M-Files vs Microsoft Purview:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Microsoft Purview had more branded searches than M-Files among records management software worldwide. Microsoft Purview had about 60,500 branded searches, while M-Files had 14,800. Microsoft Purview made up 18.2% of all records management software searches we track, and M-Files accounted for 4.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about records management software, M-Files and Microsoft Purview each appeared in three of the five answers. Microsoft Purview was mentioned before M-Files in two out of three answers.
Who do people search for more?
Microsoft Purview, about 4 searches for every 1 for M-Files
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Microsoft Purview, named ahead of M-Files in 2 of 3 answers
Follow M-Files vs Microsoft Purview and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top records management software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, M-Files was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either 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 M-Files 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 M-Files or Microsoft Purview more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for M-Files 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, M-Files. 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 M-Files and Microsoft Purview comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Microsoft Purview was ahead of M-Files in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, M-Files’ share of searches among records management software worldwide moved from 5.4% to 4.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.1K to 14.8K.
- 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, M-Files gained share of searches among records management software worldwide, from 3.8% to 4.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using M-Files’ 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.
M-Files
2 branded search terms
- m-files
- m-files app
Microsoft Purview
1 branded search term
- microsoft purview
Other head-to-heads among records management software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.