AI Search Pulse / HR and payroll software
Sage
sage.com
Sage ranks 1st of 25 in UK HR and payroll software AI answers: named in 216 of 356 answers (60.7%, ±8.0). Strongest on Claude (76.7%), weakest on Google AI Overviews (42.9%). Named in 54 of 60 questions.
Headline figures
- Visibility
- 60.7% ±8.0
- Named in
- 216 of 356 answers
- Rank
- 1st of 25
- Change
- First reading
The ± is the margin of error: if we had asked a different mix of similar questions, the figure would land inside this range 95 times in 100.
Visibility over time
| Scan | Visibility | 95% range |
|---|---|---|
| 3 November 2026 | Visibility: 60.7% | 95% range: 52.2% to 68.3% |
Engine by engine
| Engine | Sage | Category average |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Sage: 71.7% (43 of 60) | Category average: 22.8% |
| Claude | Sage: 76.7% (46 of 60) | Category average: 29.6% |
| Gemini | Sage: 58.3% (35 of 60) | Category average: 27.2% |
| Perplexity | Sage: 51.7% (31 of 60) | Category average: 19.3% |
| Google AI Overviews | Sage: 42.9% (24 of 56) | Category average: 16.5% |
| Google AI Mode | Sage: 61.7% (37 of 60) | Category average: 17.8% |
The questions
Sage was named in 54 of 60 questions.
| Question | Sage named by | Others named instead |
|---|---|---|
| What's the best payroll software for a UK small business with about 15 staff that handles RTI and auto-enrolment? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| What's the cheapest HMRC-recognised payroll software for a limited company director who only pays themselves? | Sage named by: No engine | Others named instead: FreeAgent (5 engines), Xero (4 engines), BrightPay (3 engines), Employment Hero (2 engines), Moneysoft (2 engines), QuickBooks (2 engines), IRIS (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine), Shape Payroll (1 engine) |
| I run a restaurant with weekly-paid and zero-hours staff. Which payroll software handles holiday pay and tronc properly? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity | Others named instead: BrightPay (2 engines), IRIS (1 engine), Moneysoft (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Should I use a payroll bureau or software, and which UK providers offer both? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BrightPay (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Moorepay (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), QuickBooks (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software is best for an accountant running payroll for lots of clients? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: ADP (1 engine), Deel (1 engine), QuickBooks (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| What payroll software do most UK small businesses use? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| How much does payroll software cost per employee per month in the UK, and which providers are best value? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity | Others named instead: IRIS (2 engines), Moneysoft (2 engines), QuickBooks (2 engines), Xero (2 engines), BrightPay (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), FreeAgent (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine), Zelt (1 engine) |
| Is there any free payroll software for a UK employer with fewer than 10 employees? | Sage named by: No engine | Others named instead: Employment Hero (3 engines), Xero (3 engines), IRIS (2 engines), PayFit (2 engines), BrightPay (1 engine), QuickBooks (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software works best for a care home with lots of shift workers and overtime? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Rippling (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software automatically sends RTI submissions to HMRC every pay day? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| What payroll software handles auto-enrolment pension duties and re-enrolment for me? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BrightPay (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Moneysoft (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| What's the difference between the main cloud payroll providers for a UK business with 50 staff? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| How hard is it to switch payroll software partway through the tax year in the UK, and which providers help with the move? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: QuickBooks (2 engines), BrightHR (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| I'm moving payroll away from my accountant to do it in-house. What software should I use? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| What's the best value payroll software for a charity with 30 part-time staff? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BrightPay (2 engines), Moneysoft (2 engines), IRIS (1 engine), MHR (1 engine), Moorepay (1 engine), Zelt (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software is best for a construction firm that pays CIS subcontractors as well as employees? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity | Others named instead: QuickBooks (2 engines), Xero (2 engines), FreeAgent (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Moneysoft (1 engine) |
| Which UK payroll software has the best customer support when something goes wrong? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which payroll providers do UK businesses rate most highly in reviews? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| What's the easiest payroll software for someone who has never run payroll before? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: QuickBooks (3 engines), ADP (2 engines), PayFit (2 engines), Xero (2 engines), BrightPay (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), HiBob (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software suits a business with staff in England and Scotland on different income tax rates? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which payroll tools work out statutory sick pay and maternity pay properly? | Sage named by: Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Employment Hero (1 engine), FreeAgent (1 engine), QuickBooks (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Is it better to buy standalone payroll software or use the payroll that comes with my accounting package? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Overviews | Others named instead: Xero (2 engines), BrightPay (1 engine), Moorepay (1 engine), QuickBooks (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine) |
