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Top Employer of Record Companies

14 Best Employer of Record (EOR) Services in 2026

The best employer of record services include Deel, Native Teams, Remofirst, Multiplier, and Remote.

Rodrigo Vázquez-Mellado
Written by
Rodrigo Vázquez-Mellado
HR and B2B software analyst and advisor, tech writer and editor, former conversational designer
Contributing Experts
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Last Updated: Feb 04, 2026
TOP
Best for cost-conscious startups and SMBs
Native Teams
Popularity Score
User Score
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for cost-conscious startups and SMBs
Native Teams
Popularity Score
User Score
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for tech-driven EOR services
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for tech-driven EOR services
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
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TOP
Best for AI-assisted global employment
Borderless AI
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for AI-assisted global employment
Borderless AI
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Top freelance management platform with solid project management tools
Worksuite
4.0
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Top freelance management platform with solid project management tools
Worksuite
4.0
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.3
Product  Score
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TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Enterprise-grade project management tool with powerful automation
Wrike
4.7
Popularity Score
4.2
User Score
4.6
Product  Score
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TOP
Best for large enterprises
ADP
4.0
Popularity Score
4.0
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for large enterprises
ADP
4.0
Popularity Score
4.0
User Score
4.1
Product  Score
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Top Employer of Record Companies

G-PBest for enterprise-grade global hiring
GoGlobalBest for VC-backed SaaS teams
OmnipresentBest for human-led, high-touch support
OysterBest for global SMBs and nonprofits
RipplingBest for strong HRIS features
Atlas HXMBest for fully direct EOR service
MultiplierBest for hiring across APAC markets

Pebl

: Best for fast onboarding

Remote

: Best for fully owned legal entities

Remofirst

: Best for compliance-first EOR support

Papaya Global

: Best for mid-to-large companies

TOP
Best for cost-conscious startups and SMBs
Native Teams
Popularity Score
User Score
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for cost-conscious startups and SMBs
Native Teams
Popularity Score
User Score
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for tech-driven EOR services
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for tech-driven EOR services
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Best for AI-assisted global employment
Borderless AI
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Best for AI-assisted global employment
Borderless AI
4.1
Popularity Score
4.7
User Score
4.0
Product  Score
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Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Introduction to Employer of Record Services

The best employer of record (EOR) enables you to legally hire talent in countries where you lack a physical office, handling payroll, benefits, taxes, and sometimes visa applications, among other employment duties.

After assessing over 40 prominent platforms and test-hiring more than 70 people over the years, we found that Deel, Native Teams, Remofirst, Multiplier, and Remote are among the best employer of record services to date. Check out our full comparison of these services, including analysis of pricing, features, regulatory compliance, and customer support.

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Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Top Employer of Record Companies

Every vendor featured on this page was selected through independent research, hands-on testing, and expert interviews. Specifically, we sat on dozens of product demos, held in-depth interviews with HR experts, tested the EOR services ourselves, and reviewed real customer experiences to understand where providers truly deliver and where they fall short.

Key factors we considered when comparing EOR companies include the number of countries where they offer first-hand services, pricing transparency, customer support, and the quality of their user interface.

  • Direct Entity Ownership: We understand that choosing the right EOR partner means entrusting them with your most sensitive operations – payroll, compliance, employee well-being, and reputation. That’s why we gave top marks to companies that own and operate their own local legal entities (rather than outsourcing to third-party aggregators) for higher accountability and control.
  • Pricing Transparency: In dealing with payroll, it’s essential to be able to see exactly what fees you’re paying and why. The best EOR services consistently provide customers with peace of mind.‍ We looked for companies that break down fees, avoid hidden costs, and clearly explain what you’ll be expecting to pay for during the demos so you can make informed decisions.
  • Proven Customer Support: While many tools in the space promote a self-service approach, we favored companies with strong customer service. This includes dedicated account managers, region-specific experts, and a support team that is readily accessible. Few business aspects are as touchy as payroll, so vendors with a white-glove approach get prioritized.‍
  • User-friendly Interface: The best EOR companies tie all of the above together through nice-looking and modern software tools. These products are where you can keep track of everything going on with your international payroll.

Want to know more about how we maintain editorial independence and transparency in our reviews? Check out how we vet HR tech vendors here.

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Compare the Top Employer of Record Companies

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score
Startups & SMBs hiring talent abroad
Most affordable EOR with built-in wallet and 1% cashback
Starts at $99/mo
Get pricing info
Yes
3k+ companies
4.4
For varying needs of a contractor & EOR combination
Easy to scale up/down from hiring contractors or full-time
Starts at $499/mo
Get pricing info
Yes
35,000+ globally
4.6
4.5
4.1
Businesses hiring globally that want AI-powered HR support
HRGPT for real-time HR, compliance, and contract queries
Contractors from $49/mo; EOR from $579/mo
Get pricing info
No
Undisclosed
4.7
4.0
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

Need Help? Get Custom Recommendations for Top Employer of Record Companies

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Detailed Reviews of the Best Employer of Record Services

Native Teams

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Native Teams
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Popularity Score
/ 5
User Score
/ 5
Product Score
/ 5

Why we picked Native Teams

Native Teams offers one of the most affordable EOR solutions we've seen, which starts at just $99 per employee per month. That alone caught our attention, but it’s the combination of built-in wallets, compliance support in 95+ countries, and visa services that solidified their place on this list.

PROS

  • Good range of EOR services with compliant contracts, payroll, benefits, and visa support.
  • Pricing is half the typical EOR rate, and a free trial is offered.
  • Built-in wallet and debit card for employees, with 1% cashback on balances.
  • Contracts are bilingual and can be partially customized with legal team review.
  • Visa and mobility support embedded in-platform for 20+ countries.
  • Automated workflows for bonuses, tax allowances, and leave tracking.
  • Good range of EOR services with compliant contracts, payroll, benefits, and visa support.
  • Pricing is half the typical EOR rate, and a free trial is offered.
  • Built-in wallet and debit card for employees, with 1% cashback on balances.
  • Contracts are bilingual and can be partially customized with legal team review.
  • Visa and mobility support embedded in-platform for 20+ countries.
  • Automated workflows for bonuses, tax allowances, and leave tracking.

CONS

  • User interface lacks polish, and navigation can feel unintuitive.
  • Onboarding can be slow, especially when syncing legal documentation.
  • No HRIS integrations or open API (planned for 2026).
  • Does not offer compensation benchmarking or planning tools.
  • User interface lacks polish, and navigation can feel unintuitive.
  • Onboarding can be slow, especially when syncing legal documentation.
  • No HRIS integrations or open API (planned for 2026).
  • Does not offer compensation benchmarking or planning tools.

Native Teams Review

Native Teams delivers a platform that covers all the EOR basics and a pricing structure well below industry standards. Most employer of record providers charge $499-$599 per employee per month. Native Teams undercuts that dramatically, starting at just $99, making it an easy choice for startups and budget-conscious global teams.

Native Teams EOR platform

While customization isn’t their strongest suit, our demo made it clear that Native Teams compensates with responsive, hands-on support. Employers can generate compliant, bilingual contracts with limited editable fields, and any requested changes are reviewed by their legal team, usually within five business days. Payroll is streamlined with automation, and applying bonuses, logging absences, and using country-specific tax allowances felt intuitive.

The employee wallet and debit card also help Native Teams stand out. Workers can receive payments in multiple currencies, transfer money to a personal bank account, or spend with a Native Teams Mastercard. They also earn 1% monthly cashback on funds held in the wallet. If you’re comparing EOR vendors, you’ll notice this isn’t something typically found on most platforms.

On the accessibility side, Native Teams provides integrated visa and mobility support across 20+ countries. We gathered feedback from employee users who had direct experience with this feature. Many praised how easy it was to track requests, upload documents, and communicate with the in-house visa team.

As for drawbacks, the most notable stem from usability and early-stage limitations. Native Teams’ platform doesn’t have the smoothest interface, and several users mentioned needing help during onboarding. Just as important is the current absence of native HRIS integrations and compensation benchmarking tools, which could be dealbreakers for larger or rapidly scaling teams. Fortunately, the EOR shared that these capabilities were on the roadmap for 2026. We’ll keep an eye on progress and report back as those features roll out.

Native Teams Customers

Semos Cloud, Mad Head Games, Kaiko Systems, inDrive, STURM

Native Teams Pricing

Pricing starts at $99/month per employee. Free trial available directly on Native Team’s website.

How has Native Teams Changed Over Time?

Best For

Native Teams is ideal for startups and SMBs looking to hire full-time employees in Europe, the UK, and emerging markets.

Native Teams in action
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Deel

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Deel
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Popularity Score
4.4 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked Deel

Deel can operate as an employer of record in over 150 countries. They own entities in 90+ countries and have focused on global-first companies for a long time. They have been tech-oriented from the beginning, boasting a stellar platform, coupled with solid EOR services.

PROS

  • Outstanding customer service, including 24/7 in-app assistance and a fast onboarding process (typically 2-3 days).
  • Local payroll experts available in multiple jurisdictions.
  • Integrates with over 100 HR platforms, and offers custom integrations and APIs.
  • Caters to self-service; new users can quickly start using it without lengthy calls and demos.
  • Setup is hassle-free, and identity verification is often completed within 24 hours.
  • Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
  • Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
  • User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
  • Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.

CONS

  • Additional fees for certain advanced features, such as onboarding automation.
  • Lack of flexibility in contract and service agreement alterations.
  • Invoice generation only available in English.
  • Doesn't own the entities they use for an EOR setup in all jurisdictions. Depending on the country, a third-party company may need to be included.
  • Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
  • Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
  • Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.

Deel Review

Deel has built one of the most robust platforms for managing global employment, with a strong focus on EOR services.

