Brandwave

Esri ArcGIS vs Google Earth Engine:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS had more branded searches than Google Earth Engine among GIS software worldwide. Esri ArcGIS had about 316,000 branded searches, while Google Earth Engine had 135,000. Esri ArcGIS made up 29.2% of all GIS software searches we track, and Google Earth Engine accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about GIS software, Esri ArcGIS appeared in all five answers and Google Earth Engine in three. Esri ArcGIS was mentioned before Google Earth Engine in every answer.

Among GIS software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Esri ArcGIS, about 2 searches for every 1 for Google Earth Engine

Esri ArcGIS 316K searchesGoogle Earth Engine 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Esri ArcGIS, mentioned in every answer we collected

Esri ArcGIS in 5 of 5Google Earth Engine in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Esri ArcGIS, named ahead of Google Earth Engine in every answer

Esri ArcGIS first in 5Google Earth Engine never first

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Top GIS software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Esri ArcGIS appeared in all five answers. 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. Esri ArcGIS was listed before Google Earth Engine in every answer.

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 Esri ArcGIS or Google Earth Engine more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Esri ArcGIS 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.

Esri ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine among GIS software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Esri ArcGIS, Google Earth Engine. 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 Esri ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS gained share of searches among GIS software worldwide, from 23.8% to 29.2%.

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

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Esri ArcGIS’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.

Esri ArcGIS

2 branded search terms

  • arcgis
  • esri arcgis

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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