Alation vs Microsoft Purview:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft Purview had more branded searches than Alation among data lineage platforms worldwide. Microsoft Purview had about 60,500 branded searches, while Alation had 9,900. Microsoft Purview made up 29.9% of all data lineage platform searches we track, and Alation accounted for 4.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about data lineage platforms, Microsoft Purview appeared in four of the five answers and Alation in two. Microsoft Purview was mentioned before Alation in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft Purview, about 6 searches for every 1 for Alation
Who does AI mention more?
Microsoft Purview, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Alation in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Purview, named ahead of Alation in 3 of 4 answers
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Top data lineage platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Microsoft Purview was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Alation was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft Purview was listed before Alation in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Collibra1st
Atlan2nd
DataHub3rd
OpenMetadata4th- Microsoft Purview5th
Alation6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- DataHub5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Collibra5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- OpenMetadata5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Purview4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Atlan4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Alation2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about data lineage platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which data lineage platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best data lineage platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best data lineage platform for data tracking?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data lineage software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data catalog tools”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Alation or Microsoft Purview more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Alation and Microsoft Purview by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six data lineage platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Microsoft Purview, Alation. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | DataHub | Microsoft Purview | Atlan | Collibra | OpenMetadata | Alation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 27% | 27% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 9.9% | 6.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 23.9% | 29.2% | 16% | 13.1% | 10.7% | 7.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 23.2% | 28.4% | 15.6% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 6.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 23.2% | 28.4% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 6.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 28.5% | 28.5% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 10.4% | 7% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.9% | 30.5% | 13.7% | 13.7% | 11.2% | 6.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 25.6% | 31.3% | 14% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 6.3% |
| May 2026 | 28.1% | 28.1% | 15.4% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 5.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 26.5% | 32.4% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 11.9% | 5.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 28.9% | 28.9% | 13% | 13% | 10.6% | 5.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.7% | 27.7% | 15.2% | 12.4% | 10.1% | 6.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 29.9% | 29.9% | 13.4% | 11% | 11% | 4.9% |
How has the Alation and Microsoft Purview comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Microsoft Purview was ahead of Alation in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Alation’s share of searches among data lineage platforms worldwide moved from 6.6% to 4.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 9.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Purview’s share of searches among data lineage platforms worldwide moved from 27% to 29.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for data lineage platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Microsoft Purview gained share of searches among data lineage platforms worldwide, from 27.7% to 29.9%.
In September 2026, Alation lost share of searches among data lineage platforms worldwide, from 6.8% to 4.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Alation’s and Microsoft Purview’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Alation
1 branded search term
- alation
Microsoft Purview
1 branded search term
- microsoft purview
Other head-to-heads among data lineage platforms
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