The difference between diary studies and conversations is stark. One shows you what. The other tells you why.
Executive Summary: The Critical Differences
User Intuition delivers 98% participant satisfaction through natural 32-minute AI-moderated conversations with YOUR actual customers, using McKinsey-grade methodology and 5-7 level laddering to uncover the identity drivers that predict behavior.
dscout offers mobile diary studies and human-moderated interviews through 100K+ "Scouts" panel, with AI analysis tools (July 2024) for summarizing human-captured video—a traditional ethnographic platform with AI analysis bolted on.
Platform Capabilities: Complete Comparison
| Capability |
User Intuition |
dscout |
Winner |
| Platform Capabilities: Complete Comparison |
| AI Moderation |
✓ Best in Class — Full AI conversations |
❌ Human/self-guided only |
User Intuition |
| Video Interviews |
✓ AI-moderated video |
Human-moderated Live sessions |
User Intuition |
| Audio Interviews |
✓ Natural 32-min AI conversations |
Human-moderated only |
User Intuition |
| Screen Sharing |
✓ Best in Class — Live observation |
✓ Screen recording capability |
Tie |
| Screen Vision |
✓ AI sees and understands |
❌ Human review required |
User Intuition |
| Central Insights Hub |
✓ Unique — Searchable forever |
Per-project silos |
User Intuition |
| Time Series Studies |
✓ Unique — Track without fatigue |
Diary studies (different approach) |
Different strengths |
| Multilingual Support |
50+ languages |
Limited (US-focused panel) |
User Intuition |
| Mobile Diary |
Through conversation |
✓ Core capability |
dscout |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout excels at mobile diary studies. User Intuition excels at AI conversations. One captures behavior. The other understands motivation. |
| The Fundamental Difference: Diary Studies vs AI Conversations |
| AI Capability |
Full AI moderation |
AI analysis of human content |
User Intuition |
| Primary Method |
Natural AI conversations |
Self-guided diary entries |
User Intuition |
| Moderation |
AI conducts entire interview |
Human moderators for interviews |
User Intuition |
| Dynamic Probing |
AI adapts automatically (5–7 levels) |
Pre-scripted prompts |
User Intuition |
| Participant Burden |
One natural conversation |
Daily homework assignments |
User Intuition |
| Scale Capability |
Unlimited concurrent |
Limited by diary fatigue |
User Intuition |
| Real AI? |
✓ Yes — actual AI interviews |
❌ No — analysis tools only |
User Intuition |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout’s “AI Analysis” (July 2024) summarizes human-captured videos. User Intuition’s AI actually conducts interviews live. |
| Research Outcomes: Homework vs Conversation |
| Participant Satisfaction |
98% (n>1,000) — Published |
Not disclosed |
User Intuition |
| Conversation Quality |
Natural AI dialogue |
Self-recorded snippets |
User Intuition |
| Laddering Depth |
5–7 levels systematic |
Surface observations |
User Intuition |
| Session Consistency |
AI never varies |
Participant-dependent |
User Intuition |
| Completion Rates |
High (one session) |
Diary fatigue common |
User Intuition |
| Knowledge Retention |
Searchable hub forever |
Per-study exports |
User Intuition |
| Real-time Analysis |
AI-powered insights |
Manual video review |
User Intuition |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout gets you video clips of behavior. User Intuition gets you understanding of motivation. |
| Recruitment & Support: Panel vs Your Customers |
| Focus |
YOUR actual customers |
100K+ Scouts panel |
Different philosophy |
| Geographic Reach |
Global capability |
Mainly US-focused |
User Intuition |
| Language Coverage |
50+ languages |
English primary |
User Intuition |
| Support Availability |
Modern support model |
Business hours primary |
User Intuition |
| Study Launch |
24/7 capability |
Manual setup required |
User Intuition |
| Weekend Research |
Full capability |
Participant self-guided |
User Intuition |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout depends on panel participants doing homework. User Intuition’s AI has conversations with YOUR customers. |
| Methodology & Analysis: Ethnography vs Strategic Intelligence |
| Methodology Foundation |
McKinsey Fortune 500 |
Traditional ethnography |
User Intuition |
| Setup Process |
AI-assisted (<5 min) |
Manual mission design |
User Intuition |
| Dynamic Adaptation |
AI adjusts in real-time |
