Brandwave

Esri ArcGIS vs STAAD:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS had more branded searches than STAAD among civil engineering software worldwide. Esri ArcGIS had about 316,000 branded searches, while STAAD had 22,200. Esri ArcGIS made up 11.1% of all civil engineering software searches we track, and STAAD accounted for 0.78%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about civil engineering software, STAAD appeared in all five answers and Esri ArcGIS in four. STAAD was mentioned before Esri ArcGIS in four out of five answers.

Among civil engineering software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Esri ArcGIS, about 14 searches for every 1 for STAAD

Esri ArcGIS 316K searchesSTAAD 22.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

STAAD, mentioned in every answer we collected

STAAD in 5 of 5Esri ArcGIS in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

STAAD, named ahead of Esri ArcGIS in 4 of 5 answers

STAAD first in 4Esri ArcGIS first in 1

Follow Esri ArcGIS vs STAAD 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 civil engineering software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, STAAD appeared in all five answers. Esri ArcGIS was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. STAAD was listed before Esri ArcGIS in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. AutoCAD1st
  2. Civil 3D2nd
  3. Revit3rd
  4. STAAD4th
  5. ETABS5th
  6. SAP20006th
  7. HEC-RAS7th
  8. OpenRoads8th
  9. Esri ArcGIS9th
  10. EPANET10th
  11. +4 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • AutoCAD5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Revit5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Civil 3D5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • STAAD5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Esri ArcGIS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ETABS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • HEC-RAS4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SAP20004 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Primavera P63 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • EPANET3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about civil engineering software

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 Esri ArcGIS or STAAD more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Esri ArcGIS and STAAD by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 civil engineering software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Esri ArcGIS and STAAD among civil engineering software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Esri ArcGIS, STAAD. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAutoCADQGISRevitEsri ArcGISCivil 3DPrimavera P6ETABSHEC-RASSTAADEPANETSAP2000InfraWorksOpenRoads12d Model
Oct 202552.8%15.9%13%11.1%1.7%1.4%0.95%0.78%0.52%0.64%0.78%0.29%0.07%0.03%
Nov 202553%15.9%13%11%1.7%1.4%0.96%0.78%0.52%0.64%0.64%0.29%0.07%0.02%
Dec 202554.1%16.3%10.9%11.3%1.8%1.5%1.2%0.8%0.54%0.54%0.66%0.24%0.08%0.02%
Jan 202650.3%18.6%12.4%10.9%2%1.7%1.1%0.75%0.61%0.61%0.61%0.27%0.08%0.02%
Feb 202650.4%18.6%12.4%10.8%2%1.7%1.1%0.75%0.61%0.61%0.61%0.33%0.08%0.02%
Mar 202652.8%15.9%13%11.1%1.7%1.4%0.95%0.78%0.64%0.64%0.64%0.29%0.08%0.03%
Apr 202649%18.1%12.1%12.6%2%1.6%1.1%0.89%0.73%0.73%0.73%0.27%0.1%0.03%
May 202650%18.5%12.3%10.7%2%1.7%1.1%0.91%0.91%0.74%0.74%0.27%0.08%0.03%
Jun 202652.7%15.9%13%9.2%2.1%2.1%1.2%0.96%0.96%0.78%0.64%0.29%0.08%0.03%
Jul 202648.1%17.7%14.5%10.3%1.9%2.4%1.3%0.87%1.1%0.71%0.71%0.32%0.09%0.04%
Aug 202652.8%15.9%13%9.2%2.1%2.1%1.2%0.78%1.2%0.64%0.64%0.29%0.08%0.03%
Sep 202652.6%15.8%12.9%11.1%1.7%1.7%0.95%0.78%0.78%0.64%0.64%0.23%0.08%0.03%

How has the Esri ArcGIS and STAAD comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for civil engineering software worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Esri ArcGIS gained share of searches among civil engineering software worldwide, from 9.2% to 11.1%.

  2. In September 2026, STAAD fell from 8th to 9th among civil engineering software worldwide.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Esri ArcGIS’s and STAAD’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.

Esri ArcGIS

2 branded search terms

  • arcgis
  • esri arcgis

STAAD

1 branded search term

  • staad

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among civil engineering software

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