Handshake vs RAIN

Handshake8.9Visit RRAIN7.7Visit

Higher score Handshake #1 in Career Services Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Handshake

vs

R RAIN #7 in Career Services Software 7.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 6 features Visit RAIN

• Handshake fits best

  Career centers needing a broad employer and student network

• RAIN fits best

  Budget-conscious centers wanting advising and AI career

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Side by side

Feature	Handshake 8.9/10 Visit ↗	RRAIN 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	7.7
Ranking	#1 in Career Services Software	#7 in Career Services Software
Best for	Career centers needing a broad employer and student network	Budget-conscious centers wanting advising and AI career
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	$14.99/user/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML	SSO/SAML
Integrations	9 integrations	2 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Handshake 0/6 · RAIN 4/6
Appointment scheduling	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Employer portal	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
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	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	Free student plan covers job search, applications, networking, and career paths All access adds AI resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and mock interview tools Centers get employer CRM, appointments, events, workflows, and outcomes reporting
Cons	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	Web-only deployment limits access to a browser-based experience Integrations focus on Gmail and Campus SSO rather than a broad ecosystem Institutional buyers must go through a walkthrough for pricing
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 →	RAIN combines a student-facing career readiness service with management tools for university career centers. Students can search and filter open roles, save applications, track networking, explore career paths, and prepare for interviews.… 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

• RAIN — where it wins

  • Free student plan covers job search, applications, networking, and career paths
  • All access adds AI resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and mock interview tools
  • Centers get employer CRM, appointments, events, workflows, and outcomes reporting

  Where it doesn't

  • Web-only deployment limits access to a browser-based experience
  • Integrations focus on Gmail and Campus SSO rather than a broad ecosystem
  • Institutional buyers must go through a walkthrough for pricing

• Handshake8.9/10 · Free plan

  A broad career network with free posting, student engagement, events, and ATS-connected hiring tools.

  Visit HandshakeFull verdict →
• RRAIN7.7/10 · Free plan

  A low-cost student career toolkit with center operations and AI preparation tools.

  Visit RAINFull verdict →