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HR AI Index
Index › Function 06 of 6 · October 2026 Edition
October 2026 Edition

Compensation and total rewards

Pay and what surrounds it: compensation planning, benchmarking data, pay equity, earned wage access and flexible benefits. 8 of 10 categories scored, 2 planned.

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Standing in compensation and total rewards

First-choice share across the direct, paraphrase, budget and scale prompts, all fourteen models, for the eight compensation and total rewards categories scored in the October 2026 Edition.
Compensation and total rewards
Flexible benefits and lifestyle spending accounts
Small business and mid-market share a leader. Enterprise differs.
ComptContested
SMB
37%▼−2Since September 2026: 37% → 34%, −2 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Mid-market
40%▲+5Since September 2026: 30% → 35%, +5 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
FormaClear leader
Enterprise
45%↗new leaderNew leader since September 2026: Forma (46%) replaces Compt (38% then, 20% now), 27 points clear, past the 13-point floor.
Compensation and total rewards
Earned wage access
A different leader in every segment
ZayZoonClear leader
SMB
50%▼−5Since September 2026: 55% → 50%, −5 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
TapcheckContested
Mid-market
38%▲+5Since September 2026: 29% → 33%, +5 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
DailyPayClear leader
Enterprise
67%=heldSince September 2026: 61% → 61%, ±0 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Compensation and total rewards
HSA and FSA administrators
Mid-market and enterprise share a leader. Small business differs.
LivelyContested
SMB
37%
HealthEquityContested
Mid-market
29%
Enterprise
39%
Compensation and total rewards
Financial wellness platforms
Mid-market and enterprise share a leader. Small business differs.
ZayZoonContested
SMB
23%
LearnLuxContested
Mid-market
24%
Enterprise
23%
Compensation and total rewards
401(k) providers
A different leader in every segment
GuidelineClear leader
SMB
43%
Human Interest tiedContested
Mid-market
20%
Fidelity InvestmentsContested
Enterprise
37%
Compensation and total rewards
Compensation benchmarking data
Small business and mid-market share a leader. Enterprise differs.
Pave tiedContested
SMB
30%▼−2Since September 2026: 32% → 30%, −2 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Mid-market
19%▼−2Since September 2026: 24% → 22%, −2 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Mercer Total Remuneration SurveyClear leader
Enterprise
44%▲+14Since September 2026: 30% → 44%, +14 points. Past the 13-point floor: movement. Read over the models both editions asked.
Compensation and total rewards
Compensation management
Small business and mid-market share a leader. Enterprise differs.
PaveContested
SMB
21%▲+5Since September 2026: 17% → 22%, +5 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Mid-market
18%=heldSince September 2026: 18% → 18%, ±0 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
beqomContested
Enterprise
25%↗new leaderNew leader since September 2026: beqom (26%) replaces Workday Compensation (35% then, 20% now), 7 points clear, inside the 13-point floor.
Compensation and total rewards
Pay equity
Mid-market and enterprise share a leader. Small business differs.
GustoContested
SMB
31%▲+10Since September 2026: 21% → 30%, +10 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Syndio tiedClear leader
Mid-market
12%▼−4Since September 2026: 17% → 13%, −4 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.
Enterprise
62%▲+8Since September 2026: 53% → 62%, +8 points. Inside the 13-point floor: within noise. Read over the models both editions asked.

Next in compensation and total rewards

Planned categories are in the build queue and are scored exactly like every other.
Equity compensation administration plannedTotal rewards statements planned
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