Brandwave

Google Earth Engine vs QGIS:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, QGIS had more branded searches than Google Earth Engine among GIS software worldwide. QGIS had about 450,000 branded searches, while Google Earth Engine had 135,000. QGIS made up 41.6% 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, QGIS appeared in all five answers and Google Earth Engine in three. QGIS was mentioned before Google Earth Engine in every answer.

Among GIS software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

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

QGIS 450K searchesGoogle Earth Engine 135K searches

Who does AI mention more?

QGIS, mentioned in every answer we collected

QGIS in 5 of 5Google Earth Engine in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

QGIS, named ahead of Google Earth Engine in every answer

QGIS 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, QGIS 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. QGIS 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 Google Earth Engine or QGIS more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Google Earth Engine and QGIS 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.

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

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

3 findings
  • QGIS was ahead of Google Earth Engine in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • 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.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, QGIS’s share of searches among GIS software worldwide moved from 39.5% to 41.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.

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

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, QGIS gained share of searches among GIS software worldwide, from 41.1% to 41.6%.

  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?

2 search terms

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

Google Earth Engine

1 branded search term

  • google earth engine

QGIS

1 branded search term

  • qgis

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among GIS software

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