---
title: "HR software in the United Kingdom: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the HR software UK small and midsize businesses use for leave, records and people management. Share of Search among BrightHR, Breathe, HiBob, Sage HR, Rippling, Access PeopleHR, CharlieHR, Employment Hero, Cezanne HR and Personio, the HR software Brandwave compares in the United Kingdom, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/uk/categories/uk-hr-software"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# HR software in the United Kingdom: Which are searched most?

Compare the HR software UK small and midsize businesses use for leave, records and people management. Share of Search among BrightHR, Breathe, HiBob, Sage HR, Rippling, Access PeopleHR, CharlieHR, Employment Hero, Cezanne HR and Personio, the HR software Brandwave compares in the United Kingdom, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: HR software
- **Market**: United Kingdom
- **Brands compared**: 10
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: BrightHR, 48.4%

## Which brand is most popular in search among HR software in the United Kingdom?

- 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%.
- 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.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [BrightHR vs Breathe: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/breathe-hr-vs-brighthr): 48.4% against 18.3% Share of Search.
- [BrightHR vs HiBob: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/brighthr-vs-hibob): 48.4% against 8.2% Share of Search.
- [BrightHR vs Sage HR: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/brighthr-vs-sage-hr): 48.4% against 6.7% Share of Search.
- [BrightHR vs Rippling: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/brighthr-vs-rippling): 48.4% against 4.5% Share of Search.
- [Breathe vs HiBob: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/breathe-hr-vs-hibob): 18.3% against 8.2% Share of Search.
- [Breathe vs Sage HR: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/breathe-hr-vs-sage-hr): 18.3% against 6.7% Share of Search.
- [Breathe vs Rippling: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/breathe-hr-vs-rippling): 18.3% against 4.5% Share of Search.
- [HiBob vs Sage HR: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/hibob-vs-sage-hr): 8.2% against 6.7% Share of Search.
- [HiBob vs Rippling: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/hibob-vs-rippling): 8.2% against 4.5% Share of Search.
- [Sage HR vs Rippling: compare search popularity](/demand/uk/compare/rippling-vs-sage-hr): 6.7% against 4.5% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for United Kingdom HR software in September 2026?

