Alignerr and the Handshake AI Fellowship both pay hourly for AI evaluation work, and eligibility separates them first. Handshake AI takes US-based applicants with valid work authorization only, states $40 to $125 an hour, and pays weekly through Stripe. Alignerr, Labelbox's contributor platform, takes applicants worldwide who meet its skill and communication bar, states $10 to $280 an hour, lists each project's rate before you start, and pays weekly through Deel. If you are in the US, compare the open roles on both. Outside it, Alignerr is the one open to you.
Quick verdict
Handshake pays more on live listings: Alignerr $23/hr median (middle half $23 to $35, 60 distinct listed rates across 60 open listings) vs Handshake $80/hr median (middle half $75 to $100, 206 distinct listed rates across 210 open listings). Updated October 4, 2026. How we count.
Typical Pay (Median)
Handshake
$80/hr listed median · 256% higher
Faster Onboarding
Similar
Alignerr: Varies (ID check, interview or assessment, then calibration) Handshake: Varies (ID check, background check, assessment)
Global Access
Alignerr
Alignerr: Global Handshake: US only (valid work authorization; F-1 CPT/OPT eligible)
Trustpilot Score
Alignerr
Alignerr: 4.8/5 Handshake: 1.5/5
The Case for Alignerr
Alignerr is Labelbox's contributor platform. Every contributor passes a Persona identity check, some jobs add a Zara AI interview or a skills assessment, and each project starts with a calibration phase where sample work is reviewed. Rates are listed in each project description before you start, from a stated $10 to $280 an hour, and contributors are paid weekly through Deel with no minimum hours.
The Case for Handshake
The Handshake AI Fellowship is open to US-based applicants with valid work authorization; F-1 students on CPT or OPT can qualify, STEM OPT is excluded. Onboarding includes an ID check, a background check and an assessment, and no prior AI experience is required. The fellowship page states $40 to $125 an hour, and payouts go out weekly through Stripe. A proposed class action filed in July 2026 alleges fellows are misclassified as contractors.
| Metric | Alignerr | Handshake |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Pay (Median) | – | $85/hr
Generalist median: $85/hr
Specialist median: $80/hr
|
| Payment Schedule | Weekly (Deel) | Weekly via Stripe, by Wednesday for the prior Mon-Sun week |
| Geo Accessibility | Global | US only (valid work authorization; F-1 CPT/OPT eligible) |
| Onboarding Speed | Varies (ID check, interview or assessment, then calibration) | Varies (ID check, background check, assessment) |
| Top User Complaint | "Payment delays on specific projects (Vera)" | "Employer spam" |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.8/5 | 1.5/5 |
| Full-Time Commitment (35+ hrs/wk, from listings) | 0% (n=448) | Not enough tracked listings yet |
Interview, hours, contract-length, and timezone figures come directly from live job listings we track and manually verify, not platform marketing copy.
Alignerr
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.
- ✓ Rate listed on each project before you start
- ✓ Paid weekly through Deel
- ✓ Open to applicants worldwide
💬 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
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)
Handshake
The Handshake AI Fellowship pays people with associate to PhD backgrounds to evaluate and improve AI models. It is open to US-based applicants with valid work authorization, and the fellowship page states $40 to $125 an hour. Onboarding includes an ID check, a background check and an assessment, and payouts go out weekly through Stripe. A proposed class action filed in July 2026 alleges fellows are misclassified as contractors; Handshake had not responded as of August 2026.
- ✓ Fellowship page states $40 to $125 an hour
- ✓ Weekly payouts through Stripe
- ✓ No prior AI experience required
💬 User Feedback
"I still freelance with them. They are kind, helpful and understanding. I am always paid on time and paid very well. The platform connects students with real employers who respect their time."
– Barbara D. • Dec 27
Current Openings
3 latest listings from Handshake
Management Consultant
Technical Professional
Robotics Engineering Expert
Alignerr vs Handshake: common questions
- Which pays more, Alignerr or Handshake?
- Handshake pays more on live listings: Alignerr $23/hr median (middle half $23 to $35, 60 distinct listed rates across 60 open listings) vs Handshake $80/hr median (middle half $75 to $100, 206 distinct listed rates across 210 open listings). Updated October 4, 2026.
- Which is easier to start, Alignerr or Handshake?
- Onboarding time is similar. Alignerr: Varies (ID check, interview or assessment, then calibration). Handshake: Varies (ID check, background check, assessment). Alignerr has no interview-rate data yet; Handshake has no interview-rate data yet.
- Can I work on both Alignerr and Handshake?
- Yes. Both are independent-contractor platforms with separate accounts and separate payouts (Alignerr: Weekly (Deel); Handshake: Weekly via Stripe, by Wednesday for the prior Mon-Sun week). Exclusivity, where it exists, is set per project in the agreement you sign, so check each project's terms before overlapping hours.
Both platforms are legitimate and widely used. The best choice depends on your background, goals, and location.