Brandwave

FabFilter vs Plugin Alliance:Which is more popular?

In October 2026, FabFilter and Plugin Alliance were level in searches among audio plugin brands worldwide, with an estimated 60.5K branded searches each, at 15% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about audio plugin brands, FabFilter appeared in three of the five answers and Plugin Alliance in two. FabFilter was mentioned before Plugin Alliance in three out of four answers that named either.

Among audio plugin brands worldwide in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

FabFilter and Plugin Alliance are searched for about as often as each other.

FabFilter 60.5K searchesPlugin Alliance 60.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

FabFilter, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Plugin Alliance in 2

FabFilter in 3 of 5Plugin Alliance in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

FabFilter, named ahead of Plugin Alliance in 3 of 4 answers

FabFilter first in 3Plugin Alliance first in 1

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Top audio plugin brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, FabFilter was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Plugin Alliance was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. FabFilter was listed before Plugin Alliance in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. FabFilter1st
  2. Waves2nd
  3. Soundtoys3rd
  4. Universal Audio4th
  5. iZotope5th
  6. Native Instruments6th
  7. Xfer Records7th
  8. Plugin Alliance8th
  9. Valhalla DSP9th
  10. u-he10th
  11. +5 more

Mentioned by AI

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

  • FabFilter3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • iZotope3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Soundtoys3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Waves3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Plugin Alliance2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Universal Audio2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Native Instruments2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • u-he1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Valhalla DSP1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Xfer Records1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+5 more

See every answer about audio plugin brands

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 27, 2026.

Is FabFilter or Plugin Alliance more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for FabFilter and Plugin Alliance by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 15 audio plugin brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

FabFilter and Plugin Alliance among audio plugin brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for FabFilter, Plugin Alliance. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthFabFilterPlugin AllianceSlate DigitaliZotopeu-heSoundtoysValhalla DSPWavesUniversal AudioXfer RecordsKiloheartsSpectrasonicsNative InstrumentsOutputEventide
Nov 202515.1%12.4%5.6%12.4%8.6%12.4%8.3%6.8%6.8%2.6%2%3.1%2%1.4%0.26%
Dec 20259.1%9.1%4%13.5%6.4%36.8%5%3.3%5%2%1.5%1.5%1.6%1.1%0.23%
Jan 202616.2%13.2%7.2%13.2%8.1%8.9%8.9%5.9%4.9%3.6%2.2%2.6%2.9%2%0.22%
Feb 202616.4%13.4%7.3%13.4%8.2%7.3%9%6%4.9%3.7%2.7%2.7%2.9%2%0.27%
Mar 202615.3%12.5%6.9%15.3%8.9%8.4%8.4%5.6%4.6%3.6%2.5%3.1%2.7%1.8%0.25%
Apr 202615%12.3%6.7%12.3%10.2%10.1%8.2%5.5%6.7%3.5%2.5%2.5%2.4%1.8%0.25%
May 202616.2%10.8%7.2%13.2%11%7.2%8.8%5.9%4.8%3.8%3.2%2.6%2.6%2.1%0.27%
Jun 202617.7%11.8%7.9%11.8%10.3%7.9%7.9%5.3%5.3%3.4%2.9%2.9%2.6%2%0.29%
Jul 202614.5%11.9%6.5%14.5%10.3%9.7%7.9%5.3%5.3%3.4%2.9%2.9%2.6%1.8%0.29%
Aug 202615.2%12.5%6.8%12.5%10.8%8.3%8.3%5.6%4.6%3.8%3%3%3%2.1%0.31%
Sep 202615.6%10.4%7%12.8%11.1%8.5%8.5%5.7%4.7%3.9%3.1%3.1%3.1%2.1%0.31%
Oct 202615%15%15%10%8.7%8.2%6.7%5.5%3.7%3.1%2.5%2.5%2.4%1.6%0.25%

How has branded search for FabFilter and Plugin Alliance changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for audio plugin brands worldwide in October 2026?

2 changes

  1. In October 2026, Plugin Alliance overtook iZotope and u-he to rank 2nd among audio plugin brands worldwide, with 15% of the searches.

  2. In October 2026, FabFilter lost share of searches among audio plugin brands worldwide, from 15.6% to 15%.

How are FabFilter’s and Plugin Alliance’s branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using FabFilter’s and Plugin Alliance’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.

FabFilter

1 branded search term

  • fabfilter

Plugin Alliance

1 branded search term

  • plugin alliance

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among audio plugin brands

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