Discord vs WhatsApp:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, WhatsApp had more branded searches than Discord among messaging apps in New Zealand. WhatsApp had about 186,000 branded searches, while Discord had 119,000. WhatsApp made up 54.8% of all messaging app searches we track, and Discord accounted for 35.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about messaging apps, WhatsApp appeared in all five answers and Discord in three. WhatsApp was mentioned before Discord in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
WhatsApp, about 56% more searches than Discord
Who does AI mention more?
WhatsApp, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
WhatsApp, named ahead of Discord in every answer
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Top messaging apps in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, WhatsApp appeared in all five answers. Discord was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. WhatsApp was listed before Discord in every answer.
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.
- WhatsApp5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Signal5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Telegram4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Messenger4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Discord3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
WeChat0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Viber0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about messaging apps
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which messaging app should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best messaging apps in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best messaging app in New Zealand for chat with friends?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“messaging apps”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“secure messaging app”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Discord or WhatsApp more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Discord and WhatsApp by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven messaging apps we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for WhatsApp, Discord. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Discord | Telegram | Messenger | Viber | Signal | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.9% | 41% | 5% | 2.6% | 1.6% | 1.3% | 0.62% |
| Nov 2025 | 46.6% | 43.2% | 4.4% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.47% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.4% | 42.6% | 5.1% | 2.3% | 2% | 1.8% | 0.69% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.5% | 38.4% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.74% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.9% | 38.7% | 5.5% | 2.3% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.64% |
| Mar 2026 | 50% | 39% | 5.5% | 2.2% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
| Apr 2026 | 47.5% | 40.9% | 6% | 2.3% | 1.6% | 1.2% | 0.58% |
| May 2026 | 50.4% | 39% | 5.4% | 1.9% | 1.3% | 1.3% | 0.58% |
| Jun 2026 | 54% | 34.5% | 5.8% | 2.2% | 1.7% | 1.3% | 0.59% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.3% | 36.6% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.63% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.1% | 34.6% | 5.7% | 2.3% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.8% | 35.1% | 4.8% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 1.2% | 0.55% |
How has the Discord and WhatsApp comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- WhatsApp was ahead of Discord in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Discord’s share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand moved from 41% to 35.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 142K to 119K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, WhatsApp’s share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand moved from 47.9% to 54.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 166K to 186K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand messaging apps in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, WhatsApp gained share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand, from 54.1% to 54.8%.
In September 2026, Discord gained share of searches among messaging apps in New Zealand, from 34.6% to 35.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
21 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Discord’s and WhatsApp’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.
Discord
13 branded search terms
- browser discord
- dating discord servers
- desktop discord
- discord
- discord app
- discord desktop site
- discord link
- discord me
- discord messages
- discord servers
- discord web
- discord web browser
- sexting discord
WhatsApp
8 branded search terms
- jibi whatsapp
- my whatsapp
- whatsapp app
- whatsapp messages
- whatsapp web
- whatsapp web app
- whatsapp windows
Other head-to-heads among messaging apps
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