OpenAI vs Qwen:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, OpenAI had more branded searches than Qwen among AI model companies worldwide. OpenAI had about 6.1 million branded searches, while Qwen had 1.5 million. OpenAI made up 29.7% of all AI model company searches we track, and Qwen accounted for 7.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI model companies, OpenAI appeared in all five answers and Qwen in three. OpenAI was mentioned before Qwen in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
OpenAI, about 4 searches for every 1 for Qwen
Who does AI mention more?
OpenAI, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
OpenAI, named ahead of Qwen in every answer
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Top AI model companies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OpenAI appeared in all five answers. Qwen was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenAI was listed before Qwen in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- OpenAI1st
Anthropic2nd
Google DeepMind3rd
xAI4th
Meta AI5th
Mistral AI6th
Qwen7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- OpenAI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Anthropic5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- xAI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google DeepMind4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Meta AI3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Qwen3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Mistral AI3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI model companies
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI model company should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI model companies?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI model company for foundation models?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best ai model”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“llm provider”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is OpenAI or Qwen more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for OpenAI and Qwen by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven AI model companies we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for OpenAI, Qwen. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Meta AI | OpenAI | Anthropic | Qwen | Mistral AI | xAI | Google DeepMind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.3% | 49.6% | 4.5% | 8.1% | 6.9% | 2% | 0.49% |
| Nov 2025 | 32.2% | 46.2% | 5.1% | 7.6% | 6.5% | 1.9% | 0.68% |
| Dec 2025 | 25.7% | 54.5% | 4% | 7.4% | 6.3% | 1.5% | 0.54% |
| Jan 2026 | 38% | 36.4% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 7.6% | 2.7% | 0.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 25.2% | 29.6% | 29.6% | 5.9% | 6.2% | 2.7% | 0.8% |
| Mar 2026 | 19.1% | 49.6% | 18.2% | 5.5% | 5.7% | 1.6% | 0.33% |
| Apr 2026 | 30.2% | 35.4% | 19.4% | 7.1% | 6.1% | 1.4% | 0.43% |
| May 2026 | 31.4% | 36.2% | 16.2% | 7.3% | 6.7% | 1.8% | 0.53% |
| Jun 2026 | 33.4% | 25.4% | 25.4% | 6.2% | 7.6% | 1.5% | 0.56% |
| Jul 2026 | 34% | 32.1% | 17.6% | 7.8% | 6.7% | 1.3% | 0.58% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.1% | 31.5% | 17.3% | 9.5% | 6.6% | 1.3% | 0.85% |
| Sep 2026 | 31% | 29.7% | 24.3% | 7.3% | 6.2% | 0.97% | 0.65% |
How has the OpenAI and Qwen comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OpenAI was ahead of Qwen in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI’s share of searches among AI model companies worldwide moved from 49.6% to 29.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.1M to 6.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Qwen’s share of searches among AI model companies worldwide moved from 8.1% to 7.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.5M.
How did search popularity change for AI model companies worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Qwen lost share of searches among AI model companies worldwide, from 9.5% to 7.3%.
In September 2026, OpenAI lost share of searches among AI model companies worldwide, from 31.5% to 29.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenAI’s and Qwen’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.
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