Akamai vs Zscaler:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Zscaler had more branded searches than Akamai among zero trust platforms worldwide. Zscaler had about 201,000 branded searches, while Akamai had 135,000. Zscaler made up 32.2% of all zero trust platform searches we track, and Akamai accounted for 21.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about zero trust platforms, Zscaler appeared in three of the five answers and Akamai in none.
Who do people search for more?
Zscaler, about 49% more searches than Akamai
Who does AI mention more?
Zscaler, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Akamai in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Zscaler, the only one of the two named
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Top zero trust platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Zscaler was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Akamai did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Zscaler1st
Palo Alto Networks2nd
Microsoft Entra3rd- Cloudflare One4th
Netskope5th
Appgate6th
Akamai–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Zscaler3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Netskope3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Palo Alto Networks2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Entra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Cloudflare One2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Appgate1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Akamai0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about zero trust platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Zero trust platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Zero trust platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Zero trust platform for network security?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“zero trust security”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cloud security platform”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Akamai or Zscaler more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Akamai and Zscaler by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven zero trust platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Zscaler, Akamai. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Zscaler | Akamai | Palo Alto Networks | Microsoft Entra | Netskope | Cloudflare One | Appgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.1% | 22% | 14.7% | 9.9% | 12.1% | 0.59% | 0.72% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.2% | 24.3% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 10.9% | 0.79% | 0.65% |
| Dec 2025 | 34.9% | 23.3% | 19.2% | 10.5% | 10.5% | 0.93% | 0.76% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.4% | 19.9% | 19.9% | 11% | 11% | 0.98% | 0.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.4% | 19.9% | 19.9% | 11% | 11% | 0.98% | 0.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.4% | 19.4% | 19.4% | 13% | 10.7% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.4% | 23.7% | 19.3% | 10.6% | 8.7% | 1.4% | 0.77% |
| May 2026 | 39.9% | 21.9% | 17.8% | 9.8% | 8% | 2% | 0.58% |
| Jun 2026 | 35.8% | 19.6% | 19.6% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 2.6% | 0.78% |
| Jul 2026 | 37.9% | 17.1% | 20.8% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 2.8% | 0.68% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.2% | 16.3% | 24.3% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 2.7% | 0.65% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.2% | 21.6% | 21.6% | 11.8% | 9.7% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
How has the Akamai and Zscaler comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Zscaler was ahead of Akamai in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Akamai’s share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide moved from 22% to 21.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zscaler’s share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide moved from 40.1% to 32.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for zero trust platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Akamai overtook Palo Alto Networks to rank 2nd among zero trust platforms worldwide, with 21.6% of the searches.
In September 2026, Zscaler lost share of searches among zero trust platforms worldwide, from 36.2% to 32.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Akamai’s and Zscaler’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.
Other head-to-heads among zero trust platforms
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