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11 Best Global Payroll Services & Software Compared (2024)

These are the best global payroll services providers and software vendors, hand-picked by our HR and payroll tech experts. Get pricing, feature breakdowns & comparisons, and detailed platform reviews below.

Rodrigo Vázquez Mellado
Written by
Rodrigo Vázquez Mellado
HR and B2B software analyst and advisor, tech writer and editor, former conversational designer
We are a reader supported site with strict editorial standards, clicks may earn a fee which supports our testing. Learn More
Last Updated: Oct 24, 2024
TOP
Fit for teams of all sizes who’d favor an EOR/contractor balance
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
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TOP
Fit for teams of all sizes who’d favor an EOR/contractor balance
Deel
4.4
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
TOP
Excellent EOR for those expanding in the Asia-Pacific region
Multiplier
4.3
Popularity Score
4.3
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Excellent EOR for those expanding in the Asia-Pacific region
Multiplier
4.3
Popularity Score
4.3
User Score
4.4
Product  Score
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TOP
Must-see for remote-first teams going the EOR route
Remote
4.2
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Visit Website
TOP
Must-see for remote-first teams going the EOR route
Remote
4.2
Popularity Score
4.6
User Score
4.5
Product  Score
Learn More
Over 3 million HR leaders trust our advice

Top Global Payroll Services

Deel

: Fit for teams of all sizes who’d favor an EOR/contractor balance

Multiplier

: Excellent EOR for those expanding in the Asia-Pacific region

Remote

: Must-see for remote-first teams going the EOR route

ADP

: Suitable for Large Enterprises looking to manage global payroll & HR

Rippling

: Ideal for combining global payroll & a fully-fledged HRMS

Globalization Partners

: For those prioritizing a service-oriented EOR and HR ally

TFY

: Best-suited for engaging the services of numerous freelancers

WorkDay

: See for an enterprise-focused international payroll & HCM tool

Oyster

: Great bet for internationally-distributed SMBs, remarkably good UX

PapayaGlobal

: Optimal for automating payroll in multiple EORs from one hub

Atlas

: Worth a look for those seeking a service-oriented approach to software

Introduction to Global Payroll Software

Global payroll services help businesses compensate employees while staying compliant, regardless of the country in which each worker is based. As companies expand operations to other jurisdictions and remote work becomes increasingly commonplace, this multi-country payroll challenge is best approached through the right software.

A global payroll system lets companies pay and manage employee benefits, even if the software vendor also acts as an employer of record for full-time employees. Ideally, everything from payslips to tax information to health insurance is managed through this platform as if everyone were in the same office.

So, if you’re looking for a way to pay your international and remote workers while having a single source of truth for all that data, you’ve come to the right place. The international payroll services featured below (handpicked by our in-house HR tech and payroll experts) are the best for employing people in different countries, guiding you through the process, and even providing additional HR services and features.

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Our Criteria: Here's How We Chose The Top Global Payroll Services

To find the best global payroll software, we demoed dozens of products and talked to our community of HR and payroll experts. We needed to understand what features worked best for international and distributed teams, so we focused on products that would help many kinds of organizations while also providing detail on those that are great fits for specific applications.

The international payroll solutions below all score highly on usability, pricing, flexibility, and, of course, each company’s track record. In all cases, we thought of products with which it would be easy to make a switch, whether upgrading plans with the same vendor or migrating employee data elsewhere.

  • Usability: Running payroll in a multitude of countries may not be the most fun thing on earth, but we favored tools that make it a smooth and relaxed experience thanks to their intuitive workflows and aesthetically pleasing dashboards.
  • Pricing: This list covers all kinds of budgets, from free tools to get started with paying contractors overseas to enterprise plans on which you could migrate your entire international payroll to one tool.
  • Flexibility: Among the dozens of products we tried, we favored those that offer a good variety of payroll options (like contractors and full-time or part-time) on an EOR or PEO scheme, with the ease to move from one to another.
  • Track record: Some of these companies are unicorns in their field, others do great in the SMB segment, and you can see why if you talk to their users. For each, we made sure there were solid and steady growth markers for years to come.

If you’d like to read more about our methodology, like the stats we look at and how we go about talking to vendors and users, here’s an article on how we evaluate HR tech vendors.

Related HR Software Categories

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Compare the Top Global Payroll Services

Compare The Top Global Payroll Services

Popularity Score
Best for
Key Differentiator
Pricing
Free Trial
Customers
Users Score
Product Score

Deel

Most Popular
4.4
Companies looking for an EOR/Contractor Management tool
Scalable solution for contractor & EOR payments
Free
Yes
15,000+ companies
4.6
4.5

Multiplier

Most Popular
4.3
Startups, mid-sized, global companies hiring mainly in APAC
Considerable experience with EOR in APAC markets
Starts at $20/user/mo
No
N/A
4.3
4.4

Remote

Most Popular
4.2
Global teams in need of a centralized multi-country solution
Compliant global payroll with great service and expertise
$29 per employee/per month
No
Undisclosed
4.6
4.5

ADP

Most Popular
4.0
Processing international payroll for thousands of employees
Reliable international payroll for thousands of employees
Custom Pricing
Yes
35,000+ companies
4.0
4.1

Rippling

Most Popular
4.2
UX-centered SMBs seeking an all-in-one HR platform
Packs an HRMS, Payroll, and in-house EOR into one product
Starts at $8/mo
Yes
16,000+ companies
4.2
4.1

Globalization Partners

Most Popular
4.0
Organizations keen on an AI-spin on an EOR-focused product
Solid EOR experience + AI-powered tool
Custom Pricing
No
N/A
4.7
4.3

TFY

Most Popular
4.1
Businesses looking for an ATS+FMS+EOR platform.
Packs an ATS into a freelance management system & EOR tool
Starts at $5/user/mo
Yes
N/A
3.6
4.0

WorkDay

Most Popular
4.0
Large payrolls in the US, Canada, UK, and France
HR and payroll for enterprises in a few countries
Custom Pricing
No
10,000+ companies
3.9
4.0

Oyster

Most Popular
4.3
Global companies hiring or relocating employees frequently
Flexible and multi-currency payroll management
Starts at $29/month
Yes
2k+ customers
4.4
4.2

PapayaGlobal

Most Popular
4.3
Businesses of all sizes focused on EOR international hiring
Strong UX and quickly-evolving product with EOR focus
Starts at $12/mo
Yes
600+ companies
4.5
4.4

Atlas

Most Popular
4.1
Those who prefer a service-oriented approach + software
Service-focused approach on top of EOR & contractor software
Custom Pricing
No
N/A
4.0
4.1
Phil Strazzulla
HR Tech Expert, Harvard MBA, Software Enthusiast

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Detailed Reviews of the Best Global Payroll Software

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 manage payroll compliance in 150+ countries and has a notably easy-to-use interface, using one platform for all countries.

PROS

  • One of the best features of Deel is its customer service. They offer 24/7 in-app support and the fastest-in-class onboarding speed of 2-3 days. Users get access to local payroll experts in each jurisdiction, and support is available for contractors facing challenges setting themselves up as an LLC.
  • Integrates seamlessly with common platforms like Quickbooks, Bamboo, Greenhouse, and more. They also offer custom integrations to automate and sync processes.
  • Self-service approach; tech-enabled features so customers can jump in quickly and easily. Our user researchers found it quite easy to set up: the identity verification process consistently took less than 24 hours, and in some cases, it took mere minutes.
  • Automated invoices, which are a breeze to do as long as they’re in English, both on the company and the contractor or employee’s side.

CONS

  • Some of Deel’s best and most powerful services, like onboarding automation, appear to be add-ons, which might be too costly for some companies
  • There is little to no flexibility when it comes to altering their contracts or service agreements, so many changes would require an addendum.
  • There is a $5 fee per payout
  • As far as we’ve seen, it’s not possible to generate invoices in another language.

