Hostplus vs Vanguard:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Hostplus had more branded searches than Vanguard among super funds in Australia. Hostplus had about 110,000 branded searches, while Vanguard had 9,900. Hostplus made up 15.2% of all super fund searches we track, and Vanguard accounted for 1.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about super funds, Hostplus appeared in four of the five answers and Vanguard in none.
Who do people search for more?
Hostplus, about 11 searches for every 1 for Vanguard
Who does AI mention more?
Hostplus, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Vanguard in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Hostplus, the only one of the two named
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Top super funds in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Hostplus was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Vanguard 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 Hostplus, Vanguard. 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 Hostplus and Vanguard comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Hostplus was ahead of Vanguard in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Hostplus’ share of searches among super funds in Australia moved from 13.4% to 15.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 135K to 110K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Vanguard’s share of searches among super funds in Australia moved from 1.2% to 1.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 9.9K.
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 Hostplus’ and Vanguard’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
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