I tested the dscout app to see if its paid missions are worth your time. It is legit and pays well per mission, but you have to apply for every mission, and there is no guarantee you get picked. Below is what I found, and which apps I recommend instead.
Legit and pays well per mission, but hard to earn from regularly
Missions usually pay around $25 to $50, through PayPal with no threshold. Every mission has limited slots, and you have to be selected.
On this page
The short answer
dscout is legit. It is a micro-task app that pays you for participating in missions, and it pays quite well. That is its main strength.
But earning regularly from it is quite hard, because there is no guarantee you will be able to participate in missions. Every mission has a limited number of slots, and you compete with other members for them. If you prefer an easier way to earn extra cash, other survey apps are a better fit.
- Available globally
- High rewards per mission
- Pays through PayPal, automatically
- No payout threshold
- A well-designed, user-friendly app
- Limited earning opportunities
- You have to apply and be selected for every mission
- Missions often ask you to record a video or take photos
- Payment arrives after the mission deadline, typically 10 business days later
My experience with dscout
I tested the dscout app, its missions, the sign-up and the support options. This is what I looked at, and what I did not test.
- First tested
- June 2020Review first published Jun 9, 2020
- Latest retest
- Checked: missions, payouts, app, support
- Mission types
- Diary, Live and ExpressAll open missions show right after you log in
- Pay per mission
- Usually around $25 to $50Depending on the length of the mission
- The missions list, the mission instructions and the rewards
- The sign-up as a Scout and the phone verification
- The rewards overview in the app
- The FAQ and the in-app contact form
- A full mission from application to reward. My review does not show that I was selected.
- A payout. My review does not show a payment from dscout.
An inside look at dscout
I made a short video that gives you a full guided tour of dscout and shows exactly how it works. My review does not show a payment from dscout, so this video does not show a payout.
Screenshots from my test
dscout missions are hard to get into. These survey apps let you earn without applying first.
See the best survey appsdscout at a glance
| What it is | Micro-task mobile app that pays you for participating in missions |
|---|---|
| Ways to earn | Missions only: Diary, Live and Express missions |
| Pay per mission | Usually around $25 to $50, depending on the length of the mission |
| Minimum cashout | None. You are paid for every completed mission. |
| Payout method | PayPal only, processed automatically |
| Payout speed | After the mission deadline has passed, typically 10 business days |
| Minimum age | 18, because PayPal requires it |
| Who can join | Available globally |
| Devices | Mobile app for Android and iOS |
| Sign-up | Sign up as a Scout, not a Researcher. Your phone number is verified. |
| Support | FAQ, a contact form on the website and in the app, and a phone number |
Is dscout legit and safe?
Yes, dscout is legit. It does pay you for participating in missions. But that does not mean it is easy to earn from. Here is what you should know before you join.
- You have to be selected for every mission
Each mission has a maximum number of participants. The mission leader reviews all applications and chooses who participates. So even if you become a member, there is no guarantee you will earn from this app.
- Missions ask for videos and photos
Often, a mission involves recording a small video or taking photos. Live missions record your screen while the mission leader watches. If you do not feel comfortable with this, this app is not for you.
- One missed step can cost you the reward
The mission leader reviews your work and decides if you get the reward. Follow the instructions carefully. Three readers in 2022 and 2023 report crashes during video tasks or a desktop extension, and two of them say they were not paid for a mission. A reader in 2025 reports steady earnings.
- You wait for your money
dscout pays after the mission deadline has passed, not when you finish. Then it typically takes 10 business days before the payment shows in your PayPal account.
My takedscout is a decent site to join if you are interested in doing micro-tasks. It is kind of hard earning from this app, but the payoff will be worth the patience you invest, in my opinion. If you prefer an easier method of earning extra cash, I suggest you check out the top survey sites in your country instead.
How you earn on dscout
There is only one way to earn: missions. There are three types. Tap one to read more.
How missions workAround $25 to $50
Log in to the app, and you immediately see all missions open for application. Click a mission to see the instructions, what is required of you and the reward. Then you go through an application process and answer screener questions.
Each mission has a maximum number of participants, so apply as soon as possible if you are interested. The mission leader, usually a representative of the company that made the mission, chooses who participates based on the application answers.
If you are selected, you do what the mission asks and submit everything through the mission page. The mission leader then reviews your work and tells dscout if you get the reward.
Diary missionsSeveral days
Diary missions are missions you have to do in succession for several days.
Live missionsScreen recording
Live missions require you to record your mobile screen with the dscout screen-recording tool. While you record, the mission leader views what you are doing at the same time, hence the term Live.
Express missionsOne go
Express missions are the typical micro-tasks: short tasks you can complete in one go.
How much can you make?