Deel Review

With Deel, companies can hire employees in a multitude of countries without it getting messy. From the same dashboard, you can manage international payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance in over 150 countries.

Deel was one of the first companies to offer global payroll as their primary service. Their composite of contractor and freelancer management + EOR and PEO capabilities, as well as their sleek design, made them stand out early in the category's history.

Nowadays, they’re also notable for having expanded their tool quite a bit, adding Core HR capabilities to their platform. Other newer Deel features include immigration support, background checks, and their Shield module, devised to protect you against compliance issues.

Deel Customers

  • Brex
  • Google
  • Duffel
  • Andela
  • HomeLight
  • Makerpad

Deel Pricing

A cool thing about Deel is that you can sign up for free and play around with the tool, not being charged until you pay your first team member. Once you do, pricing for Deel will vary as follows:

  • Contractors: At $49 per contractor per month, Deel takes care of payroll and compliance for contracts in 150 countries.
  • Full-time: From $500, this plan lets you hire full-time employees in a new country without having to set up a legal entity there. Deel becomes an Employer of Record and hires the employee for you.

Best For

Companies, big or small, who wish to stay compliant when hiring people in multiple countries. Great for those who wish for an EOR / contractor management balance.

Deel in action
Reviewer's Rating
10/10

We use Deel to pay our international contractors. When we process our bi-weekly payroll for our company, we run a separate payroll in Deel for these individuals. We have contractors in multiple countries, such as Jamaica, Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Uruguay. The tool is used by myself as the Head of People as well as our Controller and Assistant Controller.

What do you like about this tool?

Deel makes it easy for us to pay our international contractors. It ensures we are adhering to each country's legal and compliance standards. It is very easy to process separate payroll along with our regular payroll system. The tool is affordable and straightforward, and it only charges us for what we use each month.

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

We implemented Deel in order to pay our international contractors. The software we were using did not offer international payroll services and it became a necessity for us to look for one that offered such a feature. In addition, we also had to adhere to the compliance and pay standards of other countries, so we needed a third-party payroll system. We've been using Deel for over 2 years now, helping us solve all the problems we had before.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It does not integrate with our HRIS, Rippling. It does integrate with several other HRIS tools, however. No other negative feedback to share.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I like how simple Deel is. I can create contracts and payment schedules for contracts easily. I can terminate a contractor quickly and I feel confident that I am doing so in a compliant way. It is easy for new admins to be added to the tool so my finance team is involved with payments and contracts.

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

You should use Deel if you have international contractors. If your current payroll tool does not offer an easy or affordable way to pay global employees, consider using Deel.

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

Some new features I've seen in the tool include an onboarding tracker and a global payroll feature with more robust offerings. They add new countries as well and service 90+ countries currently.

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

One with global contractors.

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

If you do not have international employees or contractors, you would not benefit from this tool.

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 global payroll solution helps you process payroll in over 120 currencies. You can also use the platform to administer benefit plans, give bonuses and grant equity to employees, among many other things.

PROS

  • Multiplier offers a comprehensive platform that combines compliance, payroll, onboarding, and timesheets, providing a streamlined solution for managing these aspects.
  • The platform supports multi-currency payments in over 150 countries, facilitating global business operations.
  • Instantly generated multi-lingual contracts enhance efficiency and convenience for users.
  • Multi-currency payments in local currencies
  • Multi-lingual contracts made instantly
  • Compliance, payroll, onboarding, and timesheets, all in one platform

CONS

  • Integration options are currently limited, with Multiplier only integrating with BambooHR, Workday, Personio, and HiBob for HCM-type tools. However, they are actively working on expanding their integrations.
  • Customers have expressed a desire for more customization options, particularly in relation to contract clauses and leave types, to better align with their specific needs.
  • Some users have reported experiencing slow response times 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’s self-service global payroll solution is worth checking out if you’re looking to pay employees and contractors in local currencies and in compliance with local laws in over 150 countries.

Through the platform, employees and contractors can submit invoices for completed work for you to review and approve within the agreed-upon frequency. Employees are also able to access their payslips and contracts and track expense requests, bonuses, and other benefits from their accounts, which is quite handy.

From the employer side (admin account), you’re able to track the attendance of your global workforce, approve leave requests, and review timesheets for more context into what invoices/billable time are for.

Besides global payments, you can do quite a bit through Multiplier’s EoR platform, including hiring and onboarding employees, as well as giving them local health insurance and optional benefits such as bonuses and stock options.

Multiplier Customers

Amazon, Fusion, Graphisoft, ServiceNow, Linklaters, and Korn Ferry are a few of the companies that use Multiplier’s global employment solution.

Multiplier Pricing

Multiplier’s pricing depends on who you’re hiring and paying; employees or freelancers. You get to cancel anytime, and no credit card is required for initial sign-up.

Plan Price What's Included?
Hire Employees $400 per month - Automatically generated contracts
- Multi-country payroll
- Multi-currency payments
- ESOPs, Benefits, and Insurance administration
- Expense and time off management
- 24/7 support from local HR and legal experts
- Salary calculator
- Invoice management
Pay Freelancers $40 per month - Instant Contracts
- Multi-currency and crypto payments
- Benefits and Insurance administration
- 24/7 support from local HR and legal experts, no third-party delays
- Remittance advice

Be aware that apart from the mentioned plans, the employee insurance package is priced seperately. The basic coverage plan starts at $20 per employee per month, and the pricing may vary depending on the level of additional coverage required. Furthermore, pricing may also differ based on the geographical location.

Moreover, Global Payroll is offered as a standalone product suitable for businesses regardless of whether they have local entities or not. The pricing for Global Payroll also begins at $20 per employee per month

Best For

Multiplier is a great bet for organizations expanding their global workforce across the Asia-Pacific landscape, even though their reach extends beyond this domain. The platform's attributes cater to startups, mid-sized enterprises, and large corporations. An illustration of this versatility lies in their adeptness at managing a diverse array of contracts. Whether it involves nurturing an on-demand workforce, administering fixed-term arrangements, or orchestrating full-time engagements, Multiplier can adeptly navigate these intricacies.

Multiplier in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I interact with the platform daily to manage and oversee various aspects of employee engagement across our international operations. Key workflows include onboarding new international crew members, handling global payroll in compliance with local regulations, and managing employee benefits packages. Additionally, we use Multiplier to maintain compliance documentation for our global staff, ensuring that all personnel operate within the legal frameworks of their respective countries. This tool is vital for supporting our global workforce efficiently and effectively.

What do you like about this tool?
  1. Global Compliance Ease: Multiplier simplifies compliance with international labor laws, making it much easier to manage our diverse global workforce.
  2. Efficient Payroll Processing: It streamlines payroll operations across different countries, ensuring timely and accurate payments.
  3. Robust Employee Management: Multiplier provides comprehensive tools for onboarding, benefits management, and maintaining employee records, enhancing HR operations.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

LMC adopted Multiplier to streamline the complexities of managing a diverse, international workforce. With crews and support staff based globally, we needed a solution to handle payroll, compliance, and employee management across different countries. Multiplier was introduced over two years ago to address these challenges effectively. It has been instrumental in ensuring compliance with local labor laws, simplifying payroll processes, and managing employee benefits efficiently. The ability to onboard international employees without setting up local entities has been particularly beneficial, enhancing our operational flexibility and reducing administrative overhead.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. Complex Interface: The user interface can be complex and less intuitive, requiring a steeper learning curve for new users.
  2. Limited Customization Options: Some features lack the flexibility to be fully customized to meet the specific needs of our global operations.
  3. Response Times: Customer support response times can be slow, especially during critical payroll and compliance deadlines.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

Multiplier stands out primarily due to its comprehensive handling of international labor compliance and the ability to manage payroll and HR functions across multiple countries without the need to establish local entities. Unlike other HR platforms that focus primarily on either payroll or compliance, Multiplier integrates these services seamlessly, which is particularly beneficial for companies like Liberty Maritime Corporation that operate globally. Its one-stop solution for international employment management makes it preferable for businesses looking to expand or maintain a global workforce.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
  1. Global Compliance: Ensure the tool efficiently manages compliance with international labor laws, crucial for companies operating across borders.
  2. Integration Capabilities: Look for a platform that seamlessly integrates with your existing HR and payroll systems to streamline processes.
  3. Scalability: The tool should grow with your business, handling increases in employee numbers and geographic expansion without performance issues.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

The platform has significantly improved its user interface to simplify navigation and reduce complexity. Additionally, it has expanded its customization options to better cater to the diverse needs of various industries and enhanced its integration capabilities with other HR tools for a more cohesive user experience.