User interface of Deel EOR platform

At the core of Deel’s EOR offering is its global footprint. Deel operates in over 150 countries and owns entities in more than 90 of them. In regions where they don’t have direct ownership, they work through a network of vetted partners. This allows companies to move quickly in most jurisdictions, though the involvement of third parties may affect control and response times depending on the country.

One of Deel’s biggest strengths is speed. We found that onboarding full-time employees in many countries could be completed in just 2–3 business days. Identity verification often takes under 24 hours, and new admins can get started right away, as there’s no need to schedule onboarding calls or wait for manual setups. For global-first teams that want to move fast, that self-serve experience really matters.

The user interface is intuitive, and the platform plays nicely with others. Deel integrates with more than 100 HR tools out of the box and offers custom integrations and APIs for those that need them. On the support side, they offer 24/7 in-app chat and access to local payroll and compliance experts, which proved helpful when testing edge cases during onboarding.

However, contract modifications are where this EOR company falls short. Any changes usually require a formal addendum, which can create extra administrative work. Additionally, bear in mind that certain features, such as onboarding automation, aren’t included by default. We also noticed that Deel’s invoice generation is currently only available in English, which may be a limitation for non-English-speaking stakeholders.

Regarding entity ownership, while Deel does own entities in most of the markets it serves, there are still countries where they rely on third parties to act as the local employer. That’s not uncommon in the industry, but it’s something we’d recommend you be aware of when evaluating long-term risk and compliance.

Deel Customers

Deel is used by over 35,000 companies, including Brex, Google, Homelight, Duffel, and Andela.

Deel Pricing

Deel EOR costs $499 per month, which enables international hiring without an entity and includes payroll, taxes, and benefits.

How has Deel Changed Over Time?

As a new product, Deel has changed a lot since its inception. Its newest offering, DeelHR, allows companies to complete most of their HR operations tasks in Deel.

Best For

Deel's EOR services are best for VC-backed startups, scaleups, and global SMBs hiring full-time employees in countries where they lack a legal presence.

Deel in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

As Head of HR, I’m in the Deel platform two or three times a week to oversee the entire lifecycle of our external workforce. My primary workflow involves onboarding and offboarding contractors, which I find to be the most improved part of their system recently.

I use the dashboard to ensure new hires are set up correctly and that their background checks—run through their Certn integration—are linked properly. During the monthly payroll cycle, I use the platform to review and approve invoices so our contractors are paid their hourly rates on time.

I also use it for offboarding, though that process has been frustrating lately, as the platform fails to block unauthorized fund requests from former contractors. It’s our main hub for contractor operations, but it requires a level of oversight I didn’t initially expect.

What do you like about this tool?

It’s very user-friendly. It offers contracts customized for each country we’ve hired from. It works well for a hybrid model. The steps to add people to the system are straightforward.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We brought Deel on about two years ago to streamline how we manage our global network of remote contractors at Topflight Apps. At the time, our main pain point was finding a centralized way to handle international contracts and payouts without navigating a dozen different local banking systems.

We were looking for a “quick and legal” solution that would allow us to scale our remote team while keeping all our documentation in one place. While the tool has definitely simplified our payment runs and initial onboarding, we’ve realized over time that it functions more as a high-end payment processor than a true legal partner.

Even though the platform provides customized templates for different countries, the actual protection is limited unless you’re on one of their higher-tier plans. We use it because it centralizes our administrative work, but we’ve had to stay very hands-on with actual legal risk management.

What do you dislike about this tool?

We primarily chose Deel for legal protection, but recent experience shows it functions more as a payment tool than a compliance partner. We offboarded a contractor for misconduct, but they were still able to request extra funds through the platform.

Despite my report and full documentation, Deel has been silent. They aren’t actually managing our legal risks as promised.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Deel is easier for us to use and offers flat-fee pricing. If you value peace of mind, it’s the stronger choice.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Determine exactly who is liable if a contractor is reclassified as an employee by local authorities. Standard $49/month plans usually provide templates but leave the legal risk with you. If you need the platform to defend against legal action or cover penalties, you’ll need to upgrade to the “Shield” or “Contractor of Record” tiers.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

The contractor onboarding process has improved over the last few years. They’ve also integrated with background check providers such as Certn, which we already use.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Remote organizations with contractors or freelancers who are paid hourly.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Organizations in sectors with aggressive labor unions or strict classification laws (such as Construction, Healthcare, or specialized Engineering) should be cautious.

Borderless AI

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Borderless AI
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked Borderless AI

Borderless stood out for embedding AI as the foundation of its EOR platform, not as an add-on. Their HRGPT and Contract Generator agents provide instant, reliable responses to HR questions using company policies, employee data, and local compliance rules, speeding up tasks like onboarding and contract generation. This deep AI integration, paired with fast, deposit-free payroll, makes them a top pick for modern and global HR teams.

PROS

  • HRGPT agent delivers quick, reliable, and personalized answers on contracts, policies, and compliance.
  • Payroll processes are among the fastest in the industry, with no requirement to pre-fund salary deposits.
  • Questions and technical issues are handled by in-country Borderless account and success managers.
  • They have partnered with local experts from the Big Four accounting firms for accounting and tax compliance.
  • Both the web platform and the mobile app are intuitive, quick to figure out, and easy on the eye.
  • HRGPT agent delivers quick, reliable, and personalized answers on contracts, policies, and compliance.
  • Payroll processes are among the fastest in the industry, with no requirement to pre-fund salary deposits.
  • Questions and technical issues are handled by in-country Borderless account and success managers.
  • They have partnered with local experts from the Big Four accounting firms for accounting and tax compliance.
  • Both the web platform and the mobile app are intuitive, quick to figure out, and easy on the eye.

CONS

  • No direct integrations with major HRIS platforms, which could limit larger teams seeking ecosystem compatibility.
  • Reporting and analytics features remain basic, offering limited drill-down capabilities for detailed audits or trend analysis.
  • No direct integrations with major HRIS platforms, which could limit larger teams seeking ecosystem compatibility.
  • Reporting and analytics features remain basic, offering limited drill-down capabilities for detailed audits or trend analysis.

Borderless AI Review

When we last reviewed Borderless AI, their standout feature was "Alberni," a GPT-like conversational tool. That tool has evolved and been rebranded as HRGPT, a more robust, AI-native agent we experienced firsthand in our latest demo. Unlike add-on bots in competitor platforms, HRGPT is deeply embedded throughout Borderless’ workflows. It consolidates global compliance intelligence, your internal company data, and employment contracts to instantly answer nuanced HR questions.

During our live test, we asked HRGPT to generate compliant employment contracts for hires in Brazil and Singapore. It produced error-free drafts in under a minute, adjusting for local regulations automatically. We also explored onboarding tasks, where HRGPT dynamically assembled checklists based on each country's legal requirements.

Payroll remains a key strength: Borderless’ infrastructure avoids the common EOR practice of pre-funding payroll weeks in advance. This frees up working capital for businesses and ensures employees get paid faster, with Borderless processing salary payments as soon as client funds are transferred—a significant differentiator we haven’t seen in legacy vendors.

However, Borderless does fall short in some areas. The platform currently lacks direct integrations with leading HRIS systems, which may not appeal to larger organizations seeking a unified HR tech stack for their international workforce. We also found the reporting and analytics features to be fairly basic during our testing, limiting the ability to create detailed, custom reports or perform deep data analysis—a drawback for companies needing advanced workforce insights.

That said, another area we appreciated was customer service. Borderless’ support team is fully based in North America and staffed with experienced payments and compliance professionals who work as an extension of your team.

Borderless AI Customers

Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection, WineDirect, ShiftKey, Colligo, Levanta, Raya, Presto

Borderless AI Pricing

Borderless AI’s starts at $49 per contractor per month if you only hire people that way. To engage employees through an EOR, the monthly cost starts at $579.

That said, the final price will depend on your headcount and the jurisdictions you need to operate in.

How has Borderless AI Changed Over Time?

Since our last review, Borderless launched HRGPT, an AI assistant that automates contracts, PTO tracking, benefits, and compliance. HRGPT now references real-time laws across 170+ countries and company policies to answer HR questions accurately. It also enables self-serve employee HR support and quick, compliant contract generation. Combined with earlier updates, such as easier entity creation, time and expense submissions, and Google Calendar PTO integration, Borderless continues to expand its AI-native EOR platform.

Best For

Borderless AI is ideal for startups and mid-sized companies expanding internationally that need fast, reliable payroll and a built-in AI assistant to handle complex, country-specific HR and compliance tasks without pre-funding requirements.

Borderless AI in action
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Pebl

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Pebl
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Pebl

Pebl stood out for its speed-to-hire and deep compliance infrastructure, backed by over a decade of global labor law expertise. Unlike newer EOR entrants, Pebl blends proven audit processes with AI-powered automation, enabling fast, risk-mitigated expansion into 185+ countries.

PROS

  • Global reach with built-in compliance across 185+ countries, including 17+ employment licenses in regulated markets.
  • Fast onboarding with AI-assisted workflows that eliminate manual handoffs.
  • Localized employee experience with in-country benefits, in-language support, and 24/7 service.
  • Strong support for immigration, including visa and work permit assistance.
  • Competitive flat-rate pricing at $399/month.
  • Strong service and support during relocation or contractor conversion.
  • Handles payroll, benefits, and compliance locally.
  • Includes visa and work permit assistance.

CONS

  • The user dashboard sometimes experiences bugs.
  • Some users have noted that the onboarding process includes redundant steps.
  • Targeting EOR services, the platform lacks comprehensive, full-suite HRIS functionality.
  • Limited integration options compared to some other EOR platforms.
  • Occasional bugs in the user dashboard.
  • Some redundant steps in the onboarding process.

Pebl Review

Pebl reflects a more mature generation of EOR platforms designed to minimize risk while supporting fast cross-border hiring. It is not positioned as a full HRIS, and in our view that focus is a strength for companies that need clean, compliant international hiring without excess tooling.

Pebl EOR platform

During our evaluation, Pebl’s advantages were clearest in time-sensitive and entity-free expansion scenarios. One company we spoke with completed onboarding, including compliance review and payroll setup, in under a week. Results like this, backed by partnerships with in-country legal experts such as Baker McKenzie, show that Pebl is working toward its goal of allowing teams to hire in minutes rather than months.

The Alfie AI assistant is one of the most practical compliance features we have tested. It provides vetted legal insights and contextual prompts during onboarding, and the overall UX makes international workflows feel similar to local hiring. The expanded integration catalog, now supporting more than 200 tools, also helps HR and finance teams stay aligned as they scale.

Having said that, Pebl is not the right choice for every team. If you need a unified HRIS or do not plan to hire internationally, the platform may not be your perfect fit. The absence of a free trial also limits how much hands-on evaluation is possible before committing.

Pebl Customers

Honeywell, AB InBev, Linksys, Crunchbase, Betterment, Anaplan, Consensys

Pebl Pricing

The base price for the Pebl EOR services starts at $399 per employee per month.

How has Pebl Changed Over Time?

Best For

Pebl is ideal for startups, SMBs, and mid-market firms expanding globally who need fast, compliant hiring without investing in local entities.

Pebl in action
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Remote

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Remote
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.6 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5

Why we picked Remote

Remote is among a small number of EORs that operate as a local entity in the countries they service. They offer numerous global HR solutions in addition to payroll, including onboarding, taxes, and equity plans.

PROS

  • Remote owns 100% of the entities for which the platform offers EOR services.
  • Flat fee structures don’t require a deposit.
  • The benefits packages are country-specific.
  • Supports ironclad IP and invention rights protection.
  • Responsive customer support via email and live chat.
  • Supports equity incentive planning across countries, including tax withholding.
  • Easy-to-use employee mobile app.
  • Fast and compliant payroll in 170+ countries.
  • Live chat support with local payroll experts.
  • Flexible, localized benefit packages.
  • Flat-rate pricing structure, no deposits or hidden fees.
  • Mobile app streamlines expense reimbursement with autofill from receipt photos.

CONS

  • Supports direct deposit and wire transfers but doesn’t support off-cycle pay runs.
  • No phone support is available.
  • Can be an overkill if you only hire only a handful of people.
  • Doesn’t have a free trial.
  • Redundant for organizations solely recruiting within the U.S.
  • Help center documentation isn’t easiest to understand.

Remote Review

Remote has carved out a reputation as one of the most reliable EOR providers on the market, largely because they own 100% of the legal entities in every country where they offer EOR services. That’s a major differentiator in a category where many vendors rely on third-party intermediaries. Owning the infrastructure allows Remote to deliver faster onboarding, stronger IP protection, and greater pricing transparency.

EOR Remote dashboard

We (and most of Remote’s clients we surveyed) found the employer of record platform itself intuitive and well-organized. It supports global payroll, localized benefits, onboarding, equity incentive planning, and tax compliance across more than 60 countries. One particular pleasant experience we had was generating employment offers with country-specific benefits already baked in—something that saved us time and ensured compliance from day one.

Remote’s pricing is structured as a flat monthly fee, which we appreciate for its predictability. No security deposit is required for companies that meet their internal creditworthiness criteria (though they don’t publicly share what those benchmarks are). Another standout feature is IP protection: Remote offers clear and enforceable ownership of intellectual property and invention rights, which is especially important for tech companies hiring internationally.

The mobile app is also a plus, offering employees a user-friendly interface to view pay stubs, benefits, and tax information. Support is available via email and live chat, and during our tests, we found response times to be consistently solid.

Still, it’s quite a disappointment to find out that Remote doesn’t currently support off-cycle pay runs. For teams that need more flexible payroll processing, this can definitely be a significant drawback. We should also warn you that with Remote, there is no phone support, meaning you may experience a gap in coverage during urgent issues. And for those only working with a few contractors or employees, Remote might be a bit overkill.

Remote Customers

Loom, GitLab, DoorDash, HelloFresh, Workato, Semrush, Teamway

Remote Pricing

Remote's Employer of Record services begin at $599 per employee per month, while their Contractor Management services start at $29 per contractor per month. Eligible startups and nonprofits can receive a 15% discount on both of these services for a duration of 12 months.

How has Remote Changed Over Time?

Best For

Remote’s an excellent value for money for remote-first enterprises to get a full-fledged and trusted EOR, thanks to its 100% owned-entity model in 60+ countries.

Remote in action
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Remofirst

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Remofirst
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked Remofirst

Remofirst makes an all-inclusive EOR platform aimed toward making remote global hiring a seamless reality. Its standout features include budget-friendliness and exceptional customer support, where every client is privileged with a dedicated 24/7 account manager.

PROS

  • Supports payments in USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, and SGD.
  • Employees receive payments in their local currency.
  • Coverage spans more than 150 countries.
  • Has a modern and visually appealing user interface.
  • Pricing is competitive and cheaper than Deel.
  • Employers are able to pay Remofirst in USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, and SGD.
  • In turn, Remofirst pays each global employee in their local currency.
  • Over 150 countries serviced
  • Since it’s a young product, the UI looks quite modern, sleek, and generally easy on the eye.

CONS

  • Due to its relative newness in the market, it has less extensive integrations and features.
  • Onboarding can take longer than 5 days, depending on the countries where the new hire is based.
  • As a younger company than others in the industry, Remofirst are still rolling out new integrations and features from their roadmap every month. Hence, these are somewhat limited for now.

Remofirst Review

Remofirst is one of the newer names in the EOR space, but it’s quickly made a mark with its affordability, transparent pricing, and strong global coverage.

Payroll dashboard of employer of record Remotefirst

Compared to our previous demos and evaluations of the platform, it has undergone significant enhancements. The interface is clean and modern, and the focus on usability is clear. Admins can generate compliant contracts, track onboarding status, and manage payroll through a centralized dashboard. Employees are paid in their local currency, while employers can fund payroll in major currencies like USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, and CAD—something we found particularly useful for finance teams managing multi-region cash flow.

Another thing we love about this EOR service provider is the customer support. Every client gets access to a dedicated account manager with 24/7 availability, which is rare even among more established brands. Users we spoke with appreciated the responsiveness and clarity of the support team, especially when dealing with employment regulations in new or complex markets.

That said, Remofirst’s relative newness does show in some areas. The employer of record company currently supports quite a modest number of integrations, so take notes to clarify with them in the product demo whether your HR tech stacks may need to rely on manual processes or custom workarounds. We also learned that onboarding timelines can vary. While same-day onboarding is possible in some countries, it can take more than five business days elsewhere, depending on local documentation and compliance needs.

Remofirst Customers

The notable clientele of Remofirst includes Microsoft, Mastercard, ZocDoc, QED, Labster, and Byrd.

Remofirst Pricing

Remofirst provides EOR services starting at $199 per employee per month. Contractors offers two tiers of EOR services: a free tier and a premium tier priced at $25 per person per month.

How has Remofirst Changed Over Time?

Best For

Remofirst’s EOR is ideal for tech companies with 100-200 employees that are looking to onboard a global remote workforce of full-time and contract workers while remaining compliant.

Remofirst in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used Remofirst for all HR and compliance functions. These included running background checks, processing work permits and visas, maintaining employee records, and managing payroll.

Our small HR team of five people relied on the platform daily. Thanks to the platform’s features, the onboarding process became much more efficient. Remofirst provided a streamlined approach to workforce management, simplifying the employee lifecycle.

What do you like about this tool?
  • The platform is straightforward and user-friendly for everyone.
  • Since it is designed for global use, it allowed for more seamless integrations, particularly with payroll.
  • The platform offers different pricing plans, providing flexibility for teams of various sizes.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

With one of my previous employers, I personally used Remofirst for one year. We implemented the platform during a transition period when we went fully remote and began hiring globally. We used Remofirst for employee records, background checks, payroll, and tracking work permits.

The organization needed a short-term solution due to the quick turnaround required. To this day, the company continues to use the platform, and my former colleagues have not reported any issues with it.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • The platform does not offer add-on services, meaning users are limited to its existing features.
  • It did not evolve over time to address client requests or feedback.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Yes, I have used similar tools. While Remofirst is good, it is not great. Its lack of evolution forces clients to work within the constraints of its existing features without expecting improvements or updates.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

I would advise potential buyers to ensure this platform meets their needs. Remofirst is better suited for smaller companies that do not require advanced or highly adaptable HR software. Organizations should consider whether they need a solution that can grow and evolve alongside their requirements.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

It has not evolved over time, which is one of my main criticisms as a former user.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

It is ideal for small companies without overly complex HR needs or highly specialized teams that require significant flexibility.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Remofirst would not suit large organizations with extensive HR requirements or those needing a platform that frequently adapts to their evolving needs.

Papaya Global

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Papaya Global
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Papaya Global

Papaya Global does more than cross-border payments. The platform incorporates employee payroll, advisory services, and compliance tools, making it a solid EOR solution for large enterprises to hire, onboard, and manage employees and contractors in over 160 countries.

PROS

  • Provides EOR services for compliant global payroll and employment in over 160 countries.
  • Automated payments in over 100 currencies, with 80 currencies paid directly to the worker's bank account via global banking partners.
  • Dedicated customer support with location-specific employment and payroll knowledge.
  • End-to-end payroll with guaranteed payouts in 72 hours.
  • Offers four standalone solutions: data and insights, supplemental benefits & immigration support, payment services, and employee data management, for increased affordability and scalability.
  • Papaya Global packs the EOR services you need to do global payroll and employment compliantly in over 160 countries.
  • Automated payments in over 100 currencies, 80 of them directly to the worker's bank account through its global banking partners.
  • Dedicated customer support providing locations-specific knowledge regarding employment and payroll.
  • End-to-end payroll guaranteed payouts in 72 hours.
  • Offers four standalone solutions: data and insights, supplemental benefits & immigration support, payment services, and employee data management, making the platform more affordable and scalable.

