HeyGen vs Sora:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HeyGen had more branded searches than Sora among AI video generators in New Zealand. HeyGen had about 3,600 branded searches, while Sora had 1,480. HeyGen made up 26.1% of all AI video generator searches we track, and Sora accounted for 10.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI video generators, HeyGen appeared in three of the five answers and Sora in one. HeyGen was mentioned before Sora in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
HeyGen, about 2 searches for every 1 for Sora
Who does AI mention more?
HeyGen, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Sora in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
HeyGen, named ahead of Sora in 3 of 3 answers
Follow HeyGen vs Sora 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
Top AI video generators in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, HeyGen was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Sora was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. HeyGen was listed before Sora in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Runway1st
Kling AI2nd
Google Veo3rd
Adobe Firefly4th
InVideo5th- HeyGen6th
Synthesia7th
Sora8th
Pika–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Kling AI5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Adobe Firefly4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Runway4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Google Veo4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- HeyGen3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- InVideo2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Sora1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Synthesia1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Pika0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about AI video generators
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which AI video generator should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best AI video generators in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best AI video generator in New Zealand for social videos?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best ai video generator”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“ai video maker”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is HeyGen or Sora more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HeyGen and Sora by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine AI video generators we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for HeyGen, Sora. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | HeyGen | Adobe Firefly | Kling AI | Sora | Runway | Synthesia | Google Veo | InVideo | Pika |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 8.5% | 4.5% | 4.4% | 70.1% | 3.2% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 2.1% | 2% |
| Nov 2025 | 14.4% | 7.6% | 7.4% | 51.3% | 4.9% | 5.8% | 2.2% | 3.5% | 2.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 16.2% | 9% | 14.9% | 38.9% | 6.3% | 6.3% | 2.3% | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Jan 2026 | 18.8% | 8.5% | 20.8% | 29.9% | 6.6% | 6% | 2.4% | 3.1% | 4% |
| Feb 2026 | 21.7% | 11.7% | 16.4% | 28.3% | 6.6% | 6.7% | 2.5% | 2.9% | 3.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 20.6% | 13.9% | 12.4% | 29.7% | 7.5% | 6.7% | 2.8% | 2.8% | 3.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 24.6% | 16.4% | 14.6% | 17.6% | 10.7% | 6.3% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 4.5% |
| May 2026 | 25.9% | 17.3% | 18.6% | 15.1% | 7.8% | 6.5% | 3.3% | 2.3% | 3.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 27.9% | 18.8% | 16.2% | 13% | 6.8% | 6.9% | 5.1% | 2.5% | 2.8% |
| Jul 2026 | 24.2% | 19.9% | 20.5% | 12% | 5.6% | 5.5% | 7.3% | 2.1% | 2.9% |
| Aug 2026 | 29.3% | 19.6% | 17.1% | 11.5% | 6% | 6.3% | 5.4% | 2.6% | 2.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 26.1% | 21.4% | 18.7% | 10.7% | 7.3% | 5.7% | 4.8% | 2.8% | 2.4% |
How has the HeyGen and Sora comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: HeyGen took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HeyGen’s share of searches among AI video generators in New Zealand moved from 8.5% to 26.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 3.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sora’s share of searches among AI video generators in New Zealand moved from 70.1% to 10.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 29.8K to 1.5K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand AI video generators in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, HeyGen lost share of searches among AI video generators in New Zealand, from 29.3% to 26.1%.
In September 2026, Sora lost share of searches among AI video generators in New Zealand, from 11.5% to 10.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HeyGen’s and Sora’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 AI video generators
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.