Brandwave

Groq vs OpenAI API:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Groq had more branded searches than OpenAI API among LLM inference platforms worldwide. Groq had about 368,000 branded searches, while OpenAI API had 246,000. Groq made up 37.1% of all LLM inference platform searches we track, and OpenAI API accounted for 24.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about LLM inference platforms, Groq appeared in four of the five answers and OpenAI API in two. Groq was mentioned before OpenAI API in four out of five answers.

Among LLM inference platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Groq, about 50% more searches than OpenAI API

Groq 368K searchesOpenAI API 246K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Groq, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, OpenAI API in 2

Groq in 4 of 5OpenAI API in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Groq, named ahead of OpenAI API in 4 of 5 answers

Groq first in 4OpenAI API first in 1

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Top LLM inference platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Groq was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. OpenAI API was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Groq was listed before OpenAI API in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Together AI1st
  2. Groq2nd
  3. OpenAI API3rd
  4. Baseten4th
  5. vLLM5th
  6. Replicate6th
  7. Anyscale–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Together AI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Groq4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • vLLM4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Baseten3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • OpenAI API2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Replicate1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Anyscale0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about LLM inference platforms

5 answers

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 Groq or OpenAI API more popular in search?

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

Groq and OpenAI API among LLM inference platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Groq, OpenAI API. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGroqOpenAI APIReplicatevLLMTogether AIBasetenAnyscale
Oct 202524.8%30.3%20.3%16.6%4.4%2.2%1.2%
Nov 202524.8%30.4%20.4%16.7%4.4%2.2%1%
Dec 202550.9%18.6%15.3%10.2%3.3%1.1%0.61%
Jan 202631.3%25.6%20.9%14%4.5%2.8%0.84%
Feb 202631%31%17%13.9%4.5%1.9%0.83%
Mar 202631.7%31.7%14.2%14.2%5.5%1.9%0.7%
Apr 202632.6%26.7%14.6%17.8%5.7%2%0.59%
May 202634.9%28.5%12.8%15.6%5%2.6%0.63%
Jun 202635.9%24%13.2%16.1%6.2%3.9%0.79%
Jul 202647.6%21.3%9.5%11.7%5.5%3.5%0.86%
Aug 202641.6%22.8%12.5%12.5%5.9%3.7%0.92%
Sep 202637.1%24.8%13.6%13.6%5.3%5%0.66%

How has the Groq and OpenAI API comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Groq took it in December 2025.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Groq’s share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide moved from 24.8% to 37.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 201K to 368K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI API’s share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide moved from 30.3% to 24.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 246K.

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

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, OpenAI API gained share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 22.8% to 24.8%.

  2. In September 2026, Groq lost share of searches among LLM inference platforms worldwide, from 41.6% to 37.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Groq’s and OpenAI API’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.

Groq

1 branded search term

  • groq

OpenAI API

1 branded search term

  • openai api

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among LLM inference platforms

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