Firefish 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
Firefish
Recruitment CRM with built-in marketing for UK agencies
Best for: UK agencies that treat their website and brand as a candidate channel
✓Recruitment marketing (website CMS, campaigns, engagement tracking) built in
✓Outstanding UK-based support reputation
✕Rigid contract lengths reported by customers
✕Some job board integrations are paid extras
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 Firefish if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
- ✓Reporting and analytics drive how you run the desk
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment Firefish doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Firefish | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firefish (reported) | £400/mo | £1,600/mo | £4,000/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 Firefish and Handshake pricing compare?
Firefish pricing starts at £80/user/mo (reported, reviewed July 4, 2026). Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Firefish cost?
Firefish pricing starts at £80/user/mo (reported, reviewed July 4, 2026). Vendor site is quote-led; Capterra reports Basic £80, Professional £90, Enterprise £105 per user/mo (Capterra, Oct 2025). Contract terms not verified; some job board integrations cost extra.
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, Firefish or Handshake?
Firefish and Handshake both hold a 4.4/5 rating on G2.
Who is Firefish best for, and who is Handshake best for?
Firefish: UK agencies that treat their website and brand as a candidate channel. Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs.