How popular isMOTU?
In September 2026, people searched for MOTU by name about 35,900 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 12.3% of all global audio interface brand searches, placing MOTU fourth out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about audio interface brands, MOTU appeared in three of the five answers and was the third most recommended of the six.
MOTU is the fourth most searched of 6 competitors and the third most recommended in AI answers.
FocusriteShare of searches 37.6%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Universal AudioShare of searches 25.3%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
PreSonusShare of searches 13.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
MOTUShare of searches 12.3%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
AudientShare of searches 7.6%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
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Top audio interface brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, MOTU was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. MOTU is the third most recommended of the six.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Focusrite5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Universal Audio4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Audient4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
RME4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
MOTU3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
PreSonus1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about audio interface brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which audio interface brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best audio interface brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best audio interface brand for home recording?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best audio interface”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“usb audio interface”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which audio interface brands compete with MOTU?
Share of searches by month for Focusrite, Universal Audio, PreSonus, MOTU, Audient, RME. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Focusrite | Universal Audio | PreSonus | MOTU | Audient | RME |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.1% | 28.6% | 19.2% | 9.2% | 4.7% | 3.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 32.1% | 39.1% | 14.4% | 8.4% | 3.5% | 2.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.5% | 38.4% | 14.1% | 10% | 3.5% | 2.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 35.2% | 28.8% | 19.3% | 9.3% | 4.7% | 2.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.3% | 22.1% | 18.1% | 10.6% | 5.4% | 3.5% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.4% | 21.6% | 17.6% | 12.5% | 5.3% | 3.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 37.4% | 30.5% | 13.7% | 9.8% | 5% | 3.5% |
| May 2026 | 36.3% | 24.4% | 16.3% | 14.2% | 4.9% | 3.9% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.6% | 25.3% | 13.9% | 14.6% | 5.1% | 3.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.6% | 21.8% | 14.6% | 15.3% | 5.3% | 3.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 39.6% | 21.8% | 14.6% | 15.4% | 5.3% | 3.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.6% | 25.3% | 13.8% | 12.3% | 7.6% | 3.5% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 37.6% | 110K | 0% | -2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 25.3% | 74K | +22.3% | +3.5 points | |
| 3, moved from 4th to 3rd | 13.8% | 40.5K | 0% | -0.7 pointsmoved from 4th to 3rd | |
| 4, moved from 3rd to 4th | 12.3% | 35.9K | -16.1% | -3.1 pointsmoved from 3rd to 4th | |
| 5, held 5th | 7.6% | 22.2K | +50% | +2.3 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 3.5% | 10.2K | +7.4% | +0.1 points |
37.6%
Held 1st. 110K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -2 points.
25.3%
Held 2nd. 74K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +3.5 points.
3.
PreSonus13.8%
Moved from 4th to 3rd. 40.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.
4.
MOTU12.3%
Moved from 3rd to 4th. 35.9K estimated branded searches, -16.1% vs prior month. Share -3.1 points.
5.
Audient7.6%
Held 5th. 22.2K estimated branded searches, +50% vs prior month. Share +2.3 points.
6.
RME3.5%
Held 6th. 10.2K estimated branded searches, +7.4% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between MOTU and its closest rivals
Every comparison with MOTU
5 comparisons
How has branded search demand for MOTU changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for MOTU worldwide held steady, from 35.5K to 35.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MOTU’s share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide increased from 9.2% to 12.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MOTU’s share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide peaked at 15.4% in August 2026 and was lowest at 8.4% in November 2025.
How did search popularity change for audio interface brands worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes

In September 2026, Universal Audio gained share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide, from 21.8% to 25.3%.

In September 2026, Audient gained share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide, from 5.3% to 7.6%.

In September 2026, MOTU lost share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide, from 15.4% to 12.3%.

In September 2026, Focusrite lost share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide, from 39.6% to 37.6%.

In September 2026, PreSonus lost share of searches among audio interface brands worldwide, from 14.6% to 13.8%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for RME worldwide fell 18.4% over 12 measured months, from 12.5K to 10.2K in September 2026.
How are MOTU’s branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MOTU’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- motu audio
- motu interface
- motu m2
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