market research
- Employee surveys
31. dscout
Remote research platform specializing in in-context insights.
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Summary:
Enables in-the-moment research through mobile ethnography. Captures authentic user experiences in natural environments rather than lab settings.
Use cases:
- Contextual inquiry
- Diary studies
- User behavior research
32. Hotjar
Behavior analytics and feedback platform.
Location: San Francisco, California (with remote team)
Summary:
Visualizes user behavior through heatmaps and session recordings. Collects feedback directly from website visitors to identify improvement opportunities.
Use cases:
- Behavior analysis
- Conversion optimization
- User feedback
33. UserZoom
Experience insights management platform.
Location: San Jose, California
Summary:
Provides end-to-end UX research capabilities. Enables organizations to scale research across product development lifecycle.
Use cases:
- Remote user testing
- Information architecture testing
- Competitive benchmarking
34. Medallia
Experience management platform focused on customer feedback.
Location: San Francisco, California
Summary:
Captures and analyzes customer feedback across touchpoints. Uses AI to identify patterns and actionable insights from customer sentiments.
Use cases:
- Customer experience management
- Journey analytics
- Employee experience
35. Qualtrics
Experience management platform with robust research capabilities.
Location: Provo, Utah
Summary:
Combines experience data with operational data to drive business decisions. Provides tools for survey research, feedback analysis, and experience design.
Use cases:
- Brand tracking
- Market research
- Customer and employee experience
Strategy and Design Research
36. Deloitte Digital
Digital consultancy with customer research expertise.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Combines business strategy, creative services, and technology with human-centered research. Uses research to drive digital transformation and customer experience initiatives.
Use cases:
- Digital strategy
- Customer journey mapping
- Experience design
37. McKinsey Experience Practice
Research-driven design and experience consultancy.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Applies rigorous research methodologies to business challenges. Connects customer insights to measurable business outcomes through experience optimization.
Use cases:
- Customer journey analysis
- Design thinking workshops
- Experience transformation
38. BCG Digital Ventures
Corporate innovation and digital product development arm of BCG.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Uses deep customer research to identify market opportunities. Combines business strategy with design research and technology to create innovative solutions.
Use cases:
- Market opportunity identification
- Prototype testing
- Business model validation
39. Accenture Interactive
Experience agency integrating research, design, and implementation.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Uses research to drive experience-led business transformation. Combines customer insights with industry expertise to create connected experiences.
Use cases:
- Experience strategy
- Service design
- Digital marketing
40. PwC Experience Center
Customer experience consultancy within professional services firm.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Uses research to bridge business strategy and experience design. Focuses on connecting customer insights to broader business transformation.
Use cases:
- Experience strategy
- Digital transformation
- Business model innovation
41. EY-Parthenon
Strategy consulting practice with customer insights expertise.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Integrates market research with business strategy development. Uses customer insights to identify growth opportunities and competitive advantage.
Use cases:
- Market entry strategy
- Digital strategy
- Customer segmentation
42. KPMG Customer Advisory
Customer-focused consultancy within professional services.
Location: Multiple US locations
Summary:
Applies research methodologies to customer-centric business transformation. Connects customer insights to process improvement and technology enablement.
Use cases:
- Customer strategy
- Journey mapping
- Experience measurement
43. IDEO
Pioneer in human-centered design research.
Location: Palo Alto, California (with offices in Chicago, New York)
Summary:
Uses design research methodologies to understand human needs. Applies insights to create innovative products, services, and experiences.
Use cases:
- Design research
- Innovation consulting
- Organizational design
44. Frog Design
Global design and strategy consultancy.
Location: New York, San Francisco, Austin
Summary:
Integrates customer research with design and innovation. Uses research insights to create products, services, and experiences that drive growth.
Use cases:
- Design research
- Experience strategy
- Product innovation
45. Designit
Strategic design firm with global reach.
Location: New York, San Francisco
Summary:
Combines design research with business strategy and technology understanding. Creates experiences that transform businesses and customer relationships.
Use cases:
- Design research
- Service design
- Business transformation
Emerging Research Specialists
46. InMoment
Experience improvement platform focused on customer insights.
