# HR AI Recommendation Index

> A published index of which HR products AI models recommend when a buyer asks, by category, with the method, the weights, the noise floor and every prompt exposed, and every figure traced to verbatim quotes on its page. The pages, standings and method files are published under CC BY 4.0; the bulk record (raw labels and full responses) is sent on request. Not a review site; no user ratings.

Latest edition: 2026-10-01. 58 categories, six prompt variants each (348 prompts per segment), 14 models with web search enabled (Claude Haiku 4.5, GPT-5.4 mini, Gemini 3.5 Flash, Perplexity Sonar, Grok 4.1 Fast, Mistral Small, DeepSeek V4 Flash, Llama 4 Maverick, Qwen 3.7 Flash, Kimi K2, GLM 4.7 FlashX, MiniMax M2.5, GPT-6 Luna, Muse Glimmer 30B), a fresh session per prompt, every question asked 3 times, on behalf of a mid-market B2B company, an enterprise B2B company, a small B2B company, with every standing computed within one segment. A Claude Opus 5 judge labels every named product first_choice (+3), alternative (+2), mention (+1), soft_negative (-2) or hard_negative (-3). Raw judge labels are the permanent record; every number is derived through vendor table v2026-10.7. Noise floor: pooled first-choice flip rate 71%; share floor 13 points (90th percentile of a leader's share change between two identical runs).

## Categories

Every category page and every product page is also served as Markdown at its address plus index.md, for example https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/360-feedback/index.md.

