Fern vs GitBook:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, GitBook had more branded searches than Fern among developer documentation platforms worldwide. GitBook had about 3,600 branded searches, while Fern had 430. GitBook made up 7.1% of all developer documentation platform searches we track, and Fern accounted for 0.85%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about developer documentation platforms, GitBook appeared in all five answers and Fern in two. GitBook was mentioned before Fern in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
GitBook, about 8 searches for every 1 for Fern
Who does AI mention more?
GitBook, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
GitBook, named ahead of Fern in every answer
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Top developer documentation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GitBook appeared in all five answers. Fern was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. GitBook was listed before Fern in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mintlify1st
ReadMe2nd- GitBook3rd
Docusaurus4th
Fern5th
Read the Docs–
Slate–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Mintlify5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- GitBook5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- ReadMe5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Docusaurus4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fern2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Read the Docs0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Slate0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about developer documentation platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which developer documentation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best developer documentation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best developer documentation platform for a dev team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“api documentation tool”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“developer documentation platforms”
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 20, 2026.
Is Fern or GitBook more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Fern and GitBook by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven developer documentation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for GitBook, Fern. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Docusaurus | Mintlify | Read the Docs | GitBook | ReadMe | Fern | Slate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 48.9% | 32.7% | 9.8% | 6.5% | 1.3% | 0.59% | 0.17% |
| Nov 2025 | 52.1% | 28.6% | 10.4% | 6.9% | 1.1% | 0.59% | 0.22% |
| Dec 2025 | 49.6% | 33.2% | 9.9% | 5.4% | 1% | 0.69% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 47.8% | 32% | 11.7% | 6.4% | 1.1% | 0.82% | 0.17% |
| Feb 2026 | 42.6% | 34.9% | 12.7% | 6.9% | 1.6% | 0.94% | 0.17% |
| Mar 2026 | 43.9% | 35.9% | 10.7% | 7.2% | 1.3% | 0.8% | 0.19% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.1% | 42.1% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 1.1% | 0.67% | 0.11% |
| May 2026 | 43.9% | 36% | 10.7% | 7.1% | 1.2% | 0.94% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 47.8% | 39% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 0.94% | 0.61% | 0.11% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.6% | 41.6% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 1% | 0.64% | 0.14% |
| Aug 2026 | 46.6% | 38.1% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 0.73% | 0.66% | 0.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 44% | 35.9% | 10.7% | 7.1% | 1.2% | 0.85% | 0.14% |
How has the Fern and GitBook comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- GitBook was ahead of Fern in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Fern’s share of searches among developer documentation platforms worldwide moved from 0.59% to 0.85%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 490 to 430.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GitBook’s share of searches among developer documentation platforms worldwide moved from 6.5% to 7.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for developer documentation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, GitBook gained share of searches among developer documentation platforms worldwide, from 6.2% to 7.1%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Fern worldwide fell 12.2% over 12 measured months, from 490 to 430 in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fern’s and GitBook’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 developer documentation platforms
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