OpenAI vs xAI:Which is searched more?
In September 2026, OpenAI had more branded searches than xAI among AI model companies worldwide. OpenAI was estimated to have 6.1M branded searches compared to xAI’s 201K, and held a 48.1% Share of Search versus xAI’s 1.6%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, OpenAI or xAI?
Compare the ai model companies people choose between. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for OpenAI, xAI. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | OpenAI | Anthropic | Mistral AI | xAI | Google DeepMind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 78.1% | 7% | 10.9% | 3.1% | 0.77% |
| Nov 2025 | 76.7% | 8.4% | 10.7% | 3.1% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 81.5% | 6% | 9.4% | 2.2% | 0.81% |
| Jan 2026 | 66.5% | 13.3% | 13.9% | 4.9% | 1.5% |
| Feb 2026 | 43% | 43% | 9% | 3.9% | 1.2% |
| Mar 2026 | 65.7% | 24.2% | 7.5% | 2.2% | 0.44% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.5% | 30.9% | 9.7% | 2.3% | 0.68% |
| May 2026 | 58.9% | 26.4% | 10.9% | 2.9% | 0.87% |
| Jun 2026 | 42% | 42% | 12.6% | 2.5% | 0.92% |
| Jul 2026 | 55.1% | 30.2% | 11.5% | 2.2% | 1% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.8% | 30% | 11.4% | 2.2% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 48.1% | 39.3% | 10% | 1.6% | 1.1% |
How has the OpenAI and xAI comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- OpenAI was ahead of xAI in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenAI’s estimated Share of Search among AI model companies worldwide moved from 78.1% to 48.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.1M to 6.1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, xAI’s estimated Share of Search among AI model companies worldwide moved from 3.1% to 1.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 201K.
How did search popularity change for AI model companies worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, OpenAI lost estimated Share of Search among AI model companies worldwide, from 54.8% to 48.1%.
In September 2026, xAI lost estimated Share of Search among AI model companies worldwide, from 2.2% to 1.6%.
Other head-to-heads among AI model companies
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenAI’s and xAI’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.
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.