Autodesk Civil 3D vs Carlson:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Autodesk Civil 3D had more branded searches than Carlson among surveying software worldwide. Autodesk Civil 3D had about 49,500 branded searches, while Carlson had 33,100. Autodesk Civil 3D made up 8% of all surveying software searches we track, and Carlson accounted for 5.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surveying software, Carlson appeared in four of the five answers and Autodesk Civil 3D in three. Carlson was mentioned before Autodesk Civil 3D in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Autodesk Civil 3D, about 50% more searches than Carlson
Who does AI mention more?
Carlson, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Autodesk Civil 3D in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Carlson, named ahead of Autodesk Civil 3D in 3 of 4 answers
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Top surveying software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Carlson was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Autodesk Civil 3D was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Carlson was listed before Autodesk Civil 3D in three out of four answers.
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.
Trimble4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Carlson4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Autodesk Civil 3D3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Topcon3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- MicroSurvey FieldGenius2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Esri ArcGIS1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Leica Geosystems1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about surveying software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which surveying software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best surveying software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best surveying software for field data capture?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“surveying software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“land survey software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Autodesk Civil 3D or Carlson more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Autodesk Civil 3D and Carlson by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven surveying software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Autodesk Civil 3D, Carlson. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Esri ArcGIS | Trimble | Autodesk Civil 3D | Carlson | Topcon | Leica Geosystems | MicroSurvey FieldGenius |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.2% | 30% | 7.4% | 6% | 6% | 3.3% | 0.04% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.8% | 26.4% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 0.04% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.2% | 26% | 7.8% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 2.8% | 0.04% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.3% | 28.9% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 0.04% |
| Feb 2026 | 46% | 29.1% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 0.05% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.8% | 29.8% | 7.3% | 7.3% | 6% | 2.7% | 0.04% |
| Apr 2026 | 49.9% | 26.3% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 0.05% |
| May 2026 | 46% | 29.1% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 0.06% |
| Jun 2026 | 41% | 31.8% | 9.5% | 6.4% | 7.8% | 3.5% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 45.3% | 28.7% | 8.6% | 7% | 7% | 3.1% | 0.07% |
| Aug 2026 | 44.5% | 28.2% | 10.3% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 0.07% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.3% | 26.8% | 8% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 2.9% | 0.08% |
How has the Autodesk Civil 3D and Carlson comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Autodesk Civil 3D was ahead of Carlson in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Autodesk Civil 3D’s share of searches among surveying software worldwide moved from 7.4% to 8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Carlson’s share of searches among surveying software worldwide moved from 6% to 5.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 40.5K to 33.1K.
How did search popularity change for surveying software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Autodesk Civil 3D lost share of searches among surveying software worldwide, from 10.3% to 8%.
In September 2026, Carlson lost share of searches among surveying software worldwide, from 6.9% to 5.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Autodesk Civil 3D’s and Carlson’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.
Autodesk Civil 3D
1 branded search term
- autodesk civil 3d
Carlson
1 branded search term
- carlson
Other head-to-heads among surveying software
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