- 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.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | BrightHR | 48.4% | 196K | +22.6% | Bright HR |
| 2 | Breathe | 18.3% | 74K | 0.0% | Breathe |
| 3 | HiBob | 8.2% | 33.1K | 0.0% | HiBob |
| 4 | Sage HR | 6.7% | 27.1K | 0.0% | Sage Accounting |
| 5 | Rippling | 4.5% | 18.1K | +22.3% | Rippling |
| 6 | Access PeopleHR | 3.7% | 14.8K | +22.3% | The Access Group |
| 7 | CharlieHR | 3.7% | 14.8K | 0.0% | CharlieHR |
| 8 | Employment Hero | 3.7% | 14.8K | 0.0% | Employment Hero |
| 9 | Cezanne HR | 1.6% | 6.6K | 0.0% | Cezanne HR |
| 10 | Personio | 1.3% | 5.4K | 0.0% | Personio |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | BrightHR | 196K | 46.6% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Breathe | 90.5K | 21.6% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | HiBob | 33.1K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.5% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Access PeopleHR | 18.1K | 4.3% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.3% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | Employment Hero | 12.1K | 2.9% | 7 |
| Oct 2025 | Rippling | 9.9K | 2.4% | 8 |
| Oct 2025 | Cezanne HR | 8.1K | 1.9% | 9 |
| Oct 2025 | Personio | 6.6K | 1.6% | 10 |
| Nov 2025 | BrightHR | 196K | 48.7% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Breathe | 74K | 18.4% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | HiBob | 33.1K | 8.2% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.8% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Access PeopleHR | 18.1K | 4.5% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.5% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Employment Hero | 12.1K | 3% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Rippling | 9.9K | 2.5% | 8 |
| Nov 2025 | Cezanne HR | 8.1K | 2% | 9 |
| Nov 2025 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.3% | 10 |
| Dec 2025 | BrightHR | 160K | 46.5% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Breathe | 74K | 21.6% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | HiBob | 27.1K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Sage HR | 22.2K | 6.5% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 4.3% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | CharlieHR | 14.8K | 4.3% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Employment Hero | 9.9K | 2.9% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Rippling | 9.9K | 2.9% | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | Cezanne HR | 6.6K | 1.9% | 9 |
| Dec 2025 | Personio | 4.4K | 1.3% | 10 |
| Jan 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 45.7% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Breathe | 90.5K | 21.1% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 7.7% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Sage HR | 33.1K | 7.7% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 18.1K | 4.2% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.2% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Employment Hero | 12.1K | 2.8% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Rippling | 12.1K | 2.8% | 8 |
| Jan 2026 | Cezanne HR | 9.9K | 2.3% | 9 |
| Jan 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.3% | 10 |
| Feb 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 49.5% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Breathe | 74K | 18.7% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 8.4% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.9% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.7% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | CharlieHR | 14.8K | 3.7% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Employment Hero | 12.1K | 3.1% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Rippling | 9.9K | 2.5% | 8 |
| Feb 2026 | Cezanne HR | 8.1K | 2.1% | 9 |
| Feb 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.4% | 10 |
| Mar 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 46.5% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Breathe | 90.5K | 21.5% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.4% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.3% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.5% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 3.5% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Rippling | 12.1K | 2.9% | 8 |
| Mar 2026 | Cezanne HR | 8.1K | 1.9% | 9 |
| Mar 2026 | Personio | 6.6K | 1.6% | 10 |
| Apr 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 49.2% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Breathe | 74K | 18.6% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | HiBob | 27.1K | 6.8% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.8% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.6% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.7% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 3.7% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Rippling | 12.1K | 3% | 8 |
| Apr 2026 | Cezanne HR | 8.1K | 2% | 9 |
| Apr 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.4% | 10 |
| May 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 49.8% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Breathe | 74K | 18.9% | 2 |
| May 2026 | HiBob | 27.1K | 6.9% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.9% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.8% | 5 |
| May 2026 | CharlieHR | 14.8K | 3.8% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 3.8% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Rippling | 12.1K | 3.1% | 8 |
| May 2026 | Cezanne HR | 6.6K | 1.7% | 9 |
| May 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.4% | 10 |
| Jun 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 46.5% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Breathe | 90.5K | 21.5% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.4% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.3% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.5% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 3.5% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Rippling | 12.1K | 2.9% | 8 |
| Jun 2026 | Cezanne HR | 8.1K | 1.9% | 9 |
| Jun 2026 | Personio | 6.6K | 1.6% | 10 |
| Jul 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 46.8% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Breathe | 90.5K | 21.7% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.5% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | CharlieHR | 18.1K | 4.3% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.5% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 3.5% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Rippling | 12.1K | 2.9% | 8 |
| Jul 2026 | Cezanne HR | 6.6K | 1.6% | 9 |
| Jul 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.3% | 10 |
| Aug 2026 | BrightHR | 160K | 44% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Breathe | 74K | 20.4% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 9.1% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 7.5% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | CharlieHR | 14.8K | 4.1% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 4.1% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Rippling | 14.8K | 4.1% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 12.1K | 3.3% | 8 |
| Aug 2026 | Cezanne HR | 6.6K | 1.8% | 9 |
| Aug 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.5% | 10 |
| Sep 2026 | BrightHR | 196K | 48.4% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Breathe | 74K | 18.3% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | HiBob | 33.1K | 8.2% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Sage HR | 27.1K | 6.7% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Rippling | 18.1K | 4.5% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Access PeopleHR | 14.8K | 3.7% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | CharlieHR | 14.8K | 3.7% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Employment Hero | 14.8K | 3.7% | 8 |
| Sep 2026 | Cezanne HR | 6.6K | 1.6% | 9 |
| Sep 2026 | Personio | 5.4K | 1.3% | 10 |

## What is being compared

- **Access PeopleHR**: Measured on the search terms “people hr” and “peoplehr”, summed into one figure.
- **Breathe**: Measured on the search terms “breathe hr” and “breathehr”, summed into one figure.
- **BrightHR**: Measured on the search terms “bright hr” and “brighthr”, summed into one figure.
- **Cezanne HR**: Measured on the search term “cezanne hr”.
- **CharlieHR**: Measured on the search terms “charlie hr” and “charliehr”, summed into one figure.
- **Employment Hero**: Measured on the search term “employment hero”.
- **HiBob**: Measured on the search term “hibob”.
- **Personio**: Measured on the search term “personio”.
- **Rippling**: Measured on the search term “rippling”.
- **Sage HR**: Measured on the search term “sage hr”.

- [Access PeopleHR](/demand/uk/brands/access-peoplehr)
- [Breathe](/demand/uk/brands/breathe-hr)
- [BrightHR](/demand/uk/brands/brighthr)
- [Cezanne HR](/demand/uk/brands/cezanne-hr)
- [CharlieHR](/demand/uk/brands/charliehr)
- [Employment Hero](/demand/uk/brands/employment-hero)
- [HiBob](/demand/uk/brands/hibob)
- [Personio](/demand/uk/brands/personio)
- [Rippling](/demand/uk/brands/rippling)
- [Sage HR](/demand/uk/brands/sage-hr)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among HR software in the United Kingdom?

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.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "HR software in the United Kingdom: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/uk/categories/uk-hr-software

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/uk/categories/uk-hr-software. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.