The Easiest Way to Make Money Online
Are you curious about the world of direct sales and network marketing? Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies have gained significant popularity, with many of them generating billions of dollars in revenue.
While MLMs have faced criticism and controversy, it's essential to understand their dynamics and the distinction between legitimate MLM businesses and illegal pyramid schemes.
In this article, we will explore the top 25 MLM companies based on their revenue, shedding light on their products, achievements, and challenges.
Amway, also known as "American Way," is a prominent American multi-level marketing (MLM) corporation specializing in the sale of health, beauty, and home care products. Established in 1959 by Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos, the company's headquarters are located in Ada, Michigan.
With its affiliated companies operating in over a hundred countries and territories, Amway and its sister firms under Alticor generated sales worth $8.9 billion in 2019. Renowned as the world's largest MLM company in terms of revenue, Amway employs a business model that involves recruiting independent distributors to sell its wide range of products.
Learn more: Amway review
Natura is a well-established MLM company founded by Luiz Seabra in 1969. Based in Brazil, it is listed on the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange and operates in 73 countries.
The company achieved significant success, generating an estimated revenue of $10.9 billion in 2018. With 3,200 stores worldwide, Natura emphasizes product sales rather than solely relying on recruitment. Membership is typically acquired through referrals or by contacting the company directly.
Natura's members, known as "consultants," sell products door-to-door and utilize social media platforms for marketing. With over 6.6 million consultants worldwide, Natura is considered one of the largest MLM companies globally.
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd., known as Herbalife International, Inc., is a multinational multi-level marketing (MLM) corporation specializing in the development and sale of dietary supplements.
Established in 1980 by Mark R. Hughes, the company has approximately 9,900 employees globally. It is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, with its headquarters located in Los Angeles, California. Herbalife operates in 95 countries through a vast network of around 4.5 million independent distributors and members.
In October 2022, former CEO Michael O. Johnson assumed the role of Chairman and interim Chief Executive Officer, taking over from John Agwunobi. Herbalife's primary focus is on promoting health and wellness through its dietary supplement products.
eXp Realty is a cloud-based, international real estate brokerage owned by eXp World Holdings, Inc. Established in 2009 in Seattle, Washington, it has grown to operate in 23 countries with a community of over 88,000 real estate agents globally.
In 2020, eXp World Holdings acquired Showcase IDX, a prominent real estate search technology company. With this acquisition, eXp Realty launched a national consumer property search portal for the United States and Canada. Additionally, eXp Realty acquired SUCCESS Enterprises, including the renowned SUCCESS.com domain and web property.
The company has been recognized as the largest US real estate brokerage by agent count and transaction sides in 2022, and the fourth largest in terms of sales volume. eXp Realty has demonstrated its commitment to agents and brokers by providing over $240 million in revenue share and equity benefits in 2022.
Vorwerk & Co. KG, known as Vorwerk, is a globally diversified corporate group with its headquarters in Wuppertal, Germany. Founded in 1883, Vorwerk primarily engages in direct distribution of various products, including household appliances such as the popular Thermomix kitchen appliance and Kobold vacuum cleaners, as well as fitted kitchens and cosmetics.
As a family-owned limited partnership, Vorwerk has around 12,000 full-time employees and over 590,000 self-employed sales representatives operating in more than 70 countries.
Notably, the majority of sales representatives (546,000) are associated with the US-based subsidiary, JAFRA Cosmetics. In 2014, the company reported revenues of €2.8 billion.
Coway is a leading South Korean manufacturer specializing in household appliances, with a primary focus on water purifiers and softeners. Established in Seoul, Coway has become the largest water purifier company in South Korea and has expanded its operations to include subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the United States.
It is listed on the Korea Exchange and has been a subsidiary of Netmarble since 2019. Coway's product portfolio includes bidets, water purifiers and softeners, air purifiers, and more recently, they have ventured into bedding products like mattresses. With its wide range of high-quality home appliances, Coway aims to enhance the well-being and comfort of households worldwide.
Primerica, Inc. is a financial services company that specializes in providing insurance, investment, and financial solutions to middle-income families in the United States and Canada.
