Infographic: Every Microsoft Acquisition Since 1986
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Key Takeaways
- Microsoft has acquired at least 277 companies since 1986, including businesses in hardware, software, communications, and gaming
- Many of these acquisitions have played a key role in Microsoft’s growth, including Hotmail in 1997 (email platform), Mojang in 2014 (developer of Minecraft), and GitHub in 2018 (world’s largest code hosting platform)
Microsoft has long been known for its aggressive acquisition strategy. Since the mid-1980s, the company has acquired hundreds of businesses to expand its reach across operating systems, enterprise software, gaming, AI, and more.
In this infographic, we break down a timeline of Microsoft acquisitions from 1986 to 2024, showing the evolution of its business interests over nearly four decades.
Data & Discussion
The data for this visualization comes from various online sources, with the bulk of the list coming from Wikipedia. We also referenced the official Microsoft blog to verify details and dates.
| Quarter | Company | Business Type |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1986 |  Dynamical Systems Research |
Operating systems |
| Q3 1987 | Forethought, Inc. |
Computer software |
| Q1 1991 |  Consumers Software |
Software |
| Q2 1992 | Fox Software |
PC database software |
| Q1 1994 | Softimage |
Wholesale 3-D visualization software |
| Q3 1994 | Altamira Software |
Software |
| Q4 1994 |  NextBase |
Software |
| Q4 1994 | One Tree Software |
Software |
| Q1 1995 | RenderMorphics |
3D graphics hardware |
| Q3 1995 | Network Managers |
Systems design |
| Q4 1995 | The Blue Ribbon SoundWorks |
Software |
| Q4 1995 | Netwise |
Computer software |
| Q4 1995 | Bruce Artwick Organization |
Programming |
| Q1 1996 | Vermeer Technologies |
Software |
| Q1 1996 |  VGA (Animation Software Division) |
Software |
| Q1 1996 | Colusa Software |
Software |
| Q2 1996 | Exos |
Video game controllers |
| Q2 1996 | Aspect Software Engineering |
Computer software |
| Q2 1996 | eShop Inc. |
Software |
| Q2 1996 | Electric Gravity |
Electronic games |
| Q4 1996 | Panorama Software (Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) |
Software |
| Q1 1997 | NetCarta |
Internet software |
| Q1 1997 | Interse |
Internet software |
| Q2 1997 | WebTV Networks |
Internet service provider |
| Q2 1997 | Dimension X |
Java-based platforms |
| Q2 1997 | Cooper & Peters |
Programming |
| Q2 1997 | LinkAge Software |
Internet software development |
| Q3 1997 | VXtreme |
Internet video software |
| Q4 1997 | Hotmail |
Internet software |
| Q1 1998 | Flash Communications |
Enterprise instant messaging software |
| Q2 1998 | Firefly |
Relationship management software |
| Q2 1998 | MESA Group |
Data sharing software |
| Q3 1998 | Valence Research |
Internet software |
| Q4 1998 | LinkExchange |
Internet advertising network |
| Q1 1999 | Virtual World Entertainment Group |
Video games |
| Q1 1999 | CompareNet |
Shopping online |
| Q1 1999 | Numinous Technologies |
Software |
| Q2 1999 | Access Software |
Video games |
| Q2 1999 | Interactive Objects-Digital |
Web music software |
| Q2 1999 | Jump Networks |
Internet service provider |
| Q2 1999 | ShadowFactor Software |
Wholesale computer software |
| Q2 1999 | Omnibrowse |
Internet software |
| Q2 1999 | Intrinsa |
Defect detection software |
| Q3 1999 |  Sendit |
Application software |
| Q3 1999 | Zoomit |
Encryption software |
| Q3 1999 | STNC |
Community software |
