# 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 raw prompt and answer exposed. Published under CC BY 4.0. Not a review site; no user ratings.

Latest edition: 2026-09-17. 50 categories, six prompt variants each (300 prompts per segment), 12 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), 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 vv2026-09.3. Noise floor: pooled first-choice flip rate 70%; share floor 9 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 40% of first choices, contested; next Effy AI 12%, Primalogik 10%
- [AI recruiting assistants](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/ai-recruiting-assistants/): GoPerfect leads with 19% of first choices, contested; next Workable 17%, Manatal 12%
- [Applicant tracking systems](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/applicant-tracking-systems/): Greenhouse leads with 47% of first choices, clear leader; next Breezy HR 18%, Zoho Recruit 9%
- [Background screening](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/background-screening/): Checkr leads with 43% of first choices, clear leader; next GoodHire 14%, Certn 12%
- [Benefits administration](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/benefits-administration/): PlanSource leads with 23% of first choices, contested; next Employee Navigator 20%, Rippling 20%
- [Candidate assessment](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/candidate-assessment/): TestGorilla leads with 68% of first choices, clear leader; next Criteria Corp 10%, Vervoe 2%
- [Coaching platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/coaching-platforms/): Growthspace leads with 26% of first choices, contested; next Boon Health 22%, Exec 13%
- [Compensation benchmarking data](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/compensation-benchmarking-data/): Payscale leads with 24% of first choices, contested; next Pave 20%, Comprehensive.io 12%
- [Compensation management](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/compensation-management/): Pave leads with 18% of first choices, contested; next Comprehensive 15%, Aeqium 6%
- [Compliance training](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/compliance-training/): Traliant and BizLibrary tie at 22% of first choices, contested; next TalentLMS 15%, Coggno 12%
- [Contingent workforce management](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/contingent-workforce-management/): SimpleVMS leads with 35% of first choices, contested; next Worksuite 11%, Deel 9%
- [Course authoring tools](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/course-authoring-tools/): Articulate 360 leads with 22% of first choices, contested; next H5P 17%, iSpring Suite 15%
- [Earned wage access](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/earned-wage-access/): Tapcheck leads with 29% of first choices, contested; next ZayZoon 26%, Rain 12%
- [Employee engagement surveys](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-engagement-surveys/): Culture Amp leads with 40% of first choices, clear leader; next Workleap Officevibe 12%, FeedbackPulse 12%
- [Employee onboarding](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-onboarding/): BambooHR leads with 29% of first choices, contested; next Rippling 27%, Zoho People 18%
- [Employee wellbeing and mental health](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/employee-wellbeing-and-mental-health/): Wellable leads with 30% of first choices, contested; next Spring Health 16%, Lyra Health 10%
- [Flexible benefits and lifestyle spending accounts](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/flexible-benefits-and-lifestyle-spending-accounts/): Compt leads with 30% of first choices, contested; next Forma 19%, Benepass 17%
- [Frontline employee apps](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/frontline-employee-apps/): Connecteam leads with 56% of first choices, clear leader; next Blink 14%, Beekeeper 9%
- [Global payroll and employer of record](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/global-payroll-and-employer-of-record/): Deel leads with 22% of first choices, contested; next Papaya Global 13%, Oyster 13%
- [Goals and OKRs](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/goals-and-okrs/): Tability leads with 29% of first choices, contested; next Lattice 11%, Mooncamp 11%
- [HR AI assistants](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/hr-ai-assistants/): Workativ Assistant leads with 12% of first choices, contested; next MeBeBot 10%, ChatGPT 10%
- [HR compliance and policy management](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/hr-compliance-and-policy-management/): Rippling leads with 16% of first choices, contested; next Gusto 12%, Paylocity 8%
- [HR help desk and case management](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/hr-help-desk-and-case-management/): Zoho Desk leads with 26% of first choices, contested; next Freshservice 24%, Zendesk 12%
- [HRIS and HCM platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/hris-and-hcm-platforms/): Rippling and Zoho People tie at 22% of first choices, contested; next HiBob 15%, ADP Workforce Now 15%
- [Internal communications and intranet](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/internal-communications-and-intranet/): Happeo and Microsoft Teams tie at 16% of first choices, contested; next Simpplr 10%, Microsoft SharePoint 10%
- [Internal talent marketplace](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/internal-talent-marketplace/): Fuel50 leads with 26% of first choices, contested; next 365Talents 17%, Engagedly 9%
- [Interview scheduling](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/interview-scheduling/): Calendly leads with 21% of first choices, contested; next ModernLoop 15%, Greenhouse 13%
- [Job advertising and distribution](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/job-advertising-and-distribution/): JobTarget and Joveo tie at 21% of first choices, contested; next Appcast 15%, Workable 10%
