Box vs M-Files:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, M-Files had more branded searches than Box among document management software worldwide. M-Files had about 14,800 branded searches, while Box had 2,490. M-Files made up 0.43% of all document management software searches we track, and Box accounted for 0.07%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about document management software, M-Files appeared in all five answers and Box in four. Box was mentioned before M-Files in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
M-Files, about 6 searches for every 1 for Box
Who does AI mention more?
M-Files, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Box, named ahead of M-Files in 3 of 5 answers
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Top document management software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, M-Files appeared in all five answers. Box was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Box was listed before M-Files in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
SharePoint1st- Box2nd
- M-Files3rd
Dropbox Business4th
Laserfiche5th
DocuWare6th
FYI–
Objective–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SharePoint5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- M-Files5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- DocuWare4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Box4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Laserfiche3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Dropbox Business3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- FYI0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Objective0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about document management software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which document management system should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best document management systems?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best document management system for file organisation?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“document management software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“document management system”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Box or M-Files more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Box and M-Files by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight document management software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for M-Files, Box. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | SharePoint | FYI | DocuWare | Laserfiche | M-Files | Dropbox Business | Objective | Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 95.9% | 0.78% | 1.4% | 0.78% | 0.63% | 0.28% | 0.18% | 0.08% |
| Nov 2025 | 96.2% | 0.64% | 1.4% | 0.64% | 0.64% | 0.23% | 0.16% | 0.07% |
| Dec 2025 | 95.9% | 0.78% | 1.4% | 0.78% | 0.63% | 0.23% | 0.13% | 0.09% |
| Jan 2026 | 95.5% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.63% | 0.28% | 0.14% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 95.9% | 0.95% | 1.4% | 0.63% | 0.63% | 0.23% | 0.16% | 0.09% |
| Mar 2026 | 95.5% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.63% | 0.23% | 0.17% | 0.11% |
| Apr 2026 | 95.6% | 1.2% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.63% | 0.23% | 0.14% | 0.1% |
| May 2026 | 96.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.52% | 0.19% | 0.14% | 0.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 96.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.64% | 0.52% | 0.15% | 0.15% | 0.09% |
| Jul 2026 | 96.1% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.52% | 0.15% | 0.18% | 0.09% |
| Aug 2026 | 96% | 1.2% | 1.2% | 0.78% | 0.42% | 0.19% | 0.16% | 0.08% |
| Sep 2026 | 96.4% | 1.2% | 0.95% | 0.64% | 0.43% | 0.23% | 0.12% | 0.07% |
How has the Box and M-Files comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- M-Files was ahead of Box in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Box’s share of searches among document management software worldwide moved from 0.08% to 0.07%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 2.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, M-Files’ share of searches among document management software worldwide moved from 0.63% to 0.43%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
How did search popularity change for document management software worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for M-Files worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.1K to 14.8K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Box’s and M-Files’ 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.
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