Esri ArcGIS vs Mapbox:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS had more branded searches than Mapbox among GIS software worldwide. Esri ArcGIS had about 316,000 branded searches, while Mapbox had 135,000. Esri ArcGIS made up 29.2% of all GIS software searches we track, and Mapbox accounted for 12.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about GIS software, Esri ArcGIS appeared in all five answers and Mapbox in one. Esri ArcGIS was mentioned before Mapbox in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Esri ArcGIS, about 2 searches for every 1 for Mapbox
Who does AI mention more?
Esri ArcGIS, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Esri ArcGIS, named ahead of Mapbox in every answer
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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. Mapbox was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Esri ArcGIS was listed before Mapbox in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
QGIS1st- Esri ArcGIS2nd
GRASS GIS3rd
Google Earth Engine4th
CARTO5th
Mapbox6th
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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which GIS software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best GIS software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best GIS software for map analysis?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“geographic information system”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“gis software”
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 Mapbox more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Esri ArcGIS and Mapbox 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.
Share of searches by month for Esri ArcGIS, Mapbox. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | QGIS | Esri ArcGIS | Google Earth Engine | Mapbox | CARTO | GRASS GIS | Maptitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.5% | 27.8% | 14.5% | 14.5% | 2.9% | 0.47% | 0.32% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.7% | 27.5% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 2.9% | 0.48% | 0.26% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.8% | 28.4% | 12.2% | 15% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.7% | 25% | 12.8% | 15.6% | 3.1% | 0.42% | 0.28% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.1% | 25.6% | 10.8% | 16.2% | 2.7% | 0.43% | 0.24% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.7% | 28.5% | 12.2% | 14.9% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.7% | 27.7% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 2.9% | 0.32% | 0.21% |
| May 2026 | 42.9% | 24.9% | 12.9% | 15.7% | 3.2% | 0.34% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.7% | 24.1% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 3.1% | 0.41% | 0.18% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.4% | 24% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 3.7% | 0.4% | 0.15% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.1% | 23.8% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 4.5% | 0.32% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.6% | 29.2% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 3.7% | 0.27% | 0.12% |
How has the Esri ArcGIS and Mapbox comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Esri ArcGIS was ahead of Mapbox in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Esri ArcGIS’s share of searches among GIS software worldwide moved from 27.8% to 29.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 316K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Mapbox’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
In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS gained share of searches among GIS software worldwide, from 23.8% to 29.2%.
In September 2026, Mapbox 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 Mapbox’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
Mapbox
1 branded search term
- mapbox
Other head-to-heads among GIS software
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