What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about payroll software — measured weekly across 5 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-02 · 63 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: 63 AI answers · Window: Jul 5, 2026 – Aug 2, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (42 answers)
Across 63 sampled AI answers from 5 engines, Gusto is recommended most often — appearing in 76.2% of recommendations, followed by ADP (65.1%) and Rippling (61.9%).
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 “best payroll software for small businesses” (100% of those answers) | 76.2% 95% CI 64.4–85% 48 mentions · avg pos 3.8 first pick 37.5% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 78.3%CHATGPT 71.4%CLAUDE 77.8%PERPLEXITY 73.9% | Claim |
| 2 | ADP adp.com Best for: AI recommends ADP most when buyers ask “which payroll tool handles multi-state tax compliance automatically” (100% of those answers) | 65.1% 95% CI 52.8–75.7% 41 mentions · avg pos 5.9 first pick 14.6% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 73.9%CHATGPT 57.1%CLAUDE 55.6%PERPLEXITY 60.9% | Claim |
| 3 | Rippling rippling.com Best for: AI recommends Rippling most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (100% of those answers) | 61.9% 95% CI 49.6–72.9% 39 mentions · avg pos 6.4 first pick 5.1% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 56.5%CHATGPT 100%CLAUDE 44.4%PERPLEXITY 60.9% | Claim |
| 4 | OnPay onpay.com Best for: AI recommends OnPay most when buyers ask “best payroll software for small businesses” (100% of those answers) | 54% 95% CI 41.8–65.7% 34 mentions · avg pos 3.9 first pick 8.8% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 60.9%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 33.3%PERPLEXITY 60.9% | Claim |
| 5 | QuickBooks quickbooks.intuit.com Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks most when buyers ask “what should I use to run payroll for my first 10 employees” (100% of those answers) | 47.6% 95% CI 35.8–59.7% 30 mentions · avg pos 6.1 first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 52.2%CHATGPT 57.1%CLAUDE 33.3%PERPLEXITY 43.5% | Claim |
| 6 | Deel deel.com Best for: AI recommends Deel most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (100% of those answers) | 44.4% 95% CI 32.8–56.7% 28 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 7.1% | — | GEMINI 52.2%CHATGPT 42.9%CLAUDE 44.4%PERPLEXITY 39.1% | Claim |
| 7 | Patriot patriotsoftware.com Best for: AI recommends Patriot most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (90% of those answers) | 39.7% 95% CI 28.5–52% 25 mentions · avg pos 5.2 first pick 28% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 47.8%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 33.3%PERPLEXITY 34.8% | Claim |
| 8 | Remote remote.com Best for: AI recommends Remote most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (100% of those answers) | 33.3% 95% CI 22.9–45.6% 21 mentions · avg pos 5.2 first pick 28.6% | — | GEMINI 26.1%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 55.6%PERPLEXITY 34.8% | Claim |
| 9 | Paychex paychex.com Best for: AI recommends Paychex most when buyers ask “best payroll software for small businesses” (64.3% of those answers) | 31.7% 95% CI 21.6–44% 20 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 47.8%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 33.3%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 10 | Papaya Global papayaglobal.com Best for: AI recommends Papaya Global most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (92.3% of those answers) | 22.2% 95% CI 13.7–33.9% 14 mentions · avg pos 6.4 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 33.3%PERPLEXITY 26.1% | Claim |
| 11 | Square square.com Best for: AI recommends Square most when buyers ask “best payroll software for small businesses” (50% of those answers) | 19% 95% CI 11.2–30.4% 12 mentions · avg pos 7.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 30.4%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 22.2%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 12 | Square Payroll Best for: AI recommends Square Payroll most when buyers ask “best payroll software for small businesses” (50% of those answers) | 19% 95% CI 11.2–30.4% 12 mentions · avg pos 7.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 30.4%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 22.2%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 13 | Paylocity paylocity.com Best for: AI recommends Paylocity most when buyers ask “which payroll tool handles multi-state tax compliance automatically” (50% of those answers) | 17.5% 95% CI 10–28.6% 11 mentions · avg pos 7.1 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 21.7%CLAUDE 22.2%PERPLEXITY 17.4% | Claim |
| 14 | Homebase joinhomebase.com Best for: AI recommends Homebase most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (70% of those answers) | 17.5% 95% CI 10–28.6% 11 mentions · avg pos 8.4 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 21.7%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 17.4% | Claim |
| 15 | Oyster oysterhr.com Best for: AI recommends Oyster most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (76.9% of those answers) | 15.9% 95% CI 8.9–26.8% 10 mentions · avg pos 4.8 first pick 30% | — | GEMINI 17.4%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 16 | Multiplier Best for: AI recommends Multiplier most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (69.2% of those answers) | 15.9% 95% CI 8.9–26.8% 10 mentions · avg pos 10.1 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%CHATGPT 28.6%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 17 | Payroll4Free Best for: AI recommends Payroll4Free most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (50% of those answers) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.6–23.1% 8 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%PERPLEXITY 17.4% | Claim |
| 18 | SurePayroll surepayroll.com Best for: AI recommends SurePayroll most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (40% of those answers) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.6–23.1% 8 mentions · avg pos 7.7 first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 17.4%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 19 | Wise wise.com Best for: AI recommends Wise most when buyers ask “how do I pay international contractors compliantly without a PEO” (100% of those answers) | 12.7% 95% CI 6.6–23.1% 8 mentions · avg pos 9.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 13%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 20 | Justworks justworks.com | 11.1% 95% CI 5.5–21.2% 7 mentions · avg pos 7.2 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%CLAUDE 22.2%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 21 | Paychex Flex Best for: AI recommends Paychex Flex most when buyers ask “best payroll software for small businesses” (35.7% of those answers) | 11.1% 95% CI 5.5–21.2% 7 mentions · avg pos 9.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 22.2% | Claim |
| 22 | Payoneer payoneer.com Best for: AI recommends Payoneer most when buyers ask “how do I pay international contractors compliantly without a PEO” (90% of those answers) | 11.1% 95% CI 5.5–21.2% 7 mentions · avg pos 11.2 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 13%CHATGPT 14.3%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 8.7% | Claim |
| 23 | Zoho zoho.com Best for: AI recommends Zoho most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (70% of those answers) | 9.5% 95% CI 4.4–19.3% 6 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 13%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 8.7% | Claim |
