What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about hr software for small businesses — measured weekly across 5 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-01 · 72 sampled answers · rolling 4-week window · methodology
Rankings are measured from sampled AI answers — never editorial, never paid. Orbator builds AI-visibility tooling; when Orbator itself appears in any category, it is measured by the same rules as everyone else.
Sample: 72 AI answers · Window: Jul 4, 2026 – Aug 1, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (32 answers)
Across 72 sampled AI answers from 5 engines, Gusto is recommended most often — appearing in 87.5% of recommendations, followed by BambooHR (81.9%) and Rippling (76.4%).
This is a measurement of share of voice across 5 AI engines — not an editorial pick. See the full ranking below.
| # | Product | Share | Trend | Engines | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gusto gusto.com Best for: AI recommends Gusto most when buyers ask “alternatives to large enterprise HR platforms that are simpler for small businesses” (100% of those answers) | 87.5% 95% CI 77.9–93.3% 63 mentions · avg pos 3.5 first pick 44.4% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 95.8%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 75%PERPLEXITY 83.3% | Claim |
| 2 | BambooHR bamboohr.com Best for: AI recommends BambooHR most when buyers ask “best HR software for small businesses” (100% of those answers) | 81.9% 95% CI 71.5–89.1% 59 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 25.4% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 91.7%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 75% | Claim |
| 3 | Rippling rippling.com Best for: AI recommends Rippling most when buyers ask “best HR software for small businesses” (100% of those answers) | 76.4% 95% CI 65.4–84.7% 55 mentions · avg pos 8.1 first pick 5.5% | — | GROK 87.5%GEMINI 87.5%CHATGPT 50%CLAUDE 62.5%PERPLEXITY 75% | Claim |
| 4 | Zoho zoho.com Best for: AI recommends Zoho most when buyers ask “lightweight HR software alternatives for small teams that find big platforms too complex” (100% of those answers) | 62.5% 95% CI 51–72.8% 45 mentions · avg pos 4.4 first pick 4.4% | — | GROK 62.5%GEMINI 79.2%CHATGPT 37.5%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 62.5% | Claim |
| 5 | Homebase joinhomebase.com Best for: AI recommends Homebase most when buyers ask “top affordable HR tools for small business owners with no dedicated HR team” (72.7% of those answers) | 40.3% 95% CI 29.7–51.8% 29 mentions · avg pos 5.8 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%GEMINI 41.7%CHATGPT 37.5%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 45.8% | Claim |
| 6 | Deel deel.com Best for: AI recommends Deel most when buyers ask “best HR software for small businesses” (45.5% of those answers) | 25% 95% CI 16.4–36.1% 18 mentions · avg pos 11.5 first pick 5.6% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 29.2%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 7 | Paycor paycor.com Best for: AI recommends Paycor most when buyers ask “best HR software for small businesses” (54.5% of those answers) | 15.3% 95% CI 8.8–25.3% 11 mentions · avg pos 6.1 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 29.2%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 8 | OnPay onpay.com Best for: AI recommends OnPay most when buyers ask “alternatives to large enterprise HR platforms that are simpler for small businesses” (45.5% of those answers) | 15.3% 95% CI 8.8–25.3% 11 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 27.3% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 16.7%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 9 | ADP adp.com Best for: AI recommends ADP most when buyers ask “best HR software for small businesses” (36.4% of those answers) | 15.3% 95% CI 8.8–25.3% 11 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 33.3% | Claim |
| 10 | Paychex paychex.com Best for: AI recommends Paychex most when buyers ask “alternatives to large enterprise HR platforms that are simpler for small businesses” (45.5% of those answers) | 15.3% 95% CI 8.8–25.3% 11 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 33.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 11 | Zapier AI zapier.com Best for: AI recommends Zapier AI most when buyers ask “lightweight HR software alternatives for small teams that find big platforms too complex” (45.5% of those answers) | 13.9% 95% CI 7.7–23.7% 10 mentions · avg pos 2.5 first pick 10% | — | GROK 25%PERPLEXITY 33.3% | Claim |
| 12 | GoCo Best for: AI recommends GoCo most when buyers ask “alternatives to large enterprise HR platforms that are simpler for small businesses” (54.5% of those answers) | 12.5% 95% CI 6.7–22.1% 9 mentions · avg pos 4.3 first pick 11.1% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 13 | Justworks justworks.com | 12.5% 95% CI 6.7–22.1% 9 mentions · avg pos 13.3 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 37.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 14 | HiBob hibob.com | 11.1% 95% CI 5.7–20.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 4.6 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 15 | Connecteam connecteam.com Best for: AI recommends Connecteam most when buyers ask “top affordable HR tools for small business owners with no dedicated HR team” (36.4% of those answers) | 11.1% 95% CI 5.7–20.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 10.4 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 20.8%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 16 | Paycom paycom.com | 11.1% 95% CI 5.7–20.4% 8 mentions · avg pos 13.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 17 | Freshteam freshteam.com Best for: AI recommends Freshteam most when buyers ask “top affordable HR tools for small business owners with no dedicated HR team” (45.5% of those answers) | 9.7% 95% CI 4.8–18.7% 7 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 18 | TalentHR's AI HR Policy Generator talenthr.io | 9.7% 95% CI 4.8–18.7% 7 mentions · avg pos 8.4 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 19 | Lattice lattice.com Best for: AI recommends Lattice most when buyers ask “best people management platform for a company under 50 employees” (36.4% of those answers) | 9.7% 95% CI 4.8–18.7% 7 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 20 | Talent HR | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 4.2 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 25% | Claim |
