DHL vs FedEx:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, DHL had more branded searches than FedEx among courier services worldwide. DHL had about 9.1 million branded searches, while FedEx had 7.5 million. DHL made up 23.4% of all courier service searches we track, and FedEx accounted for 19.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about courier services, FedEx appeared in all four answers and DHL in three. FedEx was mentioned before DHL in three out of four answers.
Follow DHL vs FedEx and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top courier services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, FedEx appeared in all four answers. DHL was mentioned in three out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. FedEx was listed before DHL in three out of four 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.
UPS4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
USPS4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
FedEx4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
DHL3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Hermès0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Evri0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Yodel0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about courier services
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which courier service should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best courier services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best courier service for sending parcels?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“courier services”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“international courier services”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is DHL or FedEx more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for DHL and FedEx by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven courier services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for DHL, FedEx. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | DHL | UPS | USPS | FedEx | Hermès | Evri | Yodel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 23.4% | 23.4% | 23.4% | 19.3% | 10.5% | <0.01% | 0.02% |
| Nov 2025 | 24.4% | 24.4% | 20.1% | 20.1% | 11% | <0.01% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 24.5% | 20% | 24.5% | 20% | 11% | <0.01% | 0.02% |
| Jan 2026 | 23.4% | 23.4% | 23.4% | 19.3% | 10.5% | <0.01% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 23.4% | 23.4% | 23.4% | 19.2% | 10.5% | <0.01% | 0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 24.4% | 20.1% | 24.4% | 20.1% | 11% | <0.01% | 0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 18.7% | 12.5% | <0.01% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 18.7% | 12.5% | <0.01% | 0.02% |
| Jun 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 18.7% | 12.5% | <0.01% | 0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 18.7% | 12.5% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 22.9% | 18.7% | 12.5% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 23.4% | 23.4% | 23.4% | 19.2% | 10.5% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
How has the DHL and FedEx comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- DHL was ahead of FedEx in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, DHL’s share of searches among courier services worldwide held steady at 23.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.1M to 9.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FedEx’s share of searches among courier services worldwide moved from 19.3% to 19.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.1M to 7.5M.
How did search popularity change for courier services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, DHL gained share of searches among courier services worldwide, from 22.9% to 23.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for FedEx worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 9.1M to 7.5M in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using DHL’s and FedEx’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 courier services
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.