Docker vs OpenShift:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Docker had more branded searches than OpenShift among container platforms worldwide. Docker had about 165,000 branded searches, while OpenShift had 60,500. Docker made up 23.3% of all container platform searches we track, and OpenShift accounted for 8.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about container platforms, Docker appeared in all five answers and OpenShift in three. Docker was mentioned before OpenShift in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Docker, about 3 searches for every 1 for OpenShift
Who does AI mention more?
Docker, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Docker, named ahead of OpenShift in 4 of 5 answers
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Top container platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Docker appeared in all five answers. OpenShift was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Docker was listed before OpenShift in four out of five answers.
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.
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which container platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best container platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best container platform for application deployment?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“container platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“container orchestration 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 Docker or OpenShift more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Docker and OpenShift 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.
Share of searches by month for Docker, OpenShift. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kubernetes | Docker | Google Cloud Run | Podman | OpenShift | Azure Container Apps | containerd | Amazon ECS | Rancher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.3% | 4.1% | 10.2% | 13.6% | 11.1% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.9% |
| Nov 2025 | 54.8% | 4% | 11.4% | 13.5% | 11% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.98% | 0.72% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.5% | 20% | 11.3% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.8% | 0.59% |
| Jan 2026 | 56.1% | 4.1% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 9.2% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.76% |
| Feb 2026 | 17.4% | 71% | 3.6% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 0.57% | 0.47% | 0.31% | 0.24% |
| Mar 2026 | 19.8% | 65.5% | 4.1% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.65% | 0.53% | 0.35% | 0.28% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.6% | 4.6% | 13.9% | 15.2% | 10.2% | 2% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.71% |
| May 2026 | 58.1% | 4.3% | 12.1% | 11.7% | 9.5% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.85% | 0.65% |
| Jun 2026 | 57.9% | 4.3% | 12% | 11.6% | 9.5% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 0.85% | 0.63% |
| Jul 2026 | 52.9% | 4.8% | 13.5% | 13% | 10.6% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 0.72% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.7% | 4% | 13.9% | 13.5% | 9% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 0.98% | 0.61% |
| Sep 2026 | 42.6% | 23.3% | 10.8% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.76% | 0.56% |
How has the Docker and OpenShift comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 5 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: Docker took it in December 2025, OpenShift took it in January 2026, Docker took it in February 2026, OpenShift took it in April 2026, Docker took it in September 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, OpenShift’s share of searches among container platforms worldwide moved from 11.1% to 8.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for container platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Docker overtook Google Cloud Run and 2 others to rank 2nd among container platforms worldwide, with 23.3% of the searches.
Estimated monthly branded searches for OpenShift worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 60.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Docker’s and OpenShift’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 container platforms
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