Brandwave

OpenCPN vs VesselFinder:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, VesselFinder had more branded searches than OpenCPN among marine software worldwide. VesselFinder had about 550,000 branded searches, while OpenCPN had 8,100. VesselFinder made up 13.9% of all marine software searches we track, and OpenCPN accounted for 0.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about marine software, OpenCPN and VesselFinder each appeared in two of the five answers. VesselFinder was mentioned before OpenCPN in two out of three answers.

Among marine software worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

VesselFinder, about 68 searches for every 1 for OpenCPN

VesselFinder 550K searchesOpenCPN 8.1K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 2 of 5 answers.

OpenCPN in 2 of 5VesselFinder in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

VesselFinder, named ahead of OpenCPN in 2 of 3 answers

VesselFinder first in 2OpenCPN first in 1

Follow OpenCPN vs VesselFinder 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 marine software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, OpenCPN and VesselFinder were each mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. VesselFinder was listed before OpenCPN in two out of three 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 VesselFinder more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for OpenCPN and VesselFinder 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 VesselFinder among marine software worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for VesselFinder, OpenCPN. 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 VesselFinder comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • VesselFinder was ahead of OpenCPN 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, VesselFinder’s share of searches among marine software worldwide moved from 13.8% to 13.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 550K.

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

1 change

  1. In September 2026, VesselFinder gained share of searches among marine software worldwide, from 11.6% to 13.9%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using OpenCPN’s and VesselFinder’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

VesselFinder

1 branded search term

  • vessel finder

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among marine software

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