HR software in the United Kingdom:Which are most popular?
In September 2026, BrightHR was the most searched HR software in the United Kingdom, accounting for 48.4% of all searches among the ten software we track. When we checked with ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews, Breathe showed up in every answer. Breathe was recommended most often, coming first in four out of five responses.
BrightHRShare of searches 48.4%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
BreatheShare of searches 18.3%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
HiBobShare of searches 8.2%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 9th
Sage HRShare of searches 6.7%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
RipplingShare of searches 4.5%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top HR software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Breathe appeared every time. Breathe was recommended most often, coming first in four out of five answers. CharlieHR was second, and Sage HR was third. Cezanne HR, which ranked ninth in searches, was not mentioned at all.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Breathe1st
CharlieHR2nd- Sage HR3rd
- BrightHR4th
Employment Hero5th- Rippling6th
Access PeopleHR7th
Personio8th- HiBob9th
Cezanne HR–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Breathe5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- BrightHR4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Sage HR4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- CharlieHR4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Rippling3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Employment Hero3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Personio2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- HiBob1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Access PeopleHR1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Cezanne HR0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about HR software
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which HR software should my small business use in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best HR software platforms in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best HR software in the UK for a company with 30 employees?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hr software”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hr software for small business”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 22, 2026.
Which HR software do people search for most?
This chart shows how often people search Google for each HR software by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all ten HR software we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for BrightHR, Breathe, HiBob, Sage HR, Rippling, Access PeopleHR, CharlieHR, Employment Hero. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | BrightHR | Breathe | HiBob | Sage HR | Rippling | Access PeopleHR | CharlieHR | Employment Hero | Cezanne HR | Personio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 46.6% | 21.6% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 2.4% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Nov 2025 | 48.7% | 18.4% | 8.2% | 6.8% | 2.5% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3% | 2% | 1.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.5% | 21.6% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| Jan 2026 | 45.7% | 21.1% | 7.7% | 7.7% | 2.8% | 4.2% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.3% |
| Feb 2026 | 49.5% | 18.7% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 2.5% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.1% | 2.1% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.5% | 21.5% | 7.9% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Apr 2026 | 49.2% | 18.6% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 3% | 3.7% | 4.6% | 3.7% | 2% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 49.8% | 18.9% | 6.9% | 6.9% | 3.1% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 46.5% | 21.5% | 7.9% | 6.4% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 46.8% | 21.7% | 7.9% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 3.5% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Aug 2026 | 44% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 4.1% | 3.3% | 4.1% | 4.1% | 1.8% | 1.5% |
| Sep 2026 | 48.4% | 18.3% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 1.6% | 1.3% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 48.4% | 196K | +22.6% | +4.3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 18.3% | 74K | 0% | -2.1 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 8.2% | 33.1K | 0% | -0.9 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 6.7% | 27.1K | 0% | -0.8 points | |
| 5, moved from 7th to 5th | 4.5% | 18.1K | +22.3% | +0.4 pointsmoved from 7th to 5th | |
| 6, moved from 8th to 6th | 3.7% | 14.8K | +22.3% | +0.3 pointsmoved from 8th to 6th | |
| 7, moved from 5th to 7th | 3.7% | 14.8K | 0% | -0.4 pointsmoved from 5th to 7th | |
| 8, moved from 6th to 8th | 3.7% | 14.8K | 0% | -0.4 pointsmoved from 6th to 8th | |
| 9, held 9th | 1.6% | 6.6K | 0% | -0.2 points | |
| 10, held 10th | 1.3% | 5.4K | 0% | -0.2 points |
1.
BrightHR48.4%
Held 1st. 196K estimated branded searches, +22.6% vs prior month. Share +4.3 points.
2.
Breathe18.3%
Held 2nd. 74K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -2.1 points.
3.
HiBob8.2%
Held 3rd. 33.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.9 points.
4.
Sage HR6.7%
Held 4th. 27.1K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
5.
Rippling4.5%
Moved from 7th to 5th. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.4 points.
3.7%
Moved from 8th to 6th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +0.3 points.