| Which UK payroll bureaus offer the best value managed payroll for a small business, and what do they charge per payslip? | Sage named by: Claude | Others named instead: Moorepay (3 engines), PayFit (2 engines), FreeAgent (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software handles salary sacrifice pension schemes for a UK firm with 25 employees? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BrightPay (2 engines), Moneysoft (2 engines), Xero (2 engines), IRIS (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine) |
| Which cloud payroll software is easiest to move to from an old desktop payroll package? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which payroll software lets employees see their payslips on their phone? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BrightPay (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software is ready for mandatory payrolling of benefits in kind from April 2027? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: PeopleHR (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| What are the pros and cons of the most popular UK payroll apps for a 20-person company? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which payroll software is the most reliable for getting pay day right every month? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: ADP (1 engine), Deel (1 engine), HiBob (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine) |
| What payroll software works for a small business that pays a mix of monthly salaries and hourly wages? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: QuickBooks (2 engines), BrightPay (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software has no setup fee and lets me pay month to month? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Employment Hero (1 engine) |
| Which payroll provider can handle a UK business with 200 employees across several sites? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Overviews | Others named instead: Moorepay (3 engines), ADP (2 engines), IRIS (2 engines), Rippling (2 engines), MHR (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine) |
| Which payroll software do UK accountants recommend for small businesses? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| For a growing business, is payroll software that bundles HR better than a payroll-only product? | Sage named by: No engine | Others named instead: QuickBooks (3 engines), Xero (3 engines), ADP (2 engines), Rippling (2 engines), BambooHR (1 engine), HiBob (1 engine), Personio (1 engine) |
| Which HR software is best for a 40-person UK company that needs payroll built in? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which HR system will help a small UK employer keep up with the Employment Rights Act changes, like day-one sick pay? | Sage named by: Claude, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BrightHR (3 engines), Breathe (2 engines), CharlieHR (2 engines), HiBob (2 engines), BrightPay (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Moorepay (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| What's the easiest HR software to set up for a UK startup under 20 people? | Sage named by: Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Breathe (5 engines), CharlieHR (4 engines), HiBob (4 engines), Factorial (3 engines), Personio (3 engines), Zelt (3 engines), BambooHR (1 engine), BrightHR (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| What's the best all-in-one HR, payroll and benefits platform for a UK business with 100 to 250 staff? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Rippling (2 engines), Zelt (2 engines), ADP (1 engine), Cintra (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), HiBob (1 engine), Moorepay (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine), Personio (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| What do small UK businesses use to manage holidays, sickness and rotas in one place? | Sage named by: Claude, Gemini | Others named instead: Breathe (4 engines), BrightHR (3 engines), CharlieHR (2 engines), Factorial (2 engines), BambooHR (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine) |
| How much does HR software cost for a UK company with 50 employees, and which providers are best value? | Sage named by: Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BambooHR (1 engine), Breathe (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), HiBob (1 engine), Personio (1 engine) |
| What's the difference between HR software built for UK companies and the big US platforms? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Overviews | Others named instead: BambooHR (2 engines), Rippling (2 engines), Breathe (1 engine), CharlieHR (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Personio (1 engine), Zelt (1 engine) |
| We've outgrown spreadsheets for holiday tracking. What HR software should a 25-person firm move to? | Sage named by: Claude | Others named instead: Breathe (4 engines), BambooHR (3 engines), CharlieHR (3 engines), Personio (2 engines), Zelt (2 engines), Cintra (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine), HiBob (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine) |
| Which HR software do UK small businesses say is easiest to use day to day? | Sage named by: Claude, Gemini, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Breathe (3 engines), CharlieHR (3 engines), BambooHR (2 engines), Employment Hero (2 engines), HiBob (2 engines), PeopleHR (2 engines), BrightHR (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine) |
| Which HR software comes with employment law advice for a small business without an HR manager? | Sage named by: No engine | Others named instead: BrightHR (6 engines), BambooHR (2 engines), Breathe (2 engines), CharlieHR (2 engines), Employment Hero (2 engines), HiBob (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine) |
