Brandwave

CVS Pharmacy vs Walgreens:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, CVS Pharmacy had more branded searches than Walgreens among pharmacies in the United States. CVS Pharmacy had about 26.5 million branded searches, while Walgreens had 20.4 million. CVS Pharmacy made up 52.3% of all pharmacy searches we track, and Walgreens accounted for 40.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about pharmacies, both CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens appeared in all three answers. CVS Pharmacy was mentioned before Walgreens in every answer.

Among pharmacies in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

CVS Pharmacy, about 30% more searches than Walgreens

CVS Pharmacy 26.5M searchesWalgreens 20.4M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.

CVS Pharmacy in 3 of 3Walgreens in 3 of 3

Who does AI recommend more?

CVS Pharmacy, named ahead of Walgreens in every answer

CVS Pharmacy first in 3Walgreens never first

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Top pharmacies in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions, both CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens showed up in all three answers. CVS Pharmacy was listed before Walgreens in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Costco1st
  2. CVS Pharmacy2nd
  3. Walmart Pharmacy3rd
  4. Walgreens4th
  5. Amazon Pharmacy5th

Mentioned by AI

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

See every answer about pharmacies

3 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.

Is CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five pharmacies we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens among pharmacies in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthCVS PharmacyWalgreensWalmart PharmacyCostcoAmazon Pharmacy
Oct 202552.4%40.3%5.4%1.6%0.33%
Nov 202547.8%45.1%5%1.8%0.3%
Dec 202548.1%45.2%5%1.5%0.3%
Jan 202647.6%45%4.9%1.8%0.66%
Feb 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.49%
Mar 202653%40.8%4.5%1.3%0.4%
Apr 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
May 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.4%
Jun 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
Jul 202648.5%43.5%5.8%1.8%0.43%
Aug 202652.1%40.1%5.4%2%0.4%
Sep 202652.3%40.2%5.4%1.6%0.4%

How has the CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States pharmacies in September 2026?

0 changes

Neither CVS Pharmacy nor Walgreens moved beyond provider rounding among pharmacies in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using CVS Pharmacy’s and Walgreens’ 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.

CVS Pharmacy

2 branded search terms

  • cvs
  • cvs pharmacy

Walgreens

1 branded search term

  • walgreens

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among pharmacies

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