| Q3 1999 | Softway Systems |
Computer programming |
| Q4 1999 | Entropic |
Software |
| Q1 2000 | Visio Corporation |
Wholesale drawing software |
| Q1 2000 |  Peach Networks |
Digital TV services |
| Q1 2000 | Travelscape |
Internet service provider |
| Q2 2000 | Titus Communications |
Cable television |
| Q2 2000 | Bungie |
Video games |
| Q3 2000 | NetGames |
Software |
| Q3 2000 | MongoMusic |
Online music search engine |
| Q3 2000 | Pacific Microsonics |
Digital audio technology |
| Q4 2000 | Digital Anvil |
Video games |
| Q1 2001 | Vacationspot |
Internet service provider |
| Q2 2001 | Great Plains Software |
Business management software |
| Q2 2001 | Intellisol International |
Software |
| Q2 2001 | Ensemble Studios |
Video games |
| Q2 2001 | NCompass Labs |
Internet software |
| Q2 2001 | Maximal Innovative Intelligence |
Software |
| Q3 2001 | Yupi |
Online Spanish portal |
| Q1 2002 | Classic Custom Vacations |
Travel agency |
| Q2 2002 | Sales Management Systems |
Software |
| Q3 2002 |  Navision |
Software programming |
| Q3 2002 | Mobilocity |
Computer consulting |
| Q3 2002 | XDegrees |
Security software |
| Q3 2002 | Rare |
Video games |
| Q4 2002 | Vicinity |
Online enterprise location |
| Q1 2003 | Connectix |
Software |
| Q1 2003 |  DCG |
Internet software |
| Q2 2003 | PlaceWare |
Web conferencing |
| Q2 2003 | G.A. Sullivan |
Information technology |
| Q2 2003 |  GeCAD Software |
Antivirus technology |
| Q3 2003 | 3DO Co-High Heat Baseball |
Software |
| Q2 2004 | Encore Bus Solutions-IP Asts |
IP assets |
| Q2 2004 | ActiveViews |
Reporting systems |
| Q3 2004 | Lookout Software |
Personal search tool |
| Q4 2004 | GIANT Company Software |
Anti-spyware |
| Q1 2005 | en’tegrate |
Software |
| Q1 2005 | Groove Networks |
Community software |
| Q2 2005 | MessageCast |
Messaging |
| Q2 2005 |  Tsinghua-Shenxun-Cert Asts |
Certain assets |
| Q2 2005 | Sybari Software |
Software |
| Q3 2005 | Teleo |
VoIP |
| Q3 2005 | FrontBridge Technologies |
Email protection |
| Q3 2005 | Alacris |
Certificate management software |
| Q4 2005 |  media-streams.com |
Software |
| Q4 2005 | 5th Finger |
Mobile |
| Q1 2006 | UMT-Software and IP Assets |
Software |
| Q1 2006 |  MotionBridge |
Search |
| Q1 2006 | Seadragon Software |
Software |
| Q1 2006 | Apptimum |
Software |
| Q1 2006 | Onfolio |
Internet software |
| Q2 2006 | Lionhead Studios |
Video games |
| Q2 2006 | AssetMetrix |
Enterprise asset intelligence (SaaS) |
| Q2 2006 | Massive Incorporated |
Video game advertising |
| Q2 2006 | Vexcel |
Mapping software |
| Q2 2006 | DeepMetrix |
Web log analysis |
| Q2 2006 | ProClarity |
Analysis software |
| Q2 2006 | iView Multimedia |
Digital asset management |
| Q3 2006 | Softricity |
Application virtualization software |
| Q3 2006 | Winternals Software |
Software |
| Q3 2006 | Whale Communications |
Applications |
| Q3 2006 | Gteko |
Applications |
| Q4 2006 | DesktopStandard |
Applications |
| Q4 2006 | Colloquis |
Natural language software |
| Q1 2007 | Medstory |
Internet search engine |
| Q1 2007 | devBiz Business Solutions |
Software tools |
| Q2 2007 | ScreenTonic |
Advertising and marketing |
| Q2 2007 | Tellme Networks |
Mobile phone software |
| Q2 2007 | SoftArtisans |
Business Intelligence software |
| Q2 2007 | Engyro |
Information technology |
| Q2 2007 | Stratature |
Master data management |
| Q2 2007 | Savvis Inc-Data Centers |
Networking |
| Q3 2007 | AdECN |
Ad Exchange |
| Q3 2007 | aQuantive |
Digital marketing |
| Q4 2007 | Jellyfish.com |
