Brandwave

CARTO vs Google Earth Engine:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Google Earth Engine had more branded searches than CARTO among GIS software worldwide. Google Earth Engine had about 135,000 branded searches, while CARTO had 40,500. Google Earth Engine made up 12.5% of all GIS software searches we track, and CARTO accounted for 3.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about GIS software, Google Earth Engine appeared in three of the five answers and CARTO in one. Google Earth Engine was mentioned before CARTO in three out of four answers that named either.

Among GIS software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Google Earth Engine, about 3 searches for every 1 for CARTO

Google Earth Engine 135K searchesCARTO 40.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Google Earth Engine, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, CARTO in 1

Google Earth Engine in 3 of 5CARTO in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Google Earth Engine, named ahead of CARTO in 3 of 4 answers

Google Earth Engine first in 3CARTO first in 1

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Top GIS software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Google Earth Engine was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. CARTO was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Google Earth Engine was listed before CARTO in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. QGIS1st
  2. Esri ArcGIS2nd
  3. GRASS GIS3rd
  4. Google Earth Engine4th
  5. CARTO5th
  6. Mapbox6th
  7. Maptitude–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • QGIS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Esri ArcGIS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • GRASS GIS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Google Earth Engine3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Mapbox1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • CARTO1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Maptitude0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about GIS software

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 CARTO or Google Earth Engine more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for CARTO and Google Earth Engine by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven GIS software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

CARTO and Google Earth Engine among GIS software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Google Earth Engine, CARTO. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthQGISEsri ArcGISGoogle Earth EngineMapboxCARTOGRASS GISMaptitude
Oct 202539.5%27.8%14.5%14.5%2.9%0.47%0.32%
Nov 202539.7%27.5%14.6%14.6%2.9%0.48%0.26%
Dec 202540.8%28.4%12.2%15%3%0.4%0.27%
Jan 202642.7%25%12.8%15.6%3.1%0.42%0.28%
Feb 202644.1%25.6%10.8%16.2%2.7%0.43%0.24%
Mar 202640.7%28.5%12.2%14.9%3%0.4%0.26%
Apr 202639.7%27.7%14.6%14.6%2.9%0.32%0.21%
May 202642.9%24.9%12.9%15.7%3.2%0.34%0.15%
Jun 202641.7%24.1%15.3%15.3%3.1%0.41%0.18%
Jul 202641.4%24%15.2%15.2%3.7%0.4%0.15%
Aug 202641.1%23.8%15.1%15.1%4.5%0.32%0.15%
Sep 202641.6%29.2%12.5%12.5%3.7%0.27%0.12%

How has the CARTO and Google Earth Engine comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Google Earth Engine was ahead of CARTO in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CARTO’s share of searches among GIS software worldwide moved from 2.9% to 3.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 33.1K to 40.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Earth Engine’s share of searches among GIS software worldwide moved from 14.5% to 12.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.

How did search popularity change for GIS software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Google Earth Engine lost share of searches among GIS software worldwide, from 15.1% to 12.5%.

  2. In September 2026, CARTO lost share of searches among GIS software worldwide, from 4.5% to 3.7%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CARTO’s and Google Earth Engine’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.

CARTO

1 branded search term

  • carto

Google Earth Engine

1 branded search term

  • google earth engine

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among GIS software

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