AI Moderation Tools for Qualitative Research & Interviews

A practical comparison of nine platforms for scaling in-depth interviews

AI-moderated interviews (AIMIs) are changing how researchers collect qualitative data. Instead of scheduling one-on-one sessions with human moderators, these platforms use large language models to conduct adaptive conversations with hundreds of participants simultaneously. The promise: qualitative depth at quantitative scale, delivered in hours rather than weeks.

But the category is crowded. Platforms vary significantly in their approach—some focus on video, others on voice, and some on text-based chat. Pricing models range from per-participant fees to enterprise subscriptions. And crucially, not all platforms are designed for the same research contexts.

This guide compares nine leading AI moderation platforms to help you choose the right tool for your next study. We evaluate each on interview format, language support, analysis capabilities, integration options, and suitability for different research scenarios.

What Are AI-Moderated Interviews?

AI-moderated interviews use conversational AI to conduct semi-structured interviews asynchronously. Unlike static surveys, the AI adapts its follow-up questions based on participant responses—probing for clarity, asking for examples, and exploring emotional undertones.

Research from Glaut's comparative study found that AI-moderated interviews delivered 129% more words per response than traditional surveys, with 66% of transcripts rated higher quality. Completion rates were 61% for AI interviews versus 39% for static surveys when adjusted for meaningful interactions. The 'gibberish' rate (low-quality or nonsensical responses) was 26% for AIMIs compared to 56% for traditional surveys.

These platforms typically handle three core functions:

1. Interview design: Researchers create discussion guides or upload briefs; the AI generates adaptive question flows.

2. Data collection: Participants engage via text, voice, or video at their convenience. The AI moderates in real-time, asking follow-ups based on responses.

3. Analysis: Automated transcription, thematic coding, sentiment analysis, and report generation.

Platform Comparison at a Glance

The table below summarises key differences across the nine platforms reviewed. Note that pricing structures vary significantly—some charge per participant, others use monthly subscriptions, and enterprise plans require custom quotes.

Detailed Platform Reviews

Yazi: WhatsApp-Native Research for Emerging Markets

Yazi takes a fundamentally different approach to AI-moderated interviews: instead of requiring participants to visit a web platform or download an app, it conducts research entirely within WhatsApp. This matters enormously in emerging markets where WhatsApp penetration exceeds 90% in many countries, and where data costs make app downloads prohibitive.

Format and methodology: Text-based chat with support for voice notes and video responses. The AI moderator adapts questions in real-time, supports multi-day diary study formats, and can handle mixed-method designs combining quantitative screening with qualitative depth.

Language and reach: Supports English, French, Swahili, and Amharic with more languages in development. Particularly strong in African markets where traditional research infrastructure is limited.

Response rates: Yazi reports response rates up to 90%, compared to 30-40% for email surveys. The familiar WhatsApp interface reduces friction significantly—participants respond as they would to a friend, often with more candid and detailed answers.

Pricing: Starts at $2.70 per respondent for self-service (up to 100 respondents), dropping to $1.60 per respondent for 500+ participants. This makes it one of the most cost-effective options for emerging market research.

Best suited for: Research in Africa, Asia, and Latin America where WhatsApp dominates; diary studies requiring multi-day engagement; reaching demographics underserved by traditional research panels; rapid-response research in crisis situations.

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Outset: Enterprise-Grade Video Interviews at Scale

Outset has raised $21 million (including a $17M Series A in June 2025) to build what it calls the 'AI-moderated research platform.' Backed by Y Combinator and trusted by Fortune 500 companies including Nestlé, Microsoft, and WeightWatchers, it's positioned as the enterprise choice for scaling qualitative research.

Format and methodology: Video, voice, and text interviews. A standout feature is screen-share capability, allowing participants to walk through prototypes while the AI moderator asks questions—essentially replicating usability testing at scale. Supports Figma prototype integration.

Analysis capabilities: Automated theme identification, sentiment analysis, and video highlight reels. The 'Explore' feature allows cross-study analysis, letting researchers query insights across multiple projects.

Language support: 40+ languages with cultural nuance preservation.

Pricing: Annual subscription model with custom pricing based on seats and usage. Integrates with recruitment partners User Interviews and Prolific at no additional fee.

Best suited for: Large enterprises with established research budgets; usability and prototype testing; concept validation at scale; teams needing video evidence for stakeholder presentations.

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Listen Labs: The IIEX Award Winner

Listen Labs won the IIEX Insight Innovation Competition in 2024, the industry's most prestigious startup award (previous winners include multi-billion dollar companies like Zappi). Its platform has been adopted by Microsoft for large-scale customer research, including collecting global customer stories for Microsoft's 50th anniversary.

