Brandwave

DHL vs FedEx:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, DHL had more branded searches than FedEx among freight and logistics companies in New Zealand. DHL had about 42,400 branded searches, while FedEx had 20,900. DHL made up 43.4% of all freight and logistics company searches we track, and FedEx accounted for 21.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freight and logistics companies, DHL appeared in three of the four answers and FedEx in one. DHL was mentioned before FedEx in every answer that named either.

Among freight and logistics companies in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

DHL, about 2 searches for every 1 for FedEx

DHL 42.4K searchesFedEx 20.9K searches

Who does AI mention more?

DHL, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, FedEx in 1

DHL in 3 of 4FedEx in 1 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

DHL, named ahead of FedEx in 3 of 3 answers

DHL first in 3FedEx never first

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Top freight and logistics companies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, DHL was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. FedEx was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. DHL was listed before FedEx in every answer that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Mainfreight1st
  2. DHL2nd
  3. Fliway3rd
  4. MOVe Logistics4th
  5. Toll5th
  6. FedEx6th
  7. Big Chill–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Mainfreight4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • DHL3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Fliway2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • MOVe Logistics2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
  • FedEx1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Toll1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Big Chill0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about freight and logistics companies

4 answers

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which freight or logistics company should I hire in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Mainfreight
    2. 2Fliway
    3. 3DHL

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best freight and logistics companies in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Mainfreight
    2. 2DHL
    3. 3Fliway
    4. 4MOVe Logistics
    5. 5Toll
    6. 6FedEx

  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best freight or logistics company in New Zealand for an overseas shipment?”

    1. 1Mainfreight
    2. 2DHL

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “freight forwarders nz”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “logistics companies nz”

    1. 1Mainfreight
    2. 2MOVe Logistics

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is DHL or FedEx more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for DHL and FedEx by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven freight and logistics companies we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

DHL and FedEx among freight and logistics companies in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for DHL, FedEx. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthDHLMainfreightFedExFliwayMOVe LogisticsBig ChillToll
Oct 202541.2%28.4%20.4%5.4%1.9%1.6%1.2%
Nov 202536.9%31.7%20.2%6.1%2.3%1.6%1.1%
Dec 202542.8%26.8%19.6%6.6%1.8%1.4%1.1%
Jan 202641.9%29.4%18.7%5.6%2.1%1.4%0.92%
Feb 202640.5%30%18.2%6.2%2.5%1.7%0.93%
Mar 202643.3%26.7%19.6%5.7%2.3%1.6%0.83%
Apr 202644.9%26.3%19.4%5.2%2%1.4%0.75%
May 202641.9%25.7%22.6%5.4%2.1%1.5%0.78%
Jun 202644.2%25.4%21.1%5.5%1.9%1.2%0.73%
Jul 202644.2%24.6%21.7%5.6%2%1.2%0.74%
Aug 202642.8%23.9%23.8%5.1%2.4%1.2%0.74%
Sep 202643.4%26.2%21.4%5.1%1.9%1.1%0.86%

How has the DHL and FedEx comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for New Zealand freight and logistics companies in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, DHL gained share of searches among freight and logistics companies in New Zealand, from 42.8% to 43.4%.

  2. In September 2026, FedEx lost share of searches among freight and logistics companies in New Zealand, from 23.8% to 21.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

26 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using DHL’s and FedEx’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.

DHL

14 branded search terms

  • DHL
  • dhl ecom
  • DHL Express
  • dhl freight
  • dhl logistics
  • DHL Lower Hutt
  • DHL Manukau
  • dhl shipping
  • dhl supply chain
  • DHL Tauranga
  • DHL Timaru
  • dhl tracking
  • DHL Whangarei
  • my dhl

FedEx

12 branded search terms

  • fedex
  • fedex courier
  • fedex freight
  • fedex international
  • fedex logistics
  • fedex office
  • fedex pak
  • fedex pickup
  • fedex quote
  • fedex shipping
  • fedex tracking
  • tnt fedex

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among freight and logistics companies

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