Search engine |
| Q4 2007 | Parlano |
Enterprise messaging software |
| Q4 2007 |  Global Care Solutions-Assets |
Assets |
| Q4 2007 | HOB Business Solutions |
Information technology |
| Q4 2007 | Musiwave |
Mobile music entertainment |
| Q4 2007 | Multimap.com |
Mapping |
| Q1 2008 | Calista Technologies |
Software |
| Q1 2008 | Caligari Corporation |
Software |
| Q1 2008 | YaData |
Software |
| Q1 2008 | Rapt |
Advertising yield management software |
| Q1 2008 | Komoku |
Rootkit security software |
| Q1 2008 | 90 Degree Software |
Business intelligence software |
| Q2 2008 | Farecast |
Online search software |
| Q2 2008 | Danger |
Mobile Internet software |
| Q2 2008 |  Fast Search & Transfer |
Enterprise search[clarification needed] |
| Q2 2008 | Kidaro |
Software |
| Q2 2008 |  Quadreon |
Software |
| Q2 2008 | Navic Networks |
Management software |
| Q2 2008 |  Mobicomp |
Mobile applications |
| Q3 2008 | Powerset |
Semantic Search |
| Q3 2008 | DATAllegro |
Data software |
| Q3 2008 | Greenfield Online |
Search and e-commerce services |
| Q1 2009 | 3DV Systems |
Developer of ZCam, a time-of-flight camera |
| Q2 2009 | BigPark |
Video games interactive online gaming |
| Q2 2009 | Rosetta Biosoftware |
Bioinformatics solutions for life science research |
| Q3 2009 | Interactive Supercomputing |
Software |
| Q4 2009 | Opalis Software |
Software |
| Q1 2010 | Sentillion, Inc. |
Software for the healthcare industry |
| Q4 2010 | AVIcode, Inc. |
.Net monitoring technology |
| Q4 2010 | Canesta, Inc. |
3D sensing technology |
| Q2 2011 |  Skype Technologies |
Telecommunications |
| Q2 2011 | Prodiance |
Software |
| Q4 2011 | Twisted Pixel Games |
Video games |
| Q4 2011 | Videosurf |
Video search |
| Q2 2012 | Press Play |
Video games |
| Q2 2012 | Yammer |
Social networking |
| Q3 2012 | Perceptive Pixel |
Multi touch hardware |
| Q4 2012 | PhoneFactor |
Two-factor authentication system |
| Q4 2012 | StorSimple |
Cloud-storage appliance vendor |
| Q4 2012 | MarketingPilot |
Marketing automation firm |
| Q1 2013 | id8 Group R2 Studios |
Home automation |
| Q1 2013 | Pando Networks |
Peer-to-peer (P2P) media distribution |
| Q1 2013 | MetricsHub |
Cloud monitoring |
| Q1 2013 | Netbreeze |
Social analytics |
| Q2 2013 | InRelease |
Release management |
| Q3 2013 |  Nokia (Mobile Phones Unit) |
Mobile phones, smartphones |
| Q4 2013 |  HLW Software |
RDP applications |
| Q4 2013 | Apiphany |
API management |
| Q1 2014 | Parature |
Customer service software |
| Q2 2014 |  GreenButton |
Cloud computing |
| Q2 2014 | Capptain |
(Mobile) application development |
| Q3 2014 | SyntaxTree |
Developer tools |
| Q3 2014 |  InMage |
Disaster recovery solutions |
| Q3 2014 | Inception Mobile Inc. |
Software |
| Q4 2014 | Mojang Studios |
Video games |
| Q4 2014 | Aorato |
Enterprise security & machine learning |
| Q4 2014 | Acompli |
Mobile email apps |
| Q4 2014 | HockeyApp |
Mobile beta distribution & crash analytics |
| Q1 2015 | Equivio |
Text analytics service |
| Q1 2015 | Revolution Analytics |
Statistical computing and predictive analytics |
| Q1 2015 | Sunrise Atelier, Inc. |
Sunrise Calendar applications |
| Q1 2015 | N-trig |
Styli and pen input hardware and software |
| Q1 2015 | LiveLoop |
PowerPoint collaboration |
| Q2 2015 | Datazen Software, Inc. |
Mobile business intelligence & data visualization |
| Q2 2015 | 6 Wunderkinder GmbH |
Wunderlist to-do list applications |
| Q2 2015 | BlueStripe Software |
Application management |
| Q3 2015 | FieldOne Systems LLC |
