GradEngage vs Firsthand Comparison
GradEngage
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…
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…
GradEngage leads on user satisfaction with a 4.9-star rating across 13 reviews.
GradEngage vs Firsthand — at a glance
| Feature | GradEngage | Firsthand |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Reviews | 13 | 144 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Alumni Management Software | Alumni Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | — |
| Data residency | Global | Global |
Key differences between GradEngage and Firsthand
- User satisfaction: GradEngage scores higher with a 4.9-star average.
- Deployment: GradEngage supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Firsthand supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.
GradEngage vs Firsthand — 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
![]() GradEngageMigrated to Graduway Compare Graduway Compare Graduway |
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business
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.
GradEngage typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Firsthand 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 | 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 | 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 |
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Free Trial Availability |
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Spotsaas ScoreWhat's this? ↗ | Not Available | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo | GradEngage has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do GradEngage and Firsthand Compare on Features?
Total Features | 0 Features | 5 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare GradEngage and Firsthand 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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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 |
|---|---|---|
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🌐 Global |
GradEngage User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.6 (based on 144 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 17 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| 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
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Pros and Cons |
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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 | No Customers information available. | ![]() University of Oxford ![]() UConn ![]() McMaster University |
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Media and Screenshots
Videos | No videos available. | ![]() 1 Videos |
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Top Alternatives to GradEngage and Firsthand in 2026
Alternatives |
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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, GradEngage or Firsthand?
- 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 GradEngage and Firsthand offer a free trial?
- Neither GradEngage nor Firsthand currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of GradEngage vs Firsthand?
- GradEngage starts at Contact for pricing. Firsthand starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to GradEngage?
- Top alternatives to GradEngage include ToucanTech, Vaave, VeryConnect, 360Alumni, AlmaShines.
- What are the top alternatives to Firsthand?
- Top alternatives to Firsthand include 360Alumni, AlmaHub, AlmaShines, AlumniMagnet, EnterpriseAlumni.










