Gem vs Handshake
Two recruitment CRMs compared on pricing, features, and fit, so you can shortlist with confidence.
✓Pricing verified against vendor pagesData reviewed September 22, 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 | – | ~ |
IncludedPartial or paid add-onNot available
What would it cost your team?
| Est. monthly cost, entry tier | 5 seats | 20 seats | 50 seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gem (official) | $695/mo | $2,780/mo | $6,950/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 September 22, 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 $139/user/mo (official, reviewed September 22, 2026). Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026).
What does Gem cost?
Gem pricing starts at $139/user/mo (official, reviewed September 22, 2026). Staffing plans on monthly billing: Essentials $139/user/mo (up to 3 users per account) and Professional $199/user/mo (up to 10 users). Billed yearly those drop to $99 and $149. Enterprise is custom, with the choice of Gem's ATS or a third-party one. Both paid staffing plans start with a 7-day trial. Email-finding credits are 150/user/mo on Essentials and 750 on Professional. Corporate plans are quoted on company headcount, with discounted startup pricing under 100 employees (vendor pricing pages, Sep 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 on G2.
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.