Brandwave

PayPal vs Western Union:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PayPal had more branded searches than Western Union among money transfer services worldwide. PayPal had about 20.4 million branded searches, while Western Union had 9.1 million. PayPal made up 46.6% of all money transfer service searches we track, and Western Union accounted for 20.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about money transfer services, Western Union appeared in all five answers and PayPal in three. Western Union was mentioned before PayPal in four out of five answers.

Among money transfer services worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PayPal, about 2 searches for every 1 for Western Union

PayPal 20.4M searchesWestern Union 9.1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Western Union, mentioned in every answer we collected

Western Union in 5 of 5PayPal in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Western Union, named ahead of PayPal in 4 of 5 answers

Western Union first in 4PayPal 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, Western Union appeared in all five answers. PayPal was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Western Union was listed before PayPal in four out of five answers.

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 PayPal or Western Union more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for PayPal and Western Union 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.

PayPal and Western Union among money transfer services worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for PayPal, Western Union. 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 PayPal and Western Union comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

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

2 changes

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

  2. In September 2026, Western Union lost share of searches among money transfer services worldwide, from 24.1% to 20.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

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

PayPal

1 branded search term

  • paypal

Western Union

1 branded search term

  • western union

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among money transfer services

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