JLC3DP vs Protolabs:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Protolabs had more branded searches than JLC3DP among 3D printing services worldwide. Protolabs had about 49,500 branded searches, while JLC3DP had 18,100. Protolabs made up 21.5% of all 3D printing service searches we track, and JLC3DP accounted for 7.9%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about 3D printing services, Protolabs appeared in four of the five answers and JLC3DP in three. Protolabs was mentioned before JLC3DP in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Protolabs, about 3 searches for every 1 for JLC3DP
Who does AI mention more?
Protolabs, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, JLC3DP in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Protolabs, named ahead of JLC3DP in 3 of 5 answers
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Top 3D printing services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Protolabs was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. JLC3DP was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Protolabs was listed before JLC3DP in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Xometry1st
Craftcloud2nd- Protolabs3rd
Sculpteo4th
JLC3DP5th
Stratasys–
3D Systems–
Shapeways–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Xometry5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Craftcloud5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Protolabs4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- JLC3DP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sculpteo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Stratasys0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- 3D Systems0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Shapeways0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about 3D printing services
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which 3D printing service should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best 3D printing services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best 3D printing service for a custom part?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d printing services”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“3d print service”
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 20, 2026.
Is JLC3DP or Protolabs more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for JLC3DP and Protolabs by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight 3D printing services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Protolabs, JLC3DP. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Xometry | Protolabs | Stratasys | JLC3DP | 3D Systems | Craftcloud | Shapeways | Sculpteo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.4% | 21% | 14% | 6.3% | 7.7% | 3.4% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.7% | 23.2% | 15.5% | 6.9% | 7% | 3.1% | 6.9% | 2.5% |
| Dec 2025 | 36.7% | 20.1% | 13.5% | 9% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 7.3% | 2.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 38.6% | 21.1% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 6.3% | 2.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.6% | 22.2% | 12.2% | 8.1% | 5.5% | 3.6% | 5.4% | 2.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.1% | 21.4% | 11.7% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 4.3% | 6.4% | 2.9% |
| Apr 2026 | 39.9% | 21.8% | 11.9% | 8% | 5.4% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 2.4% |
| May 2026 | 36.6% | 20.1% | 13.4% | 9% | 7.4% | 4.9% | 6% | 2.7% |
| Jun 2026 | 40.5% | 22.2% | 12.1% | 6.6% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 6.6% | 2% |
| Jul 2026 | 43% | 23.5% | 8.6% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 2.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 36.7% | 24.6% | 11% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 4.9% | 1.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 39.4% | 21.5% | 14.4% | 7.9% | 5.3% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 1.9% |
How has the JLC3DP and Protolabs comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Protolabs was ahead of JLC3DP in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JLC3DP’s share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide moved from 6.3% to 7.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 14.8K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Protolabs’ share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide moved from 21% to 21.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for 3D printing services worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Protolabs lost share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide, from 24.6% to 21.5%.
In September 2026, JLC3DP lost share of searches among 3D printing services worldwide, from 9% to 7.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using JLC3DP’s and Protolabs’ 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 3D printing services
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