Could we have a moment of your time to talk about a new and exciting enterprise? It’s the world of direct sales, network marketing, and hiding stuff in your garage: multi-level marketing. MLM organization may not technically be in the shape of a pyramid, but the lines have become more and more blurred over the years as regulations have relaxed. This list of multi-level marketing companies highlights the most successful, many of which have revenues in the billions. The top network marketing companies, Amway, Avon, and Herbalife, have outlived many of their competitors, with all three of them lasting for decades. Check out our MLM company list to see which are the biggest
What Is an MLM Company?
An MLM company is a multi-level marketing company, which can also be referred to as referral marketing, network marketing, or pyramid selling. But what does MLM mean? In essence, in an MLM company, the workforce is comprised of primarily non-salaried representatives, who are encouraged to sell services/products and often also recruit more representatives.
The main question behind “What’s an MLM?” is often consumers trying to understand the difference between a pyramid scheme vs. MLM company. The one key difference between an illegal pyramid scheme and a legal MLM is that an MLM business will sell an actual product and earn actual income outside of the recruitment of more people, which often involves newcomers paying a fee. There are red flags for spotting a predatory product-based pyramid scheme, but this is the key difference. The FTC outlines tips for figuring out whether a business like this is legitimate enough to make money off of.
It’s important to point out that given bad circumstances, one can easily lose money at even the best MLM companies. Many past sellers and representatives are angry about this, as these marketing strategies uniquely target women and those who need alternatives to full-time jobs, who were often financially vulnerable to start with.
That being said, it’s unlikely that the top MLM companies 2019 has to offer are going to go away anytime soon. Products like the makeup from Mary Kay, containers from Tupperware, and protein powder from Herbalife are still some of America’s favorites. Here are some of the best and most successful MLMs by revenue.
The Top 25 Multi-Level Marketing Companies List
- Amway: $8.8 billion
One of the most profitable direct sales companies of all time, this makeup and nutrition company owns a host of brands like Nutrilite, Artistry, eSpring, iCook, and more. That being said, the company has been under so much scrutiny that reps often actively avoid saying that they’re selling Amway products. - Avon: $5.7 billion
The most popular makeup MLM in the country, Avon is famous for its cheap eyeliners and anti-aging creams and for its catalogs. - Herbalife: $4.5 billion
After coming under fire in recent years in the popular press, this popular nutrition and supplement company continues to sell their powders all over the U.S. and in Latin America. - Vorwerk: $4.2 billion
The German company offers intensely engineered, expensive products like Thermomix cooking appliances and vacuum cleaners. - Mary Kay: $3.5 billion
The second top makeup direct sales company, this MLM made itself famous by offering free makeup tutorials and consultations. - Infinitus: $3.41 billion
China’s Infinitus has become a powerhouse, selling herbal health solutions for common issues, but has come under fire locally for their health claims. - Perfect: $3.06 billion
One might consider it to be like the Chinese Avon, but Perfect does a lot more, offering everything from health solutions to wine to laundry detergent. - Quanjian: $2.89 billion
Quanjian sells supplements and nutritional products. Like Inifinitus, the company has also come under fire for their health claims. - Natura: $2.26 billion
A Brazilian company that sells spa-like soaps and skin-care products, Natura pushes that they are eco-friendly while having an estimated 6.6 million consultants worldwide. - Tupperware: $2.21 billion
Focusing on moms and offering food prep and storage solutions, this MLM, which started in 1948, was made famous for promoting Tupperware parties, which rewarded the hosts with savings. This reward system is still very popular for MLM structures. - Nu Skin: $2.208 billion
Selling spa tools and lotions for the home as well as nutrition supplements, this MLM, like others, has had to pay out millions in settlements about making unsubstantiated claims about its products. - Primerica: $1.52 billion
The first financial services company on this list, Primerica sells multiple types of insurance as well as mutual funds. - JoyMain: $1.49 billion
This is another popular Chinese MLM. Marketing nutrition and health products, this company has had trading of its stock suspended by the SEC in recent years. - Jeunesse: $1.41 billion
An MLM focused on helping its customers “stay young,” this company sells fairly pricey, spa-level treatments as well as supplements and drinks. - Oriflame: $1.4 billion
This Luxembourg-based direct selling company offers skin-care products and supplements. - Ambit Energy ++: $1.2 billion
Since many energy markets in the U.S. have been deregulated, companies like Ambit have propped up pushing consumers to pick a specific energy provider. - New Era: $1.16 billion
With nutrition- and home-based products, this Chinese company has become one of the fastest-growing MLMs internationally. - Telecom Plus: $1.12 billion
This UK company sells utilities services, including electricity, gas, and Internet. - Belcorp: $1.09 billion
A Peru-based company with several brands, this MLM is most famous for cosmetics and perfumes. - USANA: $1.01 billion
Usana Health Sciences Inc. sells dietary supplements and nutritional products, sponsoring numerous athletics endeavors. The company is one of the top-rated MLMs, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been investigated by the FBI in the past. - Pola: $1.004 billion
The Japanese cosmetics company sells popular anti-aging products. - Young Living: $1 billion
Famous for their essential oils, this popular MLM has been under fire by the U.S. FDA over claims that their products can treat things like dementia and autism. - Sun Hope: $940 million
This direct-sales Malaysian company promotes health products like spirulina and home-grown supplement formulas. - DXN: $927.0 million
Also Malaysian, DXN sells dietary supplements containing mushrooms and enzymes. - WorldVentures: $926.6 million
One of the few MLM travel companies, this is one of the newest and worst/best direct sales companies. Lists, travel packages, and holiday products are available, but it’s also come under fire recently.