Fixed diary prompts |
User Intuition |
| Analysis Approach |
AI-powered synthesis |
AI summarizes videos (2024) |
User Intuition |
| Learning Capability |
Improves over time |
Static templates |
User Intuition |
| Insight Depth |
5–7 strategic levels |
Behavioral observations |
User Intuition |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout documents what people do. User Intuition understands why they choose. |
| Speed & Scale: The Time Investment Reality |
| Setup Time |
<5 minutes with AI |
Mission design hours |
User Intuition |
| Data Collection |
32 minutes total |
Days/weeks of entries |
User Intuition |
| Time to Insights |
Hours with AI |
Days of video review |
User Intuition |
| Participant Time |
Single session |
Multiple touchpoints |
User Intuition |
| Analysis Time |
Automated |
Manual tagging required |
User Intuition |
| Total Timeline |
1–2 days complete |
1–4 weeks typical |
User Intuition |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout takes weeks of diary entries. User Intuition takes one conversation. |
| Pricing & Value: Enterprise Complexity vs Transparent Simplicity |
| Platform Cost |
Starting at $1,000 |
Custom enterprise pricing |
User Intuition |
| Seat Types |
Simple access |
4 tiers (admin/researcher/etc) |
User Intuition |
| Incentive Management |
Your customers (lower) |
Complex incentive system |
User Intuition |
| Activity Credits |
Not needed |
Credit system complexity |
User Intuition |
| Support Hours |
Included |
Negotiated packages |
User Intuition |
| True Cost |
Starting at $1,000 |
Platform + seats + credits + support |
User Intuition |
| THE BOTTOM LINE: dscout’s pricing has many variables. User Intuition starts at $1,000 — simple and transparent. |
Key Differentiators: Why User Intuition Wins
| Differentiator |
dscout |
User Intuition |
Impact |
| AI Reality |
Analysis tools only (2024) |
True AI moderation |
Automation vs intelligence |
| Participant Experience |
Homework assignments |
Natural conversation |
Burden vs pleasure |
| Time Investment |
Weeks of diary entries |
32-minute conversation |
Marathon vs sprint |
| Your Customers |
Panel participants |
YOUR actual users |
Generic vs specific |
| Depth Achieved |
Behavioral observation |
5–7 levels of why |
Surface vs core |
| 98% Satisfaction |
Not disclosed |
Published metric |
Hidden vs proven |
When to Choose Each Platform
Choose dscout If:
- Mobile diary studies are your primary need
- Behavioral observation over time matters
- Panel participants acceptable
- Video snippets sufficient
- Traditional ethnography preferred
- Multiple touchpoints required
- Enterprise procurement established
Choose User Intuition If:
- Deep understanding matters more than observation
- AI conversations preferred over diary homework
- YOUR actual customers are the focus
- 32 minutes beats weeks of entries
- Strategic insights drive decisions
- 98% satisfaction indicates quality
- Simple pricing appeals
The Verdict: Yesterday's Ethnography vs Tomorrow's Intelligence
dscout is a 13-year-old mobile ethnography platform that added AI analysis tools in 2024 to summarize the videos humans capture, delivering traditional diary studies through panel participants with modern analysis—observation dressed as understanding.
User Intuition is purpose-built AI research delivering consistent, scalable, 24/7 customer intelligence through actual machine learning conversations that uncover behavioral drivers—not just documenting what people do but understanding why they choose.
If you want weeks of diary entries from panel participants doing homework while you manually review videos with AI summaries, dscout provides traditional ethnographic research.
If you want AI conducting deep 32-minute conversations with YOUR actual customers, uncovering the identity drivers that predict behavior in hours not weeks—User Intuition provides the future.
Your Next Step
Ask yourself:
- Do I want weeks of diary homework or one great conversation?
- Do I need behavioral observation or motivational understanding?
- Do I want panel participants or MY actual customers?
- Do I have weeks for research or need insights in days?
Start with User Intuition: Real AI, real conversations, real insights from real customers.
The difference between diary studies and conversations is the difference between watching someone's life through their iPhone camera and actually understanding what drives their choices. One shows you what. The other tells you why.