Quick Overview
- 1#1: UserTesting - Comprehensive human insight platform for conducting user research including live interviews and focus groups with video recording and analysis.
- 2#2: Qualtrics - Experience management platform with advanced qualitative research tools for surveys, interviews, and focus group moderation and analytics.
- 3#3: dscout - Mobile-first qualitative research platform for recruiting, running missions, and analyzing focus groups and diary studies.
- 4#4: FocusGroupIt - Affordable online focus group software for quick recruitment, live video sessions, and automated transcription.
- 5#5: User Interviews - Participant recruitment platform specialized in finding and scheduling people for focus groups and qualitative studies.
- 6#6: Respondent - Professional recruiter for high-quality B2B participants ideal for focus groups, interviews, and research studies.
- 7#7: Dovetail - Qualitative research repository for storing, tagging, and analyzing focus group recordings and transcripts collaboratively.
- 8#8: Condens - Collaborative platform for managing and analyzing qualitative data from focus groups with video clipping and insights sharing.
- 9#9: EnjoyHQ - Customer insights hub for centralizing focus group feedback, video analysis, and generating actionable reports.
- 10#10: Insight7 - AI-powered tool for automatically analyzing focus group transcripts to extract themes, sentiments, and key insights.
We ranked these tools by assessing features (recruitment, analysis, collaboration), platform reliability, ease of use, and value, ensuring alignment with the diverse needs of qualitative research practices.
Comparison Table
Selecting the right focus group software is essential for impactful research, featuring tools such as UserTesting, Qualtrics, dscout, FocusGroupIt, User Interviews, and more. This comparison table breaks down key attributes, helping readers identify the best fit for their goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UserTesting Comprehensive human insight platform for conducting user research including live interviews and focus groups with video recording and analysis. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Qualtrics Experience management platform with advanced qualitative research tools for surveys, interviews, and focus group moderation and analytics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 3 | dscout Mobile-first qualitative research platform for recruiting, running missions, and analyzing focus groups and diary studies. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | FocusGroupIt Affordable online focus group software for quick recruitment, live video sessions, and automated transcription. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 5 | User Interviews Participant recruitment platform specialized in finding and scheduling people for focus groups and qualitative studies. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 6 | Respondent Professional recruiter for high-quality B2B participants ideal for focus groups, interviews, and research studies. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 7 | Dovetail Qualitative research repository for storing, tagging, and analyzing focus group recordings and transcripts collaboratively. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | Condens Collaborative platform for managing and analyzing qualitative data from focus groups with video clipping and insights sharing. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | EnjoyHQ Customer insights hub for centralizing focus group feedback, video analysis, and generating actionable reports. | specialized | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.3/10 |
| 10 | Insight7 AI-powered tool for automatically analyzing focus group transcripts to extract themes, sentiments, and key insights. | general_ai | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
Comprehensive human insight platform for conducting user research including live interviews and focus groups with video recording and analysis.
Experience management platform with advanced qualitative research tools for surveys, interviews, and focus group moderation and analytics.
Mobile-first qualitative research platform for recruiting, running missions, and analyzing focus groups and diary studies.
Affordable online focus group software for quick recruitment, live video sessions, and automated transcription.
Participant recruitment platform specialized in finding and scheduling people for focus groups and qualitative studies.
Professional recruiter for high-quality B2B participants ideal for focus groups, interviews, and research studies.
Qualitative research repository for storing, tagging, and analyzing focus group recordings and transcripts collaboratively.
Collaborative platform for managing and analyzing qualitative data from focus groups with video clipping and insights sharing.
Customer insights hub for centralizing focus group feedback, video analysis, and generating actionable reports.
AI-powered tool for automatically analyzing focus group transcripts to extract themes, sentiments, and key insights.
UserTesting
enterpriseComprehensive human insight platform for conducting user research including live interviews and focus groups with video recording and analysis.
Human Insight AI for automatic highlight reels and theme detection from session videos
UserTesting is a premier user experience research platform that enables teams to conduct unmoderated usability tests, live interviews, and moderated sessions with real users from a global panel of over 2 million participants. It supports focus group-style discussions through multi-participant live conversations, complete with video recording, transcription, and AI-driven analysis for qualitative insights. Ideal for validating product concepts and gathering actionable feedback efficiently.
Pros
- Massive, diverse participant pool for quick recruitment
- Advanced AI tools for automated transcription and insight extraction
- Seamless integration with design and analytics tools
Cons
- Higher cost for enterprise-scale usage
- Primarily optimized for individual tests over large groups
- Custom setup required for complex multi-moderator sessions
Best For
Product teams and UX researchers needing rapid, high-quality focus group insights from diverse global users.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at ~$5,000/year; pay-per-test from $49/participant.
Qualtrics
enterpriseExperience management platform with advanced qualitative research tools for surveys, interviews, and focus group moderation and analytics.
Text iQ AI for automated theme detection, sentiment analysis, and driver analysis from focus group transcripts and video feedback
Qualtrics is a comprehensive experience management platform that supports focus group research through its Research Hub, enabling recruitment from integrated panels, online video sessions, and qualitative analysis. It allows for designing discussion guides, moderating virtual focus groups with breakout rooms, real-time transcription, and advanced AI-powered insights from video and text data. While not exclusively a focus group tool, its scalability integrates seamlessly with quantitative surveys for holistic market research.
