Fastenal vs Grainger:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Grainger had more branded searches than Fastenal among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide. Grainger had about 1.2 million branded searches, while Fastenal had 246,000. Grainger made up 78% of all PPE and safety gear supplier searches we track, and Fastenal accounted for 15.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about PPE and safety gear suppliers, Grainger appeared in all four answers and Fastenal in three. Grainger was mentioned before Fastenal in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Grainger, about 5 searches for every 1 for Fastenal
Who does AI mention more?
Grainger, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Grainger, named ahead of Fastenal in every answer
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Top PPE and safety gear suppliers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Grainger appeared in all four answers. Fastenal was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Grainger was listed before Fastenal 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.
- Grainger4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Fastenal3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- MSC Industrial Supply3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Steel Blue0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Total Safety0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
ProChoice0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about PPE and safety gear suppliers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which PPE supplier should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best PPE suppliers?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best PPE supplier for workplace safety gear?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“safety gear suppliers”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“industrial safety gear”
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 Fastenal or Grainger more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Fastenal and Grainger by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six PPE and safety gear suppliers we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Grainger, Fastenal. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Grainger | Fastenal | Steel Blue | MSC Industrial Supply | Total Safety | ProChoice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 75.1% | 18.5% | 3.7% | 1.7% | 0.74% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.33% |
| Dec 2025 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Feb 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Mar 2026 | 74.7% | 18.4% | 4.5% | 1.4% | 0.74% | 0.22% |
| Apr 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| May 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| Jun 2026 | 75.3% | 18.6% | 3.7% | 1.4% | 0.75% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 78.1% | 15.8% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.63% | 0.19% |
| Aug 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 78% | 15.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.23% |
How has the Fastenal and Grainger comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Grainger was ahead of Fastenal in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Fastenal’s share of searches among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide moved from 18.5% to 15.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 301K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Grainger’s share of searches among PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide moved from 75.1% to 78%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.2M.
How did search popularity change for PPE and safety gear suppliers worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
Estimated monthly branded searches for Fastenal worldwide fell 18.3% over 12 measured months, from 301K to 246K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fastenal’s and Grainger’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.
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