Huel vs Optifast:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Optifast had more branded searches than Huel among meal replacement brands in Australia. Optifast had about 12,100 branded searches, while Huel had 1,900. Optifast made up 24.8% of all meal replacement brand searches we track, and Huel accounted for 3.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about meal replacement brands, Optifast appeared in two of the five answers and Huel in one. Optifast was mentioned before Huel in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Optifast, about 6 searches for every 1 for Huel
Who does AI mention more?
Optifast, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Huel in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Optifast, named ahead of Huel in 2 of 3 answers
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Top meal replacement brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Optifast was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Huel was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Optifast was listed before Huel in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- The Lady Shake1st
The Man Shake2nd
OptiSlim3rd- Optifast4th
IsoWhey5th
Huel6th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- The Lady Shake3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- The Man Shake2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Optifast2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- IsoWhey2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- OptiSlim1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Huel1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about meal replacement brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which meal replacement shake should I buy in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best meal replacement shakes in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best meal replacement shake for weight loss?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“meal replacement shakes”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“meal replacement”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 26, 2026.
Is Huel or Optifast more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Huel and Optifast by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six meal replacement brands we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Optifast, Huel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | The Man Shake | Optifast | The Lady Shake | OptiSlim | Huel | IsoWhey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 35.8% | 23.9% | 19.5% | 13.1% | 3.9% | 3.9% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 22.7% | 18.6% | 10.1% | 2.5% | 4.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 38.6% | 25.8% | 17.3% | 11.5% | 2.8% | 4.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 41.8% | 22.8% | 18.6% | 10.2% | 2.9% | 3.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.7% | 24.5% | 20.1% | 11% | 3.9% | 3.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.6% | 23.8% | 19.5% | 10.6% | 5.7% | 4.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 31.6% | 31.6% | 17.3% | 11.5% | 4.1% | 4.1% |
| May 2026 | 33.7% | 27.6% | 18.5% | 12.3% | 4.3% | 3.6% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.9% | 27.8% | 18.6% | 12.4% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 35.2% | 28.7% | 15.7% | 12.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.5% | 27.4% | 18.3% | 12.2% | 4.3% | 4.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 37.2% | 24.8% | 16.6% | 13.6% | 3.9% | 3.9% |
How has the Huel and Optifast comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Optifast was ahead of Huel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Huel’s share of searches among meal replacement brands in Australia held steady at 3.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Optifast’s share of searches among meal replacement brands in Australia moved from 23.9% to 24.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 12.1K.
How did search popularity change for Australia meal replacement brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Optifast lost share of searches among meal replacement brands in Australia, from 27.4% to 24.8%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Huel in Australia fell 20.8% over 12 measured months, from 2.4K to 1.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Huel’s and Optifast’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.
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