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Summary:
Combines technology and human expertise to collect, analyze, and act on experience data. Uses AI to identify patterns and opportunities in customer feedback.
Use cases:
- Experience management
- Customer feedback analysis
- Employee experience
47. Stealth Agents
Specialized market research focusing on consumer insights.
Location: United States
Summary:
Utilizes advanced analytics and proprietary technologies for actionable data. Offers deep-dive reports and tailored solutions across healthcare, technology, and retail.
Use cases:
- Strategic consulting
- Consumer insights
- Competitive intelligence
48. LRW (now Material)
Data-driven insights consultancy.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Summary:
Blends behavioral science, data analytics, and primary research. Creates actionable insights that drive business growth through better customer understanding.
Use cases:
- Brand strategy
- Innovation testing
- Customer segmentation
49. Chadwick Martin Bailey
Custom market research and strategy consultancy.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Summary:
Combines academic rigor with business practicality. Uses advanced analytics to uncover insights that drive strategic decision-making.
Use cases:
- Segmentation
- Brand positioning
- Customer loyalty
50. BrandIQ
Strategic insights and analytics consultancy.
Location: Los Angeles, California
Summary:
Combines qualitative and quantitative methodologies with analytics. Focuses on actionable insights that directly inform business strategy.
Use cases:
- Brand strategy
- Market segmentation
- Innovation research
Comparison table of top 50 insights companies in US
| Company | Category | Best For | Core Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWI | Market intelligence | Audience profiling and consumer trends | Large-scale psychographic consumer data |
| MRI-Simmons | Market intelligence | Media planning and market sizing | Probabilistic US consumer sampling |
| Usercall | AI qualitative research | AI-moderated interviews at scale | Voice interviews with automated thematic analysis |
| Bixa | Business intelligence | Brand, product, and market decisions | Focused custom intelligence from multiple data sources |
| Morning Consult | Decision intelligence | Brand tracking and public opinion | Fast consumer polling and trend monitoring |
| Ipsos | Global market research | Brand health and sentiment tracking | Global surveys, behavioral data, and social listening |
| Gartner | Expert research | Technology and business decision support | Benchmarks, diagnostics, and expert advisory |
| Kantar | Audience intelligence | Ad targeting and segmentation | Global consumer panels and media insights |
| 1+1 Research | Fieldwork agency | Custom research and brand strategy | Tailored research execution |
| SIS International Research | Global research consultancy | B2B, healthcare, and market expansion | Global fieldwork and custom intelligence |
| Nielsen Norman Group | UX research consultancy | UX best practices and training | Expert reviews, usability research, and education |
| AnswerLab | UX research agency | Enterprise UX research | Qualitative and quantitative product research |
| Usability Sciences | UX research agency | Usability testing and field studies | Full-lifecycle UX research operations |
| Experiment Zone | Conversion research | Website optimization | UX research tied to conversion roadmaps |
| UserTesting | Human insights platform | On-demand usability testing | Video-based feedback from target users |
| Forrester Research | Technology research | Digital strategy and market differentiation | Technology-focused research and advisory |
| Resonate | Consumer intelligence | Audience profiling and predictive insights | Behavioral, survey, and psychographic data |
| NielsenIQ | Consumer analytics | Retail and FMCG insights | Purchase behavior and category analytics |
| Westat | Survey research | Healthcare, education, and public policy | Complex survey design and statistical analysis |
| J.D. Power | Satisfaction research | Customer satisfaction and benchmarking | Industry-specific satisfaction measurement |
| Dynata | Data collection | Survey panels and sample access | First-party data and global panel reach |
| Harris Interactive | Online market research | Brand perception and opinion research | Online polling and consumer behavior analysis |
| Research Now SSI | Data collection | Survey programming and sample access | Large-scale respondent access |
| Gold Research | Journey and shopper insights | Customer journey and shopper research | B2C and B2B journey mapping |
| QualSights | Human insights platform | In-context and hybrid qual/quant research | Global consumer understanding |
| C+R Research | Insights agency | Youth, shopper, and multicultural research | Full-service qualitative and quantitative research |