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

It is ideal for businesses expanding internationally that need to onboard, pay, and manage employees across multiple jurisdictions efficiently. This makes it valuable for companies in industries such as technology, shipping, and consulting, where flexibility and compliance are critical.

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

Multiplier may not be a good fit for smaller organizations or startups that operate solely within a single country and have minimal international employment needs. These organizations might find the platform's comprehensive features for global compliance and payroll management more complex and costly than necessary for their limited scope of operations.

Remote

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

Why we picked Remote

Remote global payroll software enables employers to hire and pay contractors and employees in locations around the world. They also offer IP protection, data security, 24/7 localized customer service, and ample platform customization.

PROS

  • Flat fee structure. No deposit is required (conditions apply), and there is no extra charge for benefits administration.
  • Mobile apps are user-friendly and frequently updated.
  • 24/7 local support via email and live chat.
  • Equity-based compensation available.
  • Helpful HR tools and global employment guidelines are free to access via Remote’s website.
  • 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

  • It may be out of reach for small teams with limited budgets.
  • Only supports direct deposit and wire transfers, and no off-cycle pay runs.
  • No phone support is available.
  • Remote has limited pre-built integrations, but you can access its custom API for free.
  • 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 is one of our top picks for global payroll solutions.

Remote offers localized payroll services, handling benefits administration, payroll processing, and contractor payments. Remote owns legal entities in more than 60 countries, so it’s one of the most effective solutions for growing teams who employ and pay international employees and independent contractors.

As an Employer of Record (EOR), Remote handles employment's administrative and legal aspects, like payroll processing, benefits administration, tax, and legal compliance. For those who have handled tasks like these close to home, it’s not difficult to imagine how profoundly complicated and error-prone global payroll is. With the help of Remote, companies can focus on doing their actual work, whatever that may be, rather than learning the intricacies of payroll across the planet.

Remote Customers

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

Remote Pricing

  • Global Payroll: $50/employee/month
  • Employer of Record: Starts at $599/employee/month (when paid annually)
  • Contractor Management: $29/contractor/month
  • Contractor Management Plus: $99/contractor/month (Everything in Remote Contractor Management with added indemnity coverage)
  • Remote Talent: Starts at $119/month
  • HRIS: Free
  • Startup and nonprofit discount: Eligible startups and nonprofits can get 15% off EOR and Contractor Management services for 12 months.

Best For

Great pick for either remote-first businesses or those with distributed workforces.

Remote in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10
  • I used Remote on a monthly basis for contract management when onboarding new contractors by inserting job-specific information, which Remote then used to draft contracts in compliance with relevant employment laws and taxes, mainly in the Philippines and the US. 
  • For payroll management, I set up profiles for new contractors, prompting them to submit banking details. Invoices were uploaded monthly for payment, with notifications received for review and authorization. 
  • The finance department loaded funds into the system, and Remote handled currency conversion and payment release to the contractors.
What do you like about this tool?
  •  Remote drafts contracts to ensure compliance with employment laws in countries such as the Philippines and Portugal.
  • The system's navigation is easy and seamless, saving time.
  • Notifications update HR and line managers for approval once invoices are submitted, ensuring timely contractor payments.
  • The reporting tool allows for the review of previous invoices and payments made to contractors.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

My previous employer, Competitive Capabilities International, already had this tool in place when I joined, and I used the system for six months while employed there. The previous payroll processing system, SAGE VIP, was not as effective as the Remote platform for contractor payments. Remote also streamlined the drafting of contracts, ensuring compliance with employment laws without the need for legal counsel, which was time-consuming. This tool addressed the pain points of inefficiency and compliance, providing a more robust and automated solution for managing contractor payments and contracts.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • The limited usage of the tool makes it difficult to comment on any significant cons.
  • I was satisfied with the required functions of the Remote system.
  • There were no notable issues during my use of the tool.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

I haven’t worked with a similar system for contractors before using Remote, but I was quite impressed with its functionality and ease of use.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?
  • Usability and training: The system should be easy to use and navigate. I grasped the Remote system in a day.
  • Compliance: Ensuring the tool adheres to employment laws and best practices is crucial to avoid fines.
  • Security: The system should have multi-factor authentication to protect user data.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Remote is more cost-effective than employing an individual for these services, allowing focus on more critical tasks instead of manual admin work.
How has this tool changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

The functionality and usage remained the same for me during my six-month period of use.

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

Remote is ideal for organizations with a remote workforce employed globally. It provides peace of mind by ensuring payroll and contracting compliance with each country's specific legislation. It benefits HR from contracting, onboarding, and payroll perspectives, and may also benefit finance departments depending on who handles payments.

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

Organizations with full-time, in-office staff or companies that do not have remote staff in different locations or countries would not benefit from this tool.

ADP

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ADP
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5

Why we picked ADP

ADP GlobalView is the solution for international payroll from one of the most reputable and long-standing companies in the space.

PROS

  • Native, all-in-one technology suite for recruitment, payroll, and compliance.
  • 17 RPO service centers in 14 countries and provide services in 42 different languages.
  • Dedicated team of AIRS-certified recruiting professionals.

CONS

  • Technology options outside ADP’s dedicated HR tools are limited.

ADP Review

If you intend to manage global payroll for thousands of employees, ADP’s GlobalView should be on your list of vendors to consider. The payroll giant has put together a solution that’s specific to big businesses, providing them with a single system to unify all global employee payroll data while letting you stay compliant. 

For this product, ADP also operates with local experts. You can process payroll yourself, or outsource most of the back office payroll functions to ADP’s team. Finally, GlobalView works only in 40 countries, but it can be combined with ADP Celergo to extend their coverage to up to 140 nations.

ADP Customers

Among others, ADP’s global payroll solution is used by the likes of PayPal.

ADP Pricing

Like with most ADP products, pricing details aren’t available online, since they’ll likely provide a custom quote once you request and have a demo.

Best For

Large enterprises that want a single place from where to manage an international workforce.

ADP in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

The company used ADP for payroll. It also uses it for 401k retirement programs. Our HR department has been happy with it. ADP has provided nice incentives to move to it.

What do you like about this tool?

Easy to use. Provided sign up incentives. Respected brand.

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

Colleagues had experience with ADP in the past and were lobbying for the company to make a change. We have made that change and then continued to increase the services that we were obtaining from them. It has been a positive experience. The vendor is exceeding our expectations. We don't foresee making changes in the near future.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It is a big company so you don't always feel like an important customer. We often deal with different people at the company. It would be nice to have one consistent contact.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

The breadth of products that it offers is important to us. We know it has quality products and services.

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

A company with a long track record. Incentives to move to it. Suggested enhancements to the products.

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

It is continually updating its service offerings with improvements. It contacts us for associated products and services that may assist our business.

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

Small to medium business.

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

I cannot think of any.