While Primerica has been described as a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, it primarily operates as a direct selling organization. It serves as the parent company for National Benefit Life Insurance Company, Primerica Life, Peach Re, and Vidalia Re, and it acquired e-Telequote in 2021.
Founded in 1981, Primerica went public in 2010 with its headquarters located in Duluth, Georgia. The company aims to serve the financial needs of middle-income households and offers a range of products and services to support their financial well-being.
PM-International AG is a renowned manufacturer of dietary supplements and cosmetics, headquartered in Schengen, Luxembourg. Founded in 1993 by Rolf Sorg in Limburgerhof, the company quickly expanded its operations, opening its first international branch office in Poland the same year. In 1994, the PM International holding company was established in Schengen, Luxembourg, which has been the company's headquarters since 2015.
Over the years, PM-International has achieved significant milestones, including the opening of a logistics center in Speyer, Germany, in 2003 and the establishment of a headquarters for the Asia-Pacific region in Singapore in 2015.
In 2020, the company further expanded by constructing a warehouse in Speyer, Germany, and expanding to Arendonk, Belgium. PM-International also introduced its own payment system, PM Direct Cash, in Europe, enabling sales partners to receive immediate income upon purchase completion.
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. is an American multilevel marketing company that specializes in the development and sale of personal care products and dietary supplements. Operating under the Nu Skin and Pharmanex brands, the company distributes its products in 54 markets worldwide through a network of around 1.2 million independent distributors.
Nu Skin has faced regulatory scrutiny in the past. In the 1990s, it reached settlements with several states and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations of deceptive advertising and unsubstantiated claims.
In 2014, the Chinese government investigated Nu Skin for potential involvement in an illegal pyramid scheme, resulting in a $47 million settlement and additional fines for bribery.
Utility Warehouse, a subsidiary of Telecom Plus, is a London-based multiservice provider that utilizes a multi-level marketing model to acquire customers through independent distributors.
With a customer base exceeding 814,000 accounts, and a network of over 45,000 distributors, Utility Warehouse offers a comprehensive range of services, including landline telephony, mobile telephony, broadband, gas, and electricity. As the main revenue driver for Telecom Plus, the Utility Warehouse brand plays a pivotal role in delivering these essential utilities to customers.
With its focus on diverse services and an extensive network of distributors, Utility Warehouse aims to provide reliable and convenient solutions for customers' everyday needs.
Medifast, Inc. is a prominent American nutrition and weight loss company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The company specializes in the production, distribution, and sale of weight loss and health-related products. Medifast reaches customers through various channels, including websites, multi-level marketing, telemarketing, and franchised weight loss clinics. In recognition of its credibility and trustworthiness, Medifast was included in Forbes' list of 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America in both 2016 and 2017.
In 2017, the company rebranded its subsidiary Take Shape For Life as Optavia and introduced a new line of products called Optavia Essentials, which are sold directly from Coaches to clients. Medifast relocated its headquarters to Baltimore in October 2017 and is currently a publicly traded company with a market capitalization of $2.106 billion as of June 2022.
Atomy is a multi-level marketing company founded in 2009 by Han-Gill Park, with its headquarters located in Gongju, Republic of Korea. The company offers a wide range of products, primarily daily necessities and health functional foods, including notable items like HemoHIM, Absolute Skincare, and The Fame. In recognition of its achievements, Atomy has received prestigious awards, such as the Sejong the Great Award for Absolute Skincare at the 2021 Patent Technology Awards hosted by the Korean Intellectual Property Office.
Additionally, Atomy has achieved significant global success, reaching over 15 million members worldwide and being honored with the 300 Million USD Export Tower Award for surpassing 1 billion USD in global exports at the 58th Trade Day hosted by the Korea International Trade Association in 2021.
Tupperware is a renowned American company specializing in household products, particularly preparation, storage, and serving containers for the kitchen and home. Earl Tupper founded the company in 1942, introducing his first bell-shaped container to the public in 1946.
Today, Tupperware operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Tupperware Brands. The company relies on a direct sales model and has approximately 1.9 million salespeople under contract as of 2007.