Format and methodology: Voice, video, and text interviews. Microsoft's research lead noted that 'customers are able to answer in a mode of their choice—whether it's through video, text, or voice—in a language of their choice, and at a time that works for them.'

Standout features: Advanced fraud detection that reportedly reduces invalid responses from a typical 20% down to near zero. Automated generation of PowerPoint presentations, video highlight reels, and customer personas. The platform supports 50+ languages.

Integration: Access to millions of pre-qualified participants, or bring your own panel.

Compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, ISO 42001, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 certified. Data is not used for LLM training.

Best suited for: Enterprise teams requiring robust security compliance; global multi-market studies; teams that need polished deliverables (decks, reels) for stakeholder communication.

Tellet: EU-Based with Data Sovereignty

Amsterdam-based Tellet differentiates on European data sovereignty. The platform runs on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Services within the EU, meaning customer data never leaves European jurisdiction—a critical consideration for GDPR-conscious organisations.

Format and methodology: Voice-first approach with text and photo upload options. Participants are encouraged to respond via voice notes, which Tellet claims produces responses 300% longer than survey open-ends.

Unique feature: 'AI Search' allows researchers to query transcripts conversationally after fieldwork completes—asking questions like 'How did customers with families feel about the new design?' The platform searches across all transcripts to surface relevant quotes and themes.

Language support: 57 languages for interviews and analysis.

Best suited for: European companies requiring EU data residency; CSRD stakeholder interviews; organisations with strict data governance requirements.

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Glaut: Voice-First for Research Agencies

Glaut positions itself as a platform built for experienced researchers rather than a 'black box' that automates research entirely. Trusted by major agencies including IPSOS and Kantar, it's designed to give researchers significant control over every step of the process.

Format and methodology: Voice-based AI-moderated interviews (AIMIs) with both questions and responses delivered via voice. This approach reportedly creates a more conversational atmosphere that motivates participants to share more.

Analysis approach: Multi-layered thematic analysis with customisable codebooks. Researchers can specify analysis goals (emotions, drivers, etc.) or provide their own codebook for the AI to apply. A distinctive feature is 'interpretative analysis'—the platform can infer metrics like purchase likelihood or NPS from verbatim responses without directly asking.

Quant integration: Glaut can embed directly into quantitative surveys via iframe, allowing respondents to complete AI-moderated open-ended questions within the same survey flow.

Compliance: GDPR-compliant, ISO 27001 certified. All servers located in EU.

Best suited for: Research agencies seeking white-label solutions; hybrid qual-quant studies; brand tracking and asset testing.

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Yasna: Budget-Friendly with Built-In Recruitment

Yasna, based in Bratislava, Slovakia, offers one of the most transparent pricing structures in the category. Its AI moderator is trained to navigate complex human conversations 'creatively'—using the discussion guide as a compass rather than a script.

Format and methodology: Chat-based interviews with voice response option. Participants can reply via text or voice messages in a messenger-style interface. The AI creates a 'safe, comfortable and intimate environment' that reportedly helps participants express themselves more openly.

Standout features: Built-in recruitment across 60+ countries (added May 2025). Researchers describe their target audience in plain language, and Yasna automatically generates a screener. Library of 11 interview guide templates for common research scenarios.

Pricing: €150/month for Basic (50 simple 10-question conversations), €1,375/month for 500 conversations. Per-participant pricing starts at €3.

Language support: 45+ languages with cultural sensitivity and regional terminology adaptation.

Best suited for: SMBs and independent research consultancies; concept testing; exploratory research when budgets are constrained.

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Conveo: Video-First for Consumer Behaviour Research

Conveo, founded in 2024 in Antwerp, Belgium, is backed by Y Combinator and used by major brands including Unilever, AB InBev, JDE Peet's, P&G, and General Mills. The platform positions itself as 'video-first'—capturing not just what consumers say, but how they say it.

Format and methodology: Asynchronous video and voice interviews. The platform claims that over 70% of final insights are generated during AI-driven follow-ups, demonstrating the value of adaptive questioning.

Recruitment options: Upload CSV lists, invite via QR codes or WhatsApp, public links, or integrate with panels like Respondent.io.

Analysis capabilities: Developing multimodal AI that interprets video content for non-verbal cues, facial expressions, and brand/object recognition—generating behavioural observations that participants might not articulate.

Best suited for: Consumer behaviour research; brand perception studies; concept and creative testing; teams that need video evidence for stakeholder storytelling.

Reveal AI: Embeddable Survey Enhancement

Reveal AI takes a different approach: rather than replacing surveys, it enhances them. The platform embeds conversational AI questions directly into existing survey platforms (Qualtrics, Decipher, SurveyMonkey, Dynata), adding qualitative depth to quantitative studies without disrupting workflows.

