Breathe vs BrightHR:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, BrightHR had more branded searches than Breathe among HR software in the United Kingdom. BrightHR had about 196,000 branded searches, while Breathe had 74,000. BrightHR made up 48.4% of all HR software searches we track, and Breathe accounted for 18.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about HR software, Breathe appeared in all five answers and BrightHR in four. Breathe was mentioned before BrightHR in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
BrightHR, about 3 searches for every 1 for Breathe
Who does AI mention more?
Breathe, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Breathe, named ahead of BrightHR in every answer
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Top HR software in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Breathe appeared in all five answers. BrightHR was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Breathe was listed before BrightHR in every answer.
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.
Is Breathe or BrightHR more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Breathe and BrightHR 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. 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% |
How has the Breathe and BrightHR comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- BrightHR was ahead of Breathe in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Breathe’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom moved from 21.6% to 18.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 74K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, BrightHR’s share of searches among HR software in the United Kingdom moved from 46.6% to 48.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 196K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom HR software in September 2026?
2 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%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Breathe’s and BrightHR’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 HR software
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