Slack vs Zendesk:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Slack had more branded searches than Zendesk among business messaging platforms worldwide. Slack had about 4.1 million branded searches, while Zendesk had 301,000. Slack made up 32.5% of all business messaging platform searches we track, and Zendesk accounted for 2.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about business messaging platforms, Slack appeared in three of the five answers and Zendesk in two. Slack was mentioned before Zendesk in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Slack, about 14 searches for every 1 for Zendesk
Who does AI mention more?
Slack, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Zendesk in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Slack, named ahead of Zendesk in 3 of 4 answers
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Top business messaging platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Slack was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Zendesk was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Slack was listed before Zendesk in three out of four 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.
Microsoft Teams3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Slack3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Google Chat3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Twilio2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Zendesk2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Textmagic2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Intercom2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vonage0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Infobip0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Sinch0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about business messaging platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which business messaging platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best business messaging platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best business messaging platform for a support team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“business messaging platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“business texting software”
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 Slack or Zendesk more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Slack and Zendesk by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 business messaging platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Slack, Zendesk. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Microsoft Teams | Slack | Google Chat | Twilio | Zendesk | Vonage | Infobip | Sinch | Textmagic | MessageBird | Intercom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.9% | 31.9% | 26.1% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 0.72% | 0.47% | 0.32% | 0.21% | 0.17% | 0% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.4% | 29.8% | 24.4% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.67% | 0.44% | 0.36% | 0.22% | 0.2% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 28% | 34.2% | 28% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.77% | 0.41% | 0.42% | 0.26% | 0.23% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 31.6% | 31.6% | 25.9% | 5.2% | 3.5% | 0.87% | 0.47% | 0.38% | 0.21% | 0.21% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 31.9% | 31.9% | 26.1% | 5.2% | 2.9% | 0.71% | 0.47% | 0.39% | 0.22% | 0.21% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 32% | 32% | 26.2% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 0.72% | 0.39% | 0.32% | 0.18% | 0.17% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 30% | 30% | 30% | 6% | 2.2% | 0.67% | 0.44% | 0.36% | 0.2% | 0.16% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 25.8% | 31.6% | 31.6% | 6.3% | 2.8% | 0.71% | 0.47% | 0.38% | 0.17% | 0.17% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.4% | 33.5% | 27.4% | 6.7% | 3% | 0.75% | 0.49% | 0.41% | 0.19% | 0.15% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 27.5% | 33.7% | 27.5% | 6.8% | 2.5% | 0.75% | 0.5% | 0.41% | 0.19% | 0.15% | 0% |
| Aug 2026 | 27.5% | 33.7% | 27.5% | 6.8% | 2.5% | 0.76% | 0.5% | 0.41% | 0.19% | 0.12% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 32.5% | 32.5% | 26.6% | 4.4% | 2.4% | 0.6% | 0.48% | 0.39% | 0.15% | 0.08% | <0.01% |
How has the Slack and Zendesk comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Slack was ahead of Zendesk in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Slack’s share of searches among business messaging platforms worldwide moved from 31.9% to 32.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zendesk’s share of searches among business messaging platforms worldwide moved from 2.9% to 2.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 369K to 301K.
How did search popularity change for business messaging platforms worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, Microsoft Teams overtook Slack and Google Chat to become the leader among business messaging platforms worldwide, with 32.5% of the searches.
In September 2026, Slack lost share of searches among business messaging platforms worldwide, from 33.7% to 32.5%.
Zendesk’s share of searches among business messaging platforms worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 3% to 2.4% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Slack’s and Zendesk’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 business messaging platforms
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