| 21 | HRLocker | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 9.8 first pick 16.7% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 22 | Eddy | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 6.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 23 | Sloneek sloneek.com | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 7.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 16.7%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 24 | Workday workday.com | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 20 first pick 0% | — | GROK 50%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 25 | Factorial factorial.com | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 26 | Timesheet 365 apps365.com | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 27 | Juicebox juicebox.ai Best for: AI recommends Juicebox most when buyers ask “what HR tool should a 20-person startup use to handle onboarding and policies” (36.4% of those answers) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 33.3% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 28 | Notion notion.so Best for: AI recommends Notion most when buyers ask “what HR tool should a 20-person startup use to handle onboarding and policies” (36.4% of those answers) | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 29 | Bitrix24 bitrix24.com | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 4.7 first pick 33.3% | — | GEMINI 12.5% | Claim |
| 30 | Patriot patriotsoftware.com | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 6.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 31 | Square Payroll | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 32 | QuickBooks quickbooks.intuit.com | 4.2% 95% CI 1.4–11.5% 3 mentions · avg pos 12.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 33 | Personio personio.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 34 | HR Partner | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 4.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 35 | OrangeHRM orangehrm.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 36 | Paylocity paylocity.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 6.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 37 | IceHrm Core | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 38 | Breathe HR breathehr.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 39 | Zenefits | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 40 | Forbes forbes.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 9.5 first pick 0% | — | GROK 25% | Claim |
| 41 | FirstHR firsthr.app | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 42 | ICE HRM icehrm.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 100% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 43 | Google Workspace workspace.google.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 44 | HR Acuity hracuity.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 45 | Trainual trainual.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 46 | Confluence | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 47 | 15Five 15five.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 12.5% | Claim |
| 48 | peopleHum peoplehum.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 49 | Factorial HR | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 50 | HackerNoon hackernoon.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 51 | Bob | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 52 | Microsoft 365 | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 53 | TriNet HR | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 54 | Microsoft microsoft.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 55 | Slack slack.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 56 | Clockify clockify.me | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2% | Claim |
| 57 | Namely namely.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 58 | ShiftFlow shiftflow.app | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 19 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 59 | Frappe frappe.io | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 23 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 60 | Frappe HR | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 23 first pick 0% | — | GROK 12.5% | Claim |
| 61 | Bolto bolto.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 62 | Box box.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 63 | DigitalOcean digitalocean.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 64 | Folderit folderit.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 65 | HR Cloud Workmates hrcloud.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 66 | HR Performance Solutions hrperformancesolutions.net | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 67 | Leapsome leapsome.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 68 | Noloco noloco.io | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 69 | Opsgenie atlassian.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 70 | Oracle HCM | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 71 | PeopleHR's Evo AI Assistant peoplehr.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 72 | Peopleforce peopleforce.io | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 73 | SAP SuccessFactors | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 74 | SBA sba.gov | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 75 | Score score.org | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 76 | UKG ukg.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 72 sampled answers, so each row also shows its 95% CI — the Wilson score interval around that share. When two products' intervals overlap, the gap between them isn't statistically meaningful at this sample size. First pick is the share of a product's recommending answers where it was named first, which separates “always mentioned” from “usually the top recommendation”. Full methodology.
Independence: Orbator customers are badged for disclosure. Customer status does not affect prompts, sampling, extraction, or ranking — see the methodology. Your product on this list? Claim it to see the prompts behind your rank and track it weekly.
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