Brandwave

CompTIA vs Microsoft Learn:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Microsoft Learn had more branded searches than CompTIA among IT certification providers worldwide. Microsoft Learn had about 351,000 branded searches, while CompTIA had 316,000. Microsoft Learn made up 22.9% of all IT certification provider searches we track, and CompTIA accounted for 20.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about IT certification providers, CompTIA appeared in all five answers and Microsoft Learn in three. CompTIA was mentioned before Microsoft Learn in every answer.

Among IT certification providers worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Microsoft Learn, about 11% more searches than CompTIA

Microsoft Learn 351K searchesCompTIA 316K searches

Who does AI mention more?

CompTIA, mentioned in every answer we collected

CompTIA in 5 of 5Microsoft Learn in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

CompTIA, named ahead of Microsoft Learn in every answer

CompTIA first in 5Microsoft Learn never first

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Top IT certification providers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, CompTIA appeared in all five answers. Microsoft Learn was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. CompTIA was listed before Microsoft Learn in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. CompTIA1st
  2. Cisco2nd
  3. Microsoft Learn3rd
  4. ISC24th
  5. AWS Certification5th
  6. PRINCE2–
  7. PMI–
  8. GIAC–
  9. EXIN–
  10. Axelos–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Cisco5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • CompTIA5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Microsoft Learn3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • ISC22 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • AWS Certification1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • PRINCE20 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • PMI0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • GIAC0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • EXIN0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Axelos0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about IT certification providers

5 answers

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 CompTIA or Microsoft Learn more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for CompTIA and Microsoft Learn by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten IT certification providers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

CompTIA and Microsoft Learn among IT certification providers worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Microsoft Learn, CompTIA. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCiscoMicrosoft LearnCompTIAAWS CertificationPRINCE2PMIGIACISC2EXINAxelos
Oct 202536.6%23.2%24.5%12.5%1.4%0.92%0.5%0.27%0.02%<0.01%
Nov 202538.4%24.4%21%13.1%1.4%0.96%0.43%0.23%0.02%<0.01%
Dec 202535.3%27.4%19.6%14.7%1.3%0.88%0.48%0.26%0.02%<0.01%
Jan 202636%28%20%12.3%1.7%1.1%0.6%0.27%0.02%<0.01%
Feb 202642.9%22.5%19.4%12.1%1.3%0.89%0.49%0.26%0.02%0.02%
Mar 202641.3%25.6%18.7%11.7%1.3%0.86%0.38%0.25%0.02%0.02%
Apr 202642.7%22.7%19.5%12.2%1.3%0.9%0.4%0.21%0.02%<0.01%
May 202641.1%25.8%18.8%11.8%1.1%0.86%0.31%0.26%0.02%0.01%
Jun 202642.2%27.4%15.8%12.1%1.1%0.89%0.32%0.18%0.02%<0.01%
Jul 202644.9%28.1%14%10.5%1.2%0.77%0.34%0.19%0.01%<0.01%
Aug 202647%24.3%17.5%9.1%0.99%0.66%0.3%0.16%0.01%<0.01%
Sep 202645.7%22.9%20.6%8.8%0.97%0.65%0.29%0.16%0.01%<0.01%

How has the CompTIA and Microsoft Learn comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for IT certification providers worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, CompTIA gained share of searches among IT certification providers worldwide, from 17.5% to 20.6%.

  2. In September 2026, Microsoft Learn lost share of searches among IT certification providers worldwide, from 24.3% to 22.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CompTIA’s and Microsoft Learn’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.

CompTIA

2 branded search terms

  • comptia
  • comptia certification

Microsoft Learn

2 branded search terms

  • microsoft certification
  • microsoft learn

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among IT certification providers

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