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

Rippling stands out from other global payroll companies because it handles every aspect of the payment process. Very few global payroll companies directly administer all of the steps needed to pay employees across the globe.

PROS

  • Nested within HRIS
  • Hire, pay, and manage people under a single system of record
  • 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

  • Not advisable for very small companies with slow growth
  • While you can buy a base tier and add payroll, the real “magic” of this system requires total immersion in the Rippling environment
  • 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 went the extra mile on their global payroll product. They solved a business problem better and before anyone else in their weight class. At this point in their growth, they are agile enough to move quickly, but have just enough mass and inertia to put thousands of hours of labor into doing a complex thing right.

As we pointed out before, Rippling’s global payroll suite stands out from other global payroll companies because it handles every aspect of the payment process; from tracking hours to calculating and filing taxes. Very few global payroll companies directly administer these kinds of steps while also offering a full HRMS to plug it with.

With the exception of payroll titans like Workday, most businesses offering global payroll services are actually “aggregators” of other businesses– they arrange connections between an array of third-party vendors who are unified under one company name. This has some serious drawbacks. Like a game of telephone, a lot can be lost in translation as data is passed from one entity to another.

Built-in is better. This feature’s proximity to the HRIS means the integration process is simple. According to Rippling, it takes “about 90 seconds” to set up an employee for global payroll if you’re already using Rippling. Being built-in also results in seamless access across all dimensions of employee information.

Rippling Customers

Rippling Pricing

Best For

Rippling in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used Rippling as the source of truth for all HR reporting and documentation. The prior system we used did not have the storage and reporting capabilities to be our source of truth.

The key workflows we used were onboarding, offboarding, and document signature and retention. We were able to get most of the functionality we needed for these processes, but there were a few things that didn't work the way we needed them to without buying additional workflows.

There were some basic workflows, which were unlimited and free, but there were others that required upgrades and extra charges. The core plan included one workflow, so if you needed more than that, you had to purchase additional or upgrade your plan. The way that we set up our onboarding workflow (which was specific to location), we needed several workflows to accommodate our different locations, which was not a cost-feasible upgrade. Also, if you change the trigger on the free workflow, it changes to an upgraded workflow.

What do you like about this tool?

Rippling is user-friendly; you do not need to be a programmer to be able to program functions on this platform. You can contribute ideas for new features or functionality. Their customer service is better than most HRIS systems.

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

The organization had been using an HRIS system that did not have the robust reporting, automations, or customer service they were looking for. I used Rippling with the company for about a year and a half as a super admin. We found Rippling's customer service superior to the previous system we had been using.

Implementation was easy, but I strongly recommend that someone who has done implementations previously spearhead an implementation to help bridge where you were with a previous system to where you want to go with Rippling. Setting up workflows and automations is easy in Rippling, and their technical advisors are always willing to hop on a call to walk you through any issues that you may need additional help with.

We started using Rippling as the HRIS/payroll for our US team but quickly added the Canadian team. We used it largely for headcount and reporting for all other global teams.

What do you dislike about this tool?

Only one workflow in the core plan; everything else is an upgrade. Rippling often uses their customers for BETA testing without letting them know (Rippling told us they had functionality for payroll in another country when they did NOT). It feels like they are constantly trying to upsell you and get more money out of you.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

The tool is one of my favorites so far. It is very easy to use, but when you get stuck on something, they will provide live support to walk you through. Most other HRIS systems are very helpful through implementation but are hard to reach once you have completed.

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

People need to think about the implementation process; the new tool is probably not going to look or act like the old tool. Definitely ask if there is a demo account and work through it to see how it works.

Think about where your company is now versus where you expect to be in five years. Will the tool grow with you? How much additional expenditure will be required to scale it with your business? If there are new functions you will need to purchase in the future, will the additional expense work with your scaling budget?

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

Rippling is very good at taking requests from customers for new functionality. For the most part, Rippling employees only know Rippling; they don't know other platforms. So they don't know how you used XYZ brand prior and how the change in process affected your business.

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

Rippling is good for organizations with a growing or evolving workforce. It can house all historical HR documents, send revised documents out with the click of a button, and update workflows easily.

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

Rippling would not be a good fit for a small, cost-conscious organization that doesn't need all the functionality it provides or would have to pay substantially more for the add-ons.

Globalization Partners

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Globalization Partners
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
4.7 / 5
Product Score
4.3 / 5

Why we picked Globalization Partners

Globalization Partners are the makers of a global Employer of Record platform, putting together professional services and AI for more than just payroll.

PROS

  • 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

  • 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.

Globalization Partners Review

Globalization Partners combines professional HR and global payroll services with an AI-driven platform. Through their offering, you can hire team members in any of the 187 countries they operate in. Their platform & services go well beyond payroll, helping with onboarding, managing, benefits, and compliance. 

Since they own a business entity in almost every country on earth, they can let you hire talent globally within a matter of days. Naturally, all this is done without you having to handle any legal, tax, or HR burdens yourself.

Globalization Partners Customers

Zeeto

Globalization Partners Pricing

Pricing details are not provided by Globalization Partners. The best way forward is to request a demo and they’ll work with you to provide a custom quote.

Best For

Companies that want an employer of record provider with a platform to manage it all.

Globalization Partners in action
Reviewer's Rating
9/10

As a managing partner in HR, we use Globalization Partners daily. They handle all the compliance issues and make sure we don’t trip over local labor laws. They also manage payroll, ensuring everyone gets paid on time (we had issues with local banks before). Onboarding new hires has sped up considerably. We can now focus on strategic tasks instead of drowning in busy work.

What do you like about this tool?

Globalization Partners handles the time zone issues for us, making scheduling easy. Their platform provides updates on local holidays, so we never accidentally plan important meetings on a day off in another country. Their customer support is truly great, especially when we're dealing with urgent issues. They offer localized perks, like specific benefits that resonate with employees in different regions.

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

We jumped on board with Globalization Partners two years ago because we were overwhelmed by the chaos of hiring from different countries. The headaches of local labor laws and juggling international payroll were driving us crazy. Globalization Partners handled all the tricky aspects of global employment for us. They took care of compliance, payroll, and benefits, which saved us from countless sleepless nights. Thanks to them, we could manage more work with a smaller HR team, making everything more efficient. Now, we can focus on growing our team without getting bogged down in the details of international HR.

What do you dislike about this tool?

One downside is that their services can be pricey, especially for smaller companies or startups. It is expensive for us as well, and we intend to shop around. Another issue was that the platform's integrations with our existing HR systems were not as smooth as we hoped, causing some delays. Additionally, the customization options for reports and dashboards are limited, which can be frustrating when we need specific data.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I found the international payroll services quite good, which are always tricky. Other competitors advertise local entities that handle things seamlessly, but that was not always the case. Here, they truly are professional. The customer service is not just fast and lovely but also capable of solving issues, even at 7 PM on a Friday. Time zone and local holiday coordination make managing an international workforce easier.

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

When buying a tool like Globalization Partners, consider how well it handles compliance with local labor laws to avoid legal headaches. Look at the platform's ability to manage international payroll. Check the level of customer support—having not just quick but knowledgeable help can save you from a lot of stress. Also, think about how user-friendly the platform is and whether it integrates smoothly with your existing HR systems.

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

Over the last two years, Globalization Partners has introduced new features. Aside from the tool that helps us keep track of local holidays, they've improved their language support, making it easier for teams who speak different languages to get help and navigate the platform. Another addition is their cultural tips feature, which offers insights into local customs and etiquette—handy for building better relationships with our international team members.

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

It's perfect for mid-sized businesses and large enterprises that need to manage international employees. Startups with global ambitions will also benefit, especially if they want to hire talent from anywhere on the planet.

