GRASS GIS vs QGIS:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, QGIS had more branded searches than GRASS GIS among GIS software worldwide. QGIS had about 450,000 branded searches, while GRASS GIS had 2,900. QGIS made up 41.6% of all GIS software searches we track, and GRASS GIS accounted for 0.27%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about GIS software, QGIS appeared in all five answers and GRASS GIS in four. QGIS was mentioned before GRASS GIS in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
QGIS, about 155 searches for every 1 for GRASS GIS
Who does AI mention more?
QGIS, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
QGIS, named ahead of GRASS GIS in every answer
Follow GRASS GIS vs QGIS and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top GIS software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, QGIS appeared in all five answers. GRASS GIS was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. QGIS was listed before GRASS GIS in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- QGIS1st
Esri ArcGIS2nd
GRASS GIS3rd
Google Earth Engine4th
CARTO5th
Mapbox6th
Maptitude–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- QGIS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Esri ArcGIS5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- GRASS GIS4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Google Earth Engine3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Mapbox1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- CARTO1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Maptitude0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about GIS software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which GIS software should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best GIS software options?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best GIS software for map analysis?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“geographic information system”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“gis software”
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 GRASS GIS or QGIS more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for GRASS GIS and QGIS by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven GIS software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for QGIS, GRASS GIS. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | QGIS | Esri ArcGIS | Google Earth Engine | Mapbox | CARTO | GRASS GIS | Maptitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 39.5% | 27.8% | 14.5% | 14.5% | 2.9% | 0.47% | 0.32% |
| Nov 2025 | 39.7% | 27.5% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 2.9% | 0.48% | 0.26% |
| Dec 2025 | 40.8% | 28.4% | 12.2% | 15% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.7% | 25% | 12.8% | 15.6% | 3.1% | 0.42% | 0.28% |
| Feb 2026 | 44.1% | 25.6% | 10.8% | 16.2% | 2.7% | 0.43% | 0.24% |
| Mar 2026 | 40.7% | 28.5% | 12.2% | 14.9% | 3% | 0.4% | 0.26% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.7% | 27.7% | 14.6% | 14.6% | 2.9% | 0.32% | 0.21% |
| May 2026 | 42.9% | 24.9% | 12.9% | 15.7% | 3.2% | 0.34% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 41.7% | 24.1% | 15.3% | 15.3% | 3.1% | 0.41% | 0.18% |
| Jul 2026 | 41.4% | 24% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 3.7% | 0.4% | 0.15% |
| Aug 2026 | 41.1% | 23.8% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 4.5% | 0.32% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.6% | 29.2% | 12.5% | 12.5% | 3.7% | 0.27% | 0.12% |
How has the GRASS GIS and QGIS comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- QGIS was ahead of GRASS GIS in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, GRASS GIS’s share of searches among GIS software worldwide moved from 0.47% to 0.27%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 5.4K to 2.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, QGIS’s share of searches among GIS software worldwide moved from 39.5% to 41.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 450K.
How did search popularity change for GIS software worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, QGIS gained share of searches among GIS software worldwide, from 41.1% to 41.6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for GRASS GIS worldwide fell 46.3% over 12 measured months, from 5.4K to 2.9K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using GRASS GIS’s and QGIS’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 GIS software
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.