Brandwave

Lichess vs SparkChess:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Lichess had more branded searches than SparkChess among online chess sites worldwide. Lichess had about 7.5 million branded searches, while SparkChess had 60,500. Lichess made up 53.9% of all online chess site searches we track, and SparkChess accounted for 0.44%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online chess sites, Lichess appeared in three of the five answers and SparkChess in two. Lichess was mentioned before SparkChess in three out of five answers.

Among online chess sites worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Lichess, about 124 searches for every 1 for SparkChess

Lichess 7.5M searchesSparkChess 60.5K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Lichess, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, SparkChess in 2

Lichess in 3 of 5SparkChess in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Lichess, named ahead of SparkChess in 3 of 5 answers

Lichess first in 3SparkChess first in 2

Follow Lichess vs SparkChess 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 online chess sites in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Lichess was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. SparkChess was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. Lichess was listed before SparkChess in three out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Chess.com1st
  2. Lichess2nd
  3. SparkChess3rd
  4. Chess Tempo4th
  5. Chessable5th
  6. ChessKid–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Chess.com5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Lichess3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Chess Tempo3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SparkChess2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Chessable1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • ChessKid0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about online chess sites

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 19, 2026.

Is Lichess or SparkChess more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Lichess and SparkChess by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all six online chess sites we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Lichess and SparkChess among online chess sites worldwide, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthLichessChess.comChessKidChessableSparkChessChess Tempo
Oct 202562.8%34.3%1.4%0.62%0.62%0.23%
Nov 202563%34.4%1.1%0.62%0.62%0.23%
Dec 202563%34.4%1.1%0.62%0.62%0.23%
Jan 202658.5%39.1%1.1%0.58%0.58%0.26%
Feb 202662.9%34.4%1.4%0.51%0.62%0.23%
Mar 202658.4%39%1.3%0.47%0.58%0.26%
Apr 202658.3%39%1.3%0.58%0.58%0.26%
May 202658.2%38.9%1.6%0.58%0.58%0.26%
Jun 202658.7%39.3%0.86%0.47%0.47%0.21%
Jul 202663.5%34.7%0.51%0.51%0.51%0.23%
Aug 202658.8%39.3%0.71%0.48%0.48%0.26%
Sep 202653.9%44.1%0.97%0.44%0.44%0.2%

How has the Lichess and SparkChess comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Lichess was ahead of SparkChess in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lichess’ share of searches among online chess sites worldwide moved from 62.8% to 53.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 7.5M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SparkChess’ share of searches among online chess sites worldwide moved from 0.62% to 0.44%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 60.5K.

How did search popularity change for online chess sites worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Lichess lost share of searches among online chess sites worldwide, from 58.8% to 53.9%.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for SparkChess worldwide fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 74K to 60.5K in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Lichess’ and SparkChess’ 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.

Lichess

1 branded search term

  • lichess

SparkChess

1 branded search term

  • sparkchess

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among online chess sites

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