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

Globalization Partners might not be the best fit for tiny startups or small businesses with tight budgets who aren’t planning to go global anytime soon. If your hiring is all local and you don’t need to deal with international labor laws, you don't really need them.

TFY

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TFY
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Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
3.6 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked TFY

TFY packs features for applicant tracking, freelance management, payroll and more in a single platform. Not only that, but the platform supports diversity hiring, and can support you in planning and running a host of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

PROS

  • TFY offers features for applicant tracking, freelance management, payroll and more in a single platform.  
  • TFY’s platform supports diversity hiring, and can support you in planning and running a host of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
  • TFY has simple and transparent pricing which is something software users always appreciate.

CONS

  • According to user feedback, TFY’s UI feels outdated and takes some time to get used to.
  • Interested users cannot create trial accounts on their own from TFY’s website. 
  • TFY doesn’t have prebuilt integration modules, but they do offer API access to connect with tools in your tech stack.  
  • TFY currently doesn’t have a mobile app.

TFY Review

TFY’s global payroll solution allows you to transfer payouts to your employees and independent contractors in over 150+ countries and over 130 currencies, including more than 20 cryptocurrencies. You won’t need to collect and store bank account details or monitor foreign currency exposures. Simply define the frequency for recurring payments, number of payouts, etc. All of these capabilities and more can be combined with TFY’s Employer of Record services and Vendor Management System, so you can hire seamlessly beyond your borders and have better visibility over your external workforce.

TFY Customers

TFY serves companies of different industries. Some of their most notable customers are Zigurat Business School, Exante, Kissflow, WeWork, Revolut, B-caused, and RedHat.

TFY Pricing

TFY price their ATS and FMS separately as follows:

  • FMS: $5 per team member, billed monthly. This includes everything you need to manage and pay remote teams, consultants, and freelancers.
  • ATS: $50 per posted job. This plan provides insights into candidates’ skills and salary expectations.

Best For

TFY is best suited for companies looking to hire and manage over 100 freelancers. The platform would also make a good addition to companies looking to implement CSR activities.

TFY in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I use TFY daily to streamline various essential workflows within the organization. I mainly use it for scheduling tasks, where I can create and manage employee shifts based on demand and availability. I also use the time and attendance tracking feature regularly to monitor attendance, manage overtime, and generate reports.

What do you like about this tool?
  • It is easy to navigate and use, allowing me to efficiently manage schedules and track employee time without extensive training.
  • The automation features, such as scheduling and time tracking, save me considerable time and reduce manual errors, ensuring smoother operations.
  • It provides detailed reports on attendance, overtime, and scheduling metrics, empowering me to make informed decisions and optimize workforce management strategies effectively.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

We implemented TFY due to the manual processes in the organization that were causing inefficiencies, specifically with scheduling and time tracking. These processes were time-consuming and prone to errors, frequently leading to payroll discrepancies. TFY allowed us to automate tasks and create optimized schedules quickly and efficiently. It has robust time tracking, which has significantly improved accuracy in employee hours, payroll, and overall operational efficiency. It has streamlined our workforce management, removed administrative tasks, and allowed us to focus more on strategic initiatives and employee productivity.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  • Sometimes the customization options for specific scheduling rules or reporting formats can feel restrictive, making it less adaptable to unique organizational needs.
  • Integrating with other existing systems or software can be complex and may require additional technical support to ensure seamless operation and data consistency across platforms.
  • At times, the response time from the customer support team could be improved, especially during urgent situations or when needing assistance with complex issues that require immediate resolution.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

It is easier to use than competitors and provides a much more streamlined approach, ensuring operational efficiency.

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

Prioritize functionality—evaluate whether the tool covers critical areas such as scheduling, time tracking, and reporting comprehensively. Assess the user interface for ease of use, as this impacts adoption rates and training requirements. Then look for customization options that align with your organization's unique workflows and policies. Integration capabilities with existing systems should also be a priority to streamline operations and data management. Also, evaluate the vendor's support services and maintenance to ensure ongoing reliability and assistance when needed. Taking these factors into account will help you choose a tool that enhances operational efficiency and meets long-term business objectives.

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

I’ve heard there are regular updates to provide the most up-to-date system, but not sure about the specifics as I haven’t used for a long time.

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

Small to medium companies can find TFY useful.

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

Large international companies may benefit better from other more robust tools than TFY.

WorkDay

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WorkDay
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Popularity Score
4 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5

Why we picked WorkDay

Workday is a popular HR software that includes payroll functionality. It focuses on enterprise needs and offers international payroll solutions for the US, Canada, the UK, and France.

PROS

  • Ability to make changes and update payroll in real time.
  • Customizable automated calculation engine streamlines payroll processing.
  • Provides audits for compliance and payroll accuracy.
  • Employee self-service to pay slips, W-2s, W-4s, and payment elections.
  • Offers pay on-demand.
  • Automatic tax updates
  • Support mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
  • Accessible customer support from the community, live chat, and telephone.
  • Compatible with 300 HR systems such as ERP/GL, CRM, HR, and PSA.
  • Configurable dashboard with AI and ML-driven insights.
  • Ability to maintain real-time alignment of budgets and workforce plans.
  • SOC 2 Type 2 compliance.

CONS

  • Enterprise-focus; not a great choice for smaller businesses.
  • Time-consuming and complicated setup process.
  • No free trial. Undisclosed pricing.
  • Mobile app lacks stability and user-friendliness.
  • Undisclosed pricing.
  • No free trial for its talent management software.
  • Time-consuming implementation period (average 4.5 months).
  • Challenge navigating for first-time users may require training.
  • Issues with logging in were reported by users.

WorkDay Review

Workday's payroll software is scalable, highly secure, and great for enterprise companies.  However, user reviews on the mobile app and implementation vary. It covers the US, Canada, the UK, and France and integrates with Activpayroll for 140+ country coverage.

Workday's payroll software excels on the tech front. It ensures accurate deductions and tax information through automatic updates and audits. It offers flexibility with multiple pay cycles based on employee groups and supports workers' financial well-being by providing a pay-on-demand option for accessing accumulated wages before the scheduled payday.

Workday's mobile app offers customizable dashboards with access to payslips, time off, and time tracking. However, user feedback suggests that it lacks ease of use, with reports of app glitches and logging-in issues.

While Workday boasts impressive scalability and valuable HR features for large enterprises and global companies, it may not be ideal if your company is looking for a simple setup and a super-intuitive mobile app.

WorkDay Customers

Quicken Loans, AstraZeneca, Target, Dell, Bank of America.

WorkDay Pricing

The exact pricing details of Workday are undisclosed. Contact Workday’s team for a quote.

Best For

Large enterprises looking for a global payroll solution within a broader HCM suite.

WorkDay in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

What I like the most about Workday is its simple interface that you don't have to ask your Boss how to use it. It is very intuitive and easy to find what you are looking for. I worked for 3 companies before and ALL of them are using Workday. It is famous for being so straight-forward and simple and yet a very reliable tool between the company and the employees.

What do you like about this tool?

It is user friendly. It is easy to teach it to employees outside of our Human Resources department. There are so many features!

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

We bought Workday to ensure we had a financial system that would work with our HR systems. This helped us accurately run payroll. We use this Workday for storing the employee information, such personal details, previous employment details and contact details. It helps to track the goal setting to yearly appraisal feedback. We can easily be able to track the compensation revision history as well. It is a highly secured website. It requires a password + additional two security questions to login. This ensures the additional safety of the data.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It can be confusing to navigate at times. That is partially the software itself but more so how our team decided to set everything up. We are still adding more and more and making this process better for our users.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

I would consider it very similar to Paycom. I would recommend Paycom over Workday by a slight margin.

