Firsthand vs Gradsgate Comparison
Firsthand
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…
Gradsgate
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Gradsgate is the simple and affordable way to organize and manage all of the student organizations records, activities, membership and assets. It is a complete Alumni Management Software ideal for schools and non-profit…
Firsthand leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 144 reviews.
SpotSaaS Analysis
FirsthandGradsgate
The core difference between Firsthand and Gradsgate lies in their target user base and functionality, with Firsthand focusing on alumni and donor relationship management for larger educational and philanthropic organizations, while Gradsgate is designed for smaller educational groups managing student records and memberships. Ideal buyers for Firsthand are medium to large institutions in higher education or philanthropy, whereas Gradsgate is best suited for small to medium educational organizations seeking an affordable solution for student organization management.
- Best for alumni and donor relationship management - Tailored for medium to large philanthropic and educational institutions - Focuses on enhancing engagement with alumni and donors - Offers specialized features for relationship tracking - Ideal for organizations with complex donor management needs - Notable for its comprehensive reporting capabilities
- Best for managing student and alumni records - Designed for small to medium educational groups - Focuses on student organization membership management - Simple and affordable tool for tracking member activity - Provides easy tracking of join/departure and attendance - Ideal for institutions seeking a user-friendly interface
Firsthand vs Gradsgate — at a glance
| Feature | Firsthand | Gradsgate |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Reviews | 144 | 6 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Alumni Management Software | Alumni Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Online |
| Certifications | — | — |
| Data residency | Global | US |
Key differences between Firsthand and Gradsgate
- User satisfaction: Firsthand scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Firsthand supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Gradsgate supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Firsthand vs Gradsgate — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for managing alumni and donor relationships in higher education and philanthropy.
- 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.
- You are a small business without alumni or donor engagement needs.
- Your organization operates outside of philanthropic or educational sectors.
Best for managing student and alumni records in small to medium educational groups.
- You need a simple, affordable tool focused on student organization membership management.
- Your team requires easy tracking of member join/departure and meeting attendance.
- You represent a small or medium educational institution or non-profit organization.
- You require advanced CRM, fundraising, or enterprise-level alumni engagement features.
- You need transparent pricing and a large, active user community for support.
Firsthand: Best for managing alumni and donor relationships in higher education and philanthropy. Gradsgate: Best for managing student and alumni records in small to medium educational groups.
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 | Gradsgate is the simple and affordable way to organize and manage all of the student organizations records, activities, membership and assets. It is a complete Alumni Management Software ... Read More about Gradsgate |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.7/10 | 7.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises | Small BusinessMedium Business |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Firsthand and Gradsgate Compare on Features?
Total Features | 5 Features | 4 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Firsthand and Gradsgate 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.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | ✗ No |
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Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
Firsthand User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.6 (based on 144 reviews) | 3.8 (based on 6 reviews) |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
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
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment User sentiment is moderately positive but limited by few reviews and some concerns about feature depth. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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List of Customers
Customers |  University of Oxford  UConn  McMaster University | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  1 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
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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 Gradsgate?
- Firsthand edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 3.8). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Firsthand and Gradsgate offer a free trial?
- Neither Firsthand nor Gradsgate currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Firsthand vs Gradsgate?
- Firsthand starts at Contact for pricing. Gradsgate 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 Gradsgate?
- Top alternatives to Gradsgate include Vaave, AlmaBay, AlmaHub, AlmaShines, AlumniMagnet.