Gradelink vs Sycamore:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sycamore had more branded searches than Gradelink among school administration software worldwide. Sycamore had about 201,000 branded searches, while Gradelink had 135,000. Sycamore made up 3.3% 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 appeared in three of the five answers and Sycamore in none.
Who do people search for more?
Sycamore, about 49% more searches than Gradelink
Who does AI mention more?
Gradelink, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Sycamore in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Gradelink, the only one of the two named
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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. Sycamore 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.
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 Sycamore more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Gradelink and Sycamore 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 Sycamore, 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 Sycamore comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sycamore 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, Sycamore’s share of searches among school administration software worldwide moved from 5.1% to 3.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 246K to 201K.
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, Sycamore gained share of searches among school administration software worldwide, from 2.7% to 3.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gradelink’s and Sycamore’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 school administration software

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