| What's the best HR software for a small business in the UK? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which HR platforms help with right to work checks and keeping employee records GDPR compliant? | Sage named by: Claude | Others named instead: Personio (4 engines), Rippling (3 engines), Breathe (2 engines), BrightHR (2 engines), CharlieHR (2 engines), Factorial (2 engines), HiBob (2 engines), BambooHR (1 engine), Cintra (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine) |
| Is there decent free HR software for a UK business with under 10 staff? | Sage named by: Claude | Others named instead: Breathe (3 engines), CharlieHR (3 engines), PeopleHR (2 engines), BrightHR (1 engine), Deel (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), PayFit (1 engine) |
| How do the main HR software options for UK SMEs compare on holiday management, documents and reporting? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity | Others named instead: Breathe (2 engines), CharlieHR (2 engines), HiBob (2 engines), Personio (2 engines), Zelt (2 engines), BrightHR (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine) |
| What HR software suits a retail business with lots of part-time and seasonal staff? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: Rippling (2 engines), ADP (1 engine), BambooHR (1 engine), BrightHR (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine), MHR (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), QuickBooks (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| We've outgrown our first HR system at 150 staff. Which HR platforms should we move to? | Sage named by: Claude | Others named instead: HiBob (5 engines), Personio (5 engines), BambooHR (4 engines), Rippling (4 engines), ADP (2 engines), Breathe (1 engine), BrightPay (1 engine), CharlieHR (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), Moorepay (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine) |
| Which HR tools help UK employers keep track of the new day-one rights to paternity and parental leave? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Overviews | Others named instead: Breathe (3 engines), BrightHR (2 engines), Personio (2 engines), ADP (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Which HR software providers are known for good onboarding and support? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BambooHR (4 engines), Rippling (4 engines), HiBob (2 engines), ADP (1 engine), Deel (1 engine), MHR (1 engine), Personio (1 engine) |
| Which HR software includes performance reviews and staff engagement surveys? | Sage named by: No engine | Others named instead: BambooHR (3 engines), Personio (2 engines), HiBob (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine) |
| What's the best HR software for a UK business that also employs staff overseas? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI Overviews | Others named instead: Deel (3 engines), HiBob (3 engines), Rippling (3 engines), ADP (2 engines), Personio (2 engines), BambooHR (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine) |
| Which HR software charges per employee with no long contract? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BambooHR (3 engines), Rippling (2 engines), Breathe (1 engine), Deel (1 engine), Personio (1 engine) |
| How do the main HR systems for UK SMEs compare on connecting to separate payroll software? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: None |
| Which HR software for UK SMEs includes recruitment and applicant tracking? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode | Others named instead: BambooHR (1 engine), Breathe (1 engine), Employment Hero (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine), IRIS (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Personio (1 engine) |
| Which HR system is best for a hospitality business with several sites, rotas and timesheets? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Overviews | Others named instead: BambooHR (1 engine) |
| How do the main HR platforms for UK SMEs compare for a hybrid team split between office and home? | Sage named by: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity | Others named instead: HiBob (3 engines), BambooHR (2 engines), Breathe (2 engines), CharlieHR (2 engines), Factorial (2 engines), Personio (2 engines), Cintra (1 engine), PeopleHR (1 engine), Rippling (1 engine), Xero (1 engine) |
| Which HR software makes it easy to bring across data from our old system and spreadsheets? | Sage named by: No engine | Others named instead: Rippling (5 engines), BambooHR (4 engines), Personio (4 engines), HiBob (3 engines), ADP (2 engines), Breathe (2 engines), Deel (1 engine), Factorial (1 engine) |
Where Sage was named
A small sample of what the engines wrote. These are their own words: we have not verified what they say and they are not our view. The figures above count every answer, quoted or not.
ChatGPT,
What payroll software do most UK small businesses use?
Sage Payroll (Sage Business Cloud Payroll / Sage 50cloud Payroll)
ChatGPT,
Which payroll software automatically sends RTI submissions to HMRC every pay day?
Sage Business Cloud / Sage 50cloud Payroll (UK) - supports electronic RTI submission with each pay run; Sage's own guides list automatic electronic RTI filing as a core feature.
ChatGPT,
What payroll software handles auto-enrolment pension duties and re-enrolment for me?
Sage Business Cloud Payroll - UK-focused, supports auto-enrolment, calculates contributions, and integrates with common pension schemes; widely used by small employers wanting something that "just does" PAYE, RTI and pensions.
Claude,
What's the best payroll software for a UK small business with about 15 staff that handles RTI and auto-enrolment?
Sage Payroll. This is a good choice if you want a mature, widely supported product.
Claude,
What payroll software handles auto-enrolment pension duties and re-enrolment for me?
Sage Payroll: You can assess and track your entire workforce, and see who is eligible for enrolment by worker status, age and earnings.
Claude,
Which payroll software handles salary sacrifice pension schemes for a UK firm with 25 employees?
Sage Payroll (Sage 50 Payroll or Sage Business Cloud Payroll) is well established and supports salary sacrifice.
Gemini,
Which payroll software automatically sends RTI submissions to HMRC every pay day?
