Esri ArcGIS vs QGIS:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, QGIS had more branded searches than Esri ArcGIS among mapping and location platforms worldwide. QGIS had about 450,000 branded searches, while Esri ArcGIS had 316,000. QGIS made up 44.1% of all mapping and location platform searches we track, and Esri ArcGIS accounted for 30.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about mapping and location platforms, Esri ArcGIS appeared in four of the five answers and QGIS in two. Esri ArcGIS was mentioned before QGIS in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
QGIS, about 42% more searches than Esri ArcGIS
Who does AI mention more?
Esri ArcGIS, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, QGIS in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Esri ArcGIS, named ahead of QGIS in 4 of 4 answers
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Top mapping and location platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Esri ArcGIS was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. QGIS was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Esri ArcGIS was listed before QGIS in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Google Maps Platform1st
Mapbox2nd- Esri ArcGIS3rd
HERE Technologies4th
Felt5th
CARTO6th- QGIS7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Mapbox5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Google Maps Platform5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Esri ArcGIS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- HERE Technologies3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- QGIS2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- CARTO2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Felt2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about mapping and location platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which location mapping platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best location mapping platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best location mapping platform for a map app?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“location map software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“location mapping platforms”
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 QGIS more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Esri ArcGIS and QGIS by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven mapping and location platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for QGIS, Esri ArcGIS. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | QGIS | Esri ArcGIS | Mapbox | Google Maps Platform | CARTO | HERE Technologies | Felt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 40.6% | 28.5% | 14.9% | 11.5% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.26% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.6% | 28.7% | 15.3% | 9.7% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.22% |
| Dec 2025 | 41.4% | 28.8% | 15.2% | 10% | 3% | 1.4% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 43.5% | 25.5% | 15.9% | 10.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.23% |
| Feb 2026 | 45.2% | 26.2% | 16.6% | 7.6% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.29% |
| Mar 2026 | 42.3% | 29.7% | 15.5% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.5% | 29.6% | 15.6% | 7.4% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.34% |
| May 2026 | 44.9% | 26% | 16.5% | 7.5% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.36% |
| Jun 2026 | 44% | 25.5% | 16.1% | 9% | 3.2% | 1.8% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 43.3% | 25.1% | 15.9% | 9.7% | 3.9% | 1.7% | 0.34% |
| Aug 2026 | 43.6% | 25.3% | 16% | 8.5% | 4.8% | 1.4% | 0.34% |
| Sep 2026 | 44.1% | 30.9% | 13.2% | 6% | 4% | 1.4% | 0.35% |
How has the Esri ArcGIS and QGIS comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- QGIS was ahead of Esri ArcGIS 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 mapping and location platforms worldwide moved from 28.5% to 30.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 316K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, QGIS’s share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide moved from 40.6% to 44.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
How did search popularity change for mapping and location platforms worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS gained share of searches among mapping and location platforms worldwide, from 25.3% to 30.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Esri ArcGIS’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.
Esri ArcGIS
2 branded search terms
- arcgis
- esri arcgis
QGIS
1 branded search term
- qgis
Other head-to-heads among mapping and location platforms
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