HackerRank vs SHL:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, HackerRank had more branded searches than SHL among skills assessment platforms worldwide. HackerRank had about 823,000 branded searches, while SHL had 550,000. HackerRank made up 57.6% of all skills assessment platform searches we track, and SHL accounted for 38.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about skills assessment platforms, SHL appeared in all five answers and HackerRank in four. HackerRank was mentioned before SHL in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
HackerRank, about 50% more searches than SHL
Who does AI mention more?
SHL, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
HackerRank, named ahead of SHL in 3 of 5 answers
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Top skills assessment platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, SHL appeared in all five answers. HackerRank was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. HackerRank was listed before SHL in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
TestGorilla1st- HackerRank2nd
- SHL3rd
- iMocha4th
Codility5th
Criteria Corp6th
CodeSignal7th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- SHL5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- HackerRank4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- TestGorilla4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- iMocha3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- CodeSignal2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Codility2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Criteria Corp1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about skills assessment platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which skills assessment platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best skills assessment platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best skills assessment platform for a hiring team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“pre employment test”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hiring assessment tool”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is HackerRank or SHL more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for HackerRank and SHL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven skills assessment platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for HackerRank, SHL. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | HackerRank | SHL | CodeSignal | Codility | iMocha | Criteria Corp | TestGorilla |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.6% | 47.6% | 2.9% | 1.3% | 0.31% | 0.31% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.9% | 42.4% | 3.1% | 1.7% | 0.51% | 0.34% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 52.1% | 42.6% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.42% | 0.28% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 42.7% | 52.2% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.77% | 0.28% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 52% | 42.5% | 3.1% | 1.4% | 0.51% | 0.42% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 38.5% | 57.3% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 0.31% | 0.31% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.4% | 42.8% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.42% | 0.34% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 69.7% | 20.9% | 5.1% | 2.3% | 1.3% | 0.68% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 77% | 15.4% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.62% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 83.6% | 11.2% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.55% | 0.37% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 81.1% | 13.3% | 3.3% | 1.5% | 0.43% | 0.43% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.6% | 38.5% | 2.3% | 1% | 0.31% | 0.25% | <0.01% |
How has the HackerRank and SHL comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 4 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: SHL took it in January 2026, HackerRank took it in February 2026, SHL took it in March 2026, HackerRank took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HackerRank’s share of searches among skills assessment platforms worldwide moved from 47.6% to 57.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 823K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, SHL’s share of searches among skills assessment platforms worldwide moved from 47.6% to 38.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 550K.
How did search popularity change for skills assessment platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, SHL gained share of searches among skills assessment platforms worldwide, from 13.3% to 38.5%.
In September 2026, HackerRank lost share of searches among skills assessment platforms worldwide, from 81.1% to 57.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using HackerRank’s and SHL’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.
HackerRank
1 branded search term
- hackerrank
SHL
1 branded search term
- shl
Other head-to-heads among skills assessment platforms
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