Enterprise field service |
| Q3 2015 | Adallom |
Cloud security |
| Q3 2015 | Incent Games, LLC |
Sales-gamification |
| Q3 2015 | VoloMetrix, Inc. |
Organisational analytics |
| Q3 2015 | Double Labs, Inc. |
Mobile lock screen software |
| Q3 2015 | Adxstudio Inc. |
Web portal and application lifecycle management solutions |
| Q4 2015 |  Havok |
Video game physics engine |
| Q4 2015 | Mobile Data Labs, Inc. |
MileIQ, a mileage tracking application |
| Q4 2015 | Secure Islands Technologies Ltd. |
Data protection |
| Q4 2015 | Metanautix |
Big data analytics |
| Q4 2015 | Talko, Inc. |
Mobile communications |
| Q1 2016 | Event Zero |
VoIP Products |
| Q1 2016 | Teacher Gaming LLC |
Education software |
| Q1 2016 | SwiftKey |
Virtual keyboard |
| Q1 2016 | Groove |
Music discovery |
| Q1 2016 | Xamarin |
Mobile application development |
| Q2 2016 |  Solair |
Internet of Things platform |
| Q2 2016 | Wand Labs |
Conversation as a service |
| Q3 2016 | Beam |
Video game streaming |
| Q3 2016 | Genee |
AI-powered scheduling assistant service |
| Q4 2016 | LinkedIn |
Professional social network |
| Q1 2017 | Maluuba |
Artificial intelligence |
| Q1 2017 | Simplygon |
3D graphics optimization |
| Q2 2017 | Deis |
Container management |
| Q2 2017 | Intentional Software |
Intentional programming |
| Q2 2017 | Hexadite |
Cybersecurity |
| Q2 2017 | Cloudyn |
Cloud business management |
| Q3 2017 | Cycle Computing |
Cloud HPC |
| Q4 2017 | AltspaceVR |
Virtual reality |
| Q4 2017 | SWNG |
Cinemagraphic photo app |
| Q1 2018 | Avere Systems |
Data management |
| Q1 2018 | Playfab |
Gaming backend service |
| Q2 2018 | Semantic Machines |
Conversational AI |
| Q2 2018 | Ninja Theory |
Video games |
| Q2 2018 | Undead Labs |
Video games |
| Q2 2018 | Compulsion Games |
Video games |
| Q2 2018 | Playground Games |
Video games |
| Q2 2018 | Flipgrid |
Education, video discussion platform |
| Q2 2018 | Bonsai |
Industrial AI platform |
| Q3 2018 | Lobe |
Artificial intelligence |
| Q4 2018 | Glint |
Employee engagement |
| Q4 2018 | GitHub |
Software development and version control platform |
| Q4 2018 | inXile Entertainment |
Video games |
| Q4 2018 | Obsidian Entertainment |
Video games |
| Q4 2018 | XOXCO |
Conversational AI |
| Q4 2018 | FSLogix |
Application provisioning and virtualization |
| Q4 2018 | Spectrum |
Social networks for design and development |
| Q1 2019 | Citus Data |
Database management |
| Q1 2019 | DataSense |
Database management |
| Q2 2019 | Express Logic |
Real-time operating systems |
| Q2 2019 | Dependabot |
Open source tool |
| Q2 2019 | Drawbridge |
AI & machine learning technology |
| Q2 2019 | Double Fine Productions |
Video games |
| Q2 2019 | Pull Panda |
Software |
| Q3 2019 | BlueTalon |
Data privacy and governance service |
| Q3 2019 | PromoteIQ |
Retail e-commerce improvement |
| Q3 2019 | jClarity |
Java software optimization |
| Q3 2019 | Movere |
Cloud migration |
| Q3 2019 | Semmle |
Code analysis tool |
| Q4 2019 | Mover |
File migration |
| Q1 2020 | npm |
Software and JavaScript modules |
| Q1 2020 | Affirmed Networks |
5G Networking |
| Q2 2020 | Metaswitch Networks |
5G Networking |
| Q2 2020 | Softomotive |
Robotic Process Automation |
| Q2 2020 | ADRM Software |
Data modeling startup |
| Q2 2020 | CyberX |
IoT/OT Security |
| Q3 2020 | Orions Systems |
Dynamics 365 – SMart vision |
| Q3 2020 | ZeniMax Media |
Video games |
| Q4 2020 | Smash.gg |
Esports |
| Q1 2021 | The Marsden Group |
Tech in complex industrial environments |