Notably, Tupperware has experienced significant success in the Indonesian market, surpassing Germany in sales volume in 2013 with a revenue exceeding $200 million. Tupperware continues to be recognized for its quality and innovative household products.
Ambit Energy is a multi-level marketing company that specializes in providing electricity and natural gas services in deregulated energy markets across the United States. Founded in 2006 by Jere Thompson Jr. and Chris Chambless, the company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with operations and call center headquarters located in Plano, Texas.
Ambit offers customers fixed-rate contracts for one or two years, and if not renewed, services may switch to variable-rate plans. There have been consumer complaints and lawsuits regarding the higher costs of Ambit's variable-rate plans, leading to an investigation by the New York Public Service Commission. In 2015, the Department of Public Service in New York reached a settlement with Ambit, securing refunds for affected customers.
Usana Health Sciences, Inc., commonly known as USANA, is a well-established multi-level marketing company headquartered in West Valley City, Utah. With its global reach, Usana ranks as the 14th largest multi-level marketing company in the world by revenue as of 2021.
The company takes pride in manufacturing a wide range of nutritional products, including dietary supplements and skincare items, at its facility in West Valley City. These products are distributed and sold through an extensive network of independent distributors spanning 24 countries.
Usana's commitment to providing quality health and wellness products through its dedicated network of distributors has contributed to its success and global presence.
Oriflame Holding AG is a multinational multi-level marketing company headquartered in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Founded in Sweden in 1967 by the Jochnick brothers and Bengt Hellsten, Oriflame operates in the beauty and personal care industry, selling its products directly to consumers through independent sellers. Previously listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Oriflame delisted in July 2019. In 2022, Oriflame worked with PayU CEO Mario Shiliashki to develop a 21-day payment plan for online product buyers.
In 2023, the company signed a collaboration contract with Arnest Management LLC, a Russian manufacturer, including the acquisition of Cetes Cosmetics Russia. Oriflame continues to expand its presence and offerings in the beauty market.
Betterware is a multi-level marketing company based in the United Kingdom, specializing in the sale of household products. Established in 1928, the company has changed ownership multiple times throughout its history. The current owners of the Betterware trademarks are Betterware Global Ltd, who acquired the trademarks after the liquidation of the previous owner, Stanley House Distribution, in 2018.
However, Betterware Global Limited, the subsequent owner, faced its own challenges and went into liquidation in April 2023. Despite these recent developments, Betterware has a long-standing presence in the market and has provided a range of household products to customers through its multi-level marketing structure.
Scentsy is a multi-level marketing company headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, specializing in scented products, including wax warmers, home fragrances, and body care items.
Founded in 2003 by Kara Egan and Colette Gunnel, the company has achieved significant success over the years. In 2017, Scentsy reported annual sales exceeding $450 million, ranking it 44th on Direct Selling News' list of top direct selling companies globally.
The company has also received recognition, being featured on Forbes' lists of America's 100 Most Promising Companies in 2011 and America's Best Midsize Employers in 2018. Scentsy continues to expand its operations, with the opening of an east coast distribution center in Rock Hill, South Carolina, in 2021.
Beachbody, now known as BODi, is a prominent fitness and media company headquartered in El Segundo, California. The company offers various brands and services, including Beachbody On Demand, Team Beachbody, MYXfitness, and Openfit. Through direct response infomercials and multi-level marketing, Beachbody sells not only fitness programs but also dietary supplements like Shakeology and Beachbar.
The company's unique sales model involves independent Team Beachbody "coaches" who act as sales consultants. With its focus on providing fitness solutions and nutritional products, Beachbody has gained recognition as a trusted name in the fitness industry.
Omnilife is a multi-level marketing company headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico, specializing in the distribution of dietary supplements. Founded in 1991 by Amaury Vergara and his American colleagues, the company started as Omnitrion USA before officially becoming Omnilife in 2000.
With an initial investment of $10,000, Omnilife aimed to recruit independent sales consultants to promote and sell their diverse range of over 70 nutritional and dietary products. Operating in Latin America, the United States, and Spain, Omnilife has established itself as a prominent player in the industry, offering a wide array of supplements to cater to the needs of its customers.