Handshake vs HigherMe
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
HigherMe
Hourly-workforce hiring for QSR and franchises
Best for: Restaurant franchises and QSR operators hiring hourly staff
✓Text-to-apply and screening built for hourly candidates
✓Native QSR and franchise workflows
✕Limited utility outside frontline/QSR hiring
✕Demo-led pricing
Our verdict
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment HigherMe doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
Choose HigherMe if…
- ✓You're in hiring-heavy industries, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
- ✓You're in high-volume hiring, a segment Handshake doesn't focus on
Feature-by-feature
| Feature | Handshake | HigherMe |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| HigherMe (official) | Custom quote | Custom quote | Custom quote |
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 HigherMe pricing compare?
Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). HigherMe uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (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 HigherMe cost?
HigherMe uses custom quote-based pricing and does not publish list prices (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Custom quote only; billing metric (per-location or otherwise) not published (vendor site, Jul 2026).
Who is Handshake best for, and who is HigherMe best for?
Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs. HigherMe: Restaurant franchises and QSR operators hiring hourly staff.