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

Workday is an excellent choice if you are the owner of a business with 250 to 1,000-plus employees and require workforce management tools (onboarding and training, scheduling and leave management), as well as HR analytics tools (pay management and performance evaluation and management)

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

It has evolved to take on more employees with little effort.

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

Human Resources, Management, Financial Department

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

A smaller or start-up business.

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

Among several global payrolls in the market, Oyster stands out for being flexible enough to manage payroll in over 120 currencies while integrating features for expense reimbursement, time-off request, and bonuses.

PROS

  • Oyster’s global payroll supports salary payouts in over 120 currencies.
  • You can sign up to explore the platform, help docs, and HR tools, only paying when you hire someone.
  • Provides transparent flat rates for employees and contractors and a tool that can quickly calculate potential costs and risks of hiring in a new country.
  • Whether your employees are in one country or 100, Oyster can accommodate them accordingly, and this is a feature few platforms can boast of.
  • Helpful customer support and help center. Thorough guidance on global employment (available for only the highest-priced plan, though).
  • 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

  • There may be some salary delays in transfers.
  • Only supports bank transfers for payments.
  • Monthly pricing varies by where the employees are based.
  • 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

Among several options in the space, Oyster is flexible enough to manage payroll in multiple currencies and locations globally and has integrated features for expense reimbursement for traveling employees. Running payroll on Oyster was easy. We could process both employee and contractor payroll in one platform and choose the preferred currency and payroll frequency (monthly/bimonthly), depending on country payroll regulations. We’re also happy with its simplicity in managing tax withholding and accounting. While Oyster did well in ensuring employees working under different currencies are paid correctly and compliantly, we wished to see more withdrawal options in the platform rather than just bank transfers.

Oyster is one of a few vendors that can accommodate teams hiring people in over 180 countries. The platform also provides a self-service portal where employees can request time off and reimbursements. We liked that each time one submitted a request, we instantly saw it in Oyster’s admin dashboard, highlighted under the Requiring Attention section. Related tools like the cost calculator, global recruitment guides, and invoice management were placed right in the dashboard, making it easier to access and get the needed help.

Oyster Customers

Some of Oyster's customers are Juno, Demodesk, Chili Piper, Quora, Wagestream, Impala, and Grover.

Oyster Pricing

Oyster has three pricing plans:

  • Contractor: It starts at $29 per contractor per month and includes hiring contractors in 180+ countries, drafting, editing, signing compliant contracts, processing invoices, and paying contractors in 120+ currencies.
  • Employee: The plan starts at $499 per employee per month when billed annually and includes features for hiring full-timers in 120+ countries with compliance and liability coverage, automation, IP protection, global payroll, expenses, allowances, and bonuses in 120+ countries.
  • Scale: The plan has custom pricing and includes a discounted rate, dedicated client service, and support to navigate global employment and bulk hiring.
  • Local benefits plans are provided as add-ons for Employee and Scale plans.
  • You can create an account, explore the platform, and access Oyster’s HR tools and resources for free. You’ll only pay once you’ve engaged a team member.
  • Discounts are available for nonprofits and businesses hiring refugees.

Best For

Distributed teams whose current and future contractors, employees, or both are based in countries listed on Oyster’s 120+ country coverage. Nonprofits and businesses looking to hire refugees in countries where Oyster has local entities would also benefit from the platform’s special discounts.

Oyster in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

Oyster served as our applicant tracking system. Its integrations with other systems streamline candidate analysis, facilitating a smoother recruitment process.

What do you like about this tool?

The primary benefit lies in the enhancement of the employee experience, introducing a newfound level of autonomy for our non-U.S. employees. Additionally, Oyster offers seamless service, excellent communication, and significant time and cost savings. Utilizing Oyster costs less than engaging external consultants for equivalent services. Its ease of use has integrated it seamlessly into our business strategies.

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

I've had experience with Oyster at a previous company. The service operates seamlessly, boasting excellent communication, and notably saves both time and costs. Utilizing Oyster comes at a lower expense compared to engaging external consultants for similar services. The most significant benefit lies in the enhancement of the employee experience. Oyster introduces a level of autonomy previously unavailable to our non-U.S. employees.

What do you dislike about this tool?

While Oyster excels at generating basic reports such as payroll, invoices, and expenses, its reporting capabilities are limited beyond these functions. Unlike other HR tools that offer insightful charts, customizable filters, and robust data exploration features for identifying hiring trends, benchmarking team productivity, or analyzing retention rates, Oyster falls short. This deficiency in advanced reporting may frustrate businesses focused on optimizing costs, improving time-to-fill metrics, and establishing a global talent pipeline. While workarounds are available—such as exporting report data for analysis in Excel or data visualization tools—they entail additional effort.

Oyster collaborates with third-party vendors to provide payroll and HR services in certain countries where it lacks a direct presence. While this expands Oyster's support for more locations, it also introduces potential inconsistencies in user experience. Working with partners may incur higher costs, offer less transparency, and result in longer wait times compared to dealing directly with Oyster.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Oyster is easy to use but has limitations when compared to some of its competitors from what I learned while researching online.

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

Pricing, types of employee engagement that the purchaser is needing, and the size of the company.

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

I’m unsure of how WorkTango changed or evolved over time.

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

Oyster very good for hiring, onboarding, and payroll, and for companies that does these activities a lot.

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

It is not suitable for companies needing intuitive reporting features, as the software has only basic reporting capabilities.

PapayaGlobal

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PapayaGlobal
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Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5

Why we picked PapayaGlobal

Papaya Global made our list of best global payroll software providers for enabling distributed teams to legally auto-pay contractors and employees in 160+ countries while making sure their data is protected by leading security and compliance software.

PROS

  • Papaya’s full-service payroll guaranteed payouts in 72 hours in over 160 countries.
  • It has a straightforward pricing system with a 60-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the platform’s performance.
  • Offers a dedicated customer success manager or global payroll expert in your time zone who assists you in the local timezone and language. You also get access to their in-house specialists on global employment in 160 countries without extra fees.
  • The latest starter monthly fee for the full-service payroll plan has dropped to $12 per employee (the previous one was $20).
  • Provides four individual solutions (data and insights, supplemental benefits & immigration support, payment services, and employee data management) at an affordable starter price.
  • 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

  • Lacks local entities in the countries where it sells services. We found no information regarding its tax penalty guarantee either.
  • Doesn’t offer a free trial or free plan.
  • There are a few additional fees, including a set-up fee per location, an onboarding fee, a cycle fee per employee, and a year-end fee for tax filing. There’s also a required deposit (refundable).
  • There aren’t many existing integrations, but you can use the platform’s 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.

PapayaGlobal Review

Papaya Global is loved by several users we have talked to and also by our editorial team. It is one of a few vendors that provide a straightforward pricing point (no one likes hidden fee surprises!), a solid set of HR tools, robust BI analytics reporting, and in-country customer support.

We appreciate how the platform has kept both employers and staff in mind when developing its HR tools. As an employer, Papaya Global gives you access to payroll, payments, and workforce analytics in one unified platform. The global payroll software provides automated payments in local currency, country-tailored benefit packages, pay slips in the languages of employees across over 160 countries, and AI-based engines to audit invoices for payment accuracy. Papaya Global backs you with in-house benefits experts who advise you on the soundest plans for specific locations without costing you extra. As an employee, there is a self-service portal you can easily access and navigate through. You can find onboarding documents there, request time off, check your docs, and review payslips. The newly launched mobile app (February 2023) will soon allow you to do these things, plus access payment calendars, bank details, and company announcements on the go.

Papaya Global’s global equity management is another thing that sets it apart from other payroll software. With this tool, you can offer equity to employees as part of their compensation, regardless of their location. As we mentioned earlier, the platform does a great job of providing advanced analytics reporting. By "advanced," we mean that you can access dynamic and visual insights into not just payroll, but also HR, billing, and admin data.

