Top 10 Global Market Research Companies in 2026

The top global market research companies in 2026 combine multi-country fieldwork, advanced analytics, and in-market expertise to help brands make confident decisions across regions. As organizations expand into new markets and manage portfolios across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, global market research partners have become essential for delivering culturally relevant insight at scale.

This article highlights the top 10 global market research companies in 2026, focusing on firms with established capabilities in multi-country and international studies. In this guide, “global market research companies” refers to full-service market research agencies and advisory firms that run coordinated qualitative, quantitative, and UX research across multiple countries and regions.

Why Global Market Research Matters in 2026

In 2026, global market research plays a central role in helping brands localize propositions while maintaining consistent strategy across regions. International studies must account for cultural nuance, language, regulatory environments, and local competition, while still producing comparable insight for global decision-makers.

Leading global market research companies support multi-country tracking, concept testing, UX research, segmentation, and insight communities. They rely on standardized frameworks paired with in-market experts to ensure consistency without losing local relevance, enabling meaningful comparison across countries and regions.

Key Trends Shaping Global Market Research Companies

Expansion of multi-market qualitative and UX research to complement global quantitative tracking
Increased demand for centralized project management combined with in-market moderators and recruiters
Greater use of AI-assisted translation, coding, and synthesis for multilingual and multi-country datasets
Growth in specialized global audiences, including Gen Z, multicultural consumers, and hard-to-reach professional segments

1. Touchstone Research

Touchstone Research is a US-based global market research company and consumer insights agency delivering full-service international research across more than 60 markets. The firm conducts qualitative, quantitative, UX, insight community, and hybrid studies worldwide, supported by centralized project management and in-market execution.

Global capabilities

More than 60 international markets
Coverage across North America, EMEA, APAC, and LATAM, with in-market moderators and multilingual teams to ensure cultural nuance and accurate interpretation.
Full-service global solutions
End-to-end support for qualitative, quantitative, UX, insight communities, recruitment, and hybrid studies, designed for global consistency and local relevance.
In-market moderation and recruitment
Local qualitative moderators and in-house global recruitment teams sourcing and vetting participants across regions, including hard-to-reach and multicultural audiences.
International insight communities and panels
Design and management of global insight communities and online panels to support ongoing, multi-country research and cross-regional comparison.

2. NielsenIQ

NielsenIQ is widely recognized as a leading global market research company, with operations in more than 90 markets worldwide. It specializes in retail measurement and consumer panel data, particularly for CPG and retail organizations.

Global capabilities

Omnichannel retail and shopper measurement across regions
Global consumer and sales insights supporting pricing, assortment, and innovation decisions

3. Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest global market research companies, operating in nearly 90 markets across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. Its services span advertising research, public opinion, media measurement, product testing, and customer experience.

Global capabilities

Large international panels and standardized global methodologies
Multi-country brand tracking, concept testing, and UX research supported by local experts

4. Kantar

Kantar is a global market research and insights firm known for brand strategy, advertising effectiveness, and innovation research across FMCG, media, and technology sectors.

Global capabilities

Multi-market brand tracking and equity studies using large normative databases
Cross-country creative testing and innovation frameworks for global launches

5. GfK (an NIQ company)

GfK is a global market research and analytics company, now aligned with NIQ in many markets, with strong expertise in technology, consumer electronics, and durable goods research.

Global capabilities

Multi-country consumer and brand tracking in technology and durable categories
Predictive analytics and forecasting across global markets

6. Dynata

Dynata is a global first-party data platform providing access to large online panels for multi-country quantitative research.

Global capabilities

Extensive global panel supporting fast, multi-country surveys
Scalable tracking, ad testing, and custom research across regions

7. Forrester Research

Forrester is a global research and consulting firm focused on technology, customer experience, and digital transformation insights for multinational organizations.

Global capabilities

Global market forecasts and vendor evaluations
CX and digital strategy frameworks used across regions

8. Gartner

Gartner is a global research and advisory company serving enterprise and public-sector organizations with syndicated research and consulting.

Global capabilities

Coverage of global technology markets, trends, and vendor landscapes
Decision frameworks for executives operating across multiple regions

9. IQVIA

IQVIA is a global market research and analytics company specializing in healthcare and life sciences, combining data, technology, and expertise across markets.

Global capabilities

Multi-country patient, physician, and healthcare system insights
Real-world evidence and market analysis for pharmaceutical and med-tech organizations

10. Toluna

Toluna is a global insights company providing an online panel and research platform used for multi-country studies.

Global capabilities

Access to a large global panel with automated tools for international surveys
Support for concept testing, tracking, and community-based research across regions

At-a-Glance: Top 10 Global Market Research Companies in 2026

Company	Core Global Market Research Focus Areas
Touchstone Research	Full-service global qualitative, quantitative, and UX research; international communities and panels; more than 60 markets; in-market moderators and recruitment
NielsenIQ	Global retail and shopper measurement using POS and panel data
Ipsos	Multi-country brand tracking, polling, product testing, and CX research
Kantar	Global brand equity, ad testing, and innovation research
GfK	Cross-market consumer and brand tracking, especially in technology categories
Dynata	Global online panels for multi-country surveys and tracking
Forrester Research	Global technology and CX research, forecasts, and advisory
Gartner	Enterprise technology research and advisory with worldwide coverage
IQVIA	International healthcare and life-sciences research and analytics
Toluna	Global panel and platform for multi-country surveys and communities

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Market Research Companies

What is a global market research company?

A global market research company runs coordinated research programs across multiple countries and regions, using standardized frameworks and in-market expertise to produce comparable and culturally valid insight. These firms commonly support multi-country tracking, concept testing, UX research, and segmentation.

What is the difference between global and local market research providers?

Local providers focus on one country or region, while global market research companies manage international projects with centralized oversight and regional teams. Global providers are typically chosen when brands need consistent methodology, cross-country comparability, and coordination across markets.

How do I choose a global market research partner in 2026?

Selection depends on the number of markets involved, methods required, sector specialization, and internal capabilities. Many organizations evaluate global partners based on geographic footprint, in-market expertise, multi-country case studies, and their ability to balance global consistency with local nuance.

Can organizations mix global and local research providers?

Yes. Some brands use a global partner to manage frameworks and multi-market tracking while working with local specialists for context-specific qualitative or UX research. Clear ownership of methodology and data standards is essential when combining providers.