Brandwave

How popular isPolar?

In September 2026, people searched for Polar by name about 8,100 times worldwide, a 33.1% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 0.99% of all global merchant of record platform searches, placing Polar fifth out of eight platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about merchant of record platforms, Polar appeared in two of the five answers and was the fourth most recommended of the eight.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Polar is the fifth most searched of 8 competitors and the fourth most recommended in AI answers.

  1. GumroadShare of searches 82.2%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  2. Lemon SqueezyShare of searches 11.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  3. CleverbridgeShare of searches 2.7%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
  4. FastSpringShare of searches 1.8%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
  5. PolarShare of searches 0.99%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th

+3 more

Polar website (opens in a new tab)

Follow Polar and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Top merchant of record platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Polar was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Polar 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.

  1. Paddle1st
  2. Lemon Squeezy2nd
  3. FastSpring3rd
  4. Polar4th
  5. PayPro Global5th
  6. Cleverbridge6th
  7. Gumroad–
  8. Digital River–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Lemon Squeezy5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • FastSpring5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Paddle5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Cleverbridge2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Polar2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • PayPro Global2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Gumroad0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Digital River0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about merchant of record platforms

5 answers

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 merchant of record platforms compete with Polar?

Polar against merchant of record platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy, Cleverbridge, Polar. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGumroadLemon SqueezyCleverbridgeFastSpringPolarPayPro GlobalDigital RiverPaddle
Oct 202584.2%6.2%4.1%2.3%1.5%1%0.68%0.04%
Nov 202583.7%7.5%3.4%2.3%1.5%1%0.55%0.04%
Dec 202586.6%6.4%2.9%1.6%1.3%0.85%0.46%0.04%
Jan 202687%6.4%2.4%1.6%1.3%0.86%0.38%0.05%
Feb 202685.2%7.7%2.8%1.5%1.3%1%0.37%0.13%
Mar 202683.4%9.2%2.7%1.8%1.2%1%0.45%0.19%
Apr 202684.1%9.3%2.8%1.5%1%0.83%0.37%0.13%
May 202684.6%9.3%2.3%1.5%1%0.83%0.3%0.16%
Jun 202684.6%9.3%2.3%1.5%1%0.83%0.3%0.16%
Jul 202684.8%9.3%2.3%1.5%0.83%0.83%0.3%0.13%
Aug 202684.6%9.3%2.3%1.5%1%0.83%0.3%0.1%
Sep 202682.2%11.1%2.7%1.8%0.99%0.81%0.35%0.11%

  1. 1.Gumroad

    82.2%

    Held 1st. 673K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share -2.5 points.

  2. 2.Lemon Squeezy

    11.1%

    Held 2nd. 90.5K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +1.7 points.

  3. 3.Cleverbridge

    2.7%

    Held 3rd. 22.2K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.

  4. 4.FastSpring

    1.8%

    Held 4th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.

  5. 5.Polar

    0.99%

    Held 5th. 8.1K estimated branded searches, -18.2% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  6. 6.PayPro Global

    0.81%

    Held 6th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, -18.5% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

  7. 7.Digital River

    0.35%

    Held 7th. 2.9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  8. 8.Paddle

    0.11%

    Held 8th. 880 estimated branded searches, -12% vs prior month. Share 0 points.

Compare popularity between Polar and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Polar

7 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Polar changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

2 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Polar worldwide fell from 12.1K to 8.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Polar’s share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide decreased from 1.5% to 0.99%.

How did search popularity change for merchant of record platforms worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Lemon Squeezy gained share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide, from 9.3% to 11.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Gumroad lost share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide, from 84.6% to 82.2%.

  3. Estimated monthly branded searches for Paddle worldwide rose 175% over 12 measured months, from 320 to 880 in September 2026.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Digital River worldwide fell 46.3% over 12 measured months, from 5.4K to 2.9K in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Polar worldwide fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 12.1K to 8.1K in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Cleverbridge worldwide fell 32.9% over 12 measured months, from 33.1K to 22.2K in September 2026.

How are Polar’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Polar’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • polar sh
  • polar.sh

Do you work for Polar? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Polar 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.

Start free