Espacenet vs Questel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Espacenet had more branded searches than Questel among patent search platforms worldwide. Espacenet had about 110,000 branded searches, while Questel had 8,100. Espacenet made up 17.8% of all patent search platform searches we track, and Questel accounted for 1.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about patent search platforms, Espacenet appeared in all five answers and Questel in three. Espacenet was mentioned before Questel in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Espacenet, about 14 searches for every 1 for Questel
Who does AI mention more?
Espacenet, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Espacenet, named ahead of Questel in every answer
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Top patent search platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Espacenet appeared in all five answers. Questel was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Espacenet was listed before Questel in every answer.
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.
Google Patents5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Espacenet5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
The Lens5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
PatSnap4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Derwent Innovation4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Questel3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Orbit Intelligence3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- USPTO Patent Public Search3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- WIPO PATENTSCOPE2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lens.org1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about patent search platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which patent search platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best patent search platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best patent search platform for prior art research?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“patent search tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“patent search platform”
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 21, 2026.
Is Espacenet or Questel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Espacenet and Questel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 patent search platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Espacenet, Questel. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Google Patents | Espacenet | PatSnap | WIPO PATENTSCOPE | Questel | The Lens | Lens.org | Orbit Intelligence | USPTO Patent Public Search | Derwent Innovation | Anaqua |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 73.6% | 18% | 2% | 2.4% | 0.88% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.38% | 0.16% | 0.39% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 73.9% | 18.1% | 2% | 2% | 0.89% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.43% | 0.14% | 0.31% | 0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 73.2% | 18% | 2% | 2.4% | 0.88% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.52% | 0.48% | 0.32% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 74.3% | 18.2% | 2% | 2% | 0.89% | 0.96% | 0.89% | 0.33% | 0.26% | 0.26% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 74.1% | 18.1% | 2% | 2% | 0.72% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.38% | 0.21% | 0.26% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 72.7% | 17.8% | 2.4% | 2% | 0.87% | 1.4% | 1.3% | 0.47% | 0.87% | 0.26% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 73.4% | 17.9% | 2% | 2.4% | 1.1% | 1.2% | 1.1% | 0.42% | 0.26% | 0.26% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 73.2% | 17.9% | 2.4% | 2% | 0.88% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.33% | 0.88% | 0.21% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 71.8% | 17.6% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.1% | 0.92% | 0.86% | 0.42% | 2.9% | 0.16% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 67.7% | 13.6% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.81% | 0.87% | 0.81% | 0.35% | 11.1% | 0.2% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 68.7% | 16.9% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1% | 1.1% | 1% | 0.35% | 6.2% | 0.24% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 73% | 17.8% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.1% | 0.37% | 0.26% | 0.21% | <0.01% |
How has the Espacenet and Questel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Espacenet was ahead of Questel in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Espacenet’s share of searches among patent search platforms worldwide moved from 18% to 17.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Questel’s share of searches among patent search platforms worldwide moved from 0.88% to 1.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 8.1K.
How did search popularity change for patent search platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Espacenet gained share of searches among patent search platforms worldwide, from 16.9% to 17.8%.
In September 2026, Questel rose from 8th to 5th among patent search platforms worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Espacenet’s and Questel’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 patent search platforms
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