Thinkific vs Udemy:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Udemy had more branded searches than Thinkific among online course platforms in New Zealand. Udemy had about 5,710 branded searches, while Thinkific had 390. Udemy made up 52.6% of all online course platform searches we track, and Thinkific accounted for 3.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online course platforms, Thinkific and Udemy each appeared in four of the five answers. Thinkific was mentioned before Udemy in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Udemy, about 15 searches for every 1 for Thinkific
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Thinkific, named ahead of Udemy in 3 of 5 answers
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Top online course platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Thinkific and Udemy were each mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Thinkific was listed before Udemy 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.
- Udemy4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Kajabi4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Thinkific4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Coursera3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Teachable3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LearnWorlds2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Podia0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about online course platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which online course platform should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best online course platforms in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best online course platform in New Zealand for selling courses?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best course platform”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sell online courses”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Thinkific or Udemy more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Thinkific and Udemy by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven online course platforms we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Udemy, Thinkific. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Udemy | Coursera | Kajabi | Thinkific | Teachable | LearnWorlds | Podia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.9% | 32.6% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 3.5% | 1.2% | 1.9% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.9% | 33.3% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 56% | 29.9% | 5% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Jan 2026 | 53.2% | 34.1% | 4% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.3% | 33.4% | 4.6% | 3.6% | 3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 51.1% | 32.8% | 5.6% | 4.4% | 2.8% | 1.9% | 1.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.5% | 33.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% | 2% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| May 2026 | 52.8% | 33.8% | 4.8% | 3.6% | 2.5% | 1.6% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.4% | 34.4% | 4.6% | 3% | 2.4% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 57.2% | 30.6% | 4.3% | 3.2% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 1.4% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.3% | 30.5% | 3.5% | 3.2% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 52.6% | 33.8% | 4.7% | 3.6% | 2% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
How has the Thinkific and Udemy comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Udemy 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 online course platforms in New Zealand moved from 4.4% to 3.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 600 to 390.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Udemy’s share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand moved from 50.9% to 52.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7K to 5.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand online course platforms in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Udemy lost share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand, from 57.3% to 52.6%.
Thinkific’s share of searches among online course platforms in New Zealand has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 3% to 3.6% in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Thinkific’s and Udemy’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 online course platforms
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