- [360 feedback](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/360-feedback/): Lattice leads with 34% of first choices, contested; next Effy AI 17%, Leapsome 11%
- [401(k) providers](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/401k-providers/): Human Interest and Guideline tie at 20% of first choices, contested; next ADP Retirement Services 16%, Fidelity Investments 13%
- [AI recruiting assistants](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/ai-recruiting-assistants/): Manatal leads with 31% of first choices, contested; next Workable 22%, Greenhouse 10%
- [Applicant tracking systems](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/applicant-tracking-systems/): Greenhouse leads with 40% of first choices, contested; next Breezy HR 12%, Ashby 10%
- [Background screening](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/background-screening/): Checkr leads with 31% of first choices, contested; next GoodHire 16%, BackgroundChecks.com 11%
- [Benefits administration](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/benefits-administration/): Gusto leads with 20% of first choices, contested; next ADP Workforce Now 18%, Employee Navigator 14%
- [Candidate assessment](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/candidate-assessment/): TestGorilla leads with 52% of first choices, clear leader; next Criteria Corp 19%, Toggl Hire 4%
- [Coaching platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/coaching-platforms/): Growthspace leads with 20% of first choices, contested; next Exec 16%, Torch 11%
- [Compensation benchmarking data](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/compensation-benchmarking-data/): Pave and Payscale tie at 19% of first choices, contested; next SalaryCube 10%, Salary.com CompAnalyst 9%
- [Compensation management](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/compensation-management/): Pave leads with 18% of first choices, contested; next Ravio 9%, Comprehensive 9%
- [Compliance training](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/compliance-training/): Traliant leads with 22% of first choices, contested; next TalentLMS 14%, BizLibrary 12%
- [Contingent workforce management](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/contingent-workforce-management/): VectorVMS leads with 16% of first choices, contested; next Worksuite 14%, SimplifyVMS 12%
- [Course authoring tools](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/course-authoring-tools/): Articulate 360 leads with 30% of first choices, contested; next H5P 20%, iSpring Suite 16%
- [Earned wage access](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/earned-wage-access/): Tapcheck leads with 38% of first choices, contested; next ZayZoon 24%, DailyPay 9%
- [Employee engagement surveys](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-engagement-surveys/): Culture Amp leads with 37% of first choices, contested; next Workleap Officevibe 13%, Leapsome 12%
- [Employee giving and volunteering](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-giving-and-volunteering/): Millie leads with 22% of first choices, contested; next Selflessly 20%, Uncommon Giving 10%
- [Employee monitoring](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/employee-monitoring/): ActivTrak leads with 33% of first choices, contested; next Insightful 16%, Apploye 12%
- [Employee onboarding](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-onboarding/): Rippling leads with 25% of first choices, contested; next BambooHR 22%, Zoho People 15%
- [Employee wellbeing and mental health](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-wellbeing-and-mental-health/): Wellable leads with 22% of first choices, contested; next Spring Health 13%, Modern Health 13%
- [Financial wellness platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/financial-wellness-platforms/): LearnLux leads with 24% of first choices, contested; next ZayZoon 15%, Origin 10%
- [Flexible benefits and lifestyle spending accounts](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/flexible-benefits-and-lifestyle-spending-accounts/): Compt leads with 40% of first choices, contested; next Benepass 18%, Forma 16%
- [Frontline employee apps](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/frontline-employee-apps/): Connecteam leads with 49% of first choices, clear leader; next Blink 20%, Beekeeper 4%
- [Global payroll and employer of record](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/global-payroll-and-employer-of-record/): Deel leads with 30% of first choices, contested; next RemoFirst 20%, Rippling 13%
- [Goals and OKRs](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/goals-and-okrs/): Perdoo leads with 24% of first choices, contested; next Tability 22%, Lattice 13%
- [HR AI assistants](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/hr-ai-assistants/): MeBeBot leads with 21% of first choices, contested; next Leena AI 12%, Rippling 10%
- [HR compliance and policy management](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/hr-compliance-and-policy-management/): Rippling leads with 19% of first choices, contested; next Gusto 13%, Zoho People 13%
- [HR help desk and case management](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/hr-help-desk-and-case-management/): Zoho Desk leads with 19% of first choices, contested; next Freshservice 12%, HappyFox Help Desk 10%
- [HRIS and HCM platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/hris-and-hcm-platforms/): Rippling leads with 26% of first choices, contested; next Zoho People 24%, HiBob 11%
- [HSA and FSA administrators](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/hsa-and-fsa-administration/): HealthEquity leads with 29% of first choices, contested; next Lively 15%, Fidelity HSA 10%
- [Internal communications and intranet](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/internal-communications-and-intranet/): Microsoft Teams leads with 14% of first choices, contested; next Simpplr 12%, Microsoft SharePoint 11%
- [Internal talent marketplace](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/internal-talent-marketplace/): Fuel50 leads with 47% of first choices, clear leader; next Engagedly 11%, Clous Internal Mobility 9%
- [Interview scheduling](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/interview-scheduling/): Calendly leads with 20% of first choices, contested; next GoodTime 16%, Lever 11%
- [Job advertising and distribution](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/job-advertising-and-distribution/): JobTarget leads with 23% of first choices, contested; next Appcast 15%, Joveo 12%
- [Learning experience platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/learning-experience-platforms/): 360Learning leads with 26% of first choices, contested; next GoSkills 18%, TalentLMS 14%
- [Learning management systems](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/learning-management-systems/): TalentLMS leads with 51% of first choices, clear leader; next Absorb LMS 15%, LearnUpon 9%
- [Leave and absence management](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/leave-and-absence-management/): BambooHR leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next LeaveBoard 14%, Vacation Tracker 12%
- [Mentoring software](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/mentoring-software/): Together leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next Mentorloop 15%, MentorcliQ 9%
- [Online course libraries](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/online-course-libraries/): Udemy Business leads with 48% of first choices, clear leader; next LinkedIn Learning 22%, TalentLMS 8%
- [Org charts and org design](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/org-charts-and-org-design/): ChartHop leads with 30% of first choices, contested; next draw.io 11%, Organimi 9%
- [Pay equity](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/pay-equity/): Syndio and PayAnalytics tie at 12% of first choices, contested; next Payscale 11%, Gusto 9%
- [Payroll software](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/payroll-software/): Rippling leads with 20% of first choices, contested; next ADP Workforce Now 19%, Patriot Payroll 17%
- [PEO providers](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/peo-providers/): Justworks leads with 24% of first choices, contested; next ADP TotalSource 22%, TriNet 14%
- [People analytics](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/people-analytics/): Crunchr leads with 22% of first choices, contested; next ChartHop 21%, HiBob 19%
- [Performance management](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/performance-management/): Lattice leads with 43% of first choices, clear leader; next Effy AI 12%, Zoho People 11%
- [Recognition and rewards](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/recognition-and-rewards/): Bonusly leads with 29% of first choices, contested; next Nectar 22%, Awardco 12%
- [Recruiting CRM and sourcing](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/recruiting-crm-and-sourcing/): Gem and Lever and Manatal tie at 15% of first choices, contested; next hireEZ 8%, Zoho Recruit 6%
- [Recruitment marketing and career sites](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/recruitment-marketing-and-career-sites/): Teamtailor leads with 23% of first choices, contested; next Zoho Recruit 10%, Workable 7%
- [Skills intelligence](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/skills-intelligence/): Skills Base leads with 18% of first choices, contested; next TalentGuard 13%, iMocha 9%
- [Staffing agency platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/staffing-agency-platforms/): Zoho Recruit and Bullhorn tie at 22% of first choices, contested; next Manatal 10%, Recruit CRM 8%
- [Succession planning](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/succession-planning/): Lattice leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next Engagedly 11%, SuccessionNow 11%
- [Talent intelligence](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/talent-intelligence/): Pin leads with 27% of first choices, contested; next Gem 14%, hireEZ 10%
- [Technical hiring assessments](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/technical-hiring-assessments/): HackerRank leads with 17% of first choices, contested; next CodeSignal 16%, CoderPad 10%
- [Time and attendance](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/time-and-attendance/): Clockify and Paylocity tie at 12% of first choices, contested; next ADP Workforce Now 10%, Jibble 10%
- [Video interviewing](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/video-interviewing/): Spark Hire leads with 50% of first choices, clear leader; next Willo 8%, Hireflix 6%
- [Whistleblowing and investigations](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/whistleblowing-and-investigations/): FaceUp leads with 25% of first choices, contested; next Whistlelink 13%, NAVEX One 8%
- [Workforce management suites](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/workforce-management-suites/): Rippling leads with 17% of first choices, contested; next ADP Workforce Now 13%, Homebase 13%
- [Workforce planning](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/workforce-planning/): ChartHop leads with 37% of first choices, contested; next Homebase 12%, Abacum 9%
- [Workforce scheduling](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/workforce-scheduling/): Deputy leads with 37% of first choices, contested; next Sling 24%, Connecteam 10%

