CATS 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
CATS
Straightforward, customizable ATS for small agencies
Best for: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking
✓Deep customizability of fields and workflows
✓Simple, centralized candidate management
✕Clunky, dated interface
✕Weak third-party data integration
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 CATS if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓You need an open API for custom integrations
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment CATS doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | CATS | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| CATS (official) | $445/mo | $1,780/mo | $4,450/mo |
| 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 CATS and Handshake pricing compare?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does CATS cost?
CATS pricing starts at $89/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Current official page shows $89 and $110/user/mo options plus a $500 data migration fee; billing-term mapping needs confirmation. The older $69 price no longer applies (vendor pricing page, 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, CATS or Handshake?
Handshake is rated higher: 4.4/5 on G2 versus 4.2/5 for CATS.
Who is CATS best for, and who is Handshake best for?
CATS: Small agencies wanting simple, affordable applicant tracking. Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs.