Handshake vs Happlicant
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
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
Happlicant
Lightweight, transparent ATS/CRM for solo recruiters
Best for: Solo recruiters and tiny teams who want zero bloat
✓Extreme ease of use with instant onboarding
✓Transparent pricing and no annual lock-in
✕Intentionally shallow: no invoicing or VMS integrations
✕No app marketplace or API
Our verdict
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment Happlicant 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
Choose Happlicant if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓Your team sources through LinkedIn every day
- ✓You want to trial before committing (free trial available)
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Handshake | Happlicant |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handshake (official) | $450/mo (Pro)flat | $450/mo (Pro)flat | $450/mo (Pro)flat |
| Happlicant (official) | $345/mo | $1,380/mo | $3,450/mo |
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 Handshake and Happlicant pricing compare?
Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Happlicant pricing starts at $69/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 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).
What does Happlicant cost?
Happlicant pricing starts at $69/user/mo (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Pro $69/user/mo billed quarterly; Enterprise is custom flat-fee with unlimited users. No annual lock-in; cancel anytime. Optional Leads Discovery add-on $49/user/mo (vendor pricing page, Jul 2026).
Which is rated higher, Handshake or Happlicant?
Happlicant is rated higher: 4.9/5 on G2 versus 4.4/5 for Handshake.
Who is Handshake best for, and who is Happlicant best for?
Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs. Happlicant: Solo recruiters and tiny teams who want zero bloat.