Brandwave

Chess.com vs Lichess:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Lichess had more branded searches than Chess.com among online chess sites worldwide. Lichess had about 7.5 million branded searches, while Chess.com had 6.1 million. Lichess made up 53.9% of all online chess site searches we track, and Chess.com accounted for 44.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online chess sites, Chess.com appeared in all five answers and Lichess in three. Chess.com was mentioned before Lichess in four out of five answers.

Among online chess sites worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Lichess, about 22% more searches than Chess.com

Lichess 7.5M searchesChess.com 6.1M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Chess.com, mentioned in every answer we collected

Chess.com in 5 of 5Lichess in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Chess.com, named ahead of Lichess in 4 of 5 answers

Chess.com first in 4Lichess first in 1

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Top online chess sites in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Chess.com appeared in all five answers. Lichess was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Chess.com was listed before Lichess in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Chess.com1st
  2. Lichess2nd
  3. SparkChess3rd
  4. Chess Tempo4th
  5. Chessable5th
  6. ChessKid–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Chess.com5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Lichess3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Chess Tempo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SparkChess2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Chessable1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • ChessKid0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about online chess sites

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 Chess.com or Lichess more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Chess.com and Lichess by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six online chess sites we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Chess.com and Lichess among online chess sites worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Lichess, Chess.com. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLichessChess.comChessKidChessableSparkChessChess Tempo
Oct 202562.8%34.3%1.4%0.62%0.62%0.23%
Nov 202563%34.4%1.1%0.62%0.62%0.23%
Dec 202563%34.4%1.1%0.62%0.62%0.23%
Jan 202658.5%39.1%1.1%0.58%0.58%0.26%
Feb 202662.9%34.4%1.4%0.51%0.62%0.23%
Mar 202658.4%39%1.3%0.47%0.58%0.26%
Apr 202658.3%39%1.3%0.58%0.58%0.26%
May 202658.2%38.9%1.6%0.58%0.58%0.26%
Jun 202658.7%39.3%0.86%0.47%0.47%0.21%
Jul 202663.5%34.7%0.51%0.51%0.51%0.23%
Aug 202658.8%39.3%0.71%0.48%0.48%0.26%
Sep 202653.9%44.1%0.97%0.44%0.44%0.2%

How has the Chess.com and Lichess comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Lichess was ahead of Chess.com in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chess.com’s share of searches among online chess sites worldwide moved from 34.3% to 44.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.1M to 6.1M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lichess’ share of searches among online chess sites worldwide moved from 62.8% to 53.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 7.5M.

How did search popularity change for online chess sites worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Chess.com gained share of searches among online chess sites worldwide, from 39.3% to 44.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Lichess lost share of searches among online chess sites worldwide, from 58.8% to 53.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chess.com’s and Lichess’ 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.

Chess.com

1 branded search term

  • chess com

Lichess

1 branded search term

  • lichess

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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