Brandwave

Gumroad vs Polar:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Gumroad had more branded searches than Polar among merchant of record platforms worldwide. Gumroad had about 673,000 branded searches, while Polar had 8,100. Gumroad made up 82.2% of all merchant of record platform searches we track, and Polar accounted for 0.99%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about merchant of record platforms, Polar appeared in two of the five answers and Gumroad in none.

Among merchant of record platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Gumroad, about 83 searches for every 1 for Polar

Gumroad 673K searchesPolar 8.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Polar, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Gumroad in 0

Polar in 2 of 5Gumroad in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Polar, the only one of the two named

Polar first in 2Gumroad never named

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Top merchant of record platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Polar was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Gumroad did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Paddle1st
  2. Lemon Squeezy2nd
  3. FastSpring3rd
  4. Polar4th
  5. PayPro Global5th
  6. Cleverbridge6th
  7. Gumroad–
  8. Digital River–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Lemon Squeezy5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • FastSpring5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Paddle5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Cleverbridge2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Polar2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • PayPro Global2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Gumroad0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Digital River0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about merchant of record 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 Gumroad or Polar more popular in search?

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

Gumroad and Polar among merchant of record platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthGumroadLemon SqueezyCleverbridgeFastSpringPolarPayPro GlobalDigital RiverPaddle
Oct 202584.2%6.2%4.1%2.3%1.5%1%0.68%0.04%
Nov 202583.7%7.5%3.4%2.3%1.5%1%0.55%0.04%
Dec 202586.6%6.4%2.9%1.6%1.3%0.85%0.46%0.04%
Jan 202687%6.4%2.4%1.6%1.3%0.86%0.38%0.05%
Feb 202685.2%7.7%2.8%1.5%1.3%1%0.37%0.13%
Mar 202683.4%9.2%2.7%1.8%1.2%1%0.45%0.19%
Apr 202684.1%9.3%2.8%1.5%1%0.83%0.37%0.13%
May 202684.6%9.3%2.3%1.5%1%0.83%0.3%0.16%
Jun 202684.6%9.3%2.3%1.5%1%0.83%0.3%0.16%
Jul 202684.8%9.3%2.3%1.5%0.83%0.83%0.3%0.13%
Aug 202684.6%9.3%2.3%1.5%1%0.83%0.3%0.1%
Sep 202682.2%11.1%2.7%1.8%0.99%0.81%0.35%0.11%

How has the Gumroad and Polar comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Gumroad was ahead of Polar in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gumroad’s share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide moved from 84.2% to 82.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 673K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Polar’s share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide moved from 1.5% to 0.99%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 8.1K.

How did search popularity change for merchant of record platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Gumroad lost share of searches among merchant of record platforms worldwide, from 84.6% to 82.2%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Polar worldwide fell 33.1% over 12 measured months, from 12.1K to 8.1K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gumroad’s and Polar’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.

Gumroad

1 branded search term

  • gumroad

Polar

2 branded search terms

  • polar sh
  • polar.sh

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

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