- [Learning experience platforms](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/learning-experience-platforms/): Learn Amp leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next 360Learning 15%, GoSkills 15%
- [Learning management systems](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/learning-management-systems/): TalentLMS leads with 48% of first choices, clear leader; next LearnUpon 18%, Absorb LMS 11%
- [Leave and absence management](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/leave-and-absence-management/): BambooHR leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next Vacation Tracker 13%, Rippling 13%
- [Mentoring software](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/mentoring-software/): Together leads with 37% of first choices, contested; next Mentorloop 12%, Mentorgain 12%
- [Online course libraries](https://hr-ai-index.com/learning/online-course-libraries/): Udemy Business leads with 32% of first choices, contested; next LinkedIn Learning 28%, TalentLMS 8%
- [Org charts and org design](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/org-charts-and-org-design/): ChartHop leads with 27% of first choices, contested; next Organimi 17%, OneDirectory 12%
- [Pay equity](https://hr-ai-index.com/rewards/pay-equity/): Syndio leads with 17% of first choices, contested; next Payscale 14%, PayAnalytics 14%
- [Payroll software](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/payroll-software/): Rippling leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next Patriot Payroll 23%, Paylocity 17%
- [People analytics](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/people-analytics/): HiBob leads with 15% of first choices, contested; next Crunchr 13%, BambooHR 13%
- [Performance management](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/performance-management/): Lattice leads with 41% of first choices, clear leader; next Effy AI 11%, PerformYard 9%
- [Recognition and rewards](https://hr-ai-index.com/experience/recognition-and-rewards/): Bonusly and Nectar tie at 22% of first choices, contested; next Matter 15%, Motivosity 7%
- [Recruiting CRM and sourcing](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/recruiting-crm-and-sourcing/): Lever leads with 20% of first choices, contested; next Gem 18%, Manatal 9%
- [Recruitment marketing and career sites](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/recruitment-marketing-and-career-sites/): Teamtailor and Workable tie at 16% of first choices, contested; next Jobvite 14%, Manatal 10%
- [Skills intelligence](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/skills-intelligence/): TalentGuard leads with 19% of first choices, contested; next Skills Base 17%, iMocha 9%
- [Succession planning](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/succession-planning/): Lattice leads with 31% of first choices, contested; next Engagedly 17%, Empxtrack 8%
- [Talent intelligence](https://hr-ai-index.com/performance/talent-intelligence/): Pin leads with 17% of first choices, contested; next Gem 15%, Lessie AI 12%
- [Technical hiring assessments](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/technical-hiring-assessments/): HackerRank leads with 28% of first choices, contested; next CoderPad 21%, Coderbyte 13%
- [Time and attendance](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/time-and-attendance/): UKG Ready leads with 15% of first choices, contested; next Clockify 12%, Rippling 12%
- [Video interviewing](https://hr-ai-index.com/talent/video-interviewing/): Spark Hire leads with 55% of first choices, consensus; next Hirevire 10%, myInterview 10%
- [Workforce management suites](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/workforce-management-suites/): ADP Workforce Now leads with 19% of first choices, contested; next UKG Ready 15%, Homebase 15%
- [Workforce planning](https://hr-ai-index.com/planning/workforce-planning/): ChartHop leads with 31% of first choices, contested; next Homebase 17%, Rippling 10%
- [Workforce scheduling](https://hr-ai-index.com/core/workforce-scheduling/): Deputy leads with 26% of first choices, contested; next Homebase 15%, Sling 15%

## Headline metrics

- Paraphrase stability, Claude Haiku 4.5: 3 of 47 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, GPT-5.4 mini: 10 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Gemini 3.5 Flash: 17 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Perplexity Sonar: 13 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Grok 4.1 Fast: 10 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Mistral Small: 2 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, DeepSeek V4 Flash: 11 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Llama 4 Maverick: 3 of 47 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Qwen 3.7 Flash: 13 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, Kimi K2: 10 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, GLM 4.7 FlashX: 9 of 50 categories kept the same first choice when the question was reworded
- Paraphrase stability, MiniMax M2.5: 4 of 50 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 raw judge export, full responses and report
- [Vendor table vv2026-09.3](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-09/vendor_aliases.json): canonical names, aliases, category-scoped readings, exclusions, changelog
- [Prompts](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-09/prompts.json): all 300 prompts verbatim
- [Models](https://hr-ai-index.com/downloads/2026-09/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 edition pack by subscription or single edition, with a written report per category; the expanded edition, six flagship models on one category, by subscription
- [Setup](https://hr-ai-index.com/setup/): what a license key opens: the pack download, the index as an MCP server for Claude, Cursor or any client, and the same files by script on a schedule
- 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.