Top 9 market research companies in Boston reviewed

Boston’s innovation business ecosystem—from biotech startups in Kendall Square to fintech firms downtown—relies heavily on quality consumer insights. But with so many options for market research, from traditional focus group facilities to modern research platforms, finding the right partner isn’t always straightforward.

Traditional market research companies in Boston offer valuable local expertise and face-to-face services. However, modern businesses often need faster, more scalable ways to gather insights. This shift has many companies questioning whether the traditional agency model still fits their needs.

Attest approaches market research differently. Rather than working from physical offices, we’ve built a technology platform that delivers consumer insights quickly and efficiently. While we don’t have a storefront in Boston, our solution offers something different: the ability to gather data from millions of consumers, analyze it instantly, and make decisions faster. This modern approach aligns perfectly with Boston’s innovation-driven business culture.

When evaluating market research partners, consider a few key factors: the breadth and quality of their research methodologies, their ability to deliver actionable insights quickly, and whether their approach can scale with your business needs. Many companies find that outsourcing their market research to specialized providers delivers better results than conducting studies in-house.

To help you navigate your options, we’ve evaluated the top market research companies serving Boston. Whether you’re looking for traditional market analysis or innovative research solutions, this guide covers the key players and their specialties.

TL;DR: Market research companies Boston

CompanyTop Features/ServicesG2/Google Rating
Attest• Multi-market research capabilities• Brand tracking• Consumer profiling• Creative testing• Campaign measurementG2: 4.5/5
B2B International• Market assessment• Customer satisfaction research• Product development studies• Competitive intelligenceN/A
My-Take• Online insight communities• Custom surveys and polls• Concept testing• Customer journey mappingN/A
Zintro• Expert network services• In-depth interviews• Focus groups• Strategic advisory servicesGoogle: 4.2 (16 reviews)
Next Move Strategy• Market intelligence• Business strategy• Feasibility studies• Market entry strategiesGoogle: 4.1/5 (24 reviews)
Kadence International• Customer insights• Product development research• Brand research• Insight activationN/A
Protobrand• Brand development research• Emotional profiling• Marketing communications• Innovation researchGoogle: 5/5 (1 review)
Seminal Research• Survey programming• Data processing• Focus group recruitment• Panel managementN/A
City Square Associates• Audience research• Brand perception studies• Program evaluation• Strategic business consulting5/5 (2 reviews)

Best market research companies in Boston, Massachusetts

Choosing the right market research partner can significantly impact your business decisions. The best market research firms don’t just collect data – they provide actionable insights that drive growth. Whether you need help with market analysis surveys or comprehensive consumer research, Boston offers a range of established agencies and modern solutions.

From established research firms in Back Bay to innovative platforms like Attest, each provider brings unique strengths to the table. We’ve evaluated these companies based on their methodologies, technology capabilities, and ability to deliver reliable insights that inform strategic decisions.

The following list includes both traditional agencies with deep local expertise and modern research platforms, helping you find the right fit for your specific needs.

1. Attest – Best for fast consumer insights and digital strategy

Attest transforms market research with an innovative combination of cutting-edge technology and expert research support. As a leading enterprise-grade market research company serving top companies in Massachusetts and beyond, Attest’s platform empowers companies to collect insights across multiple markets simultaneously—ideal for organizations comparing consumer behavior in cities like Boston, Cambridge, and Worcester, or even across different states.

Attest is a great tool for any business. It’s quick and easy to use and it gave us the reassurance we needed at that step of the process to continue the work. – Catalina Strugaru, Senior Product Development Manager, Norac Foods

Location and reach

Although not a traditional market research agency with a physical office in Boston, Attest’s platform offers access to over 125 million consumers across 59 countries. This expansive reach enables businesses to target specific regional insights while comparing results across markets seamlessly.

Top services

Attest’s wide-ranging market research services include:

  • Multi-market research to compare consumer behavior across cities, states, or countries via a single platform.
  • Brand tracking systems that research market positioning with comparisons across regions, to monitor brand health.
  • Consumer profiling tools to help businesses understand audience behaviors across locations.
  • Market analysis solutions that identify growth opportunities with region-specific insights.
  • Creative testing to evaluate digital campaigns tailored to different geographic audiences.
  • Project management tools to streamline complex, multi-market research initiatives.
  • Automated analysis features that make cross-market comparisons simple and actionable.

Platform features

Attest’s platform is packed with unique features designed for cross-market research:

  • Side-by-side results viewing for intuitive market comparison.
  • Real-time dashboard with advanced filtering for quick analysis.
  • Draft and analyze surveys in English while gathering responses in multiple languages.
  • Customizable answer options tailored to local market contexts.
  • Expert support from a dedicated team throughout the research process.

Pricing overview

Pricing is customized based on business needs. Learn more about Attest’s pricing.

