Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 1,922 AI responses · Shares cover the last 30 days · See how Parse measures this
DeFi Smart Contract Audit Services
Parse
https://parse.gl
Trail of Bits is currently the most cited firm across DeFi smart contract audit queries in this market. The leaderboard remains highly contested, with following closely as a dominant alternative for technical security standards.
| # | Brand | What AI says | Mention rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gold standard for complex cryptographic systems and research-heavy DeFi protocol audits. | 59% | |
| 2 | Market leader for institutional credibility and standardized smart contract security libraries. | 59% | |
| 3 | 53% | ||
| 4 | 53% | ||
| 5 | 40% | ||
| 6 | 39% | ||
| 7 | Strong academic focus on formal methods and high-assurance protocol analysis. | 26% | |
| 8 | 26% | ||
| 9 | 22% | ||
| 10 | 20% | ||
| 11 | 19% | ||
| 12 | 17% | ||
| 13 | 16% | ||
| 14 | 15% | ||
| 15 | 15% | ||
| 16 | 14% | ||
| 17 | Network of elite, independent security researchers used for sophisticated DeFi reviews. | 14% | |
| 18 | 13% | ||
| 19 | 13% | ||
| 20 | 11% | ||
| 21 | 11% | ||
| 22 | 10% | ||
| 23 | 9% | ||
| 24 | 9% | ||
| 25 | 9% |
Who wins on each AI
ChatGPT favors well-established audit houses like Sigma Prime, whereas Google AI Overviews prioritizes brands like Cyfrin and Sherlock for newer, contest-based security models.
Sources AI cited
medium.com is the page AI reaches for most here, cited in 43% of analyzed answers.
rank shifted from #5 to #8 between 2025 and 2026
gained recognition as an elite network since early 2026
“emerging boutique auditor” → “primary lifecycle security platform for DeFi”
emerged as a significant audit competitor since mid-2026
| Brand | ChatGPT Search | Google AI Mode | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | 61% | ||
| 69% | 60% | ||
| 44% | 36% | ||
| 12% | 42% | ||
| 42% | 39% |
The two models disagree most about Cyfrin (ChatGPT #25, Google #3) and Uniswap (ChatGPT #11, Google #22).
Across 1,922 AI responses, Trail of Bits is mentioned most, named in 59% of them, followed by OpenZeppelin (59%) and Consensys (53%).
Parse measures each brand's mention rate — the share of answers naming it — across 1,922 AI responses to this market's buyer questions over the last 30 days. Answers are collected daily and the ranking is re-measured on the same 30-day window.
Brands enter the ranking when AI answers mention them. Parse collects answers daily and publishes the re-measured set weekly, so new brands appear as AI starts recommending them.
The list of leading firms has shifted from broad generic auditors to those focusing on research-grade engineering like Trail of Bits. Newer platforms like
Sherlock and
Cantina have gained mindshare for their contest-based security models.
Brands mentioned
The list of leading firms has shifted from broad generic auditors to those focusing on research-grade engineering like Trail of Bits. Newer platforms like
Sherlock and
Cantina have gained mindshare for their contest-based security models.
AI responses increasingly favor research-intensive firms for complex protocols. Spearbit and
are frequently cited as better options for high-complexity DeFi than generalist auditors.
Brands mentioned
The market map
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