Mercor vs Handshake AI for your company's data
The short answer
Both license company records to AI labs. Handshake AI states $100K to $4M+ per partnership and asks for 20+ staff and three years in operation. Mercor states no minimum size and wires payment after delivery, typically two to four weeks after signing. Mercor disclosed a March 2026 breach.
How do their company-data programs differ?
Mercor says it takes data from "100+ supported tools," wires payment after delivery, typically within two to four weeks of signing, and states no minimum company size. It claims SOC 2 Type II certification.
Handshake AI states $100K to $4M+ per partnership, starts with a form and a scoping call, and admits "no de-identification process eliminates that risk entirely." Its referral page asks for 20 or more full-time employees and three or more years in operation.
Mercor and Handshake AI company-data terms side by side
| Term | Mercor | Handshake AI |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum size | None stated | 20+ full-time staff, 3+ years |
| Stated pay range | None published. Offers up to $300K reported | $100K to $4M+ |
| Payment timing | Wire on delivery, typically 2 to 4 weeks after signing | Typically 30 to 60 days after dataset acceptance |
| Fees to you | None, Mercor covers extraction | Not published |
| How data moves | You link accounts from 100+ tools | You transfer data as it exists, Handshake prepares it |
| Pick this when | You want payment soon after signing | You want a stated price range up front |
See Handshake AI data partnerships and Mercor data licensing for what each says in full.
What is on record about each?
Mercor disclosed a March 2026 supply chain incident that it calls "very limited" in impact (Mercor). The breach class actions were consolidated in May 2026 and stayed pending mediation on 21 Jul 2026 (CourtListener).
It also faces a proposed class action over how it classifies its contractors, White v. Mercor.io Corp. (N.D. Tex., filed 8 May 2026), and has moved to compel arbitration (IC Legal News).
For Handshake AI, Business Insider reported suspended and unpaid contractors on OpenAI projects. Handshake declined to comment. These are reports and allegations, and none involve company records, but they are a fair read on how each firm handles a dispute.
Where do you go from here?
Read the full evidence on is Mercor legit and is Handshake AI legit. If you hold company records, confirm your rights with the rights check first, and compare options in Mercor alternatives.
Our only referral relationship is with micro1, an AI data company. It may pay us a fee if a company we introduce goes ahead with it. You pay nothing extra. How we are paid
Vaultfish helps you run the process. We are not lawyers and this is not legal advice. If you need counsel who knows this area, we can point you to one. Ask for a referral
