Budget vs Thrifty:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Budget had more branded searches than Thrifty among car rental companies in Australia. Budget had about 49,500 branded searches, while Thrifty had 22,200. Budget made up 14.2% of all car rental company searches we track, and Thrifty accounted for 6.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about car rental companies, Budget appeared in all five answers and Thrifty in one. Budget was mentioned before Thrifty in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Budget, about 2 searches for every 1 for Thrifty
Who does AI mention more?
Budget, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Budget, named ahead of Thrifty in every answer
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Top car rental companies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Budget appeared in all five answers. Thrifty was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Budget was listed before Thrifty in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sixt5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Budget5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
East Coast Car Rentals5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hertz4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Avis4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Europcar2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Thrifty1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about car rental companies
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which car rental company should I use in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best car hire companies in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the cheapest car hire company at Australian airports?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“car rental”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“car hire”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Is Budget or Thrifty more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Budget and Thrifty by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven car rental companies we track, month by month, from searches in Australia.
Share of searches by month for Budget, Thrifty. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Hertz | Europcar | Sixt | Avis | Budget | East Coast Car Rentals | Thrifty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.1% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 11.1% | 6.1% | 5% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.2% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 5.9% | 4.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.6% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 11% | 13.4% | 7.3% | 4.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 33.7% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 12.4% | 12.4% | 6.8% | 4.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.4% | 15.9% | 13% | 13% | 13% | 5.8% | 3.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.7% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 15.6% | 12.7% | 7% | 4.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 32.4% | 14.5% | 14.5% | 11.9% | 14.5% | 7.9% | 4.3% |
| May 2026 | 32% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 11.7% | 7.9% | 5.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 29% | 16% | 16% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 7.1% | 5.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.2% | 16.8% | 16.8% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 7.5% | 6.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 23.7% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 15.8% | 7.1% | 5.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 21.2% | 17.3% | 17.3% | 14.2% | 14.2% | 9.5% | 6.4% |
How has the Budget and Thrifty comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Budget was ahead of Thrifty in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Budget’s share of searches among car rental companies in Australia moved from 11.1% to 14.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thrifty’s share of searches among car rental companies in Australia moved from 5% to 6.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 22.2K.
How did search popularity change for Australia car rental companies in September 2026?
4 changes
In September 2026, Europcar overtook Avis and Budget to rank 2nd among car rental companies in Australia, with 17.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, Sixt overtook Avis and Budget to rank 3rd among car rental companies in Australia, with 17.3% of the searches.
In September 2026, Thrifty gained share of searches among car rental companies in Australia, from 5.8% to 6.4%.
In September 2026, Budget lost share of searches among car rental companies in Australia, from 15.8% to 14.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Budget’s and Thrifty’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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