CONS

  • Does not own entities in all the countries it serves. The platform forms relationships with existing local in-country partners to handle employment in a specific region on the client’s behalf.
  • BI analytics reports and global immigration services cost additional fees.
  • Charges extra fees for setup, onboarding, employee cycle, and tax filing. Also requires a refundable deposit.
  • Built-in integration options aren’t very robust. However, the platform does offer pre-built APIs, SFTP, and custom API integrations for free.
  • No free trial or free plan.
  • Doesn’t own entities in all the countries it serves. The platform forms relationships with existing local in-country partners to handle employment in a specific region on the client’s behalf.
  • BI analytics reports and global immigration services cost additional fees.
  • Charges extra fees for setup, onboarding, employee cycle, and tax filing. Also requires a refundable deposit.
  • Built-in integration options aren’t very robust. However, the platform does offer pre-built APIs, SFTP, and custom API integrations for free.

Papaya Global Review

Papaya Global has been chosen as one of our recommended EOR solutions for three main reasons: a complete suite of services for global employment, a straightforward and flexible pricing structure, and distinctive customer service.

Papaya global EOR

From our experience testing the platform, Papaya Global excels at providing a range of EOR services that businesses need to ensure their global employment is compliant without having to establish a local entity in the hire's country.

The platform allows businesses to hire contractors and employees in 160+ countries. While the self-service portal is not new in this space, Papaya Global has made it helpful and engaging for end users. Employees can finish their country-specific onboarding, check their company org chart, time and attendance report, and access payslips, wage and tax statements, and employment documents.

Papaya, however, doesn’t own all the entities it operates through, with some EOR relationships being built through in-country partners. Price-wise, there are a few potential costs to be aware of, including setup and onboarding fees, employee lifecycle charges, and additional tax filing expenses. A refundable deposit is also required to begin services, which may be a consideration for cash-strapped teams.

Although we appreciated the inclusion of pre-built APIs, custom API support, and SFTP options, all offered without extra charge, the current native integrations are fairly limited.

Papaya Global Customers

Microsoft, Intel, Toyota, Wix, Fiverr, Johnson & Johnson, Deezer

Papaya Global Pricing

PapayaGlobal offers Employee of Record services starting at $599 per employee per month, and Contractor Payments & Management services starting at $30 per contractor per month.

How has Papaya Global Changed Over Time?

In addition to the three plans (EOR, Contractor management, and Global expertise services), users can now pick and pay for the solutions they need from its standalone offerings: full-service payroll, payroll platform license, data and insights, and payments-as-a-service.

Best For

The price point of Papaya Global’s EOR plan makes it work best for medium to large teams looking to hire international contractors/employees or ones wanting to send staff to work in their international offices.

Papaya Global in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

There are several key ways I use Papaya Global. I use it routinely for our hiring and onboarding process, not just for our in-house employees but for contractors as well. I assign roles and permissions for our different departments, including temporary roles for contractors based on need.

This also includes time tracking for our hourly employees and contractors. I use it to monitor local labor laws and manage employee benefits, including handling time-off requests, benefit enrollment, and logging performance reviews.

Every 25th and 10th of the month, I review our workflows, including automated payroll, to ensure pay and time accuracy.

What do you like about this tool?

First, its ability to consolidate payroll and compliance. Second, the ease of use during our onboarding process for both employees and contractors. Third, the ability to manage employee benefits and time-off requests across multiple jurisdictions.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our company operates in several jurisdictions, both in the United States and abroad. We needed an HR system that had extensive features but was also easy to use. Its ability to integrate payroll, compliance, and tax management in one place made it simple for our management teams in different jurisdictions to operate efficiently.

As our team consists not only of in-house employees but also contractors, temporary hires, and vendors, the ability for managers to view and manage this diverse group was critical.

Previously, we used a collection of different systems that did not communicate with each other in many of the jurisdictions where we operated. This led us to create our own spreadsheets and send them to a centralized person who would consolidate the data for tracking and reporting purposes.

In the two-plus years we have used Papaya—aside from the initial growing pains of adjusting to the layout—our organization has operated much more smoothly.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The platform has so many features that it can be overwhelming and occasionally clunky. It becomes easier to use over time, and the Papaya Academy is very helpful. The cost is higher than other solutions we have used.

A more subscription-based model that doesn't charge per employee might be better. Customer support can be inconsistent, with varied response times and occasionally unhelpful responses. I recommend that they create a standardized training program for their support staff, especially internationally.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Compared to other tools where we had to use different products in various locations, Papaya Global is the best at integration, and we no longer need multiple systems. It is number one for a reason.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

First, consider the cost, which can be high for smaller companies.

Second, assess the size of your company and the jurisdictions in which you operate to determine if such a robust solution is necessary. If you're not operating in at least three different countries, this solution may not be right for you.

Third, the software is designed for companies with more complex needs than just running payroll. If you need a solution that combines payroll, HR, tax, and compliance, this is a strong option.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Papaya Global consistently update their solutions and have made improvements to customer support.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Medium to large-sized organizations operating in multiple countries will find Papaya Global useful. It is especially useful for those seeking a single solution for HR and payroll.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Small organizations or those not operating in multiple countries will not find Papaya Global a good fit.

G-P

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G-P
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked G-P

G-P has evolved from a legacy EOR provider into a fully integrated global employment platform. With G-P Meridian and the AI assistant G-P Gia, users gain automation across contract generation, labor law navigation, and HR workflows. It’s particularly appealing to companies managing multiple countries or regulatory environments, thanks to a proven record of compliance, global infrastructure, and in-region experts.

PROS

  • Covers 180+ countries with strong legal and HR infrastructure
  • G-P Gia automates hiring steps and labor law guidance
  • Payroll support in over 180 currencies, including crypto
  • In-house contractor and benefits management tools
  • Well-regarded onboarding and support teams
  • Trusted by enterprise clients with high compliance needs
  • Their G-P Meridian platform is heavily focused on the EOR space, but it’s offered in several plans that can cater to varying needs, even those that might only need to hire people as contractors.
  • Using their tool also implies access to a team of HR and legal professionals with significant experience in each country they operate in.
  • Their UX has evolved continuously and gotten more intuitive and modern each time we delve into the product.

CONS

  • No public pricing or SLA transparency
  • Platform integrations and flexibility are somewhat limited
  • Workflow customization may require enterprise plan
  • Customizing a contract is only possible with the G-P Meridian Prime plan.
  • Features like background checks, equity management, and IT equipment— to name a few— are only available as add-ons.
  • There is no way to try out the software product unless you sign up for a demo and request a proposal.

G-P Review

G-P (formerly Globalization Partners) is one of the longest-standing names in the EOR space, trusted by thousands of companies to manage compliant employment across more than 180 countries. Their platform, G-P Meridian, is designed to centralize onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance in a single, global system—streamlining operations for HR and legal teams.

In 2025, G-P introduced G-P Gia, an AI assistant trained to support hiring workflows, contract creation, and global HR inquiries. Combined with their in-house legal and HR infrastructure, the result is a powerful blend of automation and reliability that appeals to companies hiring at scale.

Customer feedback on G2 and Reddit often highlights their customer success teams, onboarding expertise, and legal clarity. While their UI can feel less modern than newer entrants and customization may be gated behind enterprise plans, their global reach and regulatory depth make them one of the most dependable EOR vendors in the market.

Buyers should expect a consultative sales process with custom pricing and onboarding timelines that vary by country. While not built for startups looking to move fast on a budget, G-P is well suited for companies hiring in multiple regions that need confidence in every step of the employee lifecycle.

G-P Customers

G-P reports serving thousands of clients globally. Named customers include Zoom, Udemo, Distek, and Neurala.

G-P Pricing

Pricing is not published and varies based on country, employee type, visa needs, platform tier, and your particular mix of countries and employment types. G-P typically requires a demo before quoting.

How has G-P Changed Over Time?

Since SSR’s last review, G-P has launched G-P Gia, an AI assistant for generating contracts, answering labor law questions, and handling HR tasks at scale. The G-P Meridian platform has also expanded with better contractor management, new expense tracking tools, and improved global HR workflows—enhancing its appeal to companies managing large, distributed teams.

Best For

G-P is ideal for enterprise and mid-market companies scaling across several countries at once, especially those in regulated industries or with legal and HR teams that prioritize control and compliance.

G-P in action
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GoGlobal

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GoGlobal
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked GoGlobal

GoGlobal offers hands-on, localized EOR services in over 100 countries and stands out for its direct entity model, deep HR expertise, and APAC market leadership. It’s especially strong for companies prioritizing compliance and personalized support over automation.

PROS

  • Direct presence in nearly all operating countries with minimal third-party reliance.
  • Highly responsive support with in-country HR and legal professionals.
  • Especially strong expertise in Asia-Pacific hiring.
  • Rapid global expansion (now spaning over 100 countries).
  • Nimble, self-funded team with 250+ fully remote employees.

CONS

  • Platform lacks the modern UX and automation seen in more tech-first EORs.
  • Advanced features like background checks or customizable contracts may require third-party solutions.
  • No free trial or transparent pricing available.

GoGlobal Review

GoGlobal has earned a reputation as a fast-moving, dependable EOR provider for companies hiring around the world, especially in Asia-Pacific, where they first built their name. Since launching in 2018, GoGlobal has prioritized building direct local operations, avoiding third-party intermediaries wherever possible. This approach gives them more control over the quality and speed of onboarding, payroll, and compliance.

GoGlobal EOR dashboard

We first came across GoGlobal during the pandemic-driven EOR surge in 2020. At that point, they offered coverage in 50 countries. Since then, they’ve doubled that reach and currently support hiring in over 100 countries. Their growth has been largely organic, fueled by strong client demand and a fully remote, 250-person team with global presence.

