Rippling vs Zenefits:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Rippling had more branded searches than Zenefits among HR software brands worldwide. Rippling had about 566,000 branded searches, while Zenefits had 4,420. Rippling made up 33.6% of all HR software brand searches we track, and Zenefits accounted for 0.26%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about HR software brands, Rippling appeared in four of the five answers and Zenefits in none.
Who do people search for more?
Rippling, about 128 searches for every 1 for Zenefits
Who does AI mention more?
Rippling, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Zenefits in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Rippling, the only one of the two named
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Top HR software brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Rippling was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Zenefits 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.
Gusto5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Rippling4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
BambooHR4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ADP3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Zoho People2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
HiBob2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Personio0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Namely0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Zenefits0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about HR software brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which HR software brand should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best HR software brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best HR software brand for a small HR team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best hr software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“employee management software”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Rippling or Zenefits more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Rippling and Zenefits by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine HR software brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Rippling, Zenefits. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Rippling | Zoho People | BambooHR | Personio | HiBob | ADP | Namely | Gusto | Zenefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 32.2% | 17.1% | 19.4% | 11.7% | 8.1% | 3.6% | 2.8% | 4.2% | 0.84% |
| Nov 2025 | 29.3% | 19% | 18.8% | 13% | 9% | 3.3% | 2.6% | 4.4% | 0.77% |
| Dec 2025 | 32.8% | 21.4% | 17.2% | 9.8% | 8.2% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 3.8% | 0.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 30.5% | 19.7% | 18.4% | 11.1% | 7.7% | 4.2% | 2.7% | 5.1% | 0.65% |
| Feb 2026 | 33.8% | 21.9% | 14.6% | 10.1% | 8.5% | 3.1% | 2% | 5.5% | 0.59% |
| Mar 2026 | 29.4% | 19% | 20.7% | 10.7% | 9% | 3.4% | 1.7% | 5.6% | 0.51% |
| Apr 2026 | 31.6% | 20.4% | 19.1% | 9.4% | 7.9% | 3.6% | 1.8% | 5.6% | 0.55% |
| May 2026 | 28.6% | 22.5% | 18.4% | 10.3% | 8.7% | 3.3% | 1.7% | 6.1% | 0.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 30.4% | 19.7% | 18.5% | 11% | 9.3% | 3.4% | 2.2% | 5.2% | 0.36% |
| Jul 2026 | 33.1% | 21.5% | 16.8% | 9.9% | 8.3% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 4.9% | 0.39% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.4% | 21.1% | 17.3% | 9.7% | 8.2% | 4.4% | 2.3% | 4.3% | 0.38% |
| Sep 2026 | 33.6% | 17.9% | 16.6% | 10% | 8.4% | 5.5% | 4.4% | 3.4% | 0.26% |
How has the Rippling and Zenefits comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Rippling was ahead of Zenefits in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rippling’s share of searches among HR software brands worldwide moved from 32.2% to 33.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 463K to 566K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zenefits’ share of searches among HR software brands worldwide moved from 0.84% to 0.26%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 4.4K.
How did search popularity change for HR software brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Rippling gained share of searches among HR software brands worldwide, from 32.4% to 33.6%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Zenefits worldwide fell 63.6% over 12 measured months, from 12.1K to 4.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
8 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Rippling’s and Zenefits’ 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.
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