Airflow vs dbt:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, dbt had more branded searches than Airflow among data pipeline platforms worldwide. dbt had about 6,600 branded searches, while Airflow had 1,590. dbt made up 6.1% of all data pipeline platform searches we track, and Airflow accounted for 1.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about data pipeline platforms, Airflow appeared in four of the five answers and dbt in three. Airflow was mentioned before dbt in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
dbt, about 4 searches for every 1 for Airflow
Who does AI mention more?
Airflow, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, dbt in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Airflow, named ahead of dbt in every answer
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Top data pipeline platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Airflow was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. dbt was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Airflow was listed before dbt 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.
Airbyte4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Airflow4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fivetran3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Dagster3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- dbt3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Matillion2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Prefect1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about data pipeline platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which data pipeline platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best data pipeline platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best data pipeline platform for data pipelines?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“data integration platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“build data pipelines”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Airflow or dbt more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Airflow and dbt by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven data pipeline platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for dbt, Airflow. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fivetran | Airbyte | Dagster | Matillion | dbt | Prefect | Airflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 43.8% | 24% | 16.1% | 7.2% | 5.9% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.2% | 25.6% | 17.1% | 9.3% | 6.3% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.7% | 24.5% | 20.1% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 38% | 25.4% | 17% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 2.2% | 1.8% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.8% | 25.9% | 17.4% | 7.8% | 6.3% | 1.9% | 1.9% |
| Mar 2026 | 35.9% | 24% | 19.7% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 1.7% | 2.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 38.8% | 26% | 17.4% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 1.9% | 1.8% |
| May 2026 | 41.5% | 22.7% | 18.6% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 2% | 1.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.5% | 22.2% | 18.2% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 1.6% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.4% | 24.3% | 19.9% | 7.3% | 8.9% | 1.7% | 1.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 40.3% | 22.1% | 18% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 1.6% | 1.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 46% | 20.6% | 16.8% | 7.5% | 6.1% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
How has the Airflow and dbt comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- dbt was ahead of Airflow in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Airflow’s share of searches among data pipeline platforms worldwide moved from 1.4% to 1.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.3K to 1.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, dbt’s share of searches among data pipeline platforms worldwide moved from 5.9% to 6.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.9K to 6.6K.
How did search popularity change for data pipeline platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, dbt lost share of searches among data pipeline platforms worldwide, from 8.1% to 6.1%.
In September 2026, Airflow fell from 6th to 7th among data pipeline platforms worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Airflow’s and dbt’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 data pipeline platforms
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