Thinkific vs Totara:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Totara had more branded searches than Thinkific among learning management systems in New Zealand. Totara had about 3,720 branded searches, while Thinkific had 390. Totara made up 6.8% of all learning management system searches we track, and Thinkific accounted for 0.71%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about learning management systems, Totara appeared in three of the five answers and Thinkific in two. Totara was mentioned before Thinkific in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Totara, about 10 searches for every 1 for Thinkific
Who does AI mention more?
Totara, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Thinkific in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Totara, named ahead of Thinkific in 3 of 4 answers
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Top learning management systems in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Totara was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Thinkific was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Totara was listed before Thinkific in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Moodle1st- Totara2nd
TalentLMS3rd
Thinkific4th
Canvas LMS5th
Teachable6th
Docebo–
Blackboard–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Moodle4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Totara3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- TalentLMS3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Thinkific2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Canvas LMS2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Teachable2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Docebo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Blackboard0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about learning management systems
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which learning management system should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best learning management systems in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best learning management system in New Zealand for an online course?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“learning management system nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“online training platform”
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 Thinkific or Totara more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Thinkific and Totara by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight learning management systems we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Totara, Thinkific. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Moodle | Totara | Thinkific | Canvas LMS | TalentLMS | Teachable | Docebo | Blackboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 86.8% | 9.7% | 1.3% | 0.51% | 0.45% | 1% | 0.25% | 0.06% |
| Nov 2025 | 84.1% | 11.5% | 1.5% | 0.49% | 0.55% | 1.5% | 0.27% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 65.1% | 24.3% | 3.8% | 0.87% | 1.3% | 3.8% | 0.67% | 0.29% |
| Jan 2026 | 65.2% | 23.6% | 4.6% | 1.4% | 1.1% | 3.1% | 0.86% | 0.16% |
| Feb 2026 | 86.4% | 9.7% | 1.2% | 0.8% | 0.46% | 1% | 0.26% | 0.08% |
| Mar 2026 | 92.1% | 5.6% | 0.72% | 0.6% | 0.27% | 0.48% | 0.12% | 0.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 90% | 6.6% | 1.3% | 0.77% | 0.48% | 0.57% | 0.22% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 89.7% | 6.7% | 0.86% | 1.6% | 0.32% | 0.57% | 0.21% | 0.11% |
| Jun 2026 | 91.6% | 5.6% | 0.71% | 0.75% | 0.49% | 0.59% | 0.22% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 91.1% | 5.6% | 0.87% | 1.2% | 0.4% | 0.58% | 0.2% | 0.04% |
| Aug 2026 | 91.6% | 5.5% | 0.71% | 1.1% | 0.27% | 0.59% | 0.13% | 0.05% |
| Sep 2026 | 91% | 6.8% | 0.71% | 0.51% | 0.4% | 0.38% | 0.15% | 0.04% |
How has the Thinkific and Totara comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Totara was ahead of Thinkific in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Thinkific’s share of searches among learning management systems in New Zealand moved from 1.3% to 0.71%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 590 to 390.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Totara’s share of searches among learning management systems in New Zealand moved from 9.7% to 6.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.6K to 3.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand learning management systems in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Totara gained share of searches among learning management systems in New Zealand, from 5.5% to 6.8%.
In September 2026, Thinkific rose from 4th to 3rd among learning management systems in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Thinkific’s and Totara’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 learning management systems
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