However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when considering Papaya Global as your global payroll software. First and foremost, Papaya Global does not own any local entity where it provides services. The platform relies entirely on its third-party local partners. While its pricing is transparent, there are additional costs besides the plan’s price, including a set-up fee per location, onboarding fee, cycle fee per employee, year-end fee for tax filing, and refundable deposit. It is worth getting in touch with Papaya Global’s team to get a full quote for your specific requirements to evaluate the platform further.

PapayaGlobal Customers

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

PapayaGlobal Pricing

Papaya Global has just added four standalone services to its offerings besides the three plans:

  • Full-Service Payroll service: It starts from $20 per employee per month, depending on your operation. It includes its advanced payroll platform, embedded payments, global partner network, and employee portal.
  • Payroll Platform License service: Starting from $20 per employee per location, it is for businesses that need to upgrade their payroll and payments tech without replacing the current payroll partners.
  • Data and Insights Platform License service: Starting from $150 per employee per month, it includes tools for real-time analytics on payroll costs and headcount.
  • Payments-as-a-Service service: Starting from $3 per employee per month, it provides an embedded platform designed for workforce payment.
  • Global EOR plan: This plan is between $770 and $1000 per employee per month and lets you manage all your EOR locations on one platform.
  • Contractor Management & IC Compliance plan: Particular services are outsourced to a domestic or foreign contractor for periods of rapid growth and the need to reduce labor costs. This plan starts at $25 per employee per pay cycle.‍
  • Payroll Intelligence Suite plan: This plan lets you consolidate all workforce and payroll data from all your operations into a single dashboard, priced at $250 for an annual plan or $320 quarterly per location.

Best For

Those that want to automate global payroll in countries where they have entities can benefit from Papaya Global. The platform is also a go-to payroll software for businesses whose international hires (employees, contractors) are based within Papaya Global’s country coverage.

PapayaGlobal in action
Reviewer's Rating
8/10

I worked with PapayaGlobal for about two years in total, weekly. Mostly, I used the HR workflows because I am an HR consultant, and we were setting up mini HR offices globally. Employee onboarding was, of course, a big one. The integration with Workday was perfect. Uploading documents and organizing was straightforward. What I personally found invaluable were the compliance tools and local experience. This boosted my profile as well because I was learning through using the system.

What do you like about this tool?

Customer service is exceptional; you really feel that they are part of your team. I also loved the guarantees of local compliance, which created great trust with our in-house auditors. The ability to see the big picture of our workforce globally was also crucial, as it provided a great understanding of the workforce map and enabled strategic moves on the people side of things.

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

I was setting up PapayaGlobal for one of my previous clients. The reason we needed a tool like this was that we wanted to hire talent from different countries. Previously, we bypassed this by hiring on a "contractor agreement," but we really wanted employees, not contractors. While managing paperwork for EU candidates was somewhat easier, when it came to hires from outside the EU, it was a bit of a nightmare. Our HR team had to learn local employment laws, and we even contacted local lawyers to send us an empty contract so we could be fully compliant. These were the pains that the service greatly alleviated. We saved a lot of time, and audits were less stressful. We used it for about two years, but then the business took another direction.

What do you dislike about this tool?

It took a long time to learn the navigation through the platform; you really need to invest time to learn everything—you cannot just jump in with no training. Sometimes the screen would not load properly; words were overlapping, and it took some reloads for it to work, which was disappointing for a service that charges so much. We also had some issues with invoices; it was not clear how to manage them, but customer service helped with that.

How is this tool different than their competitors?

Compliance support and global presence are the main reasons we chose PapayaGlobal. Another key factor is the customer service, which was consistently excellent. I also enjoyed the real-time access to analytics, which was helpful in following trends and monitoring important metrics globally.

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

First, consider the cost and how the pricing is structured to determine how much value a company can derive from the service at the agreed price point. Another important factor is access to real people who can guide the onboarding and integration with existing tools, which was commendable. Additionally, global access to local labor laws is perhaps the biggest consideration.

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

PapayaGlobal has evolved, but I believe other platforms have caught up and may be more attractive in their pricing.

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

PapayaGlobal is great for rapidly scaling businesses that need support in managing a multinational workforce.

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

PapayaGlobal is excessive for startups and scaleups with a simple payroll structure, or for those who work only with digital nomads, for example. Ensure you actually need all the services within the platform to make it worth the investment.

Atlas

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

Why we picked Atlas

Atlas is an EOR and HR services-focused global payroll provider. They work well for teams of all sizes and offer a good combination of in-house expertise and a functional tech platform.

PROS

  • Hire people through direct EOR entities in 160+ countries.
  • They are a services-focused company with the tech to back it. For example, with the help of a locally-versed expert to guide you through the process, you can onboard employees and process their payroll in any of the 160+ countries they cover – and it can all be done online.
  • Strong focus on compliance: regulations, taxes, local labor laws, etc.
  • 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

  • Some users noted communication with support can be tricky. An individual expert (or one representing a small team) may be involved in addressing compliance issues specific to a geographic region. Though this has been reported to slow the process, our reviews suggest ongoing improvements.
  • No native integrations, but they do have API
  • 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 Review

Atlas is a comprehensive global payroll and direct employer of record (EOR) solution that empowers businesses to hire and compensate talent across the globe effortlessly. We’ve seen a demo of Atlas and tried the tool, finding them a solid company to entrust with your legal employer responsibilities.

What does this mean? We found that Atlas can dependably manage most of the operations aspects of the employee life cycle, for several employees, in several countries, from a single platform.

Atlas Customers

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

Atlas Pricing

  • Essential: For $99 per month, this plan encompasses features and services that help users navigate the labor & employment laws in over 160 countries (+50 US States), manage employee lifecycle, compliance information between countries, be compliant with their accounting for travel and business expenses, receive personalized notifications, as well as have moderate access to expert insights and HR templates (which are priced separately). 
  • Premium: For $149 per month, this plan packs everything in the Essentials plan, plus compliance audit interactive checks, people analytics and planning features as well as dedicated account management.
  • Enterprise: The pricing of this plan varies according to the number of purchased licenses and customer needs. You can reach out to Atlas’ Sales team for a custom price quote. 

Add-ons:

  • Contractor Pay: Starting at $49 per contractor per month
  • Employer of Record: $595 per employee per month
  • Visa & Mobility Sponsorship: Starting at $2,500 per visa

Best For

Companies of all sizes would find an ally in Atlas, but it’s especially good for those looking for a service-oriented offering rather than a DIY, employee-driven, self-service platform.

Atlas in action
Reviewer's Rating
7/10

We can manage our employee's expenses, payroll, holiday management, bonuses and commissions, and all compliant paperwork through Atlas HXM. This is very handy, quite easy to use, and offloads many tedious tasks through automation.

What do you like about this tool?
  1. Convenience: We didn't have to set up our own entity to hire someone in France.
  2. Compliance: It's handled by the Employer of Record, so we don't need to acquire the knowledge ourselves or create policies.
  3. Employee satisfaction: All HR and payroll questions can be answered by a local team.
Why did your organization buy this tool, and how long have you used it for?

There was a need to expand the firm's market in France, and we needed an SDR in the country with the necessary language skills. Atlas HXM allows us to employ individuals through an existing local structure, which addressed our concerns. The company I work for is still using the service, which is compliant with local laws, easy to understand, and saves time.

What do you dislike about this tool?
  1. Response time: The account managers are slow to respond.
  2. Holiday management system: It doesn't always count correctly.
  3. Constant changes: The platform changes quite often.
How is this tool different than their competitors?

It is a great tool to use and cost-efficient in our setting. We had quotes from different providers, and this quote was the most service vs. price efficient.

