Native Instruments vs Nektar:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Native Instruments had more branded searches than Nektar among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand. Native Instruments had about 320 branded searches, while Nektar had 100. Native Instruments made up 25.2% of all MIDI controller brand searches we track, and Nektar accounted for 7.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MIDI controller brands, Nektar appeared in four of the five answers and Native Instruments in three. Native Instruments was mentioned before Nektar in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Native Instruments, about 3 searches for every 1 for Nektar
Who does AI mention more?
Nektar, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Native Instruments in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Native Instruments, named ahead of Nektar in 3 of 5 answers
Follow Native Instruments vs Nektar 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, Nektar was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Native Instruments was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Native Instruments was listed before Nektar in three out of five answers.
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 Native Instruments or Nektar more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Native Instruments and Nektar 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 Native Instruments, Nektar. 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 Native Instruments and Nektar comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Native Instruments was ahead of Nektar in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Native Instruments’ share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand moved from 29.6% to 25.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 480 to 320.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nektar’s share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand moved from 3.1% to 7.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 50 to 100.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand MIDI controller brands in September 2026?
3 changes

In September 2026, Novation overtook Native Instruments to become the leader among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, with 30.7% of the searches.

In September 2026, Nektar gained share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, from 5.8% to 7.9%.

In September 2026, Native Instruments lost share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, from 28.3% to 25.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Native Instruments’ and Nektar’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.
Native Instruments
2 branded search terms
- native instruments
- nativeinstruments
Nektar
2 branded search terms
- nektar
- nektar keyboard
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.