Printful vs Shopify:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Shopify had more branded searches than Printful among merch platforms worldwide. Shopify had about 5 million branded searches, while Printful had 246,000. Shopify made up 72.7% of all merch platform searches we track, and Printful accounted for 3.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about merch platforms, Printful appeared in all five answers and Shopify in four. Printful was mentioned before Shopify in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Shopify, about 20 searches for every 1 for Printful
Who does AI mention more?
Printful, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Printful, named ahead of Shopify in 3 of 5 answers
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Top merch platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Printful appeared in all five answers. Shopify was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Printful was listed before Shopify in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Printify1st- Printful2nd
Fourthwall3rd- Shopify4th
Amazon Merch on Demand5th
Redbubble6th
Spring7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Printify5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Printful5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Shopify4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Redbubble2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Fourthwall2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Amazon Merch on Demand2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Spring1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about merch platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which merch platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best merch platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best merch platform for branded merchandise?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“print on demand platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sell merch online”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Printful or Shopify more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Printful and Shopify by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven merch platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Shopify, Printful. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Shopify | Redbubble | Printify | Printful | Fourthwall | Amazon Merch on Demand | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 69.7% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 5.1% | 1% | 1.3% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 69.6% | 13.9% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 1% | 1% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 69.6% | 13.9% | 9.3% | 5.1% | 1% | 1% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 68.1% | 13.6% | 11.2% | 5% | 1.2% | 1% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 71.5% | 14.2% | 7.8% | 4.3% | 1.3% | 0.86% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 67.6% | 13.4% | 9% | 4.9% | 4% | 0.91% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 70.8% | 14.1% | 7.7% | 5.2% | 1.3% | 0.93% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 72.1% | 11.8% | 9.6% | 4.3% | 1.3% | 0.95% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 72.4% | 11.8% | 9.7% | 4.3% | 1.1% | 0.78% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 73.5% | 12% | 8% | 4.4% | 1.3% | 0.79% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 72.1% | 11.8% | 9.7% | 4.3% | 1.3% | 0.78% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 72.7% | 11.9% | 9.8% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 0.71% | <0.01% |
How has the Printful and Shopify comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Shopify was ahead of Printful in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Printful’s share of searches among merch platforms worldwide moved from 5.1% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 368K to 246K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Shopify’s share of searches among merch platforms worldwide moved from 69.7% to 72.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 5M.
How did search popularity change for merch platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Shopify gained share of searches among merch platforms worldwide, from 72.1% to 72.7%.
In September 2026, Printful lost share of searches among merch platforms worldwide, from 4.3% to 3.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Printful’s and Shopify’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.
Other head-to-heads among merch platforms
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