Access vs Microsoft Purview:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft Purview had more branded searches than Access among records management software worldwide. Microsoft Purview had about 60,500 branded searches, while Access had 600. Microsoft Purview made up 18.2% of all records management software searches we track, and Access accounted for 0.18%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about records management software, Access appeared in four of the five answers and Microsoft Purview in three. Microsoft Purview was mentioned before Access in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft Purview, about 101 searches for every 1 for Access
Who does AI mention more?
Access, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Microsoft Purview in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Purview, named ahead of Access in 2 of 3 answers
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Top records management software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Access was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft Purview was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Microsoft Purview was listed before Access in two out of three answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
M-Files1st- Microsoft Purview2nd
Laserfiche3rd
DocuWare4th
OpenText5th- Access6th
Iron Mountain–
Collabspace–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Access4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Microsoft Purview3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- M-Files3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- DocuWare2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Laserfiche2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- OpenText2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Iron Mountain0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Collabspace0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about records management software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which records management software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best records management software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best records management software for organised business records?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“records management software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“records management system”
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 Access or Microsoft Purview more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Access and Microsoft Purview by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight records management software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Microsoft Purview, Access. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Iron Mountain | Microsoft Purview | DocuWare | Laserfiche | M-Files | Collabspace | Access | OpenText |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 60.2% | 14.8% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 0.39% | 0.19% | 0.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 74.1% | 10% | 8.2% | 3.6% | 3.7% | 0.26% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 60.4% | 14.8% | 12.2% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 0.26% | 0.19% | 0.06% |
| Jan 2026 | 60.3% | 14.9% | 12.2% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 0.22% | 0.22% | 0.08% |
| Feb 2026 | 61.1% | 15.1% | 12.4% | 5.5% | 5.5% | 0.18% | 0.2% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 58.4% | 17.6% | 11.8% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 0.17% | 0.19% | 0.08% |
| Apr 2026 | 58.4% | 17.6% | 11.8% | 6.5% | 5.3% | 0.17% | 0.19% | 0.08% |
| May 2026 | 63.2% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 0.19% | 0.2% | 0.05% |
| Jun 2026 | 61.1% | 18.4% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 4.5% | 0.22% | 0.18% | 0.06% |
| Jul 2026 | 63.2% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 5.7% | 4.7% | 0.19% | 0.17% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 62.9% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 7% | 3.8% | 0.18% | 0.19% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 60.3% | 18.2% | 10% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 0.22% | 0.18% | 0.04% |
How has the Access and Microsoft Purview comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Microsoft Purview was ahead of Access in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Access’ share of searches among records management software worldwide moved from 0.19% to 0.18%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 650 to 600.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Purview’s share of searches among records management software worldwide moved from 14.8% to 18.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for records management software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Microsoft Purview gained share of searches among records management software worldwide, from 15.5% to 18.2%.
In September 2026, Access fell from 6th to 7th among records management software worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Access’ 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.
Access
2 branded search terms
- access records
- access records management
Microsoft Purview
1 branded search term
- microsoft purview
Other head-to-heads among records management software
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