3D Systems vs Protolabs:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Protolabs had more branded searches than 3D Systems among 3D printing services worldwide. Protolabs had about 49,500 branded searches, while 3D Systems had 12,200. Protolabs made up 21.5% of all 3D printing service searches we track, and 3D Systems accounted for 5.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D printing services, Protolabs appeared in four of the five answers and 3D Systems in none.
Who do people search for more?
Protolabs, about 4 searches for every 1 for 3D Systems
Who does AI mention more?
Protolabs, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, 3D Systems in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Protolabs, the only one of the two named
Follow 3D Systems vs Protolabs 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 3D printing services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Protolabs was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. 3D Systems did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Xometry1st
Craftcloud2nd- Protolabs3rd
Sculpteo4th
JLC3DP5th
Stratasys–
3D Systems–
Shapeways–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Xometry5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Craftcloud5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Protolabs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- JLC3DP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sculpteo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Stratasys0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- 3D Systems0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Shapeways0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about 3D printing services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which 3D printing service should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best 3D printing services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best 3D printing service for a custom part?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d printing services”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d print service”
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 20, 2026.
Is 3D Systems or Protolabs more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for 3D Systems and Protolabs by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight 3D printing services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Protolabs, 3D Systems. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Xometry | Protolabs | Stratasys | JLC3DP | 3D Systems | Craftcloud | Shapeways | Sculpteo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.4% | 21% | 14% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 3.4% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.7% | 23.2% | 15.5% | 6.9% | 7% | 3.1% | 6.9% | 2.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.7% | 20.1% | 13.5% | 9% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.6% | 21.1% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 6.3% | 2.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.6% | 22.2% | 12.2% | 8.1% | 5.5% | 3.6% | 5.4% | 2.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.1% | 21.4% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 6.4% | 2.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.9% | 21.8% | 11.9% | 8% | 5.4% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 2.4% |
| May 2026 | 36.6% | 20.1% | 13.4% | 9% | 7.4% | 4.9% | 6% | 2.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.5% | 22.2% | 12.1% | 6.6% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 6.6% | 2% |
| Jul 2026 | 43% | 23.5% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 2.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.7% | 24.6% | 11% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 4.9% | 1.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.4% | 21.5% | 14.4% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 1.9% |
How has the 3D Systems and Protolabs comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Protolabs was ahead of 3D Systems in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, 3D Systems’ share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide moved from 7.7% to 5.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.2K to 12.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Protolabs’ share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide moved from 21% to 21.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for 3D printing services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Protolabs lost share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide, from 24.6% to 21.5%.
In September 2026, 3D Systems lost share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide, from 6% to 5.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using 3D Systems’ and Protolabs’ 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.
3D Systems
2 branded search terms
- 3d systems
- 3d systems printer
Protolabs
1 branded search term
- protolabs
Other head-to-heads among 3D printing services
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.