GitLab vs Gradle:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, GitLab had more branded searches than Gradle among build automation platforms worldwide. GitLab had about 823,000 branded searches, while Gradle had 40,500. GitLab made up 68.9% of all build automation platform searches we track, and Gradle accounted for 3.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about build automation platforms, GitLab appeared in all five answers and Gradle in two. GitLab was mentioned before Gradle in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
GitLab, about 20 searches for every 1 for Gradle
Who does AI mention more?
GitLab, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
GitLab, named ahead of Gradle in every answer
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Top build automation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GitLab appeared in all five answers. Gradle was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. GitLab was listed before Gradle 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.
- GitLab5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Jenkins5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
GitHub Actions5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
CircleCI4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Buildkite3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Gradle2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
TeamCity1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about build automation platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which build automation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best build automation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best build automation platform for software builds?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ci cd platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“continuous integration tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is GitLab or Gradle more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for GitLab and Gradle by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven build automation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for GitLab, Gradle. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | GitLab | Jenkins | GitHub Actions | Gradle | CircleCI | TeamCity | Buildkite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 65.9% | 19.7% | 7.2% | 4% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.53% |
| Nov 2025 | 61.3% | 22.4% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 61.4% | 22.4% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Jan 2026 | 61.4% | 22.4% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 61% | 22.3% | 8.2% | 4.5% | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 63.5% | 19% | 10.4% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 0.76% |
| Apr 2026 | 64.9% | 19.4% | 8.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 0.78% |
| May 2026 | 65.2% | 19.5% | 8.7% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 0.96% | 0.96% |
| Jun 2026 | 69% | 16.8% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.68% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.6% | 19.3% | 8.7% | 3.9% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.95% |
| Aug 2026 | 63.1% | 18.9% | 10.3% | 3.8% | 1.4% | 1.4% | 1.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 68.9% | 16.8% | 7.6% | 3.4% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.83% |
How has the GitLab and Gradle comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- GitLab was ahead of Gradle in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GitLab’s share of searches among build automation platforms worldwide moved from 65.9% to 68.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gradle’s share of searches among build automation platforms worldwide moved from 4% to 3.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 49.5K to 40.5K.
How did search popularity change for build automation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, GitLab gained share of searches among build automation platforms worldwide, from 63.1% to 68.9%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Gradle worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 49.5K to 40.5K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using GitLab’s and Gradle’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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