| Savanta | Market research consultancy | Brand tracking and customer experience | Fast custom research and actionable insights |
| Provoke Insights | Research and branding agency | Brand strategy and segmentation | Research combined with branding strategy |
| Curion | Product experience research | Product, sensory, and package testing | CPG product testing methodologies |
| Zoho Survey | Survey platform | Customer and employee feedback | Accessible survey creation and analysis |
| dscout | Remote research platform | Diary studies and contextual inquiry | Mobile ethnography and in-the-moment research |
| Hotjar | Behavior analytics | Website behavior and conversion optimization | Heatmaps, recordings, and feedback widgets |
| UserZoom | Experience insights platform | Scaled UX research | Remote testing and UX research management |
| Medallia | Experience management | CX, journey analytics, and employee experience | Feedback capture and AI pattern detection |
| Qualtrics | Experience management | Enterprise research and feedback programs | Survey research, XM data, and analytics |
| Deloitte Digital | Strategy and design consultancy | Digital strategy and experience design | Research tied to transformation programs |
| McKinsey Experience Practice | Strategy and experience consultancy | Experience transformation | Customer insights linked to business outcomes |
| BCG Digital Ventures | Innovation consultancy | New product and venture validation | Research-led business model and prototype testing |
| Accenture Interactive | Experience agency | Service design and digital marketing | Research, design, and implementation at scale |
| PwC Experience Center | CX consultancy | Experience strategy and transformation | Customer insights connected to business strategy |
| EY-Parthenon | Strategy consultancy | Market entry and customer segmentation | Market research tied to growth strategy |
| KPMG Customer Advisory | Customer strategy consultancy | Journey mapping and experience measurement | Customer research for business transformation |
| IDEO | Design research consultancy | Innovation and human-centered design | Design research and need-finding |
| Frog Design | Design and strategy consultancy | Experience strategy and product innovation | Research-led design and growth strategy |
| Designit | Strategic design firm | Service design and business transformation | Design research with strategy and technology |
| InMoment | Experience improvement platform | CX and employee experience | AI-powered feedback analysis |
| Stealth Agents | Market research specialist | Consumer insights and competitive intelligence | Tailored reports and advanced analytics |
| LRW / Material | Insights consultancy | Brand strategy and innovation testing | Behavioral science and data-driven research |
| Chadwick Martin Bailey | Research and strategy consultancy | Segmentation and loyalty research | Advanced analytics with business-focused research |
| BrandIQ | Strategic insights consultancy | Brand strategy and innovation research | Qualitative, quantitative, and analytics-driven insights |
Want a shorter, side-by-side comparison instead? Our insight companies comparison guide breaks 15 firms down feature by feature. Researching outside the US? See our guides to the top firms in India, Australia, and Singapore.
How to Choose the Right Research Partner in 2026
In 2026, the biggest differentiator isn’t “can they run research?” It’s how quickly and reliably they can turn research into decisions. When evaluating a partner, ask:
- Do you need speed, depth, or compliance-grade rigor?
- Do you need ongoing research ops support or a one-time study?
- Do you want AI-enabled workflows (auto-theming, summarization, scalable voice interviews), or classic human-led methods?
- Will stakeholders need shareable outputs quickly (clips, quotes, dashboards), or detailed formal reporting
If 50 options feels like a lot, start with our curated Top 30 Market Research Companies in the USA for a tighter, editorially vetted shortlist. And for teams that want to run their own high-quality customer and UX interviews without agency overhead, Usercall makes it fast, structured, and scalable.
For a focused look at market research specialists specifically, the top 30 US market research firms guide narrows the field and makes it easier to compare by methodology and industry fit. If you need qualitative customer or UX research done quickly without managing an agency engagement, Usercall runs AI-moderated interviews that deliver structured findings fast.
For a shorter, more curated list, our top 30 US market research firms guide narrows things down by strengths and pricing tier. If you'd rather skip the agency search entirely, Usercall helps teams run their own customer and UX research through guided interviews, no long procurement cycle required.
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