What AI assistants actually recommend when buyers ask about payroll software for restaurants — measured weekly across 4 engines, published as open data.
Updated 2026-08-14 · 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 17, 2026 – Aug 14, 2026 (4-week rolling) · trend vs prior 4 weeks (39 answers)
Samples by engine: GEMINI 24 (last run Aug 1, 2026) · PERPLEXITY 24 (last run Aug 1, 2026) · CLAUDE 16 (last run Aug 2, 2026) · CHATGPT 8 (last run Aug 1, 2026) · GROK 0 (last run Jul 13, 2026 — stalest)
How these numbers are made: sampling design · prompt provenance · what counts as a mention · what we cannot see
On the record: This ranking is frozen as a dated snapshot every day. View this category's history to see what entered and left the ranking and when, or read what the engines actually said on a given day.
Across 72 sampled AI answers from 4 engines, Gusto is recommended most often — appearing in 54.2% of recommendations, followed by Netchex (51.4%) and Square (51.4%).
This is a measurement of share of voice across 4 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 generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (100% of those answers) | 54.2% 95% CI 42.7–65.2% 39 mentions · avg pos 7.4 first pick 10.3% | — | GEMINI 75%CHATGPT 37.5%CLAUDE 18.8%PERPLEXITY 62.5% | Claim |
| 2 | Netchex netchex.com Best for: AI recommends Netchex most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (88.9% of those answers) | 51.4% 95% CI 40.1–62.6% 37 mentions · avg pos 3.6 first pick 18.9% | — | GEMINI 75%CLAUDE 31.3%PERPLEXITY 58.3% | Claim |
| 3 | Square square.com Best for: AI recommends Square most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (100% of those answers) | 51.4% 95% CI 40.1–62.6% 37 mentions · avg pos 7.6 first pick 8.1% | — | GEMINI 75%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 37.5% | Claim |
| 4 | Toast Payroll Suite pos.toasttab.com Best for: AI recommends Toast Payroll Suite most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (100% of those answers) | 50% 95% CI 38.7–61.3% 36 mentions · avg pos 5.2 first pick 16.7% | — | GEMINI 29.2%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 50%PERPLEXITY 62.5% | Claim |
| 5 | ADP adp.com Best for: AI recommends ADP most when buyers ask “best payroll software for restaurants and food service businesses” (100% of those answers) | 45.8% 95% CI 34.8–57.3% 33 mentions · avg pos 8 first pick 6.1% | — | GEMINI 66.7%CHATGPT 62.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 41.7% | Claim |
| 6 | 7shifts 7shifts.com Best for: AI recommends 7shifts most when buyers ask “what payroll software should a multi-location restaurant group use” (100% of those answers) | 44.4% 95% CI 33.5–55.9% 32 mentions · avg pos 4.4 first pick 6.3% | — | GEMINI 45.8%CHATGPT 62.5%CLAUDE 25%PERPLEXITY 50% | Claim |
| 7 | Toast toasttab.com Best for: AI recommends Toast most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (55.6% of those answers) | 38.9% 95% CI 28.5–50.4% 28 mentions · avg pos 2.7 first pick 42.9% | — | GEMINI 50%CLAUDE 31.3%PERPLEXITY 45.8% | Claim |
| 8 | Clover clover.com Best for: AI recommends Clover most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (77.8% of those answers) | 33.3% 95% CI 23.5–44.8% 24 mentions · avg pos 9.6 first pick 4.2% | — | GEMINI 54.2%CHATGPT 75%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 9 | Paycor paycor.com Best for: AI recommends Paycor most when buyers ask “best payroll tool for restaurants that handles tipped employees and variable hours” (66.7% of those answers) | 31.9% 95% CI 22.3–43.4% 23 mentions · avg pos 6.1 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 62.5%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 29.2% | Claim |
| 10 | Paychex paychex.com Best for: AI recommends Paychex most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (66.7% of those answers) | 31.9% 95% CI 22.3–43.4% 23 mentions · avg pos 8.2 first pick 4.3% | — | GEMINI 66.7%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 11 | Square Payroll Best for: AI recommends Square Payroll most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (77.8% of those answers) | 30.6% 95% CI 21.1–42% 22 mentions · avg pos 8.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 41.7%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 33.3% | Claim |
| 12 | Homebase joinhomebase.com Best for: AI recommends Homebase most when buyers ask “best payroll tool for restaurants that handles tipped employees and variable hours” (88.9% of those answers) | 29.2% 95% CI 19.9–40.5% 21 mentions · avg pos 8.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 33.3%CHATGPT 50%CLAUDE 18.8%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 13 | OnPay onpay.com Best for: AI recommends OnPay most when buyers ask “best payroll tool for restaurants that handles tipped employees and variable hours” (66.7% of those answers) | 27.8% 95% CI 18.8–39% 20 mentions · avg pos 7.7 first pick 5% | — | GEMINI 50%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 29.2% | Claim |
| 14 | MICROS Best for: AI recommends MICROS most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (66.7% of those answers) | 26.4% 95% CI 17.6–37.6% 19 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 31.6% | — | GEMINI 54.2%CHATGPT 37.5%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 15 | Restaurant365 restaurant365.com Best for: AI recommends Restaurant365 most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (55.6% of those answers) | 25% 95% CI 16.4–36.1% 18 mentions · avg pos 4.3 first pick 11.1% | — | GEMINI 37.5%PERPLEXITY 37.5% | Claim |
