Bench vs Pilot:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Bench had more branded searches than Pilot among bookkeeping services worldwide. Bench had about 1,600 branded searches, while Pilot had 1,000. Bench made up 25.8% of all bookkeeping service searches we track, and Pilot accounted for 16.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bookkeeping services, Pilot appeared in two of the four answers and Bench in one. Pilot was mentioned before Bench in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Bench, about 60% more searches than Pilot
Who does AI mention more?
Pilot, mentioned in 2 of 4 answers, Bench in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
Pilot, named ahead of Bench in 2 of 2 answers
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Top bookkeeping services in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Pilot was mentioned in two out of four: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Bench was mentioned in one out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Pilot was listed before Bench in every answer that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Bookkeeper3601st
QuickBooks Live2nd- Pilot3rd
- Bench4th
Xendoo–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Bookkeeper3603 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- QuickBooks Live3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Pilot2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Bench1 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
- Xendoo0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about bookkeeping services
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which bookkeeping service should I hire?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best bookkeeping services?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best bookkeeping service for a small business?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bookkeeping services”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“small business bookkeeping”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Is Bench or Pilot more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Bench and Pilot by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five bookkeeping services we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Bench, Pilot. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Bench | Bookkeeper360 | QuickBooks Live | Pilot | Xendoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 30.8% | 24.4% | 16.7% | 11.3% | 16.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.1% | 24.1% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 31.8% | 26.8% | 14.7% | 14.7% | 12% |
| Jan 2026 | 31.6% | 21.1% | 17.1% | 13.2% | 17.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 38.7% | 17.3% | 13.3% | 13.3% | 17.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 37.2% | 16.7% | 12.8% | 16.7% | 16.7% |
| Apr 2026 | 35.8% | 19.4% | 14.9% | 14.9% | 14.9% |
| May 2026 | 33.5% | 17.6% | 10.4% | 22.9% | 15.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 30.8% | 19.2% | 13.8% | 19.2% | 16.9% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.1% | 23.6% | 13.1% | 18.2% | 16% |
| Aug 2026 | 30.5% | 24.8% | 11.2% | 16.8% | 16.8% |
| Sep 2026 | 25.8% | 21% | 21% | 16.1% | 16.1% |
How has the Bench and Pilot comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Bench was ahead of Pilot in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bench’s share of searches among bookkeeping services worldwide moved from 30.8% to 25.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.4K to 1.6K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pilot’s share of searches among bookkeeping services worldwide moved from 11.3% to 16.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 880 to 1K.
How did search popularity change for bookkeeping services worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, QuickBooks Live overtook Pilot and Xendoo to rank 3rd among bookkeeping services worldwide, with 21% of the searches.
In September 2026, Bench lost share of searches among bookkeeping services worldwide, from 30.5% to 25.8%.
In September 2026, Pilot lost share of searches among bookkeeping services worldwide, from 16.8% to 16.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bench’s and Pilot’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 bookkeeping services
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