Gem 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
Gem
Sourcing-first talent platform with staffing-specific plans
Best for: Sourcing-led teams: in-house TA and outbound-heavy search firms
✓One-click sourcing across 30+ platforms with multi-channel sequencing
✓Best-in-class analytics and forecasting
✕Expensive at scale; enterprise deals run high per seat
✕Strict email-finding credit limits on lower tiers
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 Gem if…
- ✓You're in in-house talent acquisition, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in executive search firms, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓You want workflow automation working out of the box
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment Gem doesn't focus on
- ✓Multi-job-board posting is core to how you fill roles
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Gem | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gem (official) | $495/mo | $1,980/mo | $4,950/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 Gem and Handshake pricing compare?
Gem pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Gem cost?
Gem pricing starts at $99/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Staffing plans: Essentials $99/user/mo billed yearly (up to 3 users) and Professional $149/user/mo billed yearly (up to 10 users); Enterprise custom. Corporate/startup plans are quote-led; Gem now positions itself as an all-in-one recruiting platform, with ATS optional in some packaging. Email-finding credit limits vary by plan (vendor pricing pages, 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, Gem or Handshake?
Gem is rated higher: 4.8/5 on G2 versus 4.4/5 for Handshake.
Who is Gem best for, and who is Handshake best for?
Gem: Sourcing-led teams: in-house TA and outbound-heavy search firms. Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs.