NEWJoin 1M+ SaaS Professionals|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe Free →

Spotsaas logo

Firsthand vs GradEngage Comparison

Last updated:

Firsthand

4.6(144 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Firsthand is an alumni management, fundraising and constituent relationship software designed specifically to meet the needs of higher education institutions. Organizations who are philanthropic and alumni-centric, like…

GradEngage

4.9(13 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Introducing GradEngage – the ultimate alumni network building platform. Trusted by esteemed institutions like Texas Tech University and King's College London, GradEngage offers a host of features including alumni relatio…

GradEngage leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 13 reviews.

Firsthand vs GradEngage — at a glance

FeatureFirsthandGradEngage
Rating4.6 / 54.9 / 5
Reviews14413
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryAlumni Management SoftwareAlumni Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineOnline
Certifications
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Firsthand and GradEngage

  • User satisfaction: GradEngage scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
  • Deployment: Firsthand supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; GradEngage supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Firsthand vs GradEngage — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Alumni Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Firsthand - Alumni Management Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
GradEngage - Alumni Management Software

GradEngage

Migrated to Graduway

Compare Graduway
Compare Graduway

Free PDF comparison

Download this Firsthand vs GradEngage comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Alumni Management Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Firsthand

Best for managing alumni and donor relationships in higher education and philanthropy.

Choose if
  • You need a platform tailored specifically for alumni and donor relationship management.
  • Your organization is a medium or large philanthropic or educational institution.
  • You want cloud-based tools that enable personalized donor engagement and constituent growth.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business without alumni or donor engagement needs.
  • Your organization operates outside of philanthropic or educational sectors.

GradEngage

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business

Firsthand typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. GradEngage tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Firsthand is an alumni management, fundraising and constituent relationship software designed specifically to meet the needs of higher education institutions. Organizations who are ... Read More about Firsthand

Introducing GradEngage – the ultimate alumni network building platform. Trusted by esteemed institutions like Texas Tech University and King's College London, GradEngage offers a host of ... Read More about GradEngage

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.7/10

Not Available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.9

(13)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

GradEngage has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

SpotSaaS advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Firsthand and GradEngage Compare on Features?

Total Features

5 Features

0 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Firsthand and GradEngage on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Medium Business
      • Large Enterprises
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Mobile - Android
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Firsthand User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      4.6

      (based on 144 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      0

      0

      0

      0

      0

      15

      1

      0

      0

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally express positive sentiment about Firsthand’s specialized alumni and donor management capabilities, appreciating its tailored features for higher education and philanthropic organizations.

      What buyers like

      • Specialized alumni management
      • Personalized donor engagement
      • Cloud-based accessibility

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Limited applicability outside target sectors

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 17 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Customizable and branded platform, offering high levels of customization for specific needs and branding.
      • Outstanding customer service and support, with proactive sharing of best practices and timely product upgrades.
      • Intuitive and easy-to-use platform, allowing for autonomous management without technical expertise.

      Common complaints

      • Initial overwhelming feeling due to the richness of features, may require time and guidance to set up and utilize effectively.
      • Limited integration options and marketplace for additional apps and connectors, potentially restricting some advanced functionalities based on specific needs.

      Pros and Cons

      • Tailored specifically for alumni and donor relationship management

      • Cloud-based platform enabling personalized donor engagement

      • Strong focus on philanthropic and constituent relationship growth

      • Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly disclosed

      • Limited appeal outside of education and philanthropic sectors

      • Customizable and branded platform, offering high levels of customization for specific needs and branding.

      • Outstanding customer service and support, with proactive sharing of best practices and timely product upgrades.

      • Intuitive and easy-to-use platform, allowing for autonomous management without technical expertise.

      • Initial overwhelming feeling due to the richness of features, may require time and guidance to set up and utilize effectively.

      • Limited integration options and marketplace for additional apps and connectors, potentially restricting some advanced functionalities based on specific needs.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      List of Customers

      Customers

      University of Oxford

      University of Oxford

      UConn

      UConn

      McMaster University

      McMaster University

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      No videos available.

      Top Alternatives to Firsthand and GradEngage in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Compare similar software options

      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Firsthand or GradEngage?
      GradEngage edges out the other on user ratings (4.9 vs 4.6). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Firsthand and GradEngage offer a free trial?
      Neither Firsthand nor GradEngage currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Firsthand vs GradEngage?
      Firsthand starts at Contact for pricing. GradEngage starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Firsthand?
      Top alternatives to Firsthand include 360Alumni, AlmaHub, AlmaShines, AlumniMagnet, EnterpriseAlumni.
      What are the top alternatives to GradEngage?
      Top alternatives to GradEngage include ToucanTech, Vaave, VeryConnect, 360Alumni, AlmaShines.

      Grow your pipeline with buyers who are already looking for you

      254,000+ buyers use Spotsaas every month to evaluate and shortlist software. Get in front of them — for free, or with a managed growth plan built around your category.