Augtal vs Handshake
Two recruitment CRMs compared on pricing, features, and fit, so you can shortlist with confidence.
✓Pricing verified against vendor pagesData reviewed July 4, 2026How we research →
By Ramin Assemi, B2B SaaS marketer and former Head of Content at Close.comPublished Updated
Augtal
Free-forever ATS for independent recruiters
Best for: Solo recruiters who want professional tooling without a software bill
✓Genuinely free tier removes the annual software tax for independents
✓Instant setup with useful AI candidate ranking
✕No mobile app
✕No complex automated sequences
Handshake
The campus recruiting network: 1,400+ colleges, 18M students
Best for: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs
✓Unmatched campus reach: direct registrar-verified student profiles
✓Genuinely free Basic tier for job posting
✕Free tier is tightly limited (10 messages/month)
✕Steep jump from Free/Pro to quote-based Enterprise
Our verdict
Choose Augtal if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓AI matching and assistance are on your must-have list
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment Augtal doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Augtal | Handshake |
|---|---|---|
| ATS + CRM core | ✓ | ~ |
| Email/inbox sync | ~ | ~ |
| LinkedIn / Chrome extension | ✓ | – |
| Multi-job-board posting | ~ | ✓ |
| Built-in candidate sourcing | ~ | ✓ |
| Workflow automation | – | ~ |
| AI matching & assistance | ✓ | ~ |
| Reporting & analytics | ~ | ~ |
| Temp back-office (pay & bill) | – | – |
| Open API | – | ~ |
| Mobile app | – | ~ |
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Augtal (official) | $29/moflat | $29/moflat | $29/moflat |
| Handshake (official) | $450/mo (Pro)flat | $450/mo (Pro)flat | $450/mo (Pro)flat |
Estimated from each vendor's published entry-tier price as of July 4, 2026; real quotes vary with plan tier, add-on modules, and contract terms. See how we label pricing confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How do Augtal and Handshake pricing compare?
Augtal pricing starts at $29/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Augtal cost?
Augtal pricing starts at $29/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Free forever plan (unlimited jobs and candidates), Starter $29/mo, Access $99/mo, Enterprise custom. Whether paid plans are per-seat or per-workspace is not stated (vendor site, Jul 2026).
What does Handshake cost?
Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Basic is free (job posting, but capped at 10 messages/mo); Pro is $450/mo with 200 messages/mo; Enterprise is quote-based. Promoted jobs are a flexible-rate add-on. The old $100+/week Plus tier no longer exists (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, Augtal or Handshake?
Augtal is rated higher: 4.5/5 on G2 versus 4.4/5 for Handshake.
Who is Augtal best for, and who is Handshake best for?
Augtal: Solo recruiters who want professional tooling without a software bill. Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs.