GitLab vs Spinnaker:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, GitLab had more branded searches than Spinnaker among release automation tools worldwide. GitLab had about 6,600 branded searches, while Spinnaker had 60. GitLab made up 2.9% of all release automation tool searches we track, and Spinnaker accounted for 0.03%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about release automation tools, GitLab appeared in all five answers and Spinnaker in one. GitLab was mentioned before Spinnaker in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
GitLab, about 110 searches for every 1 for Spinnaker
Who does AI mention more?
GitLab, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
GitLab, named ahead of Spinnaker in every answer
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Top release automation tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, GitLab appeared in all five answers. Spinnaker was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. GitLab was listed before Spinnaker 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.
GitHub Actions5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- GitLab5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Argo CD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Octopus Deploy3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Harness3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Release Please2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- semantic-release2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Changesets2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Spinnaker1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
LaunchDarkly0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about release automation tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which release automation tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best release automation tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best release automation tool for software deployment?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“deployment automation software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“continuous delivery tools”
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 GitLab or Spinnaker more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for GitLab and Spinnaker by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 release automation tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for GitLab, Spinnaker. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | GitHub Actions | Argo CD | LaunchDarkly | GitLab | Octopus Deploy | Release Please | semantic-release | Changesets | Codefresh | Harness | Spinnaker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.4% | 31.4% | 18.8% | 4.6% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 3.1% | 0.91% | 0.72% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Nov 2025 | 37.3% | 34.1% | 13.6% | 5% | 4.1% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.99% | 0.66% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.9% | 30.5% | 15% | 4.5% | 3% | 1.3% | 3% | 1.1% | 0.72% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Jan 2026 | 36.5% | 33.3% | 16.3% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.97% | 0.64% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Feb 2026 | 36.3% | 33.2% | 16.3% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 2.7% | 0.96% | 0.64% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Mar 2026 | 45.1% | 27.7% | 13.5% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 0.8% | 0.54% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Apr 2026 | 41.3% | 31.1% | 15.2% | 3.7% | 3% | 1.7% | 2.5% | 0.9% | 0.6% | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| May 2026 | 42.8% | 32.2% | 12.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 2.1% | 0.74% | 0.51% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Jun 2026 | 37% | 33.8% | 16.5% | 4% | 3.3% | 1.8% | 2.2% | 0.78% | 0.53% | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Jul 2026 | 39.4% | 31.2% | 17.6% | 3.5% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.83% | 0.57% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Aug 2026 | 45.6% | 29.7% | 13.7% | 2.7% | 3.4% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.79% | 0.41% | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.8% | 31.5% | 17.8% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.9% | 0.7% | 0.44% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
How has the GitLab and Spinnaker comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- GitLab was ahead of Spinnaker in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GitLab’s share of searches among release automation tools worldwide moved from 4.6% to 2.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 6.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Spinnaker’s share of searches among release automation tools worldwide moved from 0.02% to 0.03%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.
How did search popularity change for release automation tools worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, GitLab rose from 5th to 4th among release automation tools worldwide.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using GitLab’s and Spinnaker’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 release automation tools
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