Brandwave

Kubernetes vs OpenShift:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kubernetes had more branded searches than OpenShift among container platforms worldwide. Kubernetes had about 301,000 branded searches, while OpenShift had 60,500. Kubernetes made up 42.4% of all container platform searches we track, and OpenShift accounted for 8.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about container platforms, Kubernetes appeared in all five answers and OpenShift in three. Kubernetes was mentioned before OpenShift in every answer.

Among container platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kubernetes, about 5 searches for every 1 for OpenShift

Kubernetes 301K searchesOpenShift 60.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Kubernetes, mentioned in every answer we collected

Kubernetes in 5 of 5OpenShift in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Kubernetes, named ahead of OpenShift in every answer

Kubernetes first in 5OpenShift never first

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Top container platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kubernetes 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. Kubernetes was listed before OpenShift in every answer.

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. HashiCorp Nomad7th
  8. Podman–
  9. containerd–
  10. 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
  • HashiCorp Nomad1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 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 Kubernetes or OpenShift more popular in search?

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

Kubernetes and OpenShift among container platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKubernetesDockerGoogle Cloud RunPodmanOpenShiftAzure Container AppscontainerdAmazon ECSRancherHashiCorp Nomad
Oct 202554.8%4%10.1%13.5%11%1.8%1.8%1.2%0.89%0.98%
Nov 202554.2%4%11.3%13.3%10.9%1.8%1.8%0.97%0.72%0.97%
Dec 202544.2%19.8%11.2%10.9%8.9%1.5%1.5%0.79%0.59%0.79%
Jan 202655.5%4.1%11.6%13.7%9.1%1.8%1.5%1%0.76%1%
Feb 202617.4%70.8%3.6%3.5%2.9%0.57%0.47%0.31%0.24%0.25%
Mar 202619.7%65.3%4.1%4.8%4%0.65%0.53%0.35%0.28%0.29%
Apr 202650.2%4.5%13.8%15.1%10.1%2%1.7%1.1%0.7%0.9%
May 202657.7%4.2%12%11.6%9.5%1.6%1.3%0.85%0.64%0.69%
Jun 202657.5%4.2%12%11.6%9.5%1.9%1.3%0.84%0.62%0.69%
Jul 202652.5%4.7%13.4%12.9%10.6%2.1%1.4%0.94%0.71%0.77%
Aug 202654.4%4%13.8%13.4%8.9%1.8%1.5%0.98%0.61%0.65%
Sep 202642.4%23.2%10.8%10.4%8.5%1.7%1.1%0.76%0.56%0.51%

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

3 findings
  • Kubernetes was ahead of OpenShift in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kubernetes’ share of searches among container platforms worldwide moved from 54.8% to 42.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 301K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenShift’s share of searches among container platforms worldwide moved from 11% to 8.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 60.5K.

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

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Docker overtook Google Cloud Run and 2 others to rank 2nd among container platforms worldwide, with 23.2% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, Kubernetes lost share of searches among container platforms worldwide, from 54.4% to 42.4%.

  3. 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 Kubernetes’ 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.

Kubernetes

1 branded search term

  • kubernetes

OpenShift

1 branded search term

  • openshift

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among container platforms

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