Verified
Handshake AI is open to sign-up for people based in the US with a supported work authorization, and says no AI experience is required. Mercor works with professionals in most countries through separate role listings. Both pay weekly, and both check your ID through Persona.
Every fact below comes from each platform's own pages, checked against our facts file on 2026-10-26. DigiNo earns a referral if you join Mercor through our links. We have no link with Handshake AI.
Mercor vs Handshake AI Side by Side
| Mercor | Handshake AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Doctors, lawyers, engineers, creators, operators and hobbyists | Students, professionals and experts; no AI experience required |
| Countries | Most countries, with a published list of unsupported locations | Open sign-up needs a US base and supported work authorization; invite-only elsewhere |
| Screening | Role-specific AI interview of about 20 minutes, up to three retakes | Project assessments; retakes usually not available |
| Shape of the work | Project-based and one-time listings, per hour or per task | Remote, part-time, paid hourly |
| Listed pay | Law $60 to $120 an hour; Software engineering $62 to $150 an hour (middle half of hourly listings, 2026-10-24) | Up to $17 an hour, AI Evaluation Specialist (2026-10-17) |
| Payday | Every Wednesday for hourly contractors | Weekly, sent by Wednesday afternoon |
| Payout method | Stripe Connect or Wise, assigned by region; no PayPal | Stripe, with tax details through TaxBandits |
| ID check | Persona, with a government ID and a selfie video | Persona, with a government ID |
| Time to first project | Not stated as a set time; each listing has its own steps | Not stated on the pages we read |
Sources: Mercor experts page, Mercor account FAQ, Mercor AI interview, Mercor payments, Mercor ID verification, Handshake AI page, Handshake AI international fellows, Handshake AI assessments, Handshake AI payouts, Handshake AI onboarding.
Who Can Join
Handshake AI open sign-up requires a US base and a work authorization it can support. Outside the US, its fellowship is invite-only, though some role pages are open to people based anywhere.
Mercor says it works with experts in most countries and publishes the places it does not support.
Sources: Handshake AI page, Handshake AI international fellows, Handshake AI role page, Mercor account FAQ.
Listed Pay on Each Platform
These are rates the platforms published, not what anyone will earn.
| Role on Handshake AI | Listed at |
|---|---|
| AI Evaluation Specialist | Up to $17 an hour |
| Field on Mercor (middle half of hourly listings) | Listed at |
|---|---|
| Software engineering | $62 to $150 an hour |
| Medicine and nursing | $70 to $175 an hour |
| Law | $60 to $120 an hour |
| Mixed and generalist roles | $60 to $200 an hour |
Mercor listings show a rate per hour or per task, so check the role you want.
Sources: Handshake AI page, Mercor job listings.
Getting Paid
Mercor pays hourly contractors every Wednesday through Stripe Connect or Wise, and Stripe holds the first payout for seven days.
Handshake AI sends weekly payouts by Wednesday afternoon for the previous week, through Stripe. It collects tax details through TaxBandits.
Sources: Mercor payments, Handshake AI payouts, Handshake AI onboarding.
Which One Fits You
- Pick Handshake AI if you are in the US with a supported work authorization and want part-time hourly work with no AI experience needed.
- Pick Mercor if you live outside the US or have a professional background that matches a named listing.
- Apply to both if you qualify. Handshake AI assessments usually cannot be retaken, so prepare before you start one.
Professionals can also look at micro1 and Ethos, which lead our list. See micro1 vs Mercor and Ethos vs Mercor.
Find AI Training Work That Fits You
Chat with DigiNo Toucan. A few quick questions, no CV needed.
The AI Training Job Matcher asks two questions and points you to our top pick. For Handshake AI alone, read our Handshake AI trainer guide. For Mercor, read our Mercor review.
Want more options first? The AI Training Job Matcher covers micro1 and Ethos too.
DigiNo earns a referral if you join micro1, Ethos or Mercor through our links. We have no link with Handshake AI.
Mercor vs Handshake AI FAQ
Is Mercor or Handshake AI better?
It depends on where you live and your background. Handshake AI open sign-up is for people based in the US, with no AI experience required. Mercor works in most countries through named professional listings.
Which pays experts better, Mercor or Handshake AI?
Both publish rates. Handshake AI lists an hourly rate on its roles, shown in the table above for the AI Evaluation Specialist role. Mercor shows a rate on each listing. Listed rates are not earnings.
Can I join Handshake AI from outside the US?
Open sign-up needs a US base. Outside the US, Handshake AI says participation is invite-only, though some role pages accept people based anywhere.
How do Mercor and Handshake AI pay?
Both pay weekly. Mercor pays hourly contractors every Wednesday through Stripe Connect or Wise. Handshake AI sends payouts by Wednesday afternoon through Stripe.
Sources: Mercor AI interview, Mercor payments, Mercor account FAQ, Handshake AI page, Handshake AI international fellows, Handshake AI payouts.
Ethos vs Mercor: Which AI Training Platform Fits You