Brandwave

D2L vs Thinkific:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, D2L had more branded searches than Thinkific among learning management systems worldwide. D2L had about 1.8 million branded searches, while Thinkific had 61,500. D2L made up 12.5% of all learning management system searches we track, and Thinkific accounted for 0.42%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about learning management systems, Thinkific appeared in four of the five answers and D2L in none.

Among learning management systems worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

D2L, about 30 searches for every 1 for Thinkific

D2L 1.8M searchesThinkific 61.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Thinkific, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, D2L in 0

Thinkific in 4 of 5D2L in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Thinkific, the only one of the two named

Thinkific first in 4D2L never named

Follow D2L vs Thinkific 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 learning management systems in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Thinkific was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. D2L did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Moodle1st
  2. TalentLMS2nd
  3. Thinkific3rd
  4. Canvas LMS4th
  5. Kajabi5th
  6. Docebo6th
  7. 360Learning7th
  8. Schoology–
  9. D2L–
  10. Blackboard–
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Moodle5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Thinkific4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • TalentLMS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Canvas LMS3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Kajabi2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • 360Learning2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Docebo1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Schoology0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • D2L0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Blackboard0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about learning management systems

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is D2L or Thinkific more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for D2L and Thinkific by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 learning management systems we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

D2L and Thinkific among learning management systems worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for D2L, Thinkific. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMoodleSchoologyD2LCanvas LMSKajabiThinkificTalentLMS360LearningDoceboBlackboardArticulate
Oct 202552.7%35.2%8.6%1.2%0.95%0.53%0.34%0.23%0.23%0.07%<0.01%
Nov 202555.2%30.2%11%0.82%1.2%0.68%0.35%0.24%0.24%0.11%<0.01%
Dec 202555.4%30.4%9.1%1.8%1.5%0.68%0.41%0.25%0.3%0.13%<0.01%
Jan 202649.6%33.2%12.1%1.6%1.6%0.75%0.39%0.27%0.33%0.1%<0.01%
Feb 202650%33.5%12.2%0.9%1.6%0.75%0.39%0.27%0.33%0.08%<0.01%
Mar 202656.1%30.7%9.2%1%1.2%0.69%0.44%0.25%0.3%0.06%<0.01%
Apr 202659.5%26.7%9.7%1.1%1.3%0.6%0.44%0.26%0.32%0.05%<0.01%
May 202655.8%30.6%9.2%1.2%1.5%0.69%0.44%0.2%0.3%0.06%<0.01%
Jun 202663.1%23.1%8.5%1.1%1.7%0.95%0.6%0.34%0.51%0.06%<0.01%
Jul 202659.5%21.9%9.8%2%2.9%1.6%1%0.48%0.72%0.1%0.01%
Aug 202635%52.3%8.6%0.95%1.4%0.65%0.41%0.19%0.35%0.1%<0.01%
Sep 202651.1%34.1%12.5%0.62%0.62%0.42%0.25%0.18%0.18%0.05%<0.01%

How has the D2L and Thinkific comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • D2L was ahead of Thinkific in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, D2L’s share of searches among learning management systems worldwide moved from 8.6% to 12.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 1.8M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thinkific’s share of searches among learning management systems worldwide moved from 0.53% to 0.42%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 75.3K to 61.5K.

How did search popularity change for learning management systems worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, D2L gained share of searches among learning management systems worldwide, from 8.6% to 12.5%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Thinkific worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 75.3K to 61.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

6 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using D2L’s and Thinkific’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.

D2L

1 branded search term

  • d2l

Thinkific

5 branded search terms

  • thinkific
  • thinkific app
  • thinkific course
  • thinkific courses
  • thinkific online courses

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among learning management systems

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.

Start free