The Goglobal platform focuses on delivering the essentials: employment contracts, compliance, payroll, and local benefits. While it doesn’t offer the same level of self-serve automation or integrations as competitors like Deel or Remote, the company offsets this with high-touch service and legal expertise in each region.

That said, teams looking for a highly automated onboarding experience or built-in background checks will likely need to supplement the platform with additional tools or vendor partners. There’s also no public pricing or sandbox access, which means prospective customers must go through a sales process to evaluate fit.

GoGlobal Customers

They have worked with some of the most well-known companies across various industries including social media companies, food delivery technology companies, streaming companies, and one of the largest liquor producers.

GoGlobal Pricing

GoGlobal's pricing is custom-based.

How has GoGlobal Changed Over Time?

Best For

GoGlobal’s EOR services are a great choice forVC-backed SaaS and remote teams that want direct control without third-party intermediaries.

GoGlobal in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I frequently utilize GoGlobal for work-related tasks; onboarding new hires and database updates are handled by the centralized HR system. For the purpose of reporting and data analysis that will aid in providing answers, analytics tools are essential. GoGlobal is used to help employees boost productivity who are already using the platform. The platform ensures that all our procedures comply with local laws and regulations in each of the different regions. The tool is used for making decisions on rewards, benefits, and pay for employees.

What do you like about this tool?

The tool's well-organized dashboard, which includes all of the capabilities, makes it simple to use. The technology makes it possible to integrate with various platforms, which improves productivity and workflow. Analytical tools are helpful when researching new and developing markets.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My organization was having trouble expanding its business operations globally. The task of expanding the business required a lot of data migration and integration processes, which was discouraging for the team. My organization wanted to reduce the cost of the recruitment process and litigations that arose due to compliance and regulations. The issue of employee performance and reward systems was identified as a reason for low staff productivity, hence the need to acquire this tool. Due to the strict recruiting standards, my organization struggled to find the proper people for worldwide recruitment. I have personally used GoGlobal for over a year.

What do you dislike about this tool?

The customer service staff should do better because the technical support is slow to respond to inquiries, which slows down workflows. It would be ideal if the product integrated with CRM tools, as it currently has problems integrating with other platforms. The tool ought to be more capable and feature-rich given the price.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

What I like best about GoGlobal is the simplicity of the HR procedure and the integration of employee records.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

First, the tool's functionality and accessibility. Second, the tool's capacity to manage employee recognition and remuneration in an efficient manner. Third, the tool's reporting and analytics capabilities that aid in making decisions.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

With the introduction of AI technology and a more effective payroll system, the tool has changed over time.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

GoGlobal is very good for large IT companies that work remotely.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

GoGlobal would not be a good fit for start-ups.

Omnipresent

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Omnipresent
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Omnipresent

Omnipresent offers a strong blend of automation and expert human support, making fully compliant global employment accessible for businesses of all sizes. Thanks to their robust compliance focus, highly customizable configuration, and deep expertise in the European markets, we find them to be a unique player in the EOR space.

PROS

  • Access to in-house experts for payroll, benefits, and compliance in 160+ countries. 
  • Flexible, country-specific employment contracts and benefits while ensuring compliance with local laws.
  • Detailed invoice breakdowns clarify all costs associated with global employment in an easy-to-read format.
  • Over 50 pre-built HRIS integrations, including tools like HiBob, reducing data entry duplication.
  • Global Coverage: Payroll and compliance support in 160+ countries, including contractor management.
  • Human Support: Direct access to in-house experts for payroll, tax, and legal issues.
  • Virtual EOR (VEO): Efficient virtual EOR product for simplified international hiring.
  • Transparent Invoicing: Clear breakdowns of payroll costs, enhancing financial transparency.
  • Integrations: Seamless connections with 50+ HRIS platforms, reducing data duplication.

CONS

  • Not the cheapest option; better suited for companies prioritizing quality support over minimal pricing.
  • Does not offer free trials.
  • Relies on partners in less in-demand countries, which may affect consistency in rare regions.
  • Pricing: Higher cost compared to some competitors; suited for companies prioritizing quality.
  • No Free Trials: Unlike some providers, Omnipresent does not offer free trials.
  • Support Limitations: No phone support, which may be a drawback for some users.
  • Partner Reliance: In niche markets, service consistency depends on third-party partners.

Omnipresent Review

Founded in the UK, Omnipresent combines cutting-edge technology with comprehensive human support to simplify global employment. Their platform enables companies to hire talent in 160+ countries without establishing local entities, effortlessly managing payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Omnipresent EOR platform invoice breakdown dashboard

During our demo, key differentiators stood out. Unlike tech-only EORs such as Deel or Remote, Omnipresent offers a human-centric approach. Clients access subject matter experts for complex payroll or compliance issues, ensuring high-touch support. The EOR company’s transparent invoicing and OmniCalculator further streamline financial oversight, addressing common challenges for global HR teams.

Customization is another highlight. Omnipresent allows flexible contract creation while maintaining strict compliance with local laws—an advantage in heavily regulated markets like Italy and Germany. This feature is particularly useful for large, complex deals requiring tailored solutions.

However, there are a few drawbacks. Omnipresent's pricing is higher than that of some competitors, which might deter cost-sensitive companies. They also rely on partner networks in niche markets, potentially affecting service consistency. Additionally, there’s no free trial available, and customer support, while highly rated, lacks phone-based assistance, which some users might find limiting.

Omnipresent Customers

American Eagle, Soundtrap, Tchibo, Zoopla, European Broadcasting Union, Polaroid.

Omnipresent Pricing

Pricing starts at approximately $600 per employee per month, with volume discounts bringing it down to $400 for larger teams (20+ employees). Contractor management is $25 per contractor per month.

How has Omnipresent Changed Over Time?

Recent updates include a redesigned support system connecting clients directly to experts, a detailed invoicing breakdown tool, and a 75% faster onboarding process. New HRIS integrations are also a constant.

Best For

Omnipresent’s EOR services are especially compatible with organizations prioritizing ensured compliance and top-notch customer support over budget constraints.

Omnipresent in action
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Oyster

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Oyster
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.4 / 5
Product Score
4.2 / 5

Why we picked Oyster

Oyster partners with local entities in over 180 countries, making it a legal employer you can rely on to handle compliance, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and terminations. You will also love the platform’s generous discounts if you’re hiring refugees or a nonprofit.

PROS

  • Intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
  • Simple and competitive flat rate for employees and contractors.
  • Smooth onboarding and offboarding with guidance from lawyers and accountants regarding labor laws in your hiring countries.
  • Non-profits can hire their first full-time team member for free for a year.
  • Hire refugees in countries where Oyster has direct entities at no or discounted cost.
  • Support includes Helpful Academy with easily accessible help docs and dedicated account manager for highest-priced plan.
  • Employee cost calculator for quick estimation of detailed costs of hiring in a new country.
  • No extra fees for setup or cancellation.
  • Intuitive: The platform is easy to navigate and makes logical sense.
  • competitively priced: The flat rate for employees and contractors makes cost comparisons simple, and is competitive in the market.
  • Targeted for a remote workforce: Whether your employees are in one country or 100, Oyster can accommodate them accordingly, and this is a feature few platforms can boast.

CONS

  • Some delays in local currency payment can be expected.
  • No phone support for immediate communication is available.
  • There’s a refundable security deposit required to initiate the engagement.
  • No native time-tracking feature. Only offers an in-app time-off tool.
  • Not the right choice if you're looking to co-employ employees and partially outsource HR.
  • Slight delays in processing times for payments in the local currency are somewhat common.
  • Immediate communication via phone support is not an option, but they do offer live support via Zoom when necessary.
  • An initial security deposit is necessary to begin the engagement and is refundable.
  • The platform lacks native time-tracking functionality and provides only an in-app tool for managing time off.
  • If you’re looking to co-employ your employees and partially outsource HR responsibilities, Oyster isn’t for you. They are more akin to employer of record services (EOR) than a Professional Employer Organizations (PEO).

Oyster Review

Oyster is a flexible and user-friendly platform businesses can rely on to compliantly hire global contractors and employees and handle onboarding, house payroll, benefits, and employee information — all these things under one roof.

Part of EOR Oyster’s UI

We’re glad the platform didn’t lie when it said it’s designed with end users in mind. We found no difficulty navigating each of its service tools and were especially impressed with Oyster’s customer support. They got back within a few hours to our ticket and were very helpful in assisting with foreign employment law and regulatory aspects.

Diving into more details on Oyster’s EOR services, the first thing that stood out to us was its smooth onboarding process. There are no setup fees, but you’ll be expected to pay a security deposit (equal to one month of your total employment cost) by the first month of your team members. 

It will be used to fund the team member's payroll should any unexpected payment issues of the customer invoice and will be refunded once all final invoices have been settled, which does make sense.

We liked how Oyster could carry many services: from hiring to onboarding, benefits, time off management, payroll, and offboarding, while maintaining a comfy UI. Our experience with the platform’s cost calculator tool was also positive: it let us quickly estimate potential costs and risks of hiring employees and contractors in specific countries.

Another reason for Oyster making it to this guide is the EOR’s remote work regulation guide: it provides remote work policies and regulations in different countries — very up-to-date, and even packs tips for hiring, paying, and managing global workers.

Our experience using Oyster was good overall, yet we still didn’t enjoy some parts of the EOR module. First, while the help center and customer service are punctual, there is currently no phone support. Dedicated account managers are also limited to the highest-tier plans.

Another drawback is that you must pay for local benefit plans as add-ons, which cost $80 per month or more. We also expected to see a native time-tracking system, but the current Oyster only supports a time-off management service.

Oyster Customers

Quora, Wagestream, Impala, and Grover are some companies on Oyster’s long list of customers.

