How popular isOpenAI API?
In September 2026, people searched for OpenAI API by name about 246,000 times worldwide, about the same as the previous year. These searches made up 24.8% of all global LLM inference platform searches, placing OpenAI API second out of eight platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about LLM inference platforms, OpenAI API appeared in two of the five answers and was the fourth most recommended of the eight.
OpenAI API is the second most searched of 8 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.
GroqShare of searches 37.1%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
OpenAI APIShare of searches 24.8%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
ReplicateShare of searches 13.6%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
vLLMShare of searches 13.6%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
Together AIShare of searches 5.3%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
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Top LLM inference platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OpenAI API was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenAI API is the fourth most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Together AI1st
Fireworks AI2nd- Groq3rd
- OpenAI API4th
Baseten5th- vLLM6th
- Replicate7th
Anyscale–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Together AI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Groq4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- vLLM4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fireworks AI4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Baseten3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- OpenAI API2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Replicate1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Anyscale0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about LLM inference platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which LLM inference platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best LLM inference platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best LLM inference platform for a development team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai inference platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“llm inference platforms”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Which LLM inference platforms compete with OpenAI API?
Share of searches by month for Groq, OpenAI API, Replicate, vLLM, Together AI, Baseten. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Groq | OpenAI API | Replicate | vLLM | Together AI | Baseten | Anyscale | Fireworks AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 24.8% | 30.3% | 20.3% | 16.6% | 4.4% | 2.2% | 1.2% | — |
| Nov 2025 | 24.8% | 30.4% | 20.4% | 16.7% | 4.4% | 2.2% | 1% | — |
| Dec 2025 | 50.9% | 18.6% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 3.3% | 1.1% | 0.61% | — |
| Jan 2026 | 31.3% | 25.6% | 20.9% | 14% | 4.5% | 2.8% | 0.84% | — |
| Feb 2026 | 31% | 31% | 17% | 13.9% | 4.5% | 1.9% | 0.83% | — |
| Mar 2026 | 31.7% | 31.7% | 14.2% | 14.2% | 5.5% | 1.9% | 0.7% | — |
| Apr 2026 | 32.6% | 26.7% | 14.6% | 17.8% | 5.7% | 2% | 0.59% | — |
| May 2026 | 34.9% | 28.5% | 12.8% | 15.6% | 5% | 2.6% | 0.63% | — |
| Jun 2026 | 35.9% | 24% | 13.2% | 16.1% | 6.2% | 3.9% | 0.79% | — |
| Jul 2026 | 47.6% | 21.3% | 9.5% | 11.7% | 5.5% | 3.5% | 0.86% | — |
| Aug 2026 | 41.6% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 5.9% | 3.7% | 0.92% | — |
| Sep 2026 | 37.1% | 24.8% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 5.3% | 5% | 0.66% | — |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 37.1% | 368K | -18.2% | -4.6 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 24.8% | 246K | 0% | +2 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 13.6% | 135K | 0% | +1.1 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 13.6% | 135K | 0% | +1.1 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 5.3% | 52.4K | -18.3% | -0.7 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 5% | 49.5K | +22.2% | +1.2 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 0.66% | 6.6K | -33.3% | -0.3 points | |
| —, not measured this month | — | — | — | — |
1.
Groq37.1%
Held 1st. 368K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -4.6 points.
24.8%
Held 2nd. 246K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +2 points.
13.6%
Held 3rd. 135K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.
4.
vLLM13.6%
Held 4th. 135K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.
5.3%
Held 5th. 52.4K estimated branded searches, -18.3% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.
6.
Baseten5%
Held 6th. 49.5K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +1.2 points.
7.
Anyscale0.66%
Held 7th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, -33.3% vs prior month. Share -0.3 points.
—
Not measured this month. — estimated branded searches, — vs prior month. Share —.
Compare popularity between OpenAI API and its closest rivals
Every comparison with OpenAI API
6 comparisons
How has branded search demand for OpenAI API changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
4 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for OpenAI API worldwide held steady at 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI API’s share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide decreased from 30.3% to 24.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI API’s share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide peaked at 31.7% in March 2026 and was lowest at 18.6% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI API fell from 1st to 2nd among LLM inference platforms worldwide.
How did search popularity change for LLM inference platforms worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes
In September 2026, OpenAI API gained share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 22.8% to 24.8%.
In September 2026, Baseten gained share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 3.7% to 5%.
In September 2026, Replicate gained share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 12.5% to 13.6%.
In September 2026, vLLM gained share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 12.5% to 13.6%.
In September 2026, Groq lost share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 41.6% to 37.1%.
In September 2026, Together AI lost share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 5.9% to 5.3%.
How are OpenAI API’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenAI API’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.
- openai api
Who owns OpenAI API?
OpenAI API is owned by OpenAI. Brandwave also tracks 
ChatGPT, OpenAI Agents SDK and OpenAI Codex, owned by the same company, worldwide.
Do you work for OpenAI API? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Is OpenAI API 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.