Akai vs Novation:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Novation had more branded searches than Akai among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand. Novation had about 390 branded searches, while Akai had 240. Novation made up 30.7% of all MIDI controller brand searches we track, and Akai accounted for 18.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MIDI controller brands, Akai appeared in all five answers and Novation in four. Novation was mentioned before Akai in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Novation, about 63% more searches than Akai
Who does AI mention more?
Akai, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Novation, named ahead of Akai in 3 of 5 answers
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Top MIDI controller brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Akai appeared in all five answers. Novation was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Novation was listed before Akai 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 Akai or Novation more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Akai and Novation 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 Novation, Akai. 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 Novation comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Novation was ahead of Akai in every measured month of the 12 months ending 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, Novation’s share of searches among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand moved from 29.6% to 30.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 480 to 390.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand MIDI controller brands in September 2026?
2 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, Akai overtook Arturia to rank 3rd among MIDI controller brands in New Zealand, with 18.9% of the searches.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Akai’s and Novation’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
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