Brandwave

Buildkite vs Gradle:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Gradle had more branded searches than Buildkite among build automation platforms worldwide. Gradle had about 40,500 branded searches, while Buildkite had 9,900. Gradle made up 3.4% of all build automation platform searches we track, and Buildkite accounted for 0.83%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about build automation platforms, Buildkite appeared in three of the five answers and Gradle in two. Buildkite was mentioned before Gradle in every answer that named either.

Among build automation platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Gradle, about 4 searches for every 1 for Buildkite

Gradle 40.5K searchesBuildkite 9.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Buildkite, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Gradle in 2

Buildkite in 3 of 5Gradle in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Buildkite, named ahead of Gradle in 3 of 3 answers

Buildkite first in 3Gradle never first

Follow Buildkite vs Gradle and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top build automation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Buildkite was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Gradle was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Buildkite was listed before Gradle in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. GitHub Actions1st
  2. GitLab2nd
  3. Jenkins3rd
  4. Buildkite4th
  5. CircleCI5th
  6. Gradle6th
  7. TeamCity7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • GitLab5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Jenkins5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • GitHub Actions5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • CircleCI4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Buildkite3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Gradle2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • TeamCity1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about build automation platforms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Buildkite or Gradle more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Buildkite and Gradle by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven build automation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Buildkite and Gradle among build automation platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Gradle, Buildkite. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGitLabJenkinsGitHub ActionsGradleCircleCITeamCityBuildkite
Oct 202565.9%19.7%7.2%4%1.5%1.2%0.53%
Nov 202561.3%22.4%8.2%4.5%1.7%1.3%0.6%
Dec 202561.4%22.4%8.3%4.5%1.7%1.1%0.6%
Jan 202661.4%22.4%8.3%4.5%1.7%1.1%0.6%
Feb 202661%22.3%8.2%4.5%1.6%1.1%1.3%
Mar 202663.5%19%10.4%3.8%1.4%1.1%0.76%
Apr 202664.9%19.4%8.7%3.9%1.4%0.95%0.78%
May 202665.2%19.5%8.7%3.2%1.4%0.96%0.96%
Jun 202669%16.8%7.6%3.4%1.5%1%0.68%
Jul 202664.6%19.3%8.7%3.9%1.4%1.2%0.95%
Aug 202663.1%18.9%10.3%3.8%1.4%1.4%1.1%
Sep 202668.9%16.8%7.6%3.4%1.5%1%0.83%

How has the Buildkite and Gradle comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Gradle was ahead of Buildkite in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Buildkite’s share of searches among build automation platforms worldwide moved from 0.53% to 0.83%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 9.9K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gradle’s share of searches among build automation platforms worldwide moved from 4% to 3.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 40.5K.

How did search popularity change for build automation platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for Buildkite worldwide rose 50% over 12 measured months, from 6.6K to 9.9K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Gradle worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 49.5K to 40.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Buildkite’s and Gradle’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.

Buildkite

1 branded search term

  • buildkite

Gradle

1 branded search term

  • gradle

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among build automation platforms

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.