Dscout vs User Intuition

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.