Handshake vs Vultus Recruit
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
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
Vultus Recruit
Ultra-low-cost ATS for IT staffing
Best for: IT staffing firms running high-volume contract desks on a budget
✓Among the cheapest per-seat prices in the market
✓Handles mass mailing well
✕Bare-bones interface
✕No advanced AI matching
Our verdict
Choose Handshake if…
- ✓You're in campus & graduate recruiting, a segment Vultus Recruit doesn't focus on
- ✓You want built-in candidate sourcing instead of separate tools
Choose Vultus Recruit if…
- ✓You're in recruitment agencies & staffing firms, 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 | Vultus Recruit |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handshake (official) | $450/mo (Pro)flat | $450/mo (Pro)flat | $450/mo (Pro)flat |
| Vultus Recruit (official) | $94.95/mo | $379.8/mo | $949.5/mo |
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 Handshake and Vultus Recruit pricing compare?
Handshake pricing starts at $450/mo (Pro) (official, reviewed July 4, 2026). Vultus Recruit pricing starts at $18.99/user/mo (official, reviewed September 22, 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 Vultus Recruit cost?
Vultus Recruit pricing starts at $18.99/user/mo (official, reviewed September 22, 2026). Monthly billing, priced by team size: $18.99/user/mo for 3–5 users, $14.99 for 6–30 and $9.99 for 30+. Billed yearly those drop to $15, $11 and $8. Pricing for 1–2 users is not published (vendor pricing page, Sep 2026).
Which is rated higher, Handshake or Vultus Recruit?
Vultus Recruit is rated higher: 4.9/5 on G2 versus 4.4/5 for Handshake on G2.
Who is Handshake best for, and who is Vultus Recruit best for?
Handshake: Employers running campus, internship, and early-career programs. Vultus Recruit: IT staffing firms running high-volume contract desks on a budget.