Akai vs Arturia:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Akai had more branded searches than Arturia among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand. Akai had about 240 branded searches, while Arturia had 220. Akai made up 18.9% of all MIDI controller brand searches we track, and Arturia accounted for 17.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MIDI controller brands, both Akai and Arturia appeared in all five answers. Arturia was mentioned before Akai in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Akai, about 9% more searches than Arturia
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Arturia, named ahead of Akai in 4 of 5 answers
Follow Akai vs Arturia 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 MIDI controller brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Akai and Arturia showed up in all five answers. Arturia was listed before Akai in four of them.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Arturia1st
- Akai2nd
Novation3rd
Native Instruments4th
Nektar5th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Akai5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Arturia5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Novation4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Nektar4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Native Instruments3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about MIDI controller brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which MIDI controller brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best MIDI controller brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best MIDI controller brand in New Zealand for music production?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“midi keyboard nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best midi controller”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Akai or Arturia more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Akai and Arturia by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five MIDI controller brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Akai, Arturia. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Novation | Native Instruments | Akai | Arturia | Nektar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29.6% | 29.6% | 21% | 16.7% | 3.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 26.2% | 32.2% | 15.3% | 21.9% | 4.4% |
| Dec 2025 | 26% | 32% | 18.7% | 18% | 5.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 17.2% | 47.3% | 14.5% | 17.7% | 3.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 24.5% | 37.1% | 16.4% | 17% | 5% |
| Mar 2026 | 36.2% | 23.9% | 17.8% | 17.2% | 4.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 31.6% | 25.7% | 20.4% | 17.8% | 4.6% |
| May 2026 | 29.6% | 29.6% | 20.4% | 16.7% | 3.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 32.2% | 26.2% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 5.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.3% | 29.3% | 17.3% | 20.3% | 3.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 28.3% | 28.3% | 18.1% | 19.6% | 5.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 30.7% | 25.2% | 18.9% | 17.3% | 7.9% |
How has the Akai and Arturia comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 6 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Arturia took it in November 2025, Akai took it in December 2025, Arturia took it in January 2026, Akai took it in March 2026, Arturia took it in July 2026, Akai took it in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Akai’s share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand moved from 21% to 18.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 340 to 240.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Arturia’s share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand moved from 16.7% to 17.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 270 to 220.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand MIDI controller brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Akai overtook Arturia to rank 3rd among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, with 18.9% of the searches.
In September 2026, Arturia lost share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, from 19.6% to 17.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Akai’s and Arturia’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 MIDI controller brands
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.