Oyster Pricing

Oyster offers a Contractor service that is free for the first 30 days and costs $29 per month per contractor thereafter. Their Employer of Record service costs $699 per month per employee, with discounts available for nonprofits and businesses hiring refugees.

How has Oyster Changed Over Time?

Oyster continues to add countries to its service offering as well as additional Integrations with business management programs. Some recent additions on the integrations front are Okta, Slack, Workday, BambooHR HRIS, BambooHR ATS, Personio, HiBob, Expensify, Greenhouse, Xero, and NetSuite.

Best For

Small and medium-sized businesses looking to scale their global workforce would find Oyster’s EOR services helpful. Nonprofit organizations and organizations that are recruiting refugees can also take advantage of the platform’s generous discounts.

Oyster in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use Oyster regularly to manage our global workforce. It simplifies onboarding by providing structured workflows for new hires in different countries. The platform also handles payroll across multiple currencies, ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time.

We rely on it for administering localized benefits and for staying compliant with international labor laws. Customer support is responsive, and the built-in analytics help us track workforce trends and needs.

What do you like about this tool?
  • Oyster provides strong global compliance and employment expertise.
  • The international onboarding process is fast and efficient.
  • Payroll management across different currencies is reliable and flexible.
  • The benefits administration tools help attract and retain global talent.
  • The platform includes useful analytics and reporting.
  • Customer support is responsive and knowledgeable.
  • The product evolves based on user feedback.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization was expanding globally and needed help navigating international compliance and employment regulations. With a small HR team of just three people, we lacked the in-house expertise to manage international hiring effectively.

Oyster helped us solve those challenges with a platform that covers global compliance, onboarding, payroll, and benefits. It gave us the support we needed without having to hire additional staff.

The company has been using Oyster for over a year, and it has become an essential part of our HR operations.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • The cost can be high, especially for smaller companies.
  • Integration options with other HR or business tools are limited.
  • Time tracking and performance features are basic.
  • Customization options are minimal.
  • Learning and development tools are underdeveloped.
  • Absence management is limited compared to specialized platforms.
  • The mobile app lacks some functionality available on desktop.
  • Document management features are very basic.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

I haven’t used other tools like this before, so I can’t directly compare it with competitors.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When choosing a tool like Oyster, consider your specific HR needs and how well the platform addresses them. Budget is important, but you should also think about how the tool integrates with your current systems. For us, compatibility with our existing setup was key. Be clear on the problems you're trying to solve so the solution aligns with your goals.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

We have only used Oyster for about a year, so I’m not sure if any significant changes were made to the platform.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Oyster is well-suited for global or fast-growing companies, especially in industries like manufacturing, where international hiring is common.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Oyster may not be a good fit for smaller organizations that don’t need extensive HR support or global capabilities.

Rippling

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Rippling
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Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Rippling

When Rippling entered the global payroll and EOR space, competition got harder. They are able to offer first-hand EOR services backed by a platform that’s already widely known as a best-in-class HRIS and payroll suite.

PROS

  • Full HRIS on top of a global payroll suite.
  • Operation support for work authorization with the local authorities.
  • Local HR advisors for topics like immigration, performance improvement plans, termination, complaints, and several kinds of leave (parental, sick, unpaid, etc.). 
  • You can also pay contractors or part-time employees overseas.
  • Now offers a robust applicant tracking system.
  • All-in-one platform for employee management + PEO services offered, and even a suite of other IT products 
  • With 500 integrations, it’s very likely that they integrate with other key tools from your tech stack.
  • Operates globally with any currency
  • Workflow automation
  • Analytics opportunities
  • Provides a holistic view of company outflows—headcount costs included

CONS

  • EOR and Global Payroll are only available as a bundle and cannot be purchased separately.
  • EOR services are more expensive than some competitors.
  • Not be suitable for small businesses with slow growth due to its cost and complexity.
  • Total buy-in to Rippling is essential 
  • Very SMB-oriented, in case you’re a larger company. 
  • New features tend to be buggy in ways that tech teams are not accustomed to fixing

Rippling Review

Rippling's platform can manage every element of the compensation process for a company. This goes from monitoring employees' and contractors' working hours to performing tax and PTO calculations. This has long been the case with the US-based company, but they can now do this internationally.

UI of EOR Rippling

When processing payroll globally, you as the HR manager or business owner get to choose how to pay employees overseas. You can run payroll through Rippling’s own EOR entities in the country of destiny, or have them help you set up your own local entity and manage everything through the platform.

This contrasts with most global payroll companies; since the majority only act as intermediaries between multiple third-party vendors. What they do is unify all those processes in a single platform, so you get to see everything on a dashboard that's way easier on the eye.

Don't get us wrong, that was quite novel not so long ago, and it's still a useful way of employing people internationally while making sure you're abiding by all local tax regulations.

Rippling’s approach, however, is new in the sense that local EOR entities are set up and handled by themselves. They provide the local contracts and thus avoid acting as an intermediary.

This approach also lets them offer benefits management, stock options, and global support, with more flexibility; and all this on top of the entire HR suite they are famous for. We were happy to demo it once again in late 2022, and can confirm that their global payroll and EOR offering is worth looking into if you're also in the market for a new HRMS.

Rippling Customers

Proxy, Dwell, Superhuman, Expensify, Checkr

Rippling Pricing

Rippling pricing starts at $8 per user per month. However, their EOR fee is undisclosed.

How has Rippling Changed Over Time?

Primarily aimed at small and medium-sized businesses, Rippling has continuously expanded its feature set over the years. In 2023, it stands as a comprehensive HR suite, offering an all-in-one solution covering Benefits, Talent Management, Time & Attendance, Payroll, and even an ATS to handle recruitment in-house. This progress has propelled its adoption across a spectrum of companies, including those at the enterprise level.

Best For

Rippling’s EOR is an excellent choice for SMBs that value a seamless user experience and seek comprehensive HR tools in a unified platform. The product is thoughtfully designed for accessibility across the entire organization, encompassing a wide array of essential HR functions.

Rippling in action
Reviewer's Rating
6/10

I use Rippling primarily for payroll and benefits administration for both U.S. and global employees. It serves as our core platform for managing payments across employment types, including employees and contractors.

The tool is used regularly for processing payroll cycles and ensuring compliance with benefit offerings. I also rely on Rippling to handle employee records and tax documentation. It has become central to our HR operations.

What do you like about this tool?
  • It is excellent for handling EOR, contractor, and employee payrolls in a single system.
  • The platform is relatively easy for employees to navigate.
  • Customer service is responsive and helpful when issues arise.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

I originally purchased Rippling to serve as an Employer of Record (EOR) for international employees. I later migrated our HRIS to Rippling for U.S.-based employees as well. I have used Rippling for EOR functions since 2023 and for U.S. employees since early 2024.

One of the key benefits is the ability to pay both international and domestic employees through a single system. This has simplified payroll operations and improved overall administrative efficiency.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • The integration process was lengthy and difficult; our rep moved to a different country during implementation, delaying the hiring of two international employees by two months.
  • There was an attempt to increase our negotiated monthly cost, though they honored the original rate once I provided documentation.
  • Benefit integration is more manual than expected unless an additional service is purchased, which we do not currently find cost-effective.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Rippling offers a broad range of features and services in one platform. While its coverage is impressive, I would prefer to see more included functionality without additional fees.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

If the goal is primarily payroll, Rippling is a strong option. If you need a fully comprehensive HRIS, there are other platforms that offer more robust features.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Rippling has added more countries to its EOR program and continues to expand device and IT services. The system has become more user-friendly, and its add-on services support the goal of an all-in-one solution, although these come at an additional cost.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Rippling is well-suited for small to mid-sized organizations with 10 to 150 employees.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

It is not ideal for larger organizations, as its reporting tools and overall system capacity may fall short of their needs.

Atlas HXM

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Atlas HXM
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
4 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked Atlas HXM

Atlas combines industry expertise and technology in its offering, empowering companies to hire and pay employees beyond their borders while keeping them compliant with local labor laws.

PROS

  • Atlas has legal entities in over 160 countries and can handle employee onboarding and payroll processing in any of them.
  • Recently introduced the Global Compliance Risk Calculator that can identify worker classification risks in minutes.
  • Industry-specific EOR services and resources including Venture Capital and Government Solutions.
  • Atlas has legal entities in over 160 countries. They’ll help you take care of employee onboarding and payroll processing in any of those countries, eliminating the need to engage any local service providers.
  • The platform simplifies how you hire, manage and pay employees and contractors abroad, without needing to set up an operation where they are located. 
  • Atlas helps you stay compliant with local labor laws and frees you from employer liability.

CONS

  • Doesn't currently offer globally managed payroll for non-EOR clients.
  • Has limited prebuilt integration modules (though it offers API access for users to plug in third-party tools.)
  • Price no longer disclosed.
  • Atlas currently doesn’t offer global managed payroll for non-employer of record (EoR) clients; so if your company doesn't need Atlas to take on from you as EoR, but need to use Atlas' global payroll services, you can't do so at this time. Do note though that the team at Atlas is planning to offer this service next year.
  • Atlas currently has limited prebuilt integration modules but they do offer API access for users to plug in third-party tools.

Atlas HXM Review

Atlas has long been one of the few players to guarantee a fully direct Employer of Record model, and that’s a major reason it stands out in an increasingly crowded field. For companies hiring abroad, the ability to avoid third-party intermediaries translates to more consistent service delivery, greater control over compliance, and often faster onboarding.

EOR Atlas UI

The platform currently supports hiring and payroll in 160+ countries. Unlike hybrid EOR providers that rely on partner networks in some regions, Atlas owns legal entities in every country it operates in. That direct model gives clients tighter control over employment terms and fewer surprises with service levels.