Format and methodology: Text-based conversational interviews accessible via web. Can embed within minutes into existing survey infrastructure. The platform claims respondents provide more than twice the response data compared to traditional open-ended questions.

Analysis capabilities: AI-powered pattern recognition, automatic transcription, clustering, and coding of open-ended data. Transparent analysis process allows researchers to review and validate AI-generated insights.

Compliance: GDPR and CCPA compliant with end-to-end encryption and anonymisation tools.

Best suited for: Teams with established survey programmes seeking to add qualitative depth; concept testing within existing research workflows; organisations that need to maintain current infrastructure.

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Propane: Always-On Customer Intelligence

Propane, a Copenhagen-based startup that raised €1.2M in August 2025, approaches AI interviews from a customer intelligence angle. Rather than project-based research, it provides 'always-on' interviews triggered by CRM events—a deal loss, a churn signal, an onboarding completion.

Format and methodology: Voice and chat interviews triggered automatically from customer signals. When a deal slips or a customer churns, Propane's AI agents pull context from your systems and run targeted interviews with buyers.

Integration: Connects with CRM, support platforms, and internal tools. Insights push directly to Slack, Notion, or CRM systems.

Use cases: Win/loss analysis, churn feedback, onboarding experience, product feedback loops, messaging research.

Best suited for: B2B SaaS companies; product and growth teams; organisations wanting continuous customer intelligence rather than episodic research projects.

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How to Choose the Right Platform

The 'best' platform depends entirely on your research context. Here's a decision framework based on common scenarios:

If you're researching emerging markets...

Consider Yazi. WhatsApp-native research eliminates app friction—critical in markets where data costs are high and smartphone storage is limited. Response rates of 90% vs. 30-40% for email surveys represent a material advantage.

If you need video evidence for stakeholders...

Consider Outset or Conveo. Both platforms emphasise video capture and automated highlight reel generation. Outset adds screen-share capability for usability testing.

If you're an EU company with strict data governance...

Consider Tellet or Glaut. Both operate entirely within EU infrastructure. Tellet runs on Azure OpenAI Services with EU data residency; Glaut is ISO 27001 certified with all servers in the EU.

If you're a research agency seeking white-label solutions...

Consider Glaut. Built for experienced researchers with customisation at every step. Trusted by IPSOS and Kantar.

If budget is the primary constraint...

Consider Yasna or Yazi. Yasna offers transparent tiered pricing from €150/month. Yazi's per-respondent model ($2.70 down to $1.60 at scale) keeps costs predictable.

If you want to enhance existing surveys...

Consider Reveal AI. Embeds into Qualtrics, Decipher, and other survey platforms without disrupting existing workflows.

If you need continuous customer intelligence...

Consider Propane. Always-on interviews triggered by CRM events rather than episodic research projects.

Limitations to Consider

AI-moderated interviews aren't a universal replacement for human moderators. Several limitations apply across all platforms:

•   Sensitive topics: While some evidence suggests participants feel more comfortable disclosing to AI (no human judgement), complex emotional topics may still benefit from human moderation.

•   Sample size requirements: Research suggests AI-moderated studies typically need 30+ participants for adequate saturation, compared to 5-15 for human-moderated interviews.

•   Non-verbal cues: Text-based platforms miss body language and facial expressions. Video platforms capture these but may add participant self-consciousness.

•   Topic complexity: Highly technical or niche subjects may require domain-specific AI training not available in general platforms.

•   Participant novelty: Some participants initially find AI interviews novel, which may affect early responses. Researchers report this effect typically diminishes after the first few questions.

Key Takeaways

1. Match platform to context. WhatsApp-native for emerging markets, video-first for stakeholder storytelling, embedded for survey enhancement. No single platform excels across all use cases.

2. AI-moderated interviews deliver measurably richer data. Benchmark studies show 129% more words, 66% higher transcript quality, and significantly lower gibberish rates compared to traditional surveys.

3. Scale changes the research equation. The ability to run hundreds of interviews overnight means you can segment, compare, and validate at sample sizes previously reserved for quantitative work.

4. Pricing varies widely. From $1.60 per respondent to enterprise annual subscriptions. Understand your volume needs before committing.

5. Compliance matters. If data residency is critical, verify server locations. EU-based platforms offer clear advantages for GDPR-sensitive organisations.

The category is evolving rapidly. Most platforms reviewed here have launched or significantly updated within the past 18 months. For the most current capabilities and pricing, contact vendors directly or request a pilot project to evaluate fit for your specific research needs.