Pros
- Powerful AI analytics like Text iQ and Stats iQ for deep qualitative insights
- Extensive participant panels for easy recruitment
- Seamless integration with enterprise tools and scalability for large studies
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- High enterprise-level pricing
- Overkill for small-scale or standalone focus groups
Best For
Enterprise research teams needing integrated qualitative and quantitative tools for large-scale focus groups.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; Research Hub starts at around $15,000/year, scaling with usage and features.
dscout
specializedMobile-first qualitative research platform for recruiting, running missions, and analyzing focus groups and diary studies.
Mobile 'missions' that prompt participants for in-the-moment video responses in their natural environment
dscout is a mobile-first qualitative research platform designed for conducting asynchronous missions, diary studies, and video-based interviews to gather in-depth participant insights. It enables researchers to recruit diverse respondents globally, assign tasks like video diaries or photo captures, and analyze responses with AI-assisted tools. Ideal for replacing traditional focus groups with scalable, remote qualitative data collection that captures real-world behaviors.
Pros
- Rich, contextual video and multimedia responses from participants
- Seamless global recruitment and automated screener matching
- AI-powered analysis for themes, highlights, and quotas
Cons
- Limited real-time synchronous focus group capabilities
- Pricing can be steep for small-scale or one-off studies
- Advanced analysis requires some learning curve
Best For
UX and market research teams needing scalable asynchronous qualitative insights from real-world participant behaviors.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $5,000-$50,000+ per project depending on participants, duration, and features.
FocusGroupIt
specializedAffordable online focus group software for quick recruitment, live video sessions, and automated transcription.
One-click focus group creation with automated invitations and moderation tools
FocusGroupIt is a user-friendly online platform specializing in virtual focus groups and qualitative research, allowing users to quickly recruit participants and conduct moderated discussions via text, video, or audio. It supports both synchronous live sessions and asynchronous bulletin-style boards for flexible data collection. The tool provides built-in reporting and analysis features to help researchers derive actionable insights from participant feedback.
Pros
- Intuitive interface for rapid setup of focus groups in minutes
- Flexible synchronous and asynchronous discussion formats
- Integrated participant recruitment and screening tools
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise competitors
- Smaller built-in participant panel may require external recruiting
- Reporting features lack deep customization options
Best For
Small to mid-sized market research teams or agencies needing quick, affordable online focus groups without complex setups.
Pricing
Project-based pricing starts at $99 per focus group; subscription plans from $299/month for unlimited sessions.
User Interviews
specializedParticipant recruitment platform specialized in finding and scheduling people for focus groups and qualitative studies.
The largest proprietary panel of 6+ million pre-screened participants for unmatched recruitment speed and diversity
User Interviews is a participant recruitment platform specializing in connecting researchers with a massive pool of vetted participants for studies like focus groups, usability tests, and interviews. It offers advanced screening questionnaires, automated matching, scheduling for multi-participant sessions, and incentive management integrated with tools like Zoom. While strong in sourcing diverse respondents quickly, it focuses more on recruitment than native focus group moderation or analysis.
Pros
- Vast proprietary database of over 6 million participants for quick, targeted recruitment
- Powerful screening and auto-matching tools to ensure high-quality focus group fits
- Streamlined scheduling and payment handling for groups, reducing admin time
Cons
- Primarily recruitment-focused, lacking built-in moderation, recording, or transcription for focus groups
- Pay-per-participant pricing can add up for large or frequent studies
- Limited native analytics beyond screener data
Best For
UX research teams and agencies needing rapid access to diverse participants for occasional focus groups without full moderation suites.
Pricing
Pay-per-verified-participant (typically $40-$150 based on criteria and location), plus pass-through incentives; no subscription required.
Respondent
specializedProfessional recruiter for high-quality B2B participants ideal for focus groups, interviews, and research studies.
Proprietary matching engine using AI and behavioral data for hyper-targeted participant recruitment.
Respondent.io is a recruitment platform specializing in sourcing high-quality participants for qualitative research, including focus groups, user interviews, and surveys. Researchers create custom screener questionnaires to target specific demographics, behaviors, and criteria, with the platform handling matching, scheduling, and incentive payments. While excellent for recruitment, it integrates with external tools like Zoom for conducting sessions but lacks built-in moderation or analysis features.
Pros
- Massive pool of over 3 million verified participants with precise targeting
- Automated screening, scheduling, and payment handling
- High participant quality through rigorous verification processes
Cons
- Primarily recruitment-focused; no native video hosting or moderation tools
- Costs can add up for complex or high-volume studies
- Limited customization for non-US/international focus groups
Best For
Market researchers and UX teams needing fast, targeted recruitment for occasional focus groups without managing their own participant panels.
Pricing
Pay-per-qualified-participant model; typically $50-$200+ per recruit (including incentives), with no subscription required but volume discounts available.
