Brandwave

OpenCPN vs Signal Ocean:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, OpenCPN had more branded searches than Signal Ocean among marine software worldwide. OpenCPN had about 8,100 branded searches, while Signal Ocean had 4,400. OpenCPN made up 0.2% of all marine software searches we track, and Signal Ocean accounted for 0.11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about marine software, OpenCPN appeared in two of the five answers and Signal Ocean in none.

Among marine software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

OpenCPN, about 84% more searches than Signal Ocean

OpenCPN 8.1K searchesSignal Ocean 4.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

OpenCPN, mentioned in 2 of 5 answers, Signal Ocean in 0

OpenCPN in 2 of 5Signal Ocean in 0 of 5

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Top marine software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OpenCPN was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Signal Ocean did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. MarineTraffic1st
  2. VesselFinder2nd
  3. Navionics3rd
  4. OpenCPN4th
  5. DockMaster5th
  6. Kpler5th
  7. Signal Ocean–
  8. SERTICA–
  9. Windward–
  10. DNV ShipManager–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • DockMaster3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MarineTraffic2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • VesselFinder2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Navionics2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • OpenCPN2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • SERTICA2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • DNV ShipManager2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Kpler1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Signal Ocean0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Windward0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about marine software

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 OpenCPN or Signal Ocean more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for OpenCPN and Signal Ocean by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten marine software we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

OpenCPN and Signal Ocean among marine software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for OpenCPN, Signal Ocean. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMarineTrafficVesselFinderNavionicsOpenCPNSignal OceanSERTICADockMasterWindwardKplerDNV ShipManager
Oct 202584.1%13.8%1.5%0.25%0.14%0.11%0.09%0.02%<0.01%<0.01%
Nov 202584%13.8%1.5%0.3%0.13%0.13%0.09%0.02%<0.01%<0.01%
Dec 202584%13.8%1.5%0.3%0.13%0.16%0.11%0.02%<0.01%<0.01%
Jan 202684.1%13.8%1.5%0.25%0.13%0.11%0.11%0.02%<0.01%<0.01%
Feb 202686.3%11.6%1.6%0.25%0.14%0.11%0.08%0.02%<0.01%<0.01%
Mar 202686.8%11.7%1.1%0.21%0.11%0.08%0.06%0.02%<0.01%<0.01%
Apr 202688.8%9.8%1.1%0.18%0.08%0.05%0.05%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
May 202683.8%13.8%1.9%0.25%0.11%0.07%0.09%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Jun 202683.9%13.8%1.9%0.25%0.11%0.07%0.07%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Jul 202683.9%13.8%1.9%0.25%0.11%0.07%0.07%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Aug 202686.6%11.6%1.3%0.21%0.09%0.08%0.06%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%
Sep 202684.6%13.9%1%0.2%0.11%0.09%0.07%0.01%<0.01%<0.01%

How has the OpenCPN and Signal Ocean comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • OpenCPN was ahead of Signal Ocean in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, OpenCPN’s share of searches among marine software worldwide moved from 0.25% to 0.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 8.1K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Signal Ocean’s share of searches among marine software worldwide moved from 0.14% to 0.11%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 4.4K.

How did search popularity change for marine software worldwide in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither OpenCPN nor Signal Ocean moved beyond provider rounding among marine software in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenCPN’s and Signal Ocean’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.

OpenCPN

1 branded search term

  • opencpn

Signal Ocean

1 branded search term

  • signal ocean

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among marine software

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