From our hands-on exploration and early demos, Atlas has also made noticeable strides on the product side. The UI is now sleek and easy to navigate, and core workflows, such as onboarding, payroll approval, and document generation, are well-structured. Admins can move through tasks quickly, and employee self-service is reasonably robust.

Another notable feature is the Global Compliance Risk Calculator, a built-in tool that enables HR teams to identify potential worker classification issues in just a few minutes. While it doesn’t replace formal legal advice, it’s a solid first-pass risk screen for global hiring teams. Atlas also caters to unique customer segments, including dedicated resources for venture capital-backed startups and government contracts, which are not often seen in this space.

There are, however, a few trade-offs. First is that if you’re looking for managed global payroll outside of their EOR service, Atlas doesn’t currently support it. The employer of record, similar to Papaya, leans more towards API connections and has a pretty limited number of prebuilt integrations. And sadly, its pricing details are no longer publicly disclosed.

Atlas HXM Customers

Atlas is used by over a thousand companies, including Toyota, CACI, Bath & Body Works, Coupa, PAE, and Namely.

Atlas HXM Pricing

Atlas's pricing structure is no longer publicly available, but our research indicates that their Contractor Pay begins at $49 per month per contractor, and their Employer of Record services start at $595 per month per employee.

How has Atlas HXM Changed Over Time?

Best For

Atlas is ideal for companies looking for a fully direct EOR model with high compliance standards and embedded risk assessment tools.

Atlas HXM in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

I used Atlas HXM for payroll every month as it calculates wages, taxes, and deductions with accuracy. I also used it for onboarding, as its features are very visual. I could easily track the time the onboarding tasks needed to be done and in which phase I was with onboarding for every single employee. Additionally, I used Atlas for reporting to provide information about employee management and turnover rates. Atlas allows you to generate reports, which is very helpful and time-saving.

What do you like about this tool?
  1. What I really like about Atlas is that it has everything in one place, such as recruitment, onboarding, and payroll, which makes it easier for me to keep information accurate rather than having to input everything into different systems and lose track.
  2. Another thing I like about Atlas is its friendly features that make it user-friendly for employees.
  3. It is really easy to navigate for both HR and employees, which saves a lot of time as employees do not need to seek answers from the HR team for simple tasks such as editing their own personal details.
  4. Lastly, the reporting features are very helpful as I do not have to make any more spreadsheets, and it can generate the repetitive tasks every month.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The organization I worked for chose Atlas because we initially had issues with HR systems that made it difficult to maintain consistency and accuracy. I personally used it for six months. Our previous HR system did not have everything in one place, such as onboarding, payroll, and recruitment, making it difficult to keep information accurate and centralized. When we started with Atlas, everything became easier as it brought together all the needed features, such as performance management, payroll, onboarding, and recruitment, and it is very user-friendly.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. Sometimes Atlas slows down during peak usage, but we did not have a massive issue with that.
  2. The implementation took a lot of time and required significant effort.
  3. Training videos would be more useful if they were more comprehensive and specific to the organization.
  4. Lastly, the platform can be expensive for smaller organizations.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Atlas covers various aspects of HR, and having all these aspects integrated is amazing and time-saving. Also, Atlas offers integrations with CRM systems, which streamline business processes. That is why I was really glad to work with Atlas, because the integrations it offers are really useful and user-friendly.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Features and functionality are key to maintaining accurate and consistent data. Integrations are essential to keeping everything in one place. It would be nice to see Atlas quicker, as it slows down during peak usage. Another important aspect is that the platform should be user-friendly and easy to navigate to ease implementation. While Atlas is very easy to navigate and provides many useful features, having quick and responsive customer support is also crucial when facing issues. Lastly, consider the cost.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Atlas expanded its features and included talent management and employee engagement tools. This allowed users to find solutions to various human capital management needs all in one place. Additionally, Atlas has become even more user-friendly over time, making it easier for users to customize and navigate the platform, increasing efficiency and productivity.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

Atlas is very good for medium and large-sized organizations that seek human capital management solutions. It is ideal for organizations that prioritize data-driven decisions and want to integrate CRM tools within the HR system to make data more visual and accurate.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Atlas would not be a good fit for small companies with simple HR needs, as they do not need all the features that Atlas offers. It is also not ideal for organizations that have limited IT resources.

Multiplier

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Multiplier
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked Multiplier

Multiplier’s EOR platform helps you send contracts in minutes, run payroll, offer insurance, and manage tax contributions in compliance with tax laws in over 150 countries. They also offer 24/5 customer service.

PROS

  • Compliance, payroll, onboarding, and timesheets, all in one platform.
  • Multi-currency payments in over 150 countries.
  • Multi-lingual contracts made instantly.
  • Multi-currency payments in local currencies
  • Multi-lingual contracts made instantly
  • Compliance, payroll, onboarding, and timesheets, all in one platform

CONS

  • Only integrates with a few HR tools.
  • Customers desire more customization, particularly regarding contract terms and leave options.
  • A few users reported a slow response time from the customer support team.
  • Limited integrations. As of Summer 2024, Multiplier only integrates with BambooHR, Personio, Workday, and HiBob for HCM-type tools, although they are working on adding more.

Multiplier Review

Multiplier is a rising player in the global employment space with a platform-first approach to employer of record services. Founded in 2020, they’ve moved quickly to build out coverage in over 150 countries, with particular strength in Asia-Pacific markets.

UI of EOR Multiplier

After multiple demos and several in-depth product walkthroughs, we found Multiplier’s platform to be both capable and approachable, especially for HR and finance teams managing expansion into less familiar regions.

The platform consolidates core EOR tasks (employment contracts, payroll, social contributions, tax compliance, and benefits administration) under a single, modern interface. We were able to generate compliant, multilingual employment contracts in just a few clicks, and the system made it easy to manage allowances, bonuses, and mandatory deductions across different jurisdictions.

One of Multiplier’s standout features is multi-currency payroll. Payments can be issued in local currencies across more than 150 countries, helping reduce friction for both employers and employees. Their contract generation tool also supports multiple languages, which can streamline the onboarding experience for non-English-speaking employees.

Unfortunately, the EOR service provider currently integrates with only a handful of external HR tools. For teams that rely on complex tech stacks, this may require additional manual work or API development. We also heard from a few users who noted that response times from the customer support team could be inconsistent—something to watch if you’re operating in fast-moving markets or managing sensitive employment transitions.

Customization is another area with room to grow. Some customers told us they’d like more flexibility around contract terms and leave policies, particularly when aligning local labor requirements with internal company policies.

Multiplier Customers

Multiplier is used by many companies with a global footprint, including Amazon, PWC, ServiceNow, Korn Ferry, and Orange Business Services.

Multiplier Pricing

Multiplier’s EOR starts at $400 per month, while Contractors starts at $40 per month.

How has Multiplier Changed Over Time?

Their human resources management feature offering has grown over time, now established as a core HR module available on most plans.

Best For

Multiplier is an excellent option for companies seeking to expand their global workforce, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.

Multiplier in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

I'm in the platform daily, and it's become second nature. Most mornings start with checking new applications. Multiplier also makes it super easy to post jobs and track candidates.

The real lifesaver is how it handles all the paperwork for new hires. Come payroll time (which used to be my least favorite week), everything just works. The reporting features have also been clutch for our quarterly planning sessions, giving us clear insights into our global workforce.

What do you like about this tool?

First off, Multiplier takes the guesswork out of international compliance - no more frantic Googling about employment laws! The dashboard is a game-changer; I can finally see everything about our global team in one place without jumping between twenty spreadsheets. What really seals the deal is the payroll system - hitting one button and knowing everyone's getting paid correctly, no matter where they are.

Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

The decision to get Multiplier came from a real headache we were facing with international hiring. We were drowning in paperwork trying to manage people across different countries, and the breaking point came when we realized we'd need to set up legal entities in each one.

After hearing good things about Multiplier from a colleague, we took the plunge. Six months in, I can't imagine handling our global team without it - no more late nights figuring out compliance issues for different countries.

What do you dislike about this tool?

I've got to be honest, the price tag made me wince at first, especially since we're scaling up. The interface can be a bit of a maze sometimes; just yesterday I spent ages trying to find a specific report.

Support response times can be frustrating too - while the team is helpful when they get back to you, sometimes you're left hanging. We've also run into snags with some of the more obscure markets we're trying to hire in.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Here's the thing about Multiplier - they've really nailed the balance between contractors and full-time employees, which most other platforms struggle with. The big difference is they actually understand local nuances instead of just checking boxes.

Their pricing is refreshingly straightforward too - no surprise fees lurking in the fine print (learned that lesson the hard way before). The local support in each market has helped us navigate tricky situations that other providers probably wouldn't have caught.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Take it from someone who's been through this - look beyond the flashy sales pitch. Dig deep into their compliance coverage in your target markets and think about your growth plans.

Make sure you understand ALL the costs involved - not just the base subscription, but currency conversion fees and support costs. Don't forget to check how it'll play with your existing systems - we learned that one the hard way.

How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Multiplier keeps getting better. When we first started, the reporting was pretty basic, but they've really stepped up their game. Last month they added some smart automation tools that have saved us hours.

They seem to actually listen to feedback too - they recently overhauled the compliance monitoring system after users kept asking for better alerts.

What specific type of user or organization is this tool very good for?

If you're running a growing company with international plans, you'll love Multiplier. It's perfect for those "I can't believe how much time I used to spend on this" moments in managing global teams.

The sweet spot seems to be mid-sized companies that are serious about international expansion but don't want to build out massive legal and HR teams in every country.

What specific type of user or organization would this tool not be a good fit for?

Let's be real - if you're just operating in one country, Multiplier would be overkill. Small startups might find it overwhelming (and expensive) if they're just dipping their toes into international hiring.

If you need super specialized payroll solutions in specific markets, the standardized approach might not work. And if you're on a tight budget, there are probably simpler solutions out there that might be a better fit.

