How popular isMapbox?
In September 2026, people searched for Mapbox by name about 135,000 times worldwide, an 18.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 13.2% of all global mapping and location platform searches, placing Mapbox third out of seven platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mapping and location platforms, Mapbox appeared in all answers and was the second most recommended of the seven.
Mapbox is the third most searched of 7 competitors and the second most recommended in AI answers.
QGISShare of searches 44.1%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
Esri ArcGISShare of searches 30.9%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
MapboxShare of searches 13.2%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
Google Maps PlatformShare of searches 6%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
CARTOShare of searches 4%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top mapping and location platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Mapbox appeared in all five answers. Mapbox is the second most recommended of the seven.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Google Maps Platform1st
Mapbox2nd
Esri ArcGIS3rd
HERE Technologies4th
Felt5th
CARTO6th
QGIS7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Mapbox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Google Maps Platform5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Esri ArcGIS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
HERE Technologies3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
QGIS2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
CARTO2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Felt2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about mapping and location platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which location mapping platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best location mapping platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best location mapping platform for a map app?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“location map software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“location mapping platforms”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which mapping and location platforms compete with Mapbox?
Share of searches by month for QGIS, Esri ArcGIS, Mapbox, Google Maps Platform, CARTO. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | QGIS | Esri ArcGIS | Mapbox | Google Maps Platform | CARTO | HERE Technologies | Felt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.6% | 28.5% | 14.9% | 11.5% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.26% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 28.7% | 15.3% | 9.7% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.22% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.4% | 28.8% | 15.2% | 10% | 3% | 1.4% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.5% | 25.5% | 15.9% | 10.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.23% |
| Feb 2026 | 45.2% | 26.2% | 16.6% | 7.6% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.3% | 29.7% | 15.5% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.5% | 29.6% | 15.6% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.34% |
| May 2026 | 44.9% | 26% | 16.5% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.36% |
| Jun 2026 | 44% | 25.5% | 16.1% | 9% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.3% | 25.1% | 15.9% | 9.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.6% | 25.3% | 16% | 8.5% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.34% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.1% | 30.9% | 13.2% | 6% | 4% | 1.4% | 0.35% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 44.1% | 450K | +22.3% | +0.4 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 30.9% | 316K | +48.2% | +5.7 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.2% | 135K | 0% | -2.8 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 6% | 61.6K | -14.1% | -2.5 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 4% | 40.5K | 0% | -0.8 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 1.4% | 14.8K | +22.3% | 0 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.35% | 3.6K | +24.1% | 0 points |
1.
QGIS44.1%
Held 1st. 450K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
30.9%
Held 2nd. 316K estimated branded searches, +48.2% vs prior month. Share +5.7 points.
3.
Mapbox13.2%
Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -2.8 points.
Held 4th. 61.6K estimated branded searches, -14.1% vs prior month. Share -2.5 points.
5.
CARTO4%
Held 5th. 40.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
1.4%
Held 6th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
7.
Felt0.35%
Held 7th. 3.6K estimated branded searches, +24.1% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
Compare popularity between Mapbox and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Mapbox
14 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Mapbox changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Mapbox worldwide fell from 165K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mapbox’s share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide decreased from 14.9% to 13.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mapbox’s share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide peaked at 16.6% in February 2026 and was lowest at 13.2% in September 2026.
How did search popularity change for mapping and location platforms worldwide in September 2026?
5 changes

In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS gained share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 25.3% to 30.9%.

In September 2026, Mapbox lost share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 16% to 13.2%.

In September 2026, Google Maps Platform lost share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 8.5% to 6%.

In September 2026, CARTO lost share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 4.8% to 4%.

Estimated monthly branded searches for Felt worldwide rose 24.1% over 12 measured months, from 2.9K to 3.6K in September 2026.
How are Mapbox’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Mapbox’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- mapbox
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Where does Mapbox compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geospatial analytics platforms | 4th of 7 | 11.7% | Show ranking |
| GIS software | 4th of 7 | 12.5% | Show ranking |
| Mapping and location platforms | 3rd of 7 | 13.2% | Shown above |
| Geolocation APIs | 2nd of 6 | 28.5% | Show ranking |

Is Mapbox your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.