| Q2 2021 | Nuance Communications |
Speech synthesis and speech recognition |
| Q2 2021 | Kinvolk |
Open source Kubernetes solutions and tools. |
| Q2 2021 | ReFirm Labs |
IoT security and embedded devices |
| Q2 2021 | AT&T (Network Cloud Technology) |
5G Networking |
| Q3 2021 | RiskIQ |
Cybersecurity ransomware |
| Q3 2021 | CloudKnox |
Cloud infrastructure entitlement management security |
| Q3 2021 | Suplari |
Software |
| Q3 2021 | Peer5 |
Peer-to-peer network technology |
| Q3 2021 | Clipchamp |
Video-editing software |
| Q3 2021 | TakeLessons |
Education |
| Q4 2021 | Ally.io |
Productivity |
| Q4 2021 | Clear Software |
Software |
| Q4 2021 | Two Hat |
Content moderation |
| Q4 2021 | Xandr |
Digital Media |
| Q1 2022 | Activision Blizzard |
Video games |
| Q1 2022 | Oribi |
Marketing analytics |
| Q1 2022 |  Minit |
Process mining software |
| Q2 2022 | Miburo |
Cyberthreat analysis and research specializing |
| Q4 2022 | Lumenisity |
Optical networking |
| Q1 2023 | Fungible |
composable infrastructure |
| Q2 2023 |  Nemesys Games |
Video games |
| Q1 2024 | Inflection AI |
AI personal assistant |
Of the 277 acquisitions listed in this dataset, 192 companies were based in the U.S. A further 20 were from Canada, 14 from Israel, and 13 from the UK. The remaining 37 were largely based in Europe and Asia.
Acquisition Growth Accelerates Post-2000
Microsoft’s M&A activity ramped up significantly in the 2000s, averaging 10 acquisitions per year between 2000 and 2009.
This period saw the company expand into enterprise software and services, acquiring names like Visio and Great Plains Software.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Visio was an all-stock deal worth $1.5 billion, which integrated diagramming software into Microsoft Office. Great Plains Software was purchased in a similar fashion, and would later become Microsoft Dynamics, offering business software for accounting, supply chain management, and more.
This era also marked Microsoft’s push into gaming, highlighted by its purchases of Ensemble Studios (the developer of Age of Empires) and Bungie (the creator of the Halo franchise).
Microsoft has continued to make major acquisitions in the gaming sector, including Mojang (the creator of Minecraft) and Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, etc.)
Microsoft’s Mobile Blunders
Unfortunately, not all of Microsoft’s acquisitions panned out the way they were intended. One of its most high-profile blunders was in the mobile sector.
In 2014, the company acquired Nokia’s Devices and Services division for $7.2 billion to build a hardware ecosystem for Windows Phone. Despite the scale of the deal, the strategy faltered—Microsoft wrote down nearly the entire acquisition just a year later, and Windows Phone was eventually abandoned.
Earlier, in 2008, Microsoft had acquired Danger Inc., the company behind the T-Mobile Sidekick, with hopes of bringing its expertise to new mobile products. That effort culminated in the Microsoft Kin, which flopped so badly they were discontinued just 48 days after launch.
Global and AI-Focused in Recent Years
Microsoft is increasingly focused on artificial intelligence and cloud computing, with deals like Nuance Communications (2021) in healthcare AI, and Inflection AI (2024) to boost its large language model (LLM) capabilities.
The deal with Inflection AI has been described as a pseudo-acquisition, where Microsoft hired key personnel to lead the development of Copilot.
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