Heartbeat vs Slack:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Slack had more branded searches than Heartbeat among online community platforms worldwide. Slack had about 4.1 million branded searches, while Heartbeat had 210. Slack made up 11.8% of all online community platform searches we track, and Heartbeat accounted for <0.01%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online community platforms, Slack appeared in three of the five answers and Heartbeat in one. Slack was mentioned before Heartbeat in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Slack, about 19476 searches for every 1 for Heartbeat
Who does AI mention more?
Slack, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Heartbeat in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Slack, named ahead of Heartbeat in 3 of 3 answers
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Top online community platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Slack was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Heartbeat was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Slack was listed before Heartbeat in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Circle1st
Mighty Networks2nd
Discord3rd
Skool4th
Discourse5th
Slack6th
Hivebrite7th
Bettermode8th
Kajabi9th
Heartbeat10th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Mighty Networks5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Circle5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Discord4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Discourse4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Slack3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Skool3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hivebrite3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Bettermode2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Kajabi1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Heartbeat1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about online community platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which online community platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best online community platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best online community platform for member communities?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“online community platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best community platform”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is Heartbeat or Slack more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Heartbeat and Slack by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten online community platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Slack, Heartbeat. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Discord | Slack | Skool | Mighty Networks | Circle | Discourse | Bettermode | Hivebrite | Kajabi | Heartbeat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 89.9% | 9.9% | 0.04% | 0.08% | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 91.6% | 8.2% | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 91.6% | 8.2% | 0.04% | 0.07% | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 91.5% | 8.2% | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 89.8% | 9.9% | 0.07% | 0.08% | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 89.9% | 9.9% | 0.05% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 89.9% | 9.9% | 0.07% | 0.08% | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 91.6% | 8.2% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 89.9% | 9.9% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 89.9% | 9.9% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 91.6% | 8.2% | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.04% | 0.01% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 88% | 11.8% | 0.06% | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.03% | 0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% | <0.01% |
How has the Heartbeat and Slack comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Slack was ahead of Heartbeat in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Heartbeat’s share of searches among online community platforms worldwide held steady at <0.01%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 210.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Slack’s share of searches among online community platforms worldwide moved from 9.9% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.1M.
How did search popularity change for online community platforms worldwide in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Slack gained share of searches among online community platforms worldwide, from 8.2% to 11.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Heartbeat’s and Slack’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 online community platforms

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