Head-to-head · Career Services Software
Handshake vs Career Forge
Handshake leads on 0 checks, Career Forge on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreHandshake · 8.9/10
- Free planonly Handshake
- Most featuresCareer Forge · 5 of 6
Handshake scores higher on our rubric for career services software: 8.9 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.
Handshake is the better fit for career centers needing a broad employer and student network. Career Forge is the better fit for career centers managing events, appointments, and placement.
- Handshake fits best
Career centers needing a broad employer and student network
- Career Forge fits best
Career centers managing events, appointments, and placement
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Side by side
| Feature | Handshake 8.9/10 Visit ↗ | Career Forge 7.9/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.9 | 7.9 |
| Ranking | #1 in Career Services Software | #5 in Career Services Software |
| Best for | Career centers needing a broad employer and student network | Career centers managing events, appointments, and placement |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | — | Pricing on request |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | |
| Compliance | SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML | SSO/SAML |
| Integrations | 9 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Handshake 0/6 · Career Forge 5/6 | ||
| Appointment scheduling | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Employer portal | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Job posting workflow | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Outcomes tracking | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Event management | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Student mobile app | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Handshake serves students, employers, and educational institutions through a shared career platform. Employers can post early-career jobs, connect with schools, message candidates, manage applications, promote events and career fairs, and… Read the review → |
Career Forge brings career-center operations into one configurable platform for colleges and universities serving students, alumni, and employers. Its scope covers career events, coaching appointments, experiential-learning approvals,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Handshake — where it wins
- Free Basic plan supports job posts and a company presence
- ATS integrations connect applications and status synchronization
- Web, iOS, and Android apps support students and employers
Where it doesn't
- Basic limits proactive outreach to 10 messages per month
- Promoted Jobs is an add-on for Basic or Pro
- Advanced messaging, analytics, and automation are Enterprise features
Career Forge — where it wins
- Connects event registration, booth assignments, invoicing, and check-in
- Supports coaching appointments, interview scheduling, and job workflows
- Tracks graduate outcomes with cohort surveys and NACE-format exports
Where it doesn't
- Pricing is quoted by career center, products, and subscription term
- Broad workflow coverage may be more than a center with a narrow need requires
- Email is the listed support channel
- Handshake8.9/10 · Free plan
A broad career network with free posting, student engagement, events, and ATS-connected hiring tools.
Visit HandshakeFull verdict → - Career Forge7.9/10 · Pricing on request
A broad career-center system spanning events, appointments, jobs, interviews, and outcomes.
Visit Career ForgeFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Handshake vs GradLeaders
- Handshake vs Symplicity CSM Experiential Learning
- Handshake vs LineupX
- Handshake vs RAIN
- Handshake vs Prentus
- JobTeaser vs Career Forge
- GradLeaders vs Career Forge
- Symplicity CSM Experiential Learning vs Career Forge
All career services software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update