HESTA vs UniSuper:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HESTA and UniSuper were level in searches among super funds in Australia, with an estimated 60.5K branded searches each, at 8.4% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about super funds, UniSuper appeared in one of the five answers and HESTA in none.
Who do people search for more?
HESTA and UniSuper are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
UniSuper, mentioned in 1 of 5 answers, HESTA in 0
Follow HESTA vs UniSuper and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top super funds in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, UniSuper was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. HESTA 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.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
AustralianSuper5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Hostplus4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Aware Super3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Australian Retirement Trust3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Cbus1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- UniSuper1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Rest0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
HESTA0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vanguard0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about super funds
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which super fund should I choose in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best super funds in Australia?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best super fund in Australia for someone in their thirties?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“super funds”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“compare super funds”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in Australia on October 22, 2026.
Share of searches by month for HESTA, UniSuper. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Aware Super | Australian Retirement Trust | Hostplus | Rest | AustralianSuper | Cbus | HESTA | UniSuper | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 16.3% | 13.4% | 13.4% | 9% | 19.9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 16% | 13.1% | 13.1% | 8.8% | 19.6% | 10.7% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 1.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 16.5% | 13.6% | 13.6% | 7.4% | 20.3% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 1.2% |
| Jan 2026 | 16.1% | 16.1% | 13.1% | 8.8% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 8.8% | 8.8% | 1.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 17.1% | 14% | 14% | 9.4% | 14% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 9.4% | 1.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 18.2% | 14.9% | 14.9% | 10% | 14.9% | 10% | 8.1% | 8.1% | 1.1% |
| Apr 2026 | 17.5% | 14.3% | 14.3% | 9.6% | 14.3% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 1.3% |
| May 2026 | 18.3% | 15% | 15% | 10% | 12.2% | 10% | 8.2% | 10% | 1.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 18.9% | 15.5% | 15.5% | 10.4% | 12.7% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 8.5% | 1.4% |
| Jul 2026 | 17% | 17% | 17% | 9.3% | 13.9% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 7.6% | 1.2% |
| Aug 2026 | 18.6% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 10.2% | 12.4% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 1.4% |
| Sep 2026 | 18.6% | 15.2% | 15.2% | 12.5% | 10.2% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 8.4% | 1.4% |
How has the HESTA and UniSuper comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- HESTA was ahead of UniSuper in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HESTA’s share of searches among super funds in Australia moved from 9% to 8.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UniSuper’s share of searches among super funds in Australia moved from 9% to 8.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 60.5K.
How did search popularity change for Australia super funds in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HESTA’s and UniSuper’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 super funds
- Aware Super vs Australian Retirement Trust: compare popularity
- Aware Super vs Hostplus: compare popularity
- Aware Super vs Rest: compare popularity
- Aware Super vs AustralianSuper: compare popularity
- Australian Retirement Trust vs Hostplus: compare popularity
- Australian Retirement Trust vs Rest: compare popularity
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.