Firecrawl vs OpenSearch:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Firecrawl had more branded searches than OpenSearch among search API platforms worldwide. Firecrawl had about 135,000 branded searches, while OpenSearch had 60,500. Firecrawl made up 26.2% of all search API platform searches we track, and OpenSearch accounted for 11.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about search API platforms, Firecrawl appeared in three of the five answers and OpenSearch in none.
Who do people search for more?
Firecrawl, about 2 searches for every 1 for OpenSearch
Who does AI mention more?
Firecrawl, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, OpenSearch in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Firecrawl, the only one of the two named
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Top search API platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Firecrawl was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. OpenSearch did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Tavily1st
- SerpApi1st
- Exa3rd
Serper4th- Brave Search API5th
Firecrawl6th
Algolia7th
Typesense8th
Meilisearch9th- +1 more
OpenSearch–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SerpApi4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Firecrawl3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Tavily3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Brave Search API3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Exa3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Serper3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Algolia1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Meilisearch1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Typesense1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
OpenSearch0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about search API platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which search API platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best search API platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best search API platform for site search?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“search api platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best search api”
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 Firecrawl or OpenSearch more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Firecrawl and OpenSearch by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 search API platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Firecrawl, OpenSearch. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Firecrawl | Tavily | SerpApi | OpenSearch | Algolia | Brave Search API | Exa | Meilisearch | Serper | Typesense | Elastic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 18.6% | 12.4% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 13.5% | 2.5% | 3.2% | 6.8% | 1.8% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 16.2% | 13.2% | 19.8% | 16.2% | 14.2% | 2.6% | 2.8% | 5.9% | 2% | 3.2% | 3.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 18.8% | 12.6% | 23% | 12.6% | 11.2% | 2.1% | 6.4% | 5.6% | 1.6% | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 21.9% | 14.7% | 18% | 12% | 10.6% | 6.6% | 5.3% | 4.4% | 1.6% | 2.4% | 2.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 18.8% | 18.8% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 7.5% | 15.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 2.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 22.9% | 22.9% | 12.6% | 8.4% | 7.4% | 12.6% | 3.4% | 3.8% | 2% | 2.1% | 2% |
| Apr 2026 | 30% | 20.2% | 13.5% | 9% | 7.9% | 6% | 3.9% | 3.3% | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2% |
| May 2026 | 27.9% | 22.8% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 7.3% | 5.6% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 1.9% | 2% | 1.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 28.2% | 23.1% | 12.6% | 10.3% | 7.4% | 4.6% | 4.2% | 3.8% | 2% | 2.1% | 1.7% |
| Jul 2026 | 25.9% | 21.1% | 14.2% | 11.6% | 8.3% | 5.2% | 3.9% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1.7% |
| Aug 2026 | 31.8% | 21.2% | 11.7% | 9.5% | 8.3% | 4.3% | 4.1% | 3.5% | 2% | 1.9% | 1.7% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.2% | 21.4% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 8.3% | 4.3% | 4.2% | 3.5% | 2.4% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
How has the Firecrawl and OpenSearch comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Firecrawl was ahead of OpenSearch in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Firecrawl’s share of searches among search API platforms worldwide moved from 18.6% to 26.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenSearch’s share of searches among search API platforms worldwide moved from 15.2% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for search API platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, OpenSearch gained share of searches among search API platforms worldwide, from 9.5% to 11.8%.

In September 2026, Firecrawl lost share of searches among search API platforms worldwide, from 31.8% to 26.2%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Firecrawl’s and OpenSearch’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.
Firecrawl
1 branded search term
- firecrawl
OpenSearch
1 branded search term
- opensearch
Other head-to-heads among search API platforms

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