Brandwave

NextKast vs RCS:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, RCS had more branded searches than NextKast among radio automation software worldwide. RCS had about 301,000 branded searches, while NextKast had 260. RCS made up 46.1% 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, NextKast and RCS each appeared in two of the five answers. NextKast and RCS were each mentioned first in two of the four answers that named either.

Among radio automation software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

RCS, about 1158 searches for every 1 for NextKast

RCS 301K searchesNextKast 260 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

NextKast in 2 of 5RCS in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

NextKast first in 2RCS first in 2

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Top radio automation software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two 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. RCS was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. NextKast and RCS were each listed first in two of the four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. RadioDJ1st
  2. StationPlaylist2nd
  3. RadioBOSS3rd
  4. AzuraCast4th
  5. RCS5th
  6. NextKast6th
  7. WideOrbit7th
  8. PlayoutONE8th
  9. 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

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is NextKast or RCS more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for NextKast and RCS 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.

NextKast and RCS among radio automation software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for RCS, NextKast. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthRadioDJRCSENCORadioBOSSAzuraCastWideOrbitPlayoutONEStationPlaylistNextKast
Oct 202546%46%5.1%1.5%0.82%0.37%0.11%0.11%0.06%
Nov 202546.1%46.1%5.1%1.2%0.83%0.29%0.15%0.11%0.05%
Dec 202546.6%46.6%4.2%1.3%0.84%0.29%0.14%0.09%0.04%
Jan 202646%46%5.1%1.2%1%0.29%0.15%0.11%0.04%
Feb 202650.8%41.5%4.6%1.4%1.1%0.32%0.15%0.12%0.04%
Mar 202645.8%45.8%5%1.5%1.2%0.37%0.13%0.13%0.04%
Apr 202646.5%46.5%4.2%1.3%1%0.29%0.14%0.09%0.04%
May 202646.1%46.1%5.1%1.2%1%0.25%0.11%0.09%0.04%
Jun 202641.6%50.9%4.6%1.4%1.1%0.27%0.12%0.1%0.03%
Jul 202641.5%50.8%4.6%1.4%1.1%0.32%0.12%0.1%0.03%
Aug 202631.9%58.2%6.4%1.6%1.3%0.37%0.14%0.14%0.05%
Sep 202646.1%46.1%5.1%1.2%1%0.29%0.11%0.11%0.04%

How has the NextKast and RCS comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • RCS was ahead of NextKast in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, RCS’s share of searches among radio automation software worldwide moved from 46% to 46.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 301K.

How did search popularity change for radio automation software worldwide in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, RadioDJ overtook RCS to become the leader among radio automation software worldwide, with 46.1% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, RCS lost share of searches among radio automation software worldwide, from 58.2% to 46.1%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for NextKast worldwide fell 33.3% over 12 measured months, from 390 to 260 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using NextKast’s and RCS’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.

NextKast

1 branded search term

  • nextkast

RCS

1 branded search term

  • rcs

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among radio automation software

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