## Headline metrics

- Paraphrase stability, Claude Haiku 4.5: 8 of 57 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, GPT-5.4 mini: 17 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Gemini 3.5 Flash: 18 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Perplexity Sonar: 11 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Grok 4.1 Fast: 14 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Mistral Small: 2 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, DeepSeek V4 Flash: 14 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Llama 4 Maverick: 2 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Qwen 3.7 Flash: 8 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Kimi K2: 11 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, GLM 4.7 FlashX: 10 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, MiniMax M2.5: 6 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, GPT-6 Luna: 20 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Muse Glimmer 30B: 14 of 58 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded

## Method

- [Methodology](https://hr-ai-index.com/methodology/): prompt design, model set with exact version strings, scoring rubric and weights, derived metric definitions, normalization rules, noise floor calibration, cadence, conflict policy, known weaknesses
- [Categories](https://hr-ai-index.com/categories/): every category with its leader and standing
- [Index home](https://hr-ai-index.com/): standing by category, paraphrase stability, leaders versus criticized defaults, anti-recommendations

## Data

- [Edition log](https://hr-ai-index.com/data/): every edition with its report and method files; the raw judge labels and full responses by request
- [October 2026 Edition](https://hr-ai-index.com/editions/2026-10/) (latest): [report as Markdown](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-10/edition-2026-10.md); raw judge labels and full responses [by request](https://hr-ai-index.com/contribute/?for=record#add)
- [September 2026 Edition](https://hr-ai-index.com/editions/2026-09/): [report as Markdown](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-09/edition-2026-09.md); raw judge labels and full responses [by request](https://hr-ai-index.com/contribute/?for=record#add)
- Vendor table v2026-10.7: sent with the record, on request; the resolution rules and counts are on the method page and each category page lists its judgment-call readings
- [Prompts](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-10/prompts.json): all 348 prompts verbatim
- [Models](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-10/models.json): pinned model set, endpoints, search tools, list prices

## Disclosures

- The publisher is a cofounder of [Gane.ai](https://gane.ai), a go-to-market software company. No product of Gane's falls in a category this index covers; the disclosure is made anyway, here and on the GTM AI Recommendation Index, where two of its categories are.
- [Subscribe](https://hr-ai-index.com/subscribe/): the subscriber app, one company across all four indexes: every category it is named in, what changed, who the models pick instead and every answer behind every figure; seven days free, then priced per seat
- The judge is an Anthropic model. Cited sources reflect live retrieval only. Category taxonomy is a judgment call. Reading a bare vendor name as its in-category product is a stated assumption and every instance is listed on the category page.