Customer feedback

On G2 Attest receives 4.5 out of 5 starts, alongside this review of a verified user: ”Attest listen to clients and is forever evolving the product, improving every day. Every time I go into the platform, I am more and more delighted with its capability. On top of this, client services are fantastic, and nothing is too much bother! Also, the panel is excellent, I was dubious at first, but it has served me well for the last 2 years, and our audience is pretty niche.”

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2. B2B International

B2B International is a global market research firm specializing in B2B market research across various industries. They offer tailored solutions to help businesses understand market dynamics and make informed decisions.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Market assessment and market entry studies
  • Customer satisfaction and loyalty research
  • Product development and innovation research
  • Brand and communications research
  • Competitive intelligence

Best for: Businesses seeking detailed insights into B2B markets with global coverage.

  • Year Founded: 1998

3. My-Take

My-Take specializes in online insight communities, enabling businesses to gather continuous consumer feedback and engagement. Their platform supports real-time insights for product development and marketing strategies.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Online insight communities
  • Custom surveys and polls
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • Concept testing and idea screening
  • Customer journey mapping

Best for: Companies needing real-time consumer engagement and feedback.

  • Year Founded: 2010

4. Zintro

Zintro connects businesses with industry experts for market research and consulting purposes. Their platform facilitates expert interviews, surveys, and consultations to deliver actionable insights.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Expert network services
  • In-depth interviews
  • Focus groups
  • Surveys and polls
  • Strategic advisory services

Best for: Businesses requiring niche expertise and specialized market insights.

  • Year Founded: 2007

5. Next Move Strategy Consulting

Next Move Strategy Consulting provides comprehensive market research and consulting services. They offer actionable insights and strategic recommendations for industries such as healthcare, technology, and consumer goods.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Market intelligence and competitive analysis
  • Business consulting and strategy development
  • Feasibility studies
  • Product lifecycle analysis
  • Market entry and expansion strategies

Best for: Businesses navigating complex market landscapes and seeking sustainable growth.

  • Year Founded: Unknown

6. Kadence International

Kadence International is a global market research agency offering services ranging from customer insights to go-to-market strategies. They specialize in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies for delivering comprehensive research.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Customer and market understanding
  • New product development research
  • Branding and advertising research
  • Online and offline fieldwork services
  • Insight activation

Best for: Businesses requiring robust customer insights and strategic marketing research.

  • Year Founded: 1991

7. Protobrand

Protobrand team focuses on behavioral science with advanced technology to deliver deep consumer insights. Their focus on emotions and motivations helps inform brand strategies, marketing and product development.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Brand development research
  • Product innovation research
  • Marketing strategy and communications research
  • Emotional profiling
  • Implicit association testing

Best for: Companies focused on understanding consumer emotions and brand positioning.

  • Year Founded: 2005

8. Seminal Research

Seminal Research offer market research, with services for both qualitative and quantitative research solutions with a strong emphasis on data quality. They provide data collection and processing services to support informed business decisions.

Services:

  • Survey programming and hosting
  • Data processing and analysis
  • Focus group recruitment and moderation
  • In-depth interviews
  • Online panel management

Best for: Organizations requiring high-quality data and research execution.

  • Year Founded: 2010

9. City Square Associates

City Square Associates’ team offers market research and other tailored research solutions to media, education, and non-profit sectors. They specialize in audience understanding and program evaluation, helping organizations achieve strategic goals.

Market research companies Boston

Services:

  • Audience research and analysis
  • Brand perception studies
  • Program evaluation
  • Stakeholder engagement research
  • Strategic business consulting

Best for: Organizations in media and non-profit sectors aiming to enhance audience understanding.

  • Year Founded: 1997

Choose Attest as your research company in Boston

When selecting a market research partner in Boston or beyond, it’s crucial to consider how quickly and effectively you can gather actionable insights. Attest offers several key advantages that set us apart from traditional market research firms.

Unlike conventional agencies that rely on time-consuming focus groups and lengthy research cycles, Attest’s modern platform delivers insights at the speed of business. Our expert support team provides strategic consulting throughout your research journey, combining the efficiency of technology with the expertise you’d expect from a traditional agency.

What makes Attest different than any other market research company?

  • Speed and scale: Get comprehensive insights in days, not weeks
  • Superior data quality: Our three-layer quality control system ensures reliable results
  • Flexible methodologies: From brand tracking to concept testing, our platform adapts to your needs
  • Expert guidance: Dedicated research professionals help develop your marketing strategy
  • Cost-effective solutions: Pay for what you need, without traditional agency overheads

Our innovative approach to market research means Massachusetts-based companies can access insights from millions of consumers instantly.

Looking for market research agencies in different states? Check out our other regional guides:

Interested in agencies beyond the US? Attest has a global reach, with guides for:

Unlock winning market insights today

Gain deep insights into your target market. Make confident, winning decisions that put you ahead of your competitors.

Get your insights

Stephanie Rand

Senior Customer Research Manager 

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