Brandwave

k6 vs Playwright:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, k6 had more branded searches than Playwright among API testing tools worldwide. k6 had about 87,500 branded searches, while Playwright had 49,100. k6 made up 37.5% of all API testing tool searches we track, and Playwright accounted for 21%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about API testing tools, k6 appeared in three of the five answers and Playwright in two. Playwright was mentioned before k6 in two out of three answers that named either.

Among API testing tools worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

k6, about 78% more searches than Playwright

k6 87.5K searchesPlaywright 49.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

k6, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Playwright in 2

k6 in 3 of 5Playwright in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Playwright, named ahead of k6 in 2 of 3 answers

Playwright first in 2k6 first in 1

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Top API testing tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, k6 was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Playwright was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Playwright was listed before k6 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.

  1. Postman1st
  2. Bruno2nd
  3. Karate3rd
  4. SoapUI4th
  5. Insomnia5th
  6. Playwright6th
  7. Katalon7th
  8. k68th
  9. Hoppscotch9th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Postman5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SoapUI4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Bruno4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Karate4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • k63 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Playwright2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Katalon2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Insomnia2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hoppscotch1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about API testing tools

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is k6 or Playwright more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for k6 and Playwright by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine API testing tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

k6 and Playwright among API testing tools worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for k6, Playwright. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
Monthk6PlaywrightSoapUIPostmanBrunoKatalonInsomniaKarateHoppscotch
Oct 202526.3%15.4%18.3%13.2%9.3%6.7%8.9%1.3%0.77%
Nov 202529.9%17.9%17%13.2%7%6.2%6.9%1.4%0.71%
Dec 202528.5%19.2%16.2%13.3%8.1%5.9%6.7%1.3%0.7%
Jan 202630%20.6%13.9%11.9%8.6%6.2%6.7%1.2%0.87%
Feb 202629.9%19.4%13.9%13.2%10.5%5.1%5.7%1.4%0.89%
Mar 202627.4%18.5%15.3%11.9%11.6%5.6%7.4%1.3%1%
Apr 202629.3%20.1%13.6%13%10.3%6.1%5.5%1.1%0.89%
May 202631.1%19.2%14.4%11.2%11.2%5.3%5.6%1.1%0.8%
Jun 202631.3%21.7%14.3%11.6%9.1%5.2%4.8%1.2%0.91%
Jul 202632.6%19.9%12.2%12%11.6%4.4%5.1%1.2%0.93%
Aug 202633.1%22.1%12.4%11.8%9.6%4.5%4.3%1.1%1.1%
Sep 202637.5%21%11.6%9.8%9%5.2%3.9%0.99%0.91%

How has the k6 and Playwright comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • k6 was ahead of Playwright in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, k6’s share of searches among API testing tools worldwide moved from 26.3% to 37.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 71.5K to 87.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Playwright’s share of searches among API testing tools worldwide moved from 15.4% to 21%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 41.7K to 49.1K.

How did search popularity change for API testing tools worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, k6 gained share of searches among API testing tools worldwide, from 33.1% to 37.5%.

  2. In September 2026, Playwright lost share of searches among API testing tools worldwide, from 22.1% to 21%.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using k6’s and Playwright’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.

k6

3 branded search terms

  • grafana k6
  • k6
  • k6 load testing

Playwright

3 branded search terms

  • playwright automation
  • playwright python
  • playwright test

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among API testing tools

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