Brandwave

SoFi vs Stripe:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Stripe had more branded searches than SoFi among fintech worldwide. Stripe had about 2.8 million branded searches, while SoFi had 1.2 million. Stripe made up 64.6% of all fintech searches we track, and SoFi accounted for 27.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about fintech, Stripe appeared in four of the five answers and SoFi in two. SoFi and Stripe were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.

Among fintech worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Stripe, about 2 searches for every 1 for SoFi

Stripe 2.8M searchesSoFi 1.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Stripe, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, SoFi in 2

Stripe in 4 of 5SoFi in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

SoFi first in 2Stripe first in 2

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Top fintech in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Stripe was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. SoFi was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. SoFi and Stripe were each listed first in two of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Stripe1st
  2. Wise2nd
  3. SoFi3rd
  4. Mercury4th
  5. Adyen5th
  6. Plaid6th
  7. Marqeta7th
  8. Unit8th
  9. Rapyd–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Stripe4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Wise3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SoFi2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Adyen2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Mercury2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Plaid2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Marqeta1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Unit1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Rapyd0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about fintech

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 21, 2026.

Is SoFi or Stripe more popular in search?

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

SoFi and Stripe among fintech worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthStripeSoFiAdyenMercuryWiseMarqetaRapydPlaidUnit
Oct 202565.1%27.7%3.8%1.4%1.3%0.41%0.36%0.02%<0.01%
Nov 202569%24.2%3.3%1.5%1.3%0.36%0.31%0.02%<0.01%
Dec 202564.1%27.2%4.5%1.6%1.7%0.4%0.35%0.02%<0.01%
Jan 202664.7%27.6%3.7%1.7%1.6%0.41%0.29%0.02%<0.01%
Feb 202667.7%23.6%4.8%1.7%1.4%0.43%0.3%0.02%<0.01%
Mar 202668.8%24%3.3%1.8%1.5%0.36%0.25%0.02%<0.01%
Apr 202664.5%27.4%3.7%2%1.6%0.41%0.29%0.02%<0.01%
May 202664.7%27.5%3.7%1.7%1.6%0.41%0.35%0.02%<0.01%
Jun 202664.1%27.3%4.5%1.7%1.6%0.41%0.29%0.01%<0.01%
Jul 202665%27.8%3.1%1.7%1.6%0.41%0.36%0.01%<0.01%
Aug 202664.5%27.6%3.8%1.7%1.9%0.33%0.29%0.01%<0.01%
Sep 202664.6%27.7%3.8%1.7%1.6%0.34%0.29%0.02%<0.01%

How has the SoFi and Stripe comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Stripe was ahead of SoFi in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SoFi’s share of searches among fintech worldwide held steady at 27.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Stripe’s share of searches among fintech worldwide moved from 65.1% to 64.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9M to 2.8M.

How did search popularity change for fintech worldwide in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither SoFi nor Stripe moved beyond provider rounding among fintech in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

34 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SoFi’s and Stripe’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.

SoFi

1 branded search term

  • sofi

Stripe

33 branded search terms

  • billing stripe
  • charge for stripe
  • check out stripe
  • checkout stripe
  • checkoutstripe
  • direct debit stripe
  • fees for stripe
  • instant payouts stripe
  • payment stripe
  • payments stripe
  • set up stripe
  • stripe
  • stripe atlas
  • stripe billing
  • stripe business
  • stripe cc processing
  • stripe charge fee
  • stripe charges
  • stripe connect
  • stripe direct debit
  • stripe fees
  • stripe invoicing
  • stripe issuing
  • stripe merchant services
  • stripe pay
  • stripe payment
  • stripe payment company
  • stripe payments company
  • stripe payments processing
  • stripe terminal
  • stripe transaction charges
  • stripe transaction fee
  • terminal stripe

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among fintech

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