Indeed, Reed and Totaljobs in the UK in 2026
Indeed UK, Reed and Totaljobs are three broad UK jobs sites you'd weigh up in 2026. But those aren't a listed top pick. There's no common formal coverage, calibre, or cost-per-hire axis, so it's best-for guidance (and fit comes first).
That's jobs-market setting. The ONS background of roughly 691,000 UK vacancies isn't a site league. A 2.1% vacancy rate in July-September 2026 doesn't rank boards. Still not bad.
They work together, and some crossover is normal. Ads get copied over often, so UK job seekers and employers shouldn't view these boards as mutually exclusive. You're supposed to check relevant ads and fit for your role. Then pick where to put your hunt or hiring push.
How Indeed, Reed and Totaljobs differ
All three cover UK vacancy hunts.
| Site | Positioning | Typical listing mix | Who it helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indeed | Broad platform for job search and employer posting | Roles from employers and recruiters across sectors | Employers managing applications; job seekers exploring broadly |
| Reed | UK-focused, with homepage categories for sector and region | Cross-sector roles, including consultant-led recruitment ads | Candidates narrowing by location or occupation |
| Totaljobs | Active generalist for the UK | Direct-employer and agency ads, plus dedicated part-time and remote listing pages | Candidates comparing working arrangements, agencies and employers |
Look at the vacancy. Then look at the poster too before you pick where to send an application. Still not bad. The nuts and bolts matter here. Indeed runs free listed roles and pay-for-results paid spots. It also offers Indeed Apply, filter questions and reports for bosses. Don't skip those if you hire people.
How UK job seekers should use all three boards
Use Indeed's handy filters. You'll trim searches by area, role type, pay, background and post date. Hunt Indeed, Reed and Totaljobs at once. Ads get copied a lot and posts overlap, so don't send till you've lined them up.
Scan Reed by field and area. Then look at Totaljobs for mixed, part-time and remote UK roles. Keep a basic apply log so you skip the same post twice (it happens). Honestly, it saves hassle. Check if the poster is the firm or a rec agency before you apply.
Lots of apps land with rec consultants not hiring bosses, mainly on Reed. See who runs each post before you send it.
How UK employers should post on Indeed versus Reed and Totaljobs
And start with hiring volume. Indeed UK's got up to three free hosted jobs per month. For sponsored jobs you'll get pay-per-click (PPC) or pay-per-started-application (PPSA) billing, with Standard and Premium options. It's billed on the first of the month or when spend reaches £500.
You'll use Indeed Apply and screening questions to structure applications, then it's Indeed analytics, notes and bulk export to manage candidates and review your hiring activity.
Reed and Totaljobs are UK generalist alternatives, and they're sold as job ads or packages. You'll compare the package against your vacancy volume and candidate-management workflow (yes, the actual package) and go with the posting tools and purchase model you need.
Which site fits which UK search or hire
And start with your search. Indeed's the pick for UK job seekers doing a broad hunt, and filters help you narrow the options. You'll want Reed when UK sector coverage or consultant-led adverts matter to you. Totaljobs works as a second generalist, and it's got part-time and remote pages (handy if you're trying to run a more focused search).
For employers, Indeed's a fit if you need a free hosted post or results-based sponsorship. Reed or Totaljobs can sit as an extra UK generalist board alongside the hiring channels you've already got.
CV-Library, LinkedIn, Adzuna and gov.uk can go in the wider mix too, depending on what you're searching or hiring for.
Common questions about Indeed, Reed and Totaljobs
You'll look at matching openings. If the same listing shows on all three, apply once. Just once, via the firm's chosen path. No one board is the top UK jobs site for all people in 2026.
They carry agency ads and show remote and part-time posts. Indeed, Reed and Totaljobs work for both candidates and firms. Honestly, you'll still need to look at place and work-pattern needs.
Other UK boards shouldn't swap these three out by default. They should add to them where they give better industry or area reach. UK firms don't have to pay to put up qualifying jobs on Indeed, under its listing rules. Sponsored jobs can be charged for clicks or begun applications. It hangs on the choice they give (look over the charge terms before going live).
Start with two boards, then add the third if needed
And start with two. If you're a job seeker, pick Indeed, Reed, or Totaljobs as your primary board, with one other as backup. Track duplicate listings and agency contacts so you don't submit twice for the same role (it's an easy mistake). Add the third only if it's bringing relevant vacancies your existing pair misses.
You'll start with Indeed's documented free hosted posting and sponsored options if you're an employer, checking which applies to your vacancy. Then add Reed or Totaljobs as a UK generalist channel rather than assuming one board'll meet every hiring need. Compare candidate relevance and, yes, you'll keep tracking where those candidates came from.