Sage Business Cloud Payroll: Features native HMRC integration to file FPS/EPS submissions with one click after approving pay.
Gemini,
What payroll software works for a small business that pays a mix of monthly salaries and hourly wages?
Sage Business Cloud Payroll: Allows you to manage monthly salaried employees alongside hourly/weekly staff, submit Real Time Information (RTI) to HMRC, and link directly to Sage Accounting.
Gemini,
Should I use a payroll bureau or software, and which UK providers offer both?
Overview: Well known for Sage Business Cloud Payroll (DIY software), Sage also operates a Sage Managed Payroll / Outsourcing division.
Perplexity,
Which payroll software lets employees see their payslips on their phone?
Sage Payroll/Sage HR - employees can view payslips and P60s through the mobile app.
Perplexity,
What's the best payroll software for a UK small business with about 15 staff that handles RTI and auto-enrolment?
For a UK business with around 15 employees, Sage Payroll is the strongest all-round choice.
Perplexity,
Which payroll software is best for an accountant running payroll for lots of clients?
Practices already using Sage; Sage Payroll Bureau; Good fit within the Sage ecosystem, with established client-management tools.
Google AI Overviews,
I'm moving payroll away from my accountant to do it in-house. What software should I use?
Sage Payroll: A deeply trusted UK staple.
Google AI Overviews,
Which payroll software suits a business with staff in England and Scotland on different income tax rates?
Sage Payroll / Sage 50: Handles multi-location UK payroll, accommodating separate tax jurisdictions (England, Scotland, Wales) and automatic HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) submissions.
Google AI Overviews,
Which payroll software do UK accountants recommend for small businesses?
Sage (Sage Business Cloud Accounting & Sage 50 Payroll) : A traditional heavyweight in the UK market.
Google AI Mode,
What's the best payroll software for a UK small business with about 15 staff that handles RTI and auto-enrolment?
Sage Payroll - Best for accountant familiarity.
Google AI Mode,
Should I use a payroll bureau or software, and which UK providers offer both?
Sage : Offers standard business payroll software as well as dedicated bureau-focused platforms tailored for larger internal teams or accountancy practices managing multiple clients.
Google AI Mode,
What payroll software handles auto-enrolment pension duties and re-enrolment for me?
Sage Payroll : A robust standalone or integrated platform that helps you track your cyclical re-enrolment date, automatically reassesses workers who previously opted out every three years, and guides you through the necessary assessment workflows.
Answers that did not name Sage
A sample of up to 10 answers, not the full set.
ChatGPT
Is there any free payroll software for a UK employer with fewer than 10 employees?
Named instead: BrightPay, Employment Hero
Claude
What's the cheapest HMRC-recognised payroll software for a limited company director who only pays themselves?
Named instead: Xero, QuickBooks, BrightPay, Moneysoft, PayFit, FreeAgent
Gemini
What's the cheapest HMRC-recognised payroll software for a limited company director who only pays themselves?
Named instead: IRIS, Moneysoft, Employment Hero, Shape Payroll, FreeAgent
Perplexity
What's the cheapest HMRC-recognised payroll software for a limited company director who only pays themselves?
Named instead: Xero, FreeAgent
Google AI Overviews
What's the cheapest HMRC-recognised payroll software for a limited company director who only pays themselves?
Named instead: Xero, BrightPay, Employment Hero, FreeAgent
Google AI Mode
What's the cheapest HMRC-recognised payroll software for a limited company director who only pays themselves?
Named instead: Xero, QuickBooks, BrightPay, FreeAgent
ChatGPT
Which payroll tools work out statutory sick pay and maternity pay properly?
Named instead: Xero, QuickBooks, Employment Hero, FreeAgent
Claude
Which payroll software is best for an accountant running payroll for lots of clients?
Named instead: Xero, QuickBooks, Rippling, Deel, ADP
Gemini
Is there any free payroll software for a UK employer with fewer than 10 employees?
Named instead: Xero, QuickBooks, PayFit, Employment Hero
Perplexity
Is there any free payroll software for a UK employer with fewer than 10 employees?
Named instead: Xero, IRIS
Sources
- expertsure.com40 answers
- workforce.com34 answers
- zelt.app34 answers
- acenteus-cca.com28 answers
- gov.uk28 answers
- cintra.co.uk26 answers
- sage.com26 answers
- iris.co.uk22 answers
- reddit.com22 answers
- factorial.com21 answers
Own site: linked in 33 of 216 answers that named Sage (15.3%).
What would move this
Where the data points, not a promise of any result.
- Sources the other top-ranked companies are cited from: xero.com, whichpayroll.com, brightpay.co.uk
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