Autodesk Civil 3D vs Esri ArcGIS:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS had more branded searches than Autodesk Civil 3D among surveying software worldwide. Esri ArcGIS had about 316,000 branded searches, while Autodesk Civil 3D had 49,500. Esri ArcGIS made up 51.3% of all surveying software searches we track, and Autodesk Civil 3D accounted for 8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about surveying software, Autodesk Civil 3D appeared in three of the five answers and Esri ArcGIS in one. Autodesk Civil 3D was mentioned before Esri ArcGIS in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Esri ArcGIS, about 6 searches for every 1 for Autodesk Civil 3D
Who does AI mention more?
Autodesk Civil 3D, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Esri ArcGIS in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Autodesk Civil 3D, named ahead of Esri ArcGIS 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, 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. Esri ArcGIS was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Autodesk Civil 3D was listed before Esri ArcGIS 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 Esri ArcGIS more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Autodesk Civil 3D and Esri ArcGIS 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 Esri ArcGIS, Autodesk Civil 3D. 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 Esri ArcGIS comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Esri ArcGIS was ahead of Autodesk Civil 3D 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, Esri ArcGIS’s share of searches among surveying software worldwide moved from 47.2% to 51.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 316K.
How did search popularity change for surveying software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS gained share of searches among surveying software worldwide, from 44.5% to 51.3%.
In September 2026, Autodesk Civil 3D lost share of searches among surveying software worldwide, from 10.3% to 8%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Autodesk Civil 3D’s and Esri ArcGIS’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
Esri ArcGIS
2 branded search terms
- arcgis
- esri arcgis
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