| 16 | QuickBooks quickbooks.intuit.com Best for: AI recommends QuickBooks most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (66.7% of those answers) | 25% 95% CI 16.4–36.1% 18 mentions · avg pos 7.9 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 54.2%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 17 | Hybrid Payroll hybridpayroll.com Best for: AI recommends Hybrid Payroll most when buyers ask “restaurant-specific payroll alternatives for owners tired of manual tip calculations in standard payroll tools” (77.8% of those answers) | 23.6% 95% CI 15.3–34.6% 17 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 11.8% | — | GEMINI 41.7%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 18 | Rippling rippling.com Best for: AI recommends Rippling most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (55.6% of those answers) | 22.2% 95% CI 14.2–33.1% 16 mentions · avg pos 5.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 41.7%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 19 | Aloha Best for: AI recommends Aloha most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (66.7% of those answers) | 22.2% 95% CI 14.2–33.1% 16 mentions · avg pos 10.5 first pick 25% | — | GEMINI 50%CHATGPT 50% | Claim |
| 20 | Workstream workstream.us Best for: AI recommends Workstream most when buyers ask “what payroll software should a multi-location restaurant group use” (88.9% of those answers) | 20.8% 95% CI 13.1–31.6% 15 mentions · avg pos 5.7 first pick 6.7% | — | GEMINI 33.3%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 20.8% | Claim |
| 21 | TipHaus tiphaus.com Best for: AI recommends TipHaus most when buyers ask “restaurant-specific payroll alternatives for owners tired of manual tip calculations in standard payroll tools” (100% of those answers) | 20.8% 95% CI 13.1–31.6% 15 mentions · avg pos 6.6 first pick 6.7% | — | GEMINI 20.8%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 25% | Claim |
| 22 | Oracle MICROS Best for: AI recommends Oracle MICROS most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (66.7% of those answers) | 18.1% 95% CI 10.9–28.5% 13 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 38.5% | — | GEMINI 45.8%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 23 | Tip Pool Best for: AI recommends Tip Pool most when buyers ask “how do I manage tip reporting and overtime rules for restaurant staff in my payroll system” (66.7% of those answers) | 18.1% 95% CI 10.9–28.5% 13 mentions · avg pos 8.1 first pick 7.7% | — | GEMINI 33.3%CHATGPT 25%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 24 | Kickfin kickfin.com Best for: AI recommends Kickfin most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (66.7% of those answers) | 16.7% 95% CI 9.8–26.9% 12 mentions · avg pos 7.3 first pick 25% | — | GEMINI 25%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 12.5%PERPLEXITY 12.5% | Claim |
| 25 | Paylocity paylocity.com Best for: AI recommends Paylocity most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (77.8% of those answers) | 16.7% 95% CI 9.8–26.9% 12 mentions · avg pos 10.3 first pick 8.3% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 18.8%PERPLEXITY 29.2% | Claim |
| 26 | Oracle AI oracle.com Best for: AI recommends Oracle AI most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (66.7% of those answers) | 13.9% 95% CI 7.7–23.7% 10 mentions · avg pos 1.6 first pick 40% | — | GEMINI 33.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 27 | HotSchedules Best for: AI recommends HotSchedules most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (44.4% of those answers) | 13.9% 95% CI 7.7–23.7% 10 mentions · avg pos 9.6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 29.2%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 28 | PAR Best for: AI recommends PAR most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (66.7% of those answers) | 12.5% 95% CI 6.7–22.1% 9 mentions · avg pos 5.1 first pick 11.1% | — | GEMINI 25%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 29 | Revel Best for: AI recommends Revel most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (44.4% of those answers) | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 3.2 first pick 50% | — | GEMINI 20.8%CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 30 | ADP Workforce Now Best for: AI recommends ADP Workforce Now most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (33.3% of those answers) | 8.3% 95% CI 3.9–17% 6 mentions · avg pos 6.7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 12.5%CHATGPT 25%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 31 | Revel Systems revelsystems.com Best for: AI recommends Revel Systems most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (44.4% of those answers) | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 2 first pick 60% | — | GEMINI 20.8% | Claim |
| 32 | Upserve Best for: AI recommends Upserve most when buyers ask “best payroll tool for restaurants that handles tipped employees and variable hours” (33.3% of those answers) | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 5.5 first pick 20% | — | GEMINI 16.7%CLAUDE 6.3% | Claim |
| 33 | Workforce.com workforce.com Best for: AI recommends Workforce.com most when buyers ask “alternatives to generic payroll platforms that do not handle restaurant tipping or tip pooling well” (33.3% of those answers) | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 6 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 16.7% | Claim |
