Brandwave

edX vs OpenLearn:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, edX had more branded searches than OpenLearn among MOOC platforms worldwide. edX had about 301,000 branded searches, while OpenLearn had 90,500. edX made up 1.6% of all MOOC platform searches we track, and OpenLearn accounted for 0.49%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MOOC platforms, edX appeared in all five answers and OpenLearn in two. edX was mentioned before OpenLearn in every answer.

Among MOOC platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

edX, about 3 searches for every 1 for OpenLearn

edX 301K searchesOpenLearn 90.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

edX, mentioned in every answer we collected

edX in 5 of 5OpenLearn in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

edX, named ahead of OpenLearn in every answer

edX first in 5OpenLearn never first

Follow edX vs OpenLearn 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 MOOC platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, edX appeared in all five answers. OpenLearn was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. edX was listed before OpenLearn in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Coursera1st
  2. edX2nd
  3. Khan Academy3rd
  4. MIT OpenCourseWare4th
  5. FutureLearn5th
  6. Udemy6th
  7. OpenLearn7th
  8. Udacity8th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Coursera5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • edX5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Khan Academy3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • FutureLearn3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Udemy2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MIT OpenCourseWare2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • OpenLearn2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Udacity1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about MOOC platforms

5 answers

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

Is edX or OpenLearn more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for edX and OpenLearn by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight MOOC platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

edX and OpenLearn among MOOC platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKhan AcademyCourseraUdemyedXMIT OpenCourseWareOpenLearnFutureLearnUdacity
Oct 202552.5%19.3%23.6%2.6%0.64%0.29%0.43%0.64%
Nov 202549.7%18.2%27.2%3%0.6%0.27%0.4%0.6%
Dec 202547.6%21.3%26%2.9%0.7%0.31%0.38%0.86%
Jan 202642.7%23.4%28.6%3.1%0.77%0.35%0.42%0.63%
Feb 202647.4%21.2%25.9%3.5%0.7%0.31%0.47%0.57%
Mar 202647.1%21.1%25.8%3.5%1%0.31%0.47%0.69%
Apr 202647.8%21.4%26.1%2.4%0.86%0.32%0.39%0.7%
May 202642.9%23.5%28.7%2.6%0.95%0.35%0.42%0.63%
Jun 202638%25.5%31.1%2.8%1.3%0.38%0.46%0.56%
Jul 202642.8%23.4%28.6%2.6%1.2%0.52%0.42%0.42%
Aug 202652.8%19.4%23.6%2.1%0.95%0.43%0.35%0.35%
Sep 202660.1%18.1%18.1%1.6%0.73%0.49%0.4%0.33%

How has the edX and OpenLearn comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • edX was ahead of OpenLearn in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, edX’s share of searches among MOOC platforms worldwide moved from 2.6% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 550K to 301K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenLearn’s share of searches among MOOC platforms worldwide moved from 0.29% to 0.49%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 90.5K.

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

2 changes

  1. edX’s share of searches among MOOC platforms worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.8% to 1.6% in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for OpenLearn worldwide rose 49.6% over 12 measured months, from 60.5K to 90.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using edX’s and OpenLearn’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.

edX

1 branded search term

  • edx

OpenLearn

1 branded search term

  • openlearn

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among MOOC 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.

Start free