Gradelink vs Skyward:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Skyward had more branded searches than Gradelink among school administration software worldwide. Skyward had about 2.9 million branded searches, while Gradelink had 135,000. Skyward made up 47.5% of all school administration software searches we track, and Gradelink accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about school administration software, Gradelink and Skyward each appeared in three of the five answers. Skyward was mentioned before Gradelink in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Skyward, about 22 searches for every 1 for Gradelink
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Skyward, named ahead of Gradelink in 3 of 4 answers
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Top school administration software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gradelink was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Skyward was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Skyward was listed before Gradelink in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
PowerSchool4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Skyward3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Gradelink3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Veracross1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Blackbaud Grantmaking1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Sycamore0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about school administration software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which school administration software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best school administration software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best school administration software for running school operations?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“school management system”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“student information 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 Gradelink or Skyward more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Gradelink and Skyward by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six school administration software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Skyward, Gradelink. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Skyward | PowerSchool | Sycamore | Gradelink | Veracross | Blackbaud Grantmaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 59.4% | 30.9% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 1.9% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.9% | 38.9% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 1.9% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 54.3% | 34.5% | 6.9% | 2.6% | 1.7% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 55.1% | 35.4% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 2.1% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 54.5% | 34.6% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 2.1% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 50.2% | 38.7% | 6.4% | 2.8% | 1.9% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.8% | 34.8% | 5.7% | 2.6% | 2.1% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 55.8% | 35.2% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 1.7% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 41% | 47% | 7.8% | 1.9% | 2.3% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.9% | 40% | 5.4% | 0.72% | 2% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 58% | 36.6% | 2.7% | 0.99% | 1.8% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 47.5% | 44.8% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 2.2% | <0.01% |
How has the Gradelink and Skyward comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Skyward was ahead of Gradelink in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gradelink’s share of searches among school administration software worldwide moved from 2.8% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Skyward’s share of searches among school administration software worldwide moved from 59.4% to 47.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 2.9M.
How did search popularity change for school administration software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Gradelink overtook Veracross to rank 4th among school administration software worldwide, with 2.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, Skyward lost share of searches among school administration software worldwide, from 58% to 47.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gradelink’s and Skyward’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.
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