Benefits of Using Top EOR Services

Key benefits of using the best employer of record services on the market include easy workforce expansion, handling of legal responsibilities, flexibility and scalability, cost-effectiveness, local market knowledge, and recruitment support.

Easy Workforce Expansion

The main benefit of using an EOR company is the ability to easily expand your workforce outside of its home country or jurisdiction. In other words, an employer of record makes hiring international employees easier. In fact, 51% of organizations use employer of record services to hire specialized talent by expanding their search beyond domestic borders, according to new EOR statistics.

Handling of Legal Responsibilities

The EOR service provider bears all legal responsibilities. That means using one to access a foreign talent market can be significantly quicker than establishing your own legal entity with all the associated compliance and regulatory hoops to jump through.

Given laws regarding employee rights and benefits vary significantly in different countries, by using an EOR, your company can ensure that your hiring practices comply with these laws, reducing the risk of legal disputes or fines.

Flexibility and Scalability

The flexibility and scalability of an EOR are evident in how these global employment organizations support various staffing needs, whether for contracts or full-time employment.

For instance, a client facing fluctuating staffing requirements for a new project in another country can utilize an international EOR service provider to quickly hire and pay temporary, international contractors as needed, without the commitment of long-term employment contracts. Later, if the client decides to hire full-time salaried employees in that country or even in other regions, the global EOR company can assist with that, too.

Cost-Effectiveness

For many companies and reasons, partnering with an EOR can be more cost-effective than setting up a fully functional subsidiary.

Let’s say you’re a small e-commerce business wanting to hire staff in Australia. You’ll most likely find the costs associated with establishing a local entity prohibitive due to administrative and legal fees. On the other hand, by using an EOR, your company can hire employees in the country while only paying for the EOR's service fees. 

Recruitment Support

Finally, while an employer of record service company is not a staffing agency, some of them can indeed help with recruitment. Some have in-house capabilities, while others partner with staffing agencies in relevant territories, which we’ll detail in the next key benefit.

Local Market Knowledge

Another advantage of partnering with an employer of record company is the local market knowledge and know-how in terms of employment, payroll, and benefits administration the EOR provider can share with you. This can be very helpful, particularly for growing companies.

For instance, a startup scaling rapidly might not have the resources to manage payroll for employees in multiple locations. An EOR can handle everything from salary distribution to offering employee benefits and perks tailored to each region without straining the startup’s internal team.

Pro Tips on Employer of Record Services

Risks Associated With Using EOR (and How to Mitigate Them)

The risks of using an EOR service include limitations on your company's ability to engage in certain business activities and enforce compliance or rule changes for EOR-hired staff. However, EOR services can become cost-efficient as teams grow larger.

  • Regulated Professions: It may not be possible to hire workers in regulated professions via an EOR company. In some jurisdictions, this restriction can be solved by the EOR company itself receiving the necessary licenses, but beware of the added costs that may be incurred.
  • Lack of Control: On balance, the fact that an EOR company takes on all legal and compliance obligations is a strong selling point for the services it offers. However, in situations where you want to enforce new HR policies or change working conditions, this hands-off approach could become problematic. Issues may also arise with respect to data protection if sensitive information is being shared between your business and a third party.
  • Scalability Issues: As your teams grow larger, EOR services that charge on a per-employee basis may become cost-efficient. At a certain point, the advantages of having full control over your operations in that jurisdiction, with the legal obligations that this entails, become more financially prudent than outsourcing.

So, even with an EOR company, hiring people overseas is no picnic. Here are some suggestions for how some of the issues above can be mitigated:

  • Knowing Local Laws: Just because the employer of record service provider will be doing the work for you, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of what that work is. As an employer or HR professional, you should know what laws and regulations you need to adhere to in each country where you’ll be employing someone through an EOR.
  • Know Your Costs: Try and calculate how much you’d spend if you choose to go with individual providers in each country rather than an EOR service, or even set up an operation there and handle it in-house. Among these costs, you should also consider the fines that you would incur if you become non-compliant, or even the potential cost of churn if your employees and/or contractors leave you for not providing the full range of benefits.‍
  • Be Mindful of Data Protection: Data protection laws, especially GDPR, should be one of your concerns if you’re planning on hiring people in new markets. If you’re trusting a software company with your employees’ personal data, you should know which laws are being obeyed when it comes to said data’s safekeeping. You should also know what kind of practices are put into keeping it safe, beyond the legal requirements.

Other Employer of Record Services Worth Considering

This buyer guide focuses on employer of record providers with broad, multi-country coverage, making it best suited for teams hiring across several regions or planning ongoing international expansion. However, if your hiring plans are focused on one specific nation, a country-focused EOR provider may be a better fit. These providers often offer deeper local expertise, clearer pricing for that market, and more tailored compliance support.

For that reason, we’ve also published separate buyer guides for some of the most common hiring destinations, including:

If you’re hiring in a country not covered above, simply reach out to our editors, Rodrigo or Anh. We regularly expand our country-specific EOR coverage based on reader demand!

Best Use Cases for EOR Service Companies

Building remote-first teams, exploring new markets, scaling quicker, acquiring assets, and maintaining compliance are all solid use cases for employers of record:

  • Building Remote-First Teams: EOR services are ideal for organizations that prioritize hiring remote employees from the start. Setting up full operations in multiple countries is unnecessary if you have only a handful of employees in each location.
  • Exploring New Markets: For businesses aiming to establish a foothold in a foreign country, EOR services offer a valuable starting point. They provide insight into operating within a new market without the need for extensive initial investments.
  • Starting and Scaling Quickly: When a company needs to launch operations swiftly, especially after identifying potential workers in a foreign jurisdiction, an EOR can facilitate a rapid start.
  • Supporting Acquisitions: In the acquisition process, if a deal doesn’t include establishing a new legal entity in the target country but involves acquiring a local workforce, an EOR provider can maintain the employment relationship smoothly.
  • Ensuring Compliance: Top employer of record companies are beneficial for teams with numerous independent contractors abroad who do not plan to convert them into full-time employees, such as many remote startups. An EOR can help mitigate non-compliance risks related to local regulations.


How to Choose an EOR

To identify a suitable EOR for your business, you might want to consider looking into their understanding of local regulations, whether they have a presence in the local market, their cost structure, how well they align with your company culture, and potential exit strategies.

Factor #1. Expertise in Local Regulations

How much do they know about the country (or countries) you’re expanding into? Ideally, they should be true experts in tax laws, work permits, payroll processing, benefits insurance, background checks, employee onboarding, and everything about the employment relationship within the foreign country. 

One easy place to check this is the company website—do they post any thought leadership or content that demonstrates their expertise in the space?

Factor #2. Local Entity Presence

Do they have a permanent local entity in the country you’re looking into? Some EOR companies rely on local partnerships instead of having an entity of their own. This is common if the company is new in the jurisdiction or hasn’t seen much interest in that geography from their current clients.

Ask if they have some type of legally incorporated entity within the country. The answer will reveal how much of a priority your target country is for them (and therefore your likely quality of EOR service).

Factor #3. EOR Cost Structure

What cost structure does the EOR employ? Typical cost structures include per-contractor/per-employee or flat rates, while some vendors will offer custom pricing models. The best pricing structure for your business depends on the number of people you intend to employ through the EOR and the type of work that they will be doing (extra costs may be incurred if things like professional licenses are required).

Factor #4. Cultural Fit

Is the EOR service a good cultural fit? It pays to do extensive due diligence on any third party you are engaging for services, and an EOR company is no different. You should make sure that nothing in their terms of service or modus operandi will clash with your organizational culture and employer brand-building efforts.

Factor #5. Exit Strategies

Are potential exit avenues clear? Before you commit to an EOR company, you should assess potential exit strategies should the relationship not work out for any reason. Enquire about things like fees for early termination from fixed terms and exclusionary clauses.

Employer of Record FAQs

What is an EOR?

EOR stands for employer of record. An EOR is defined as an entity that acts as a legal employer on behalf of a client company in a jurisdiction where that client has no presence. Employer of record companies take full responsibility for all aspects of employment in the relevant territory, including payroll, taxes, and legal compliance.

What are the differences between EOR and PEO?

In essence, the main difference between EOR and PEO is that an EOR enables you to hire staff in other countries without establishing a legal entity there, whereas a PEO is a full-service co-employment arrangement for overseas workers.

How much does an employer of record cost?

Employer of record costs for contract workers typically range from $25 to $50 per month, while costs for full-time employees range from $199 to $599 per month. There may also be a fixed monthly fee per employee or a percentage of payroll added.

What are the top employer of record companies?

Some of the best EOR companies include: Papaya Global for global EOR services across 140+ countries, Deel for savvy local expertise tailored to remote international companies, Multiplier for APAC expansion, Remofirst for top-notch customer support, and Remote for international HR and payroll services.

Last Advice on EOR Companies

The right EOR partner should reduce your legal exposure, lighten your HR workload, and give you the operational confidence to grow in new markets without delays or surprises.

We recommend reaching out to the companies listed here that best align with your needs, getting a quote based on your current global expansion plans, and examining how you feel while interacting with these people. An EOR services firm will become a crucial part of your relationship with your employees, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them.

About the Author

Rodrigo Vázquez-Mellado
HR and B2B software analyst and advisor, tech writer and editor, former conversational designer
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Rodrigo has worked in tech since 2015 across various marketing and product roles. All the while, he's stayed active as a journalist, musician, and avid traveler. He's been a writer and editor at SSR since 2020, covering software niches like payroll, HCM, workforce planning, AI Recruiting, and whatever spikes his interest. He's always on the lookout for the right software and tools—whether it's for managing business processes or to fuel his many hobbies. Rodrigo studied Journalism at the University of North Texas and Marketing and Communications at Tec de Monterrey. You can see more of his writing at: http://rvmrosas.com/

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