| 34 | Instant instant.co Best for: AI recommends Instant most when buyers ask “restaurant-specific payroll alternatives for owners tired of manual tip calculations in standard payroll tools” (55.6% of those answers) | 6.9% 95% CI 3–15.2% 5 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 40% | — | GEMINI 8.3%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 35 | Restaurant365 | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions · avg pos 1 first pick 25% | — | CLAUDE 25% | Claim |
| 36 | R365 | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions · avg pos 2.5 first pick 50% | — | GEMINI 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 37 | SpotOn spoton.com Best for: AI recommends SpotOn most when buyers ask “how do I manage tip reporting and overtime rules for restaurant staff in my payroll system” (33.3% of those answers) | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions · avg pos 8.3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 38 | ADP Run Best for: AI recommends ADP Run most when buyers ask “restaurant-specific payroll alternatives for owners tired of manual tip calculations in standard payroll tools” (33.3% of those answers) | 5.6% 95% CI 2.2–13.4% 4 mentions · avg pos 23.3 first pick 25% | — | GEMINI 4.2%CHATGPT 12.5%CLAUDE 6.3%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 39 | Dolce | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 40 | Push Operations | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 41 | Worklio worklio.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 4.5 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 42 | Form 941 | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 50% | — | GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 43 | SurePayroll surepayroll.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 7 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 44 | TipPay gettippay.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 10 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 45 | SpotOn Teamwork spotonepos.com | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 11 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 8.3% | Claim |
| 46 | iSolved HCM isolvedhcm.com Best for: AI recommends iSolved HCM most when buyers ask “restaurant payroll software vs standard small business payroll tools — what compliance features matter” (33.3% of those answers) | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions · avg pos 12 first pick 0% | — | GEMINI 4.2%PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 47 | PAR Pönix paytronix.com Best for: AI recommends PAR Pönix most when buyers ask “top restaurant payroll platforms that integrate with scheduling and point-of-sale systems” (33.3% of those answers) | 2.8% 95% CI 0.8–9.6% 2 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 8.3% | Claim |
| 48 | SpotOn Teamw | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 3 first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 6.3% | Claim |
| 49 | UKG ukg.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 5 first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 50 | Fourth fourth.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 14 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 51 | Tip-Pooling tip-pooling.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions · avg pos 25 first pick 0% | — | CHATGPT 12.5% | Claim |
| 52 | Altametrics altametrics.com Best for: AI recommends Altametrics most when buyers ask “restaurant payroll software vs standard small business payroll tools — what compliance features matter” (33.3% of those answers) | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 53 | Back of House backofhouse.io | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 54 | Checkwriters checkwriters.com Best for: AI recommends Checkwriters most when buyers ask “restaurant payroll software vs standard small business payroll tools — what compliance features matter” (33.3% of those answers) | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 55 | Crunchtime crunchtime.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | CLAUDE 6.3% | Claim |
| 56 | Flipdish flipdish.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 57 | Horizon Payroll Solutions horizonpayrollsolutions.com Best for: AI recommends Horizon Payroll Solutions most when buyers ask “how do I manage tip reporting and overtime rules for restaurant staff in my payroll system” (33.3% of those answers) | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 58 | IRS Form 1040-ES irs.gov Best for: AI recommends IRS Form 1040-ES most when buyers ask “how do I manage tip reporting and overtime rules for restaurant staff in my payroll system” (33.3% of those answers) | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 59 | Paycom paycom.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 60 | SalaryBox salarybox.in | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 61 | SourceForge sourceforge.net | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | Claim |
| 62 | UpToDate Expert AI wolterskluwer.com | 1.4% 95% CI 0.2–7.5% 1 mentions first pick 0% | — | PERPLEXITY 4.2% | 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.
What AI recommends in adjacent categories — same method, fresh weekly.
Not in the answer? That's fixable.
Check Your AI Visibility →© 2026 Orbator. All rights reserved.