InvestNow vs Kernel:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kernel had more branded searches than InvestNow among investment platforms in New Zealand. Kernel had about 27,200 branded searches, while InvestNow had 18,400. Kernel made up 15.1% of all investment platform searches we track, and InvestNow accounted for 10.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about investment platforms, InvestNow appeared in all five answers and Kernel in four. InvestNow was mentioned before Kernel in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Kernel, about 48% more searches than InvestNow
Who does AI mention more?
InvestNow, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
InvestNow, named ahead of Kernel in 3 of 5 answers
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Top investment platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, InvestNow appeared in all five answers. Kernel was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. InvestNow was listed before Kernel in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Sharesies5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- InvestNow5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Kernel4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Hatch4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
ASB Securities2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Tiger Brokers1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Craigs Investment Partners0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Forsyth Barr0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Jarden0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Snowball Effect0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about investment platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which investment platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best investment platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best investment platform in New Zealand for a beginner investor?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“investment platforms nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“share trading app”
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 InvestNow or Kernel more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for InvestNow and Kernel by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 investment platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Kernel, InvestNow. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sharesies | Kernel | Hatch | InvestNow | Craigs Investment Partners | Forsyth Barr | ASB Securities | Jarden | Tiger Brokers | Snowball Effect | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.6% | 7.9% | 16.3% | 7.9% | 8.2% | 4.7% | 5.2% | 0.7% | 0.82% | 0.21% | 0.42% |
| Nov 2025 | 44.6% | 9% | 15.1% | 9% | 9.8% | 5.4% | 4.8% | 0.76% | 0.78% | 0.36% | 0.28% |
| Dec 2025 | 41% | 9.8% | 16.9% | 10% | 9.1% | 6% | 5.4% | 0.62% | 0.68% | 0.27% | 0.27% |
| Jan 2026 | 46.1% | 9.4% | 15.5% | 9.2% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 5% | 0.55% | 0.96% | 0.25% | 0.25% |
| Feb 2026 | 45.8% | 9.3% | 12.7% | 9.2% | 10.1% | 5.5% | 4.9% | 0.93% | 0.8% | 0.54% | 0.25% |
| Mar 2026 | 43.5% | 10.3% | 13.5% | 8.7% | 9.6% | 6.3% | 5.8% | 0.92% | 0.77% | 0.42% | 0.23% |
| Apr 2026 | 42.8% | 11.1% | 14.5% | 10.5% | 9.4% | 5.1% | 4.6% | 0.63% | 0.75% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| May 2026 | 42.5% | 12.7% | 14.5% | 10.4% | 8.9% | 4.2% | 4.6% | 0.72% | 0.89% | 0.34% | 0.24% |
| Jun 2026 | 42.4% | 12.7% | 14.4% | 10.5% | 8.5% | 5% | 4.6% | 0.5% | 0.89% | 0.28% | 0.21% |
| Jul 2026 | 37.2% | 16.6% | 12.7% | 11.2% | 9.5% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 1.1% | 0.8% | 0.3% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 40% | 14.9% | 11.1% | 9.8% | 9.8% | 5.8% | 5.3% | 2.1% | 0.54% | 0.39% | 0.23% |
| Sep 2026 | 41.8% | 15.1% | 11.6% | 10.2% | 9.9% | 5% | 4.5% | 0.83% | 0.5% | 0.33% | 0.21% |
How has the InvestNow and Kernel comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Kernel took it in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, InvestNow’s share of searches among investment platforms in New Zealand moved from 7.9% to 10.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.6K to 18.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kernel’s share of searches among investment platforms in New Zealand moved from 7.9% to 15.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 18.5K to 27.2K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand investment platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, InvestNow rose from 5th to 4th among investment platforms in New Zealand.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kernel in New Zealand rose 47.2% over 12 measured months, from 18.5K to 27.2K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
13 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using InvestNow’s and Kernel’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 investment platforms
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