Brandwave

Garmin Connect vs Strava:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Strava had more branded searches than Garmin Connect among running apps worldwide. Strava had about 2.2 million branded searches, while Garmin Connect had 1.2 million. Strava made up 56.6% of all running app searches we track, and Garmin Connect accounted for 30.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about running apps, Strava appeared in all five answers and Garmin Connect in three. Strava was mentioned before Garmin Connect in every answer.

Among running apps worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Strava, about 84% more searches than Garmin Connect

Strava 2.2M searchesGarmin Connect 1.2M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Strava, mentioned in every answer we collected

Strava in 5 of 5Garmin Connect in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Strava, named ahead of Garmin Connect in every answer

Strava first in 5Garmin Connect never first

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Top running apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Strava appeared in all five answers. Garmin Connect was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Strava was listed before Garmin Connect in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Nike Run Club1st
  2. Strava2nd
  3. Runna3rd
  4. Garmin Connect4th
  5. Runkeeper5th
  6. Adidas Running6th
  7. MapMyRun–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Strava5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Nike Run Club5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Runna4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Garmin Connect3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Runkeeper2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Adidas Running1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • MapMyRun0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about running apps

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 21, 2026.

Is Garmin Connect or Strava more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Garmin Connect and Strava by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven running apps we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Garmin Connect and Strava among running apps worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Strava, Garmin Connect. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthStravaGarmin ConnectAdidas RunningNike Run ClubRunnaMapMyRunRunkeeper
Oct 202561.1%27.5%4.5%1.4%3%1.7%0.9%
Nov 202561.7%27.7%4.6%1.1%2.5%1.7%0.75%
Dec 202565.9%24.2%4%0.98%2.7%1.5%0.8%
Jan 202657.8%31.6%4.3%1%2.9%1.6%0.86%
Feb 202662.8%28.2%3.8%0.76%2.1%1.7%0.62%
Mar 202662.9%28.1%3.8%0.76%2.1%1.7%0.62%
Apr 202658.5%31.8%4.3%0.86%2.4%1.6%0.58%
May 202658.6%31.9%4.3%0.71%2.4%1.6%0.58%
Jun 202663.3%28.3%3.8%0.94%1.7%1.4%0.51%
Jul 202658.7%32.1%4.3%0.87%1.9%1.6%0.47%
Aug 202658.9%32.1%4.3%1.1%1.6%1.6%0.48%
Sep 202656.6%30.8%7.6%1.9%1.5%1.3%0.37%

How has the Garmin Connect and Strava comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Strava was ahead of Garmin Connect in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Garmin Connect’s share of searches among running apps worldwide moved from 27.5% to 30.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 1.2M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Strava’s share of searches among running apps worldwide moved from 61.1% to 56.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.8M to 2.2M.

How did search popularity change for running apps worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Strava lost share of searches among running apps worldwide, from 58.9% to 56.6%.

  2. In September 2026, Garmin Connect lost share of searches among running apps worldwide, from 32.1% to 30.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Garmin Connect’s and Strava’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.

Garmin Connect

1 branded search term

  • garmin connect

Strava

1 branded search term

  • strava

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among running apps

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