It mostly depends on how many missions you can complete. dscout pays quite well for each mission: usually around $25 to $50, depending on the length of the mission.
But you have to apply for each mission, and each one has a maximum number of participants, so the competition is quite stiff. To improve your chances, give structured and thoughtful answers. Well-thought-out answers are given more regard than one-word responses. Only apply to missions you are interested in.
Overall, you stand to earn a significant amount of money from this app if you ever get selected to participate in missions.
How you get paid
| Method | Minimum | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | None | After the mission deadline, typically 10 business days |
PayPal is the only payment method, so make sure you have a verified PayPal account before you join. dscout processes the payment automatically once the mission is over. You do not have to request it. If you complete a mission before its deadline, you still wait until the deadline has passed.
The app shows a breakdown of your upcoming rewards and the ones already processed, so you can keep track of your payments. For more sites with this method, see the top sites that pay via PayPal.
Who can join, and on which device?
dscout is available globally, so you can join regardless of where you live. You have to be at least 18, because dscout pays through PayPal, and that is the minimum age for a PayPal account.
Go to the dscout website and click “Sign Up”. Sign up as a Scout, not as a Researcher. Enter your login details, your full name and your phone number, so dscout can verify your account. Then you can start applying for missions.
dscout is a mobile-only platform for Android and iOS. The app is well-designed and very user-friendly. If you are not comfortable working on your phone, this platform is not for you.
What 8 readers told me
This review has 8 comments since 2022: 4 from readers and 4 replies from me. These are the things readers mention.
Two readers in 2022 say they did a mission with video tasks and were not paid. Follow every instruction, and contact support if a video does not upload.
A reader in 2023 had a desktop mission with a Chrome extension that kept crashing.
A reader in 2025 reports earning steadily since February 2025.
“I’m loving dscout. Over 600 since February of 2025.”
Mikael: That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing your results.
“I did a mission, which had video elements and I never got my money. I contacted support and they said they were unable to go and look at my video as they don’t have the time.”
Mikael: Sorry to hear that but thanks for sharing your experiences.
dscout alternatives I have reviewed
| Site | Best for | Min. cashout | My rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| UserTesting | Paid tests where you record your screen and voice | Paid per test via PayPal | 3.4 / 5 |
| Prolific | Academic studies with fair pay | £6/$6 | 3.4 / 5 |
| AttaPoll | Survey app with fast cashouts | $4, can vary by country | 3.3 / 5 |
| Askable | Paid research studies, paid right after you finish | None; paid after every study | 2.9 / 5 |
Prefer an easier way to earn? See the best survey apps or the top survey sites in your country. You do not have to apply to participate, and you can find a site you can join regardless of where you live.
How I scored dscout
I use the same 100-point system for every platform. See how I test and rate.
dscout scores 56 out of 100. If you want an easier way to earn, see these apps first.
See the best survey appsdscout FAQ
Is dscout a scam?
No. dscout is a legit micro-task app that pays you for participating in missions. But you have to be selected for each mission, so earning regularly is hard.
How much does dscout pay?
Usually around $25 to $50 per mission, depending on the length of the mission.
How does dscout pay?
Through PayPal only, with no payout threshold. dscout processes the payment automatically once the mission is over.
How long does dscout take to pay?
You wait until the mission deadline has passed. Then it typically takes 10 business days before the payment shows in your PayPal account.
Can I use dscout on a desktop?
dscout is a mobile-only platform for Android and iOS, so you do the missions on your phone.
Who can join dscout?
It is available globally. You must be at least 18, because PayPal requires it. Sign up as a Scout, not as a Researcher.
How do I contact dscout support?
Tap the question mark icon in the app to open the FAQ. You can also use the “Submit a request” link at the bottom of the Help page, the contact form on the website, or call the number on its contact page.
Who tested dscout for this review
If you have any comments, questions, or experiences with dscout, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.
I’m loving dscout. Over 600 since February of 2025.
That’s awesome. Thanks for sharing your results.
I tried to do a $75 mission. It was desktop based. They have a chrome extension, and it just kept crashing. Support kept saying to check my internet, how old my computer is, and other canned replies. I am on a brand-new MacBook, so it’s the software, not me. Both reviews on the browser extension (you can see at the chrome store for extensions) are one star, so I am not the only one w/ the issue.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I did a mission and was not paid. They claim I didn’t do the last video, yet I did, and I emailed it to them. The app is so buggy it kept crashing on the video, so I emailed it to support (as I was told). This company is down right garbage.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
They are horrible! I did a mission, which had video elements and I never got my money. I contacted support and they said they were unable to go and look at my video as they don’t have the time.
Avoid them at all costs!!!!
Sorry to hear that but thanks for sharing your experiences.