Dovetail
specializedQualitative research repository for storing, tagging, and analyzing focus group recordings and transcripts collaboratively.
AI-driven 'Magic Search' and auto-insights that automatically detect key themes and quotes from focus group transcripts
Dovetail is a customer insights platform that centralizes qualitative data from focus groups, interviews, surveys, and support interactions, enabling teams to transcribe, tag, and analyze discussions efficiently. It leverages AI for automatic transcription, sentiment analysis, and insight generation, helping uncover patterns in participant feedback. The tool supports collaborative project management, making it easier for UX researchers and product teams to share findings and drive decisions.
Pros
- AI-powered transcription and auto-tagging for quick focus group analysis
- Strong collaboration tools for team-based insight sharing
- Integrations with tools like Zoom, Slack, and Jira
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small teams or infrequent users
- Steeper learning curve for advanced analysis features
- Limited built-in support for live focus group moderation
Best For
Mid-sized UX research and product teams handling multiple focus groups and qualitative studies who need robust analysis and collaboration.
Pricing
Starts at $29/user/month (Starter, annual billing), $59/user/month (Plus), $89/user/month (Pro), with Enterprise custom pricing; free trial available.
Condens
specializedCollaborative platform for managing and analyzing qualitative data from focus groups with video clipping and insights sharing.
Interactive hyperlinked transcripts that sync directly with video playback for precise moment referencing
Condens is a qualitative research platform specialized in analyzing video-based data from focus groups, user interviews, and testing sessions. It provides AI-powered transcription, collaborative tagging, clipping, and advanced search tools to extract actionable insights from recordings. Teams can organize sessions into projects, share interactive clips, and generate reports for stakeholders, streamlining the post-moderation analysis workflow.
Pros
- AI-driven multilingual transcription and auto-tagging for quick insight discovery
- Powerful collaborative tools including real-time commenting and shareable clips
- Advanced search and filtering across multiple sessions for efficient analysis
Cons
- No built-in participant recruitment or live moderation capabilities
- Pricing can be steep for small teams or infrequent focus group users
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features like custom filters
Best For
Mid-sized UX research and product teams conducting regular video focus groups who prioritize collaborative post-session analysis.
Pricing
Starter at €29/user/month, Pro at €79/user/month (billed annually), Enterprise custom.
EnjoyHQ
specializedCustomer insights hub for centralizing focus group feedback, video analysis, and generating actionable reports.
Insight Engine with AI-powered universal search across all feedback sources for quick discovery of patterns from focus groups
EnjoyHQ is a customer insights platform that centralizes qualitative and quantitative feedback from sources like user interviews, surveys, and support interactions, making it adaptable for managing focus group data. It leverages AI for automatic transcription, tagging, sentiment analysis, and insight extraction from video/audio recordings. The tool excels in collaborative review and universal search across projects, helping teams turn focus group discussions into actionable strategies. However, it lacks native tools for live group moderation or participant recruiting.
Pros
- Powerful AI-driven analysis and auto-tagging of focus group transcripts
- Universal search and centralized hub for all research insights
- Strong team collaboration with shared workspaces and playbooks
Cons
- No built-in recruiting, scheduling, or live moderation for focus groups
- Pricing is custom and opaque, often enterprise-level expensive
- Overkill for simple focus group needs; better suited for broader CX programs
Best For
Research teams in larger organizations needing to integrate focus group insights with enterprise-wide customer feedback.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing upon request, typically starting at $1,000+/month based on team size and usage.
Insight7
general_aiAI-powered tool for automatically analyzing focus group transcripts to extract themes, sentiments, and key insights.
Automatic AI insight extraction that identifies themes, quotes, and personas directly from focus group videos
Insight7 is an AI-powered qualitative research platform that specializes in analyzing focus group recordings, interviews, and surveys by automatically transcribing audio/video content. It extracts key insights, identifies themes, sentiments, personas, and pain points, while generating visual reports, highlight clips, and journey maps. This tool streamlines post-session analysis, making it easier for researchers to uncover actionable findings from group discussions without extensive manual effort.
Pros
- AI-driven transcription and theme extraction significantly speeds up analysis
- User-friendly dashboard with visual insights and shareable clips
- Supports multiple data formats including video focus groups
Cons
- Lacks tools for live focus group moderation or participant recruitment
- Accuracy depends on audio quality and may need manual review
- Higher-tier features and transcription limits can increase costs
Best For
Qualitative researchers and market analysts who need fast, automated insights from recorded focus group sessions.
Pricing
Starter at $29/mo (10 transcription hours), Pro at $99/mo (50 hours), Enterprise custom; annual discounts available.
Conclusion
When evaluating focus group software, UserTesting emerges as the clear top choice, boasting a comprehensive platform for end-to-end user research, from video sessions to analysis. Qualtrics follows closely with its advanced experience management tools, perfect for those needing robust qualitative workflows, while dscout shines for mobile-first teams, simplifying recruitment and mission-based studies. All three set the standard, each tailored to distinct research needs.
Don’t miss out—try UserTesting today to access its all-in-one capabilities and turn focus group sessions into actionable insights that drive better decisions for your work.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison