Brandwave

Docker vs Kubernetes:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kubernetes had more branded searches than Docker among container platforms worldwide. Kubernetes had about 301,000 branded searches, while Docker had 165,000. Kubernetes made up 42.6% of all container platform searches we track, and Docker accounted for 23.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about container platforms, both Docker and Kubernetes appeared in all five answers. Kubernetes was mentioned before Docker in four out of five answers.

Among container platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kubernetes, about 82% more searches than Docker

Kubernetes 301K searchesDocker 165K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

Docker in 5 of 5Kubernetes in 5 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Kubernetes, named ahead of Docker in 4 of 5 answers

Kubernetes first in 4Docker first in 1

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Top container platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Docker and Kubernetes showed up in all five answers. Kubernetes was listed before Docker in four of them.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Kubernetes1st
  2. Docker2nd
  3. Google Cloud Run3rd
  4. Amazon ECS4th
  5. OpenShift5th
  6. Azure Container Apps6th
  7. Podman–
  8. containerd–
  9. Rancher–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Kubernetes5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Docker5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Google Cloud Run3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • OpenShift3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Azure Container Apps3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Amazon ECS3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Podman0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • containerd0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Rancher0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about container platforms

5 answers

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 Docker or Kubernetes more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Docker and Kubernetes by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine container platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Docker and Kubernetes among container platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKubernetesDockerGoogle Cloud RunPodmanOpenShiftAzure Container AppscontainerdAmazon ECSRancher
Oct 202555.3%4.1%10.2%13.6%11.1%1.8%1.8%1.2%0.9%
Nov 202554.8%4%11.4%13.5%11%1.8%1.8%0.98%0.72%
Dec 202544.5%20%11.3%10.9%8.9%1.5%1.5%0.8%0.59%
Jan 202656.1%4.1%11.7%13.8%9.2%1.8%1.5%1%0.76%
Feb 202617.4%71%3.6%3.5%2.9%0.57%0.47%0.31%0.24%
Mar 202619.8%65.5%4.1%4.9%4%0.65%0.53%0.35%0.28%
Apr 202650.6%4.6%13.9%15.2%10.2%2%1.7%1.1%0.71%
May 202658.1%4.3%12.1%11.7%9.5%1.6%1.3%0.85%0.65%
Jun 202657.9%4.3%12%11.6%9.5%1.9%1.3%0.85%0.63%
Jul 202652.9%4.8%13.5%13%10.6%2.1%1.4%0.95%0.72%
Aug 202654.7%4%13.9%13.5%9%1.8%1.5%0.98%0.61%
Sep 202642.6%23.3%10.8%10.5%8.6%1.7%1.1%0.76%0.56%

How has the Docker and Kubernetes comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Docker took it in February 2026, Kubernetes took it in April 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Docker’s share of searches among container platforms worldwide moved from 4.1% to 23.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 165K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kubernetes’ share of searches among container platforms worldwide moved from 55.3% to 42.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.

How did search popularity change for container platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Docker overtook Google Cloud Run and 2 others to rank 2nd among container platforms worldwide, with 23.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Kubernetes lost share of searches among container platforms worldwide, from 54.7% to 42.6%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Docker’s and Kubernetes’ 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.

Docker

1 branded search term

  • docker container

Kubernetes

1 branded search term

  • kubernetes

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among container platforms

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