NVIDIA is the world’s fifth-most valuable brand, according to a new report from Brand Finance, the world’s leading independent brand valuation consultancy. Its brand value has more than doubled since 2025 (+110%) to USD184.3 billion in 2026, reflecting its central role in powering global AI infrastructure.
NVIDIA has climbed four ranks from 2025, overtaking TikTok/Douyin, Walmart, Samsung Group, and Facebook in brand value.
Not all AI brands are rising on the tide. Intel’s brand value slips, down nearly 3% to USD13.9 billion, as NVIDIA and AMD surge. AMD’s brand is now valued at USD19.2 billion, while new entrant to the ranking OpenAI debuts in 178th place with a brand value of USD14.1 billion.
David Haigh, Chairman and CEO, Brand Finance said, “Amid fierce competition to capture value from artificial intelligence innovation, Intel is increasingly perceived as playing catch-up, while the brand values of rivals such as NVIDIA and AMD continue to skyrocket off the back of surging AI demand. This marks a defining moment for Intel: innovate rapidly or risk being left behind. Yet even as brand value comes under pressure, Intel’s brand has strengthened year-on-year. The critical challenge now is translating this strength into tangible performance, or risk losing relevance in 2026’s most significant growth story.”
Global economic growth in 2026 is expected to remain just below 3% in real terms, up marginally from 2.8% in 2025. The total value of the world’s top 500 most valuable brands has increased 11% year-on-year, from USD9.5 trillion in 2025, to USD10.4 trillion in 2026, according to Brand Finance data.
According to Brand Finance’s Global 500 2026 research, Apple retains its position as the world’s most valuable brand, growing 6% to USD607.6 billion. While hardware growth remains measured, services including advertising, cloud, and the App Store continue to strengthen performance, according to the company’s Q4 2025 earnings commentary, supported by steady demand across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.
In 2026, the top 10 brands in the Global 500 account for 27% of the ranking’s total brand value, highlighting the continued dominance of leading U.S. tech giants in the global economy. The top 10 brands in the Global 500 account for 27% of the ranking’s total brand value. Six of these are US tech giants, highlighting their continued dominance in global brand value. Behind Apple, Microsoft is the world’s second-most valuable brand, with its brand value up 23% to exceed USD565.2 billion in 2026. Google (up 5% to USD433.1 billion) and Amazon (up 4% to USD369.9 billion) retain third and fourth positions in the Global 500 ranking.
David Haigh, Chairman and CEO, Brand Finance said, “Brand value growth at the top of the Global 500 reflects exceptional stakeholder confidence in brands that drive productivity, efficiency, and long-term innovation. The world’s most valuable brands are overwhelmingly tech-focused or tech-adjacent, from established leaders like Apple, Microsoft, and Google, to newer AI-fuelled powerhouses like NVIDIA. At the same time, the fastest growing brands are digital-first and semiconductor-led, showing how effectively technology leadership can now be converted into sustained brand power. This is a clear reflection of the world we live in today, where advancing technologies continue to redefine competitive advantage.”
YouTube has become the world’s strongest brand, with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 95.3 out of 100, rising from eighth place in 2025. Brand Finance’s research across 10 markets found that in 8 of them, more than 90% of respondents are familiar with YouTube and, 70% of respondents would consider using the platform. This reflects YouTube’s ability to convert widespread awareness into active consideration and global brand equity, driven by its role as a go-to destination for entertainment, learning, and finding online communities. Many of the world’s most valuable brands, including Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, and McDonald’s, use YouTube to tell richer brand stories and strengthen their connection with audiences worldwide.
WeChat slips to second place with a BSI score of 95.1 out of 100, while Microsoft climbs eight places to third with 94.7/100. According to Brand Finance data, 38 brands among the Global 500 earned a AAA+ brand strength rating.
UK Fintech brand Revolut has emerged as the fastest growing among the world’s 500 most valuable brands. In 2026, Revolut’s brand value more than tripled, up 239% to USD6.6 billion from USD1.9 billion in 2025. The brand enters the Global 500 ranking for the first time this year (ranked 393rd), reflecting strong revenue growth driven in part by expansion into new markets such as Mexico and India. With a BSI score of 72.6 out of 100, Brand Finance’s market research finds Revolut has exceptionally strong brand advocacy globally, with word-of-mouth scoring 9.2 out of 10.
The 192 American brands featured in the Global 500 2026 ranking collectively contribute more than half of the total brand value. China remains the second-largest contributor, with 68 brands accounting for just over 15%, led by TikTok/Douyin. Germany follows with 26 brands contributing more than 5% of the total brand value, led by Deutsche Telekom, the most valuable telecoms brand in the world, and the only European brand in the global top 20.
Japan and France follow in fourth and fifth places, respectively. Japan’s 33 brands account for just under 5% of total global brand value, while France’s 33 brands contribute slightly over 4%. The United Kingdom ranks sixth, with 25 brands representing 3% of the total value, and the largest number of new entrants in the Global 500.
South Korea and Canada follow, before India ranks ninth globally, with 14 brands featured in the Global 500 2026.
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