Protolabs vs Xometry:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Xometry had more branded searches than Protolabs among 3D printing services worldwide. Xometry had about 90,500 branded searches, while Protolabs had 49,500. Xometry made up 39.4% of all 3D printing service searches we track, and Protolabs accounted for 21.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D printing services, Xometry appeared in all five answers and Protolabs in four. Xometry was mentioned before Protolabs in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Xometry, about 83% more searches than Protolabs
Who does AI mention more?
Xometry, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Xometry, named ahead of Protolabs in every answer
Follow Protolabs vs Xometry 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, Xometry appeared in all five answers. Protolabs was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Xometry was listed before Protolabs in every answer.
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 Protolabs or Xometry more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Protolabs and Xometry 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 Xometry, Protolabs. 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 Protolabs and Xometry comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Xometry was ahead of Protolabs in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- 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.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Xometry’s share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide moved from 38.4% to 39.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 90.5K.
How did search popularity change for 3D printing services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Xometry gained share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide, from 36.7% to 39.4%.
In September 2026, Protolabs lost share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide, from 24.6% to 21.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Protolabs’ and Xometry’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.
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.