Handshake vs RippleMatch

Handshake9.4Visit RippleMatch8.5Visit

Higher score Handshake #1 in Campus Recruiting Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Handshake

vs

RippleMatch #7 in Campus Recruiting Software 8.5/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit RippleMatch

• Handshake fits best

  Large employers needing a full campus platform

• RippleMatch fits best

  Employers wanting automated early-career matching

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Side by side

Feature	Handshake 9.4/10 Visit ↗	RippleMatch 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.5
Ranking	#1 in Campus Recruiting Software	#7 in Campus Recruiting Software
Best for	Large employers needing a full campus platform	Employers wanting automated early-career matching
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML	SOC 2, GDPR, SSO/SAML
Integrations	9 integrations	8 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Handshake 5/5 · RippleMatch 5/5
Campus event tools	✓	✓
Student engagement	✓	✓
University relationships	✓	✓
Application workflows	✓	✓
Employer branding	✓	✓
Specs
Career center integrations	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Supported platforms	web, ios, android	web
Our review
Pros	Free job posting with school connections and student search Events, applications, messaging, analytics, and employer branding in one platform Nine ATS integrations plus web, iOS, and Android access	AI matching and automated sourcing support early-career hiring Includes events, CRM, resume review, readiness assessment, and analytics Integrates with Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and five other ATS platforms
Cons	Basic limits proactive outreach to 10 messages per month Pro costs $450 per month before higher-tier capabilities Promoted Jobs is an add-on outside Enterprise	Platform support is limited to the web Employer pricing is quote-based and requires contact with sales The Candidate Network plan focuses on matching and opportunity tracking
Our verdict	Handshake connects employers, students, and educational institutions through a campus recruiting platform. Employers can post early-career jobs, search school connections, message student candidates, manage applications, promote career… Read the review →	RippleMatch is an early-career recruiting platform for employers, universities, and students. Employers can source candidates, review applications, manage candidate relationships, run virtual and in-person events, and measure recruiting… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Handshake — where it wins

  • Free job posting with school connections and student search
  • Events, applications, messaging, analytics, and employer branding in one platform
  • Nine ATS integrations plus web, iOS, and Android access

  Where it doesn't

  • Basic limits proactive outreach to 10 messages per month
  • Pro costs $450 per month before higher-tier capabilities
  • Promoted Jobs is an add-on outside Enterprise

• RippleMatch — where it wins

  • AI matching and automated sourcing support early-career hiring
  • Includes events, CRM, resume review, readiness assessment, and analytics
  • Integrates with Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, and five other ATS platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Platform support is limited to the web
  • Employer pricing is quote-based and requires contact with sales
  • The Candidate Network plan focuses on matching and opportunity tracking

• Handshake9.4/10 · Free plan

  A full campus recruiting platform with free entry and broad hiring workflows.

  Visit HandshakeFull verdict →
• RippleMatch8.5/10 · Free plan · pricing on request

  A web-based recruiting suite combining AI matching, sourcing, events, CRM, and analytics.

  Visit RippleMatchFull verdict →