Brandwave

Hootsuite vs Meltwater:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Hootsuite had more branded searches than Meltwater among social listening platforms worldwide. Hootsuite had about 113,000 branded searches, while Meltwater had 730. Hootsuite made up 38.8% of all social listening platform searches we track, and Meltwater accounted for 0.25%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about social listening platforms, Meltwater appeared in all five answers and Hootsuite in three. Meltwater was mentioned before Hootsuite in every answer.

Among social listening platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Hootsuite, about 154 searches for every 1 for Meltwater

Hootsuite 113K searchesMeltwater 730 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Meltwater, mentioned in every answer we collected

Meltwater in 5 of 5Hootsuite in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Meltwater, named ahead of Hootsuite in every answer

Meltwater first in 5Hootsuite never first

Follow Hootsuite vs Meltwater 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

Track your brand against a rival →

Top social listening platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Meltwater appeared in all five answers. Hootsuite was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Meltwater was listed before Hootsuite in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Brandwatch1st
  2. Meltwater2nd
  3. Sprout Social3rd
  4. Brand244th
  5. Hootsuite5th
  6. YouScan6th
  7. Mention7th
  8. Awario–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Sprout Social5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Brandwatch5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Brand245 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Meltwater5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • YouScan4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Hootsuite3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Mention1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Awario0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about social listening 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 Hootsuite or Meltwater more popular in search?

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

Hootsuite and Meltwater among social listening platforms worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthHootsuiteSprout SocialBrandwatchBrand24YouScanAwarioMeltwaterMention
Oct 202545.3%29.8%13.4%8.9%1.4%0.97%0.18%0.09%
Nov 202548.1%25.8%14.2%9.5%1.3%0.85%0.17%0.09%
Dec 202548%25.8%14.2%9.4%1.5%0.83%0.17%0.09%
Jan 202654.8%24.2%11%7.2%1.4%0.98%0.19%0.1%
Feb 202652.4%23.1%12.8%8.4%2%0.93%0.25%0.1%
Mar 202648%25.7%14.2%9.4%1.5%0.85%0.24%0.11%
Apr 202648%25.6%14%9.3%1.8%0.83%0.26%0.13%
May 202644.2%27.5%15.1%10%2%0.74%0.36%0.12%
Jun 202645.8%26.8%14.6%9.7%1.9%0.72%0.35%0.09%
Jul 202640.2%32.4%14.5%9.6%1.9%0.87%0.31%0.14%
Aug 202640.1%32.5%14.5%9.7%1.9%0.88%0.31%0.07%
Sep 202638.8%31.5%17.2%9.4%1.9%1%0.25%0.09%

How has the Hootsuite and Meltwater comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for social listening platforms worldwide in September 2026?

1 change

  1. In September 2026, Hootsuite lost share of searches among social listening platforms worldwide, from 40.1% to 38.8%.

How are branded searches counted?

24 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Hootsuite’s and Meltwater’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.

Hootsuite

20 branded search terms

  • hootsuite
  • hootsuite ads
  • hootsuite analytics
  • hootsuite app
  • hootsuite application
  • hootsuite enterprise
  • hootsuite for nonprofits
  • hootsuite insights
  • hootsuite media
  • hootsuite reports
  • hootsuite sentiment analysis
  • hootsuite social
  • hootsuite social listening
  • hootsuite social marketing
  • hootsuite social media
  • hootsuite social media listening
  • hootsuite social media marketing
  • hootsuite social media monitoring
  • hootsuite social monitoring
  • social listening on hootsuite

Meltwater

4 branded search terms

  • meltwater media intelligence
  • meltwater media monitoring
  • meltwater social listening
  • meltwater software

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among social listening platforms

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

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.

Start free