Head to head

Handshake vs Indeed

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

Handshake

Quote-based Free tier

University recruiting and early-career talent, with a free tier for employers.

Where Handshake fits

  • University recruiting teams
  • Early-career programmes at large employers
  • Talent teams filling intern and graduate roles
  • Campus teams already working in Handshake

Indeed

PPC / subscription Free tier

The default job board for both free and sponsored listings. You set a budget and pay when candidates engage.

Where Indeed fits

  • Almost every employer buying application volume
  • Teams that already live on sponsored jobs
  • Employers who want organic and paid on one board
  • Small businesses posting without an ATS

At a glance

DetailHandshakeIndeed
Starting priceQuote-basedPPC / subscription
Free tier✓Yes✓Yes
MCP server–No✓Yes
Public API–No✓Yes
Listed underJob boardsJob boards
CapterraNot enough reviews4.5 from 7,613 reviews

Where they pull apart

Handshake

Stands out: The campus network students already use, so the pipeline is there before you are.

Watch out: It is a supply channel, not a tracker, and it is weak for senior hiring.

Not the right fit for

  • Senior professional hiring only
  • Agencies buying contact data

Indeed

Stands out: The board candidates actually open, with MCP and an API on top.

Watch out: Pay-per-click spend can outrun a small budget quickly, and it is not your ATS.

Not the right fit for

  • Anyone treating Indeed as their system of record
  • Executive search

Pros and cons

Handshake

  • The default campus network
  • Early-career focus is the product
  • Free tier to start on
  • Not an ATS
  • Weak for senior hiring
  • Paid employer pricing is quoted

Indeed

  • The default candidate destination
  • MCP and API available
  • Free listings plus a sponsored budget
  • Not an ATS
  • Click costs can escalate fast
  • Quality varies with spend

What each one costs

Handshake

Quote-based

Quote-based. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Indeed

PPC / subscription

PPC / subscription. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Common questions

Can you try Handshake or Indeed for free?
Handshake and Indeed carry a free tier on our listing.
Does Handshake or Indeed have an MCP server?
Indeed ships a first party MCP server, so an AI assistant can work the product directly.

Not the pair you wanted?

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 7 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?