Patreon vs Substack:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Patreon had more branded searches than Substack among membership platforms worldwide. Patreon had about 3.4 million branded searches, while Substack had 2.3 million. Patreon made up 57.3% of all membership platform searches we track, and Substack accounted for 39.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about membership platforms, Patreon appeared in three of the five answers and Substack in none.
Who do people search for more?
Patreon, about 46% more searches than Substack
Who does AI mention more?
Patreon, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Substack in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Patreon, the only one of the two named
Follow Patreon vs Substack and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top membership platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Patreon was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Substack did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Circle1st
Mighty Networks2nd
Skool3rd- Patreon4th
MemberPress5th
Kajabi6th
Podia7th
Wild Apricot8th
Substack–
Memberful–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Patreon3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Kajabi3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Skool3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Mighty Networks3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Circle3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- MemberPress3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Podia2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Wild Apricot1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Substack0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Memberful0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about membership platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which membership platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best membership platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best membership platform for a paid community?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“membership platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“membership site software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Patreon or Substack more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Patreon and Substack by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten membership platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Patreon, Substack. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Patreon | Substack | Kajabi | Podia | Skool | Mighty Networks | Wild Apricot | Circle | MemberPress | Memberful |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 68.6% | 25.8% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 0.37% | 0.68% | 0.25% | 0.14% | 0.2% | 0.05% |
| Nov 2025 | 68.6% | 25.8% | 2.8% | 1.2% | 0.45% | 0.55% | 0.25% | 0.11% | 0.2% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 65.1% | 29.9% | 2.6% | 0.96% | 0.35% | 0.53% | 0.19% | 0.09% | 0.16% | 0.05% |
| Jan 2026 | 65% | 30% | 2.6% | 0.96% | 0.35% | 0.53% | 0.24% | 0.09% | 0.16% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 64.5% | 29.8% | 3.2% | 0.95% | 0.43% | 0.52% | 0.23% | 0.1% | 0.16% | 0.05% |
| Mar 2026 | 65.6% | 30.2% | 2.2% | 0.79% | 0.36% | 0.43% | 0.19% | 0.09% | 0.13% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 61.1% | 34.2% | 2.5% | 0.9% | 0.41% | 0.49% | 0.18% | 0.1% | 0.12% | 0.03% |
| May 2026 | 65.8% | 30.1% | 2.2% | 0.8% | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.16% | 0.07% | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.7% | 30.6% | 1.8% | 0.8% | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.16% | 0.07% | 0.09% | 0.03% |
| Jul 2026 | 61.3% | 34.6% | 2% | 0.91% | 0.41% | 0.41% | 0.18% | 0.07% | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 61.7% | 35% | 1.7% | 0.75% | 0.34% | 0.27% | 0.15% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.02% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.3% | 39.3% | 1.5% | 0.85% | 0.38% | 0.31% | 0.17% | 0.06% | 0.06% | 0.03% |
How has the Patreon and Substack comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Patreon was ahead of Substack in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Patreon’s share of searches among membership platforms worldwide moved from 68.6% to 57.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 3.4M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Substack’s share of searches among membership platforms worldwide moved from 25.8% to 39.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3M to 2.3M.
How did search popularity change for membership platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Substack gained share of searches among membership platforms worldwide, from 35% to 39.3%.
In September 2026, Patreon lost share of searches among membership platforms worldwide, from 61.7% to 57.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Patreon’s and Substack’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.
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.