Compare/Head to head

Handbooks.io vs SixFifty

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Handbooks.io

$179 Free tier

Handbooks.io builds US employee handbooks from attorney-written federal and state policy blocks. A free basic handbook is $0 with no credit card. Paid Starter is $179 one-time (or $179/year if you subscribe for updates) for one state and up to 10 employees.

Where Handbooks.io fits

  • US SMBs that want a free starting handbook with no card
  • Single-state teams of 10 or fewer that will pay $179 once for a comprehensive pack
  • Multi-state employers that will jump to Growth ($369) or Scale ($659)
  • Companies that prefer a Word download over a branded handbook CMS

SixFifty

$56/mo

Multi-state employee handbooks and HR policies built on Wilson Sonsini expertise. Starter is $56/mo, billed annually, for up to 100 employees in one state.

Where SixFifty fits

  • US employers hiring across several states that need handbook language kept current
  • In-house HR and legal teams that want redlined updates when laws change
  • HR consultants who need a multi-client employment-docs workspace
  • Companies expanding into new states that want offer letters, NDAs, and contractor agreements in the same library

At a glance

DetailHandbooks.ioSixFifty
Starting price$179$56/mo
Free tier✓Yes–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No–No
Listed underHR complianceHR compliance

Where they pull apart

Handbooks.io

Stands out: You can buy a one-time download instead of a SaaS seat. Growth is $369 for 2-5 states and up to 50 employees. Scale is $659 for unlimited employees and states, with optional SAML SSO and SCIM on the subscription.

Watch out: The free handbook does not include e-signatures, a live share link, or ongoing policy updates. Those sit on the paid subscription. One-time purchases do not keep receiving law-change updates unless you subscribe.

Not the right fit for

  • HR teams that need AirMason-style analytics, HRIS sync, and branded digital design as the core product
  • Employers outside the US

SixFifty

Stands out: Subscriptions include unlimited users, a handbook builder covering all 50 states, and locality coverage for places such as San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and Seattle.

Watch out: Starter covers one state and up to 100 employees. Growth at $350/mo covers up to 15 states, and larger employers need a custom Enterprise quote.

Not the right fit for

  • Employers with more than 300 employees or more than 15 states, who need an Enterprise quote
  • Employers outside the US whose policies are not US state and city labor law

Pros and cons

Handbooks.io

  • True $0 basic handbook with no credit card
  • One-time $179 Starter if you do not want another subscription
  • Scale adds SAML SSO and SCIM when you subscribe
  • Free tier omits e-signatures, live link, and ongoing updates
  • One-time buys go stale when laws change unless you add the annual subscription
  • It is a generated document, not a full employee-experience handbook CMS

SixFifty

  • Unlimited users on standard subscriptions
  • Handbook and policy coverage that names specific cities, not just states
  • Automated legal updates and a research module in the same product
  • Starter covers only one state. Multi-state coverage starts on Growth at $350/mo billed annually
  • Capterra's SixFifty listing has no verified reviews
  • The vendor is explicit that the product is not a substitute for your own attorney

What each one costs

Handbooks.io

$179

A free basic handbook is $0 with no credit card. Starter is $179 one-time, or $179 per year if you subscribe, for 1 state and up to 10 employees. Growth is $369 (2-5 states, up to 50 employees). Scale is $659 (unlimited employees and states). Subscriptions add policy updates, e-signatures, and a live handbook link. Scale subscription adds SAML SSO and SCIM. A custom handbook update is $899 including one year of updates. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

SixFifty

$56/mo

Starter is $56/mo, billed annually at $675, for up to 100 employees in 1 state. Growth is $350/mo, billed annually at $4,200, for up to 300 employees in up to 15 states, and adds SSO and HRIS integration. Enterprise is custom pricing, billed annually, for 300+ employees in 15+ states. Standard subscriptions include unlimited user seats. Add-ons include digital labor law posters at $50 per state per year and case management at $500 per year. 7-day free trial, no credit card required. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Handbooks.io cheaper than SixFifty?
SixFifty starts lower, at $56/mo against $179 for Handbooks.io. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Handbooks.io or SixFifty for free?
Handbooks.io carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Handbooks.io alternatives All SixFifty alternatives Every HR compliance tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?