AzuraCast vs NextKast:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, AzuraCast had more branded searches than NextKast among radio automation software worldwide. AzuraCast had about 6,600 branded searches, while NextKast had 260. AzuraCast made up 1% of all radio automation software searches we track, and NextKast accounted for 0.04%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about radio automation software, AzuraCast appeared in four of the five answers and NextKast in two. AzuraCast was mentioned before NextKast in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
AzuraCast, about 25 searches for every 1 for NextKast
Who does AI mention more?
AzuraCast, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, NextKast in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
AzuraCast, named ahead of NextKast in 3 of 4 answers
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Top radio automation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, AzuraCast was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. NextKast was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. AzuraCast was listed before NextKast 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.
RadioDJ1st- StationPlaylist2nd
- RadioBOSS3rd
- AzuraCast4th
RCS5th
NextKast6th
WideOrbit7th
PlayoutONE8th
ENCO9th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- RadioDJ5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- AzuraCast4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- StationPlaylist4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- RCS2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- RadioBOSS2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- WideOrbit2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- NextKast2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- ENCO1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- PlayoutONE1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about radio automation software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which radio automation software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best radio automation software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best radio automation software for a radio station?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“radio automation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“radio station software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is AzuraCast or NextKast more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for AzuraCast and NextKast by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine radio automation software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for AzuraCast, NextKast. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | RadioDJ | RCS | ENCO | RadioBOSS | AzuraCast | WideOrbit | PlayoutONE | StationPlaylist | NextKast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46% | 46% | 5.1% | 1.5% | 0.82% | 0.37% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.1% | 46.1% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 0.83% | 0.29% | 0.15% | 0.11% | 0.05% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.6% | 46.6% | 4.2% | 1.3% | 0.84% | 0.29% | 0.14% | 0.09% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 46% | 46% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.29% | 0.15% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.8% | 41.5% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.32% | 0.15% | 0.12% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.8% | 45.8% | 5% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.37% | 0.13% | 0.13% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 46.5% | 46.5% | 4.2% | 1.3% | 1% | 0.29% | 0.14% | 0.09% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 46.1% | 46.1% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.25% | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.04% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.6% | 50.9% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.12% | 0.1% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.5% | 50.8% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.32% | 0.12% | 0.1% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 31.9% | 58.2% | 6.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.37% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 46.1% | 46.1% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 1% | 0.29% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.04% |
How has the AzuraCast and NextKast comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- AzuraCast was ahead of NextKast in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AzuraCast’s share of searches among radio automation software worldwide moved from 0.82% to 1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NextKast’s share of searches among radio automation software worldwide moved from 0.06% to 0.04%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 390 to 260.
How did search popularity change for radio automation software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AzuraCast’s and NextKast’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 radio automation software
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