Why look elsewhere? Users often leave Handshake because of Active-time tracking disputes and uneven project volume. Below are platforms that solve this specific pain point.
Handshake AI hires students, graduates and credentialed experts to train AI models, and many of its listings pay well. Workers on Reddit and Trustpilot mostly raise two issues: an "active time" tracking system on some projects that they say undercounts paid time, and project volume that swings from week to week. If either one is costing you, the platforms below hire the same people.
Mercor has the most open roles we track, and Handshake the highest median rate
Handshake ranks 1st of 5 on median hourly pay and 4th of 5 on open roles we track among the platforms on this page.
| Platform | Open roles we track | Median hourly listing | Pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handshake | 210 | $80 | Not published |
| Mercor | 1,404 | $75 | Weekly |
| Micro1 | 393 | $70 | Not published |
| Alignerr | 60 | $22.50 | Weekly |
| SME Careers | 261 | $50 | Weekly |
Roles and rates as listed by each platform, from our dataset on October 4, 2026. Some platforms post only part of their work as public listings, so a low count can undercount available work. Medians cover hourly listings only and need at least 10 of them. "Not tracked" means we don't collect that platform's listings.
Pick the alternative that fits why you are leaving Handshake AI
If time tracking is the issue, ask how each platform counts paid time before you start. Mercor also tracks activity on many projects, so read our guide to Mercor's time tracking before you switch.
If you are a student or recent graduate, Alignerr and Micro1 both hire generalists as well as specialists. Both screen with an AI interview.
If you hold a credential, Mercor lists more open roles than any other platform we track. Handshake AI is open only to US residents, so if you move abroad, SME Careers works in any country Deel supports and Mercor pays out in 130+ countries. For more on Handshake AI itself, read our Handshake AI review.
Mercor hires professionals as contractors to train and evaluate AI models, with more open roles than any other platform we track. Fields run from law, medicine and finance to software, STEM and languages, and listed hourly rates have a $75 median. You apply with one AI interview and a one-time Persona ID check, and pay lands every Wednesday via Stripe or Wise.
We track 1,404 open Mercor roles with a $75 median hourly listing, against 210 and $80 on Handshake. It pays weekly.
💬 Real User Feedback
"Mercor was my first experience with training AI and working intensely in a remote setting. I've been around for six months plus and while nothing is perfect, Mercor is darned close. I've met some amazing colleagues and learned a tremendous amount about AI."
– Steven W. • Jan 22
"Out of all the AI training companies I've worked for, Mercor has the highest pay rates and the most available projects. Even though it can take a while to get accepted into a project, it's definitely worth the wait."
– B Maly • Jan 20
"The hourly rate was good and competitive compared to other platforms. However, the work was not always consistent and availability varied month to month."
- ✓ Paid every Wednesday for the previous work week
- ✓ More open roles than any other platform we track
Every role starts with an AI interview
Current Openings
3 latest listings from Mercor
Multimodal Image Expert
Task Writer: Project Agentic-MME
Baseball Fan – Live MLB Game AI Evaluator (US)
Micro1 vets professionals once with its AI interviewer, Zara, then matches them to projects that train and evaluate AI models. Engineering is one track among many: legal, healthcare, STEM, business and language roles make up most of the board. Listed hourly rates have a $67.50 median, legal and healthcare roles post the highest, and pay runs through Deel in USD twice a month.
We track 393 open Micro1 roles with a $70 median hourly listing, against 210 and $80 on Handshake.
💬 Real User Feedback
"Everything was good. Only after the interview it asked me to upload my CV but suddenly the screen changed before I could upload it. Minor hiccup aside, the AI interview process was smooth and professional."
– Hassan • Jan 22
"The entire interview setup was incredibly exemplary. I barely found any hitch or difficulties while answering the questions. The AI interviewer was responsive and the process felt natural."
– Arham • Jan 22
"Zara often interrupted my answers to give her own responses. She did not allow time for me to consider an answer to a question before trying to move on. Otherwise, it was a unique experience and an interesting way to conduct interviews."
– Suzanne Fisher • Jan 21
- ✓ One AI interview covers future role matches
- ✓ Paid in USD twice a month through Deel
Interview runs on camera with screen share
Current Openings
3 latest listings from Micro1
Simulation Expert — Real-to-Sim 3D Environments & Assets
Investment Banking Associate
Korean Language Expert
Alignerr is Labelbox's contributor platform for code challenges, domain prompts, voice data and rubric grading. Its homepage states $10 to $280 an hour, each project lists its rate before you start, and contributors are paid weekly through Deel. Every contributor passes a Persona ID check, some jobs add a Zara AI interview or skills assessment, and each project starts with a calibration phase. Its organic Trustpilot reviews average 4.6 out of 5 in our study, the highest of the platforms we track.
We track 60 open Alignerr roles with a $22.50 median hourly listing, against 210 and $80 on Handshake. It pays weekly.
💬 Real User Feedback
"Not too much to add. Zara is amazing, and the feedback is great. I really enjoyed the whole onboarding experience and found it very professional."
– Victor David Vendrell L. • Jan 21
"Easy and clear information provided throughout the process. Good AI tools that make the work straightforward and efficient."
– Rodrigo Alcázar S. • Jan 21
"Good place for remote work with flexible scheduling. However, projects often have strict time limits that can feel rushed. Overall a decent platform if you can work quickly."
- ✓ Rate listed on each project before you start
- ✓ Paid weekly through Deel
Persona identity check for every contributor
Current Openings
3 latest listings from Alignerr
Software Engineer Task Author (AI Training)
CFD Engineer — AI Task Designer (OpenFOAM)
CFD Engineer — AI Task Designer Remote (OpenFOAM)
SME Careers is SuperAnnotate's network for subject matter experts who train and evaluate AI models. You apply with a CV and take a recorded AI interview, some roles add a qualification exam or a call, and a human makes the final hiring decision. Contracts and weekly payouts run through Deel, in any country Deel supports. Listings publish a maximum rate only, so expect typical pay below the figure shown.
We track 261 open SME Careers roles with a $50 median hourly listing, against 210 and $80 on Handshake. It pays weekly.
💬 Real User Feedback
"The people here are awesome—both the SuperAnnotate team and the high-quality colleagues I worked with. This was my first time, and despite some early snags, the team was incredibly supportive. The work is meaningful and the payment is reliable."
– Tina S. • Nov 2
"SuperAnnotate is a great company. The work has been pretty steady, and the leaders are excellent."
– Michael N. • Nov 2
- ✓ Weekly payouts through Deel
- ✓ Open in any country Deel supports
Includes a recorded AI interview
Current Openings
4 latest listings from SME Careers
Workforce Experience Specialists
Legal & Compliance Specialist
Finance & Accounting Specialist
Healthcare Specialist
Handshake AI is worth keeping while your projects pay. Add one platform with a steady flow of roles, like Mercor or Micro1, so a paused project does not stop your income.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Handshake AI alternatives?
Mercor, Micro1, Alignerr and SME Careers hire the same students, graduates and experts as Handshake AI. Mercor lists the most roles. Micro1 and Alignerr screen with an AI interview.
Is Handshake AI the same as Handshake?
Handshake AI is the AI training program run by Handshake, the campus careers network. The listings compared on this page are Handshake AI's paid AI training projects.
Which Handshake AI alternative pays weekly?
Mercor, Alignerr and SME Careers pay weekly, like Handshake AI. Micro1 pays twice a month.