Appen vs Scale AI:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Appen had more branded searches than Scale AI among data labelling platforms worldwide. Appen had about 1 million branded searches, while Scale AI had 135,000. Appen made up 70.7% of all data labelling platform searches we track, and Scale AI accounted for 9.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about data labelling platforms, Scale AI appeared in two of the five answers and Appen in one. Scale AI was mentioned before Appen in two out of three answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Appen, about 7 searches for every 1 for Scale AI
Who does AI mention more?
Scale AI, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Appen in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Scale AI, named ahead of Appen in 2 of 3 answers
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Top data labelling platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Scale AI was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Appen was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Scale AI was listed before Appen in two out of three answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Label Studio1st
Labelbox2nd
CVAT3rd
SuperAnnotate4th
Encord5th
Roboflow6th- Scale AI7th
- Appen8th
Snorkel–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- CVAT5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Label Studio5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Labelbox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Roboflow4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Scale AI2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Encord2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- SuperAnnotate2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Appen1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Snorkel0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about data labelling platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which data labelling platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best data labelling platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best data labelling platform for training data?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data labelling platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data annotation tools”
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 Appen or Scale AI more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Appen and Scale AI by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine data labelling platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Appen, Scale AI. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Appen | Roboflow | Scale AI | CVAT | Snorkel | Label Studio | Labelbox | Encord | SuperAnnotate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 72.7% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 2.4% | 0.72% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.59% | 0.59% |
| Nov 2025 | 74% | 10% | 8.2% | 2.5% | 0.73% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.49% | 0.73% |
| Dec 2025 | 70.5% | 11.6% | 9.5% | 2.9% | 0.7% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.47% | 0.85% |
| Jan 2026 | 73.8% | 10% | 8.2% | 2.5% | 0.9% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 0.49% | 0.9% |
| Feb 2026 | 71% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.7% | 1.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 73.1% | 9.9% | 8.1% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 2% | 1.6% | 0.72% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 71.5% | 11.8% | 7.9% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 1.9% | 1.6% | 0.58% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 72.4% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.59% | 1.1% |
| Jun 2026 | 69.5% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 2.8% | 1.3% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 0.84% | 1.3% |
| Jul 2026 | 72.1% | 9.7% | 7.9% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 2% | 1.3% | 0.87% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 72.4% | 9.8% | 8% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.88% | 1.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 70.7% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 1% |
How has the Appen and Scale AI comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Appen was ahead of Scale AI in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Appen’s share of searches among data labelling platforms worldwide moved from 72.7% to 70.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Scale AI’s share of searches among data labelling platforms worldwide moved from 9.8% to 9.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
How did search popularity change for data labelling platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Scale AI gained share of searches among data labelling platforms worldwide, from 8% to 9.6%.
In September 2026, Appen lost share of searches among data labelling platforms worldwide, from 72.4% to 70.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Appen’s and Scale AI’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 data labelling platforms
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