Bolt vs PayPal:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bolt had more branded searches than PayPal among checkout optimisation platforms worldwide. Bolt had about 720 branded searches, while PayPal had 390. Bolt made up 3.6% of all checkout optimisation platform searches we track, and PayPal accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about checkout optimisation platforms, Bolt appeared in two of the five answers and PayPal in one. Bolt was mentioned before PayPal in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Bolt, about 85% more searches than PayPal
Who does AI mention more?
Bolt, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, PayPal in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Bolt, named ahead of PayPal in 2 of 2 answers
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Top checkout optimisation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Bolt was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. PayPal was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Bolt was listed before PayPal in every answer that named either.
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.
Shopify5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Stripe4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Checkout Champ2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Bolt2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
PayPal1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
AfterSell0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Zipify0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
CartHook0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about checkout optimisation platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which checkout optimisation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best checkout optimisation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best checkout optimisation platform for more online sales?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ecommerce checkout software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“improve checkout conversion”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Bolt or PayPal more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bolt and PayPal by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight checkout optimisation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Bolt, PayPal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Stripe | Checkout Champ | Shopify | AfterSell | Zipify | Bolt | PayPal | CartHook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.5% | 12.3% | 15.3% | 8.1% | 5.5% | 3.1% | 3.1% | 1.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 54.9% | 10.9% | 13.1% | 7.3% | 5.9% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 1.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.8% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 8.2% | 8.2% | 3.7% | 3% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.5% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 7.1% | 5.7% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 54.5% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 7.2% | 4.5% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 52.3% | 12.5% | 15.6% | 8.2% | 4.3% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 53.5% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 8.4% | 5.7% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 53.1% | 12.7% | 12.7% | 7% | 7% | 3.9% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 54.1% | 13% | 13% | 8.5% | 4.5% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 56% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 7.4% | 4.1% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 50.4% | 14.8% | 14.8% | 9.7% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 49.7% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 9.5% | 4.4% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.6% |
How has the Bolt and PayPal comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Bolt was ahead of PayPal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bolt’s share of searches among checkout optimisation platforms worldwide moved from 3.1% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 720.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PayPal’s share of searches among checkout optimisation platforms worldwide moved from 3.1% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 720 to 390.
How did search popularity change for checkout optimisation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Bolt gained share of searches among checkout optimisation platforms worldwide, from 3% to 3.6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for PayPal worldwide fell 45.8% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 390 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bolt’s and PayPal’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 checkout optimisation platforms
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