Brandwave

SoFi vs Varo:Which is more popular in the United States?

In October 2026, Varo had more branded searches than SoFi among online banks in the United States. Varo had about 160,000 branded searches, while SoFi had 115,000. Varo made up 15.6% of all online bank searches we track, and SoFi accounted for 11.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about online banks, SoFi appeared in four of the five answers and Varo in none.

Among online banks in the United States in October 2026

Who do people search for more?

Varo, about 38% more searches than SoFi

Varo 160K searchesSoFi 115K searches

Who does AI mention more?

SoFi, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Varo in 0

SoFi in 4 of 5Varo in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

SoFi, the only one of the two named

SoFi first in 4Varo never named

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Top online banks in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SoFi was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Varo did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. SoFi1st
  2. Capital One2nd
  3. Ally Bank3rd
  4. Chime4th
  5. Varo–
  6. Dave–
  7. Current–
  8. Discover–

Mentioned by AI

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

  • Capital One5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • SoFi4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Ally Bank3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Chime2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Varo0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Dave0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Current0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Discover0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about online banks

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 27, 2026.

Is SoFi or Varo more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for SoFi and Varo by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight online banks we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

SoFi and Varo among online banks in the United States, by month

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

View monthly share of searches table
MonthAlly BankChimeVaroSoFiCapital OneDaveCurrentDiscover
Nov 202538.6%20.8%17.2%9.9%9.2%3%0.77%0.58%
Dec 202536.6%19.7%18.3%11.4%10%2.7%0.73%0.55%
Jan 202639.3%17.9%17.5%12.3%9.4%2.4%0.64%0.59%
Feb 202636.4%20.3%17.9%11.3%10.6%2.3%0.72%0.54%
Mar 202640%18.2%16.1%12.4%10.2%2.1%0.65%0.46%
Apr 202637.5%21.8%16.7%11.6%8.9%2.3%0.61%0.43%
May 202639.8%18.2%16.3%12.4%9.7%2.4%0.65%0.46%
Jun 202639.8%21.4%13.4%10.1%11.9%2.4%0.62%0.43%
Jul 202638.5%20.7%13.6%11.9%11.5%2.8%0.6%0.36%
Aug 202639.3%21.1%13.9%12.3%9.6%2.8%0.72%0.34%
Sep 202636.3%23.8%15.7%11.3%9.2%2.6%0.66%0.34%
Oct 202636.1%24.6%15.6%11.3%8.6%2.7%0.8%0.27%

How has branded search for SoFi and Varo changed in the United States over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Varo was ahead of SoFi in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, SoFi’s share of searches among online banks in the United States moved from 9.9% to 11.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 94.1K to 115K.
  • Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Varo’s share of searches among online banks in the United States moved from 17.2% to 15.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 160K.

How did search popularity change for United States online banks in October 2026?

1 change

  1. Estimated monthly branded searches for SoFi in the United States rose 22.6% over 12 measured months, from 94.1K to 115K in October 2026.

How are SoFi’s and Varo’s branded searches counted?

4 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using SoFi’s and Varo’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.

SoFi

2 branded search terms

  • sofi bank
  • sofi checking

Varo

2 branded search terms

  • varo
  • varo bank

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among online banks

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