Dataform vs SQLMesh:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Dataform had more branded searches than SQLMesh among analytics engineering platforms worldwide. Dataform had about 6,600 branded searches, while SQLMesh had 2,400. Dataform made up 25.7% of all analytics engineering platform searches we track, and SQLMesh accounted for 9.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about analytics engineering platforms, Dataform and SQLMesh each appeared in three of the five answers. Dataform was mentioned before SQLMesh in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Dataform, about 3 searches for every 1 for SQLMesh
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Dataform, named ahead of SQLMesh in 2 of 3 answers
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Top analytics engineering platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Dataform and SQLMesh were each mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Dataform was listed before SQLMesh in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
dbt5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Coalesce5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Dataform3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
SQLMesh3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Lightdash0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about analytics engineering platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which analytics engineering platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best analytics engineering platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best analytics engineering platform for data modelling?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data modelling software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data transformation platform”
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 Dataform or SQLMesh more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Dataform and SQLMesh by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five analytics engineering platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Dataform, SQLMesh. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Lightdash | Dataform | dbt | SQLMesh | Coalesce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 21% | 25.8% | 31.5% | 21% | 0.67% |
| Nov 2025 | 26.3% | 26.3% | 32.3% | 14.4% | 0.68% |
| Dec 2025 | 26.3% | 26.3% | 32.3% | 14.4% | 0.68% |
| Jan 2026 | 24.8% | 30.4% | 30.4% | 13.5% | 0.79% |
| Feb 2026 | 28.9% | 28.9% | 28.9% | 12.8% | 0.61% |
| Mar 2026 | 30.5% | 24.9% | 30.5% | 13.5% | 0.65% |
| Apr 2026 | 34.9% | 23.3% | 28.6% | 12.7% | 0.6% |
| May 2026 | 30.5% | 24.8% | 30.5% | 13.5% | 0.64% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.6% | 23.3% | 34.9% | 12.7% | 0.49% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.3% | 23.9% | 35.8% | 10.5% | 0.51% |
| Aug 2026 | 35.9% | 23.9% | 29.3% | 10.5% | 0.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 38.6% | 25.7% | 25.7% | 9.4% | 0.55% |
How has the Dataform and SQLMesh comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Dataform was ahead of SQLMesh in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Dataform’s share of searches among analytics engineering platforms worldwide moved from 25.8% to 25.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.1K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SQLMesh’s share of searches among analytics engineering platforms worldwide moved from 21% to 9.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 2.4K.
How did search popularity change for analytics engineering platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Dataform overtook dbt to rank 2nd among analytics engineering platforms worldwide, with 25.7% of the searches.
In September 2026, SQLMesh lost share of searches among analytics engineering platforms worldwide, from 10.5% to 9.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Dataform’s and SQLMesh’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 analytics engineering platforms
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