3.7%
Moved from 5th to 7th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
3.7%
Moved from 6th to 8th. 14.8K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
1.6%
Held 9th. 6.6K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
10.
Personio1.3%
Held 10th. 5.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.2 points.
Which brand is most popular in search among HR software in the United Kingdom?
10 brands
In September 2026, BrightHR was the most searched among HR software in the United Kingdom, with an estimated 196K branded searches, 48.4% of all searches for the ten we track. Breathe is in 2nd place, 30.1 percentage points behind at 18.3%.
| Brand | Share of searches | Peak | Low | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BrightHR | 46.6% → 48.4% | 49.8%May 2026 | 44%Aug 2026 | 1st |
| Breathe | 21.6% → 18.3% | 21.7%Jul 2026 | 18.3%Sep 2026 | 2nd |
| HiBob | 7.9% → 8.2% | 9.1%Aug 2026 | 6.8%Apr 2026 | 3rd |
| Sage HR | 6.5% → 6.7% | 7.7%Jan 2026 | 6.4%Mar 2026 | 4th |
| Rippling | 2.4% → 4.5% | 4.5%Sep 2026 | 2.4%Oct 2025 | 8th → 5th |
| Access PeopleHR | 4.3% → 3.7% | 4.5%Nov 2025 | 3.3%Aug 2026 | 5th → 6th |
| CharlieHR | 4.3% → 3.7% | 4.6%Apr 2026 | 3.7%Sep 2026 | 6th → 7th |
| Employment Hero | 2.9% → 3.7% | 4.1%Aug 2026 | 2.8%Jan 2026 | 7th → 8th |
| Cezanne HR | 1.9% → 1.6% | 2.3%Jan 2026 | 1.6%Jul 2026 | 9th |
| Personio | 1.6% → 1.3% | 1.6%Oct 2025 | 1.3%Jan 2026 | 10th |
Each finding as a sentence
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BrightHR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom increased from 46.6% to 48.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Breathe’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom decreased from 21.6% to 18.3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rippling’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom increased from 2.4% to 4.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Access PeopleHR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom decreased from 4.3% to 3.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CharlieHR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom decreased from 4.3% to 3.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Employment Hero’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom increased from 2.9% to 3.7%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BrightHR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom peaked at 49.8% in May 2026 and was lowest at 44% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Breathe’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom peaked at 21.7% in July 2026 and was lowest at 18.3% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HiBob’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom peaked at 9.1% in August 2026 and was lowest at 6.8% in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sage HR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom peaked at 7.7% in January 2026 and was lowest at 6.4% in March 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Access PeopleHR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom peaked at 4.5% in November 2025 and was lowest at 3.3% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Employment Hero’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom peaked at 4.1% in August 2026 and was lowest at 2.8% in January 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Rippling rose from 8th to 5th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Access PeopleHR fell from 5th to 6th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, CharlieHR fell from 6th to 7th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Employment Hero fell from 7th to 8th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, HiBob, Sage HR, Cezanne HR and Personio held steady: their share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom HR software in September 2026?
8 changes
In September 2026, BrightHR gained share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom, from 44% to 48.4%.
In September 2026, Breathe lost share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom, from 20.4% to 18.3%.
In September 2026, HiBob lost share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom, from 9.1% to 8.2%.
In September 2026, Sage HR lost share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom, from 7.5% to 6.7%.
Rippling’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 2.9% to 4.5% in September 2026.
In September 2026, Access PeopleHR rose from 8th to 6th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
In September 2026, CharlieHR fell from 5th to 7th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
In September 2026, Employment Hero fell from 6th to 8th among HR software in the United Kingdom.
Compare popularity between leading brands
- BrightHR vs Breathe: compare popularity
- BrightHR vs HiBob: compare popularity
- BrightHR vs Sage HR: compare popularity
- BrightHR vs Rippling: compare popularity
- Breathe vs HiBob: compare popularity
- Breathe vs Sage HR: compare popularity
- Breathe vs Rippling: compare popularity
- HiBob vs Sage HR: compare popularity
- HiBob vs Rippling: compare popularity
- Sage HR vs Rippling: compare popularity
- Compare any of these brands
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