ETABS vs Tekla:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Tekla had more branded searches than ETABS among structural engineering software worldwide. Tekla had about 135,000 branded searches, while ETABS had 27,100. Tekla made up 38.3% of all structural engineering software searches we track, and ETABS accounted for 7.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about structural engineering software, ETABS appeared in all five answers and Tekla in three. ETABS was mentioned before Tekla in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Tekla, about 5 searches for every 1 for ETABS
Who does AI mention more?
ETABS, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
ETABS, named ahead of Tekla in every answer
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Top structural engineering software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, ETABS appeared in all five answers. Tekla was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. ETABS was listed before Tekla in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
ETABS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SAP20005 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
STAAD4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Robot Structural Analysis Professional4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Tekla3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
SkyCiv2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
RISA1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about structural engineering software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which structural engineering software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best structural engineering software tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best structural engineering software for a structural model?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“structural engineering software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“structural analysis software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is ETABS or Tekla more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for ETABS and Tekla by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven structural engineering software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Tekla, ETABS. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | RISA | Tekla | ETABS | STAAD | SAP2000 | SkyCiv | Robot Structural Analysis Professional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.6% | 28.9% | 5.8% | 3.2% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 0.13% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.8% | 33.4% | 5.5% | 3% | 3.7% | 4.5% | 0.12% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.2% | 37.9% | 6.2% | 2.8% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.3% | 33.1% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 0.14% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.3% | 33.1% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 0.14% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.1% | 29.2% | 5.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 0.16% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.1% | 28% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 0.18% |
| May 2026 | 50.6% | 27.7% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 0.18% |
| Jun 2026 | 42% | 34.2% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 0.18% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.3% | 34.4% | 8.5% | 6.9% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 0.15% |
| Aug 2026 | 38.4% | 38.4% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 4.2% | 3.4% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 38.3% | 38.3% | 7.7% | 6.3% | 5.1% | 4.2% | 0.17% |
How has the ETABS and Tekla comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Tekla was ahead of ETABS in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ETABS’s share of searches among structural engineering software worldwide moved from 5.8% to 7.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 27.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tekla’s share of searches among structural engineering software worldwide moved from 28.9% to 38.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 135K.
How did search popularity change for structural engineering software worldwide in September 2026?
0 changes
Neither ETABS nor Tekla moved beyond provider rounding among structural engineering software in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using ETABS’s and Tekla’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.
Other head-to-heads among structural engineering software

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