Brandwave

MoneyGram vs PayPal:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PayPal had more branded searches than MoneyGram among money transfer services worldwide. PayPal had about 20.4 million branded searches, while MoneyGram had 3.6 million. PayPal made up 46.6% of all money transfer service searches we track, and MoneyGram accounted for 8.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about money transfer services, PayPal appeared in three of the five answers and MoneyGram in two. PayPal was mentioned before MoneyGram in two out of three answers that named either.

Among money transfer services worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PayPal, about 6 searches for every 1 for MoneyGram

PayPal 20.4M searchesMoneyGram 3.6M searches

Who does AI mention more?

PayPal, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, MoneyGram in 2

PayPal in 3 of 5MoneyGram in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

PayPal, named ahead of MoneyGram in 2 of 3 answers

PayPal first in 2MoneyGram first in 1

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Top money transfer services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, PayPal was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. MoneyGram was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. PayPal was listed before MoneyGram in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Wise1st
  2. Zelle2nd
  3. Remitly3rd
  4. Western Union4th
  5. Venmo5th
  6. PayPal6th
  7. Cash App6th
  8. MoneyGram8th
  9. OFX9th
  10. Revolut–
  11. +2 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Western Union5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Wise5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Remitly4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • PayPal3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Venmo3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Zelle3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MoneyGram2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Cash App2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • OFX2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Revolut0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+2 more

See every answer about money transfer services

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 19, 2026.

Is MoneyGram or PayPal more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for MoneyGram and PayPal by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 money transfer services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

MoneyGram and PayPal among money transfer services worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for PayPal, MoneyGram. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPayPalWestern UnionRevolutMoneyGramCash AppVenmoRemitlyZelleWiseXeOFXWorldRemit
Oct 202551.5%18.9%8%7.5%3.8%3.8%2.5%2.1%1.2%0.51%0.1%0.15%
Nov 202552.6%19.3%6.8%7.6%3.9%3.2%2.6%2.1%1.2%0.52%0.1%0.13%
Dec 202549.7%22.2%6.4%8.8%3%3.7%2.4%2%1.2%0.49%0.1%0.15%
Jan 202649.1%21.9%7.6%8.5%3.6%3%2.4%2%1.3%0.48%0.1%0.12%
Feb 202644.7%24.3%7%9.5%4%4%2.2%2.2%1.2%0.54%0.11%0.13%
Mar 202644.1%24%8.4%9.5%4%3.2%2.6%2.2%1.3%0.53%0.11%0.13%
Apr 202645.6%24.8%7.2%7.9%4.1%3.3%2.7%2.2%1.4%0.55%0.09%0.11%
May 202644.9%24.5%8.5%7.8%4%3.3%2.7%2.2%1.3%0.54%0.09%0.11%
Jun 202647.6%21.3%9%8.3%3.5%3.5%2.3%2.3%1.4%0.57%0.12%0.12%
Jul 202645.6%24.8%8.7%7.9%3.4%3.4%2.2%1.8%1.3%0.55%0.11%0.09%
Aug 202644.4%24.1%8.5%9.3%4%3.3%2.7%1.8%1.4%0.44%0.09%0.09%
Sep 202646.6%20.9%10.7%8.1%3.4%3.4%2.8%1.9%1.4%0.56%0.11%0.09%

How has the MoneyGram and PayPal comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • PayPal was ahead of MoneyGram in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MoneyGram’s share of searches among money transfer services worldwide moved from 7.5% to 8.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.7M to 3.6M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PayPal’s share of searches among money transfer services worldwide moved from 51.5% to 46.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 24.9M to 20.4M.

How did search popularity change for money transfer services worldwide in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Revolut overtook MoneyGram to rank 3rd among money transfer services worldwide, with 10.7% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, PayPal gained share of searches among money transfer services worldwide, from 44.4% to 46.6%.

  3. In September 2026, MoneyGram lost share of searches among money transfer services worldwide, from 9.3% to 8.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MoneyGram’s and PayPal’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.

MoneyGram

2 branded search terms

  • moneygram
  • moneygram gram

PayPal

1 branded search term

  • paypal

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among money transfer services

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