| 24 | Wave wave.com Best for: AI recommends Wave most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (30% of those answers) | 9.5% 95% CI 4.4–19.3% 6 mentions · avg pos 10.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 25 | Wave Payroll waveapps.com Best for: AI recommends Wave Payroll most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (30% of those answers) | 7.9% 95% CI 3.4–17.3% 5 mentions · avg pos 8.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 17.4%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 26 | Forbes forbes.com | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 25% | — | GROK 100%GEMINI 4.3%CHATGPT 28.6% | Claim |
| 27 | G-P Best for: AI recommends G-P most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (38.5% of those answers) | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 5.3 first pick 25% | — | GEMINI 8.7%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 28 | Inova Payroll Best for: AI recommends Inova Payroll most when buyers ask “which payroll tool handles multi-state tax compliance automatically” (30% of those answers) | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 5.8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 13%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 29 | Globalization Partners globallyp.com Best for: AI recommends Globalization Partners most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (38.5% of those answers) | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 30 | RemotePass remotepass.com Best for: AI recommends RemotePass most when buyers ask “best tools for running payroll for a remote global team” (46.2% of those answers) | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3%CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 8.7% | Claim |
| 31 | Tipalti tipalti.com Best for: AI recommends Tipalti most when buyers ask “how do I pay international contractors compliantly without a PEO” (40% of those answers) | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 32 | TimeTrex timetrex.com | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 15 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%CLAUDE 22.2% | Claim |
| 33 | Xero xero.com | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions · avg pos 17 first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%CHATGPT 42.9% | Claim |
| 34 | PCMag pcmag.com | 6.3% 95% CI 2.5–15.2% 4 mentions first pick 0% | — | GROK 100%PERPLEXITY 13% | Claim |
| 35 | ADP Workforce Now Best for: AI recommends ADP Workforce Now most when buyers ask “which payroll tool handles multi-state tax compliance automatically” (40% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 66.7% | — | GEMINI 13% | Claim |
| 36 | HR.my Best for: AI recommends HR.my most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (30% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 33.3% | — | GEMINI 4.3%PERPLEXITY 8.7% | Claim |
| 37 | Payroll4Free.com payroll4free.com | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 38 | BambooHR bamboohr.com Best for: AI recommends BambooHR most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (40% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 39 | Lano lano.io | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 10.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 40 | TransferWise transferwise.com Best for: AI recommends TransferWise most when buyers ask “how do I pay international contractors compliantly without a PEO” (40% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 11.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 41 | Skuad skuad.io Best for: AI recommends Skuad most when buyers ask “how do I pay international contractors compliantly without a PEO” (50% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3%PERPLEXITY 8.7% | Claim |
| 42 | Talent HR Best for: AI recommends Talent HR most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (30% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 43 | OrangeHRM orangehrm.com Best for: AI recommends OrangeHRM most when buyers ask “affordable alternatives to expensive payroll and HR platforms” (30% of those answers) | 4.8% 95% CI 1.6–13.1% 3 mentions · avg pos 18 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7%CHATGPT 14.3% | Claim |
| 44 | Symmetry symmetry.com Best for: AI recommends Symmetry most when buyers ask “which payroll tool handles multi-state tax compliance automatically” (40% of those answers) | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 4 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 11.1%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 45 | Airwallex airwallex.com | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 14.3%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 46 | Paycor paycor.com Best for: AI recommends Paycor most when buyers ask “which payroll tool handles multi-state tax compliance automatically” (30% of those answers) | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 7.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7% | Claim |
| 47 | Native Teams nativeteams.com | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.7% | Claim |
| 48 | Zoho Payroll | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3%CHATGPT 14.3% | Claim |
| 49 | Netchex netchex.com | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3%PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 50 | One Global Payroll | 3.2% 95% CI 0.9–10.9% 2 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3%CLAUDE 11.1% | Claim |
| 51 | ADP Celergo | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 52 | ADP GlobalView Payroll | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 53 | Gusto Global | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 54 | Safeguard Global | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 55 | MasterTax | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 56 | PaycheckCity Payroll paycheckcity.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 57 | Paycom paycom.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 58 | TriNet HR | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 59 | Zenefits | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 60 | Omnivoo Contract Management | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 61 | Plane plane.so | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 62 | Thera | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 63 | CloudPay cloudpay.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 13 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 64 | PayPal paypal.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 18 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.3% | Claim |
| 65 | HR Cloud Workmates hrcloud.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 66 | Ramp ramp.com Best for: AI recommends Ramp most when buyers ask “how do I pay international contractors compliantly without a PEO” (30% of those answers) | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 67 | TechRadar techradar.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 68 | Toku toku.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 69 | Warp warp.co | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 70 | When I Work wheniwork.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 71 | WorkMotion workmotion.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
| 72 | Zapier AI zapier.com | 1.6% 95% CI 0.3–8.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.3% | Claim |
Reading the numbers: Share is a point estimate on 63 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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