Brandwave

FutureLearn vs OpenLearn:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, OpenLearn had more branded searches than FutureLearn among MOOC platforms worldwide. OpenLearn had about 90,500 branded searches, while FutureLearn had 74,000. OpenLearn made up 0.49% of all MOOC platform searches we track, and FutureLearn accounted for 0.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about MOOC platforms, FutureLearn appeared in three of the five answers and OpenLearn in two. FutureLearn was mentioned before OpenLearn in three out of four answers that named either.

Among MOOC platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

OpenLearn, about 22% more searches than FutureLearn

OpenLearn 90.5K searchesFutureLearn 74K searches

Who does AI mention more?

FutureLearn, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, OpenLearn in 2

FutureLearn in 3 of 5OpenLearn in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

FutureLearn, named ahead of OpenLearn in 3 of 4 answers

FutureLearn first in 3OpenLearn first in 1

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Top MOOC platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, FutureLearn was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. OpenLearn was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. FutureLearn was listed before OpenLearn 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. Coursera1st
  2. edX2nd
  3. Khan Academy3rd
  4. MIT OpenCourseWare4th
  5. FutureLearn5th
  6. Udemy6th
  7. OpenLearn7th
  8. Udacity8th

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Coursera5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • edX5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Khan Academy3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • FutureLearn3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Udemy2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MIT OpenCourseWare2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • OpenLearn2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Udacity1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about MOOC platforms

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is FutureLearn or OpenLearn more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for FutureLearn and OpenLearn by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight MOOC platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

FutureLearn and OpenLearn among MOOC platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for OpenLearn, FutureLearn. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKhan AcademyCourseraUdemyedXMIT OpenCourseWareOpenLearnFutureLearnUdacity
Oct 202552.5%19.3%23.6%2.6%0.64%0.29%0.43%0.64%
Nov 202549.7%18.2%27.2%3%0.6%0.27%0.4%0.6%
Dec 202547.6%21.3%26%2.9%0.7%0.31%0.38%0.86%
Jan 202642.7%23.4%28.6%3.1%0.77%0.35%0.42%0.63%
Feb 202647.4%21.2%25.9%3.5%0.7%0.31%0.47%0.57%
Mar 202647.1%21.1%25.8%3.5%1%0.31%0.47%0.69%
Apr 202647.8%21.4%26.1%2.4%0.86%0.32%0.39%0.7%
May 202642.9%23.5%28.7%2.6%0.95%0.35%0.42%0.63%
Jun 202638%25.5%31.1%2.8%1.3%0.38%0.46%0.56%
Jul 202642.8%23.4%28.6%2.6%1.2%0.52%0.42%0.42%
Aug 202652.8%19.4%23.6%2.1%0.95%0.43%0.35%0.35%
Sep 202660.1%18.1%18.1%1.6%0.73%0.49%0.4%0.33%

How has the FutureLearn and OpenLearn comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: OpenLearn took it in July 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, FutureLearn’s share of searches among MOOC platforms worldwide moved from 0.43% to 0.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenLearn’s share of searches among MOOC platforms worldwide moved from 0.29% to 0.49%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 90.5K.

How did search popularity change for MOOC platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for OpenLearn worldwide rose 49.6% over 12 measured months, from 60.5K to 90.5K in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for FutureLearn worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 90.5K to 74K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using FutureLearn’s and OpenLearn’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.

FutureLearn

1 branded search term

  • futurelearn

OpenLearn

1 branded search term

  • openlearn

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among MOOC platforms

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