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

Companies should explore the cost of using this tool when they consider employing someone abroad without an entity. If it's for several employees, it will be cost-efficient, but above a certain number, it might be worth exploring the option of setting up your own entity.

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

The platform has changed several times for the better. They have created a more accurate holiday tool and clearer information sharing. The response time has improved as well.

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

Remote companies can make great use of Atlas, mainly for tech or sales roles.

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

Companies that want hybrid or on-site roles cannot get the most out of Atlas HXM.

Why Use Global Payroll Software

Multi-country payroll software is necessary when businesses of any size want to pay people abroad while staying fully compliant in each country. It’s not just about being able to process payments internationally, since there are a myriad of solutions for that (some of them used by international payroll companies), but about being able to run payroll in multiple countries as if you had a registered company in each of the nations that at least one of your employees calls home.

One could argue that you could do just that by having a payroll provider or a PEO/EOR in each country. However, global payroll software takes it to the next level. These tools help you avoid the extra costs and logistical headaches of having multiple providers. This can be especially challenging when you need a central repository from where to manage them all, and the data inherent to payroll processing is scattered across various systems.

A basic example of the simplicity of using a global payroll tool is that, at least with the ones we’ve mentioned here, you’re assumed to pay each worker in their local currency. They can literally decide this with a couple of clicks.

This ease of localization, to put it that way, extends beyond salary as well. Some of these tools can provide all the employee benefits required by law in each individual’s country as if they worked for a local company. Depending on the software vendor, these can include social security, health insurance, retirement funds, disability, and more. It also means that taxes are handled for them using the same tool. This is what global payroll software vendors mean when they tout full compliance.

Pro Tips on Global Payroll Software

Key Considerations & Pitfalls of Multi-Country Payroll

There are just certain considerations that you need to have before assuming that the right international payroll solution will do the heavy lifting for you, make sure your people are paid on time, and present everything in a user-friendly way.

  • Knowing local laws: Just because a software company/services provider will be doing part of the work for you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of what that work is. Like with any good manager, delegating doesn’t mean ignoring. As an employer or HR professional, you should know which laws and tax regulations you must adhere to in each country where you’ll pay someone. This not only helps with making sure that you’re staying compliant through the tool. It also aids when creating a budget, deciding whether to hire someone, shifting from contractor status to full-time, etc.
  • Know your costs: Fees for some of these international payroll companies may seem high compared to payroll software for small businesses or even some enterprise payroll software solutions. It helps to try and calculate how much you’d spend if you choose to go with individual providers in each country or even set up an operation there and handle it in-house. That should help determine how much is reasonable to spend on the project instead of trying to find the lowest-cost provider. Among these costs, you should also consider the fines you would incur if you stay 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.
  • Loading the project mainly into HR: Traditionally, human resources departments tend to have little time, lots of work, and few idle hands. Looking to them to solve the puzzle of international payroll and stick to a budget is one way of ensuring that the project’s outcome will be subpar. When choosing a global payroll solution, you should look towards those that do the most automation and outsourcing, freeing up some of HR’s time while keeping them in the loop. Also, choosing said solution should be taken into the hands of the finance team and upper management since it is, after all, an investment.
  • Be mindful of data protection: Data protection laws, especially GDPR, should be one of your concerns if you hire people in new markets. When trusting a software company with your employees’ 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.

Pricing: What Global Payroll Solutions Cost

Most multinational payroll providers charge a fee per full-time employee and a smaller fee for contractors. While not every vendor discloses its initial pricing scheme online, since many will provide a custom quote upon requesting a demo, we’ve put together the following chart for your convenience:

Global Payroll ProviderPricing Model
AtlasStarts at $99 per month for the Essential plan, then $149 for Premium or custom for Enterprise.
Papaya GlobalStarts at a $20-$100 fee per employee per month for the basic payroll. Global EOR starts at $770 and Contractor Management from $25 per pay cycle.
DeelPricing is per worker per month. Contractors start at $49 and full-time employees hired with an EOR start at $500.
RemotePricing for employees starts at $299 per month and they offer custom quotes after that. To hire contractors, you only pay the payment processing fees.
OysterFirst two contractors are free, then $29 per month. EOR for full-time employees is $399 or $699 per employee per month.
Globalization PartnersOnly offers custom pricing.
ADP GlobalViewOnly offers custom pricing.
WorkdayOnly offers custom pricing.
Multiplier$400 per month to hire employees, $40 per month for freelancers.
RipplingStarts at $8 per user per month, but varies depending on the amount of modules.
TFYATS and FMS priced separately. The FMS is $5 per team member.

Note: All figures are in USD.

Key Components of Global Payroll Software

When we speak about global payroll, it means much more than paying people internationally, likely with a money transfer company, and using a different system to manage and onboard them. In the full sense of the term, global payroll should let you do all this while offering the following services or payroll models:

  • Global employment services: This is when you don’t own a business entity where your remote employees live, so you can set up a legal entity in the country or use employer of record companies to employ workers on your behalf. This is essential if you intend to hire people full-time in a country and don’t plan on opening a new branch where they live. Precisely because of that, it’s an excellent way to go if you plan on hiring as little as one person or a bigger team.

    Through this model, you'll get access to a team of payroll experts who are well-versed in the local regulations when hiring international employees. A thing to note here is that many companies in the global payroll space don't own the EOR entities they use but work with local firms in each country and aggregate their services in a software tool that presents it all as a streamlined version for you. While this can certainly work, we've been seeing more companies own as many EOR providers as they can (or only use the ones they own) in order to reduce risks and simplify payroll operations for everyone.
  • Contractor payment services: This type of service is suitable when one side prefers contractor status as opposed to full-time employment. Essentially, this means that the worker acts more as a service provider and is legally a self-employed person. An international payroll company should also offer this type of service, with a key component being the assurance of full legal compliance.

    In other words, a global payroll provider (or contractor management tool, in this case) helps manage payments to an international contractor and ensures that all the local legal requirements of working with said worker are met and avoid non-compliance.
  • Localized payroll services: Then we have the case of a company with a legal entity in a country that require a local payroll solution. Naturally, most global payroll providers can also help with this since they don’t need to employ the workers for you to process payroll for them. In that case, they can handle payroll and benefits just like any local payroll provider would. At the same time, you are the legal employer of your people and thus responsible for the legal obligations that stem from that relationship.

As you probably imagine, multi-country payroll partners can offer a mix and match of these services, letting you choose different methods for different countries depending on what’s more comfortable and efficient for you. Suppose you're unsure whether you will stick with hiring people overseas on a contractor status or eventually move into an EOR or PEO model. In that case, we'd recommend looking at tools that offer a good mix of both.

One way in which this software category has evolved is by having more players in the space that offer both models instead of focusing exclusively on one.

The same goes for the number of capabilities an international payroll provider can offer. Some of these cloud-based tools now also include a fully working HRMS, a benefits administration suite, or even an IT management product, in the case of Rippling.

Demo Questions: What To Ask To International Payroll Companies

As with any software purchase, once you select 2-3 options for your global payroll provider, you should try each of them, likely through a demo and maybe even by doing a free trial. With both scenarios, it’s a good idea to step into the process with a list of the critical questions you need to answer.

To put this list together, you should consult each stakeholder within your team, including remote employees and contractors overseas. This list should reflect your unique business needs when it comes to employing people in different countries, but we’ve put together a basic list to get you started:

  • Which countries do we need payroll in, or do we plan on needing payroll in, and in which of those do we need the full service, such as EOR?
  • What kind of benefits would I like to offer to my global workforce?
  • What are the key features I want to try out and validate?
  • What kind of workflows are possible and maybe automated?
  • What kind of tax regulations do we need to be concerned with if we hire in X or Y country?
  • How will this solution fit into the rest of my tech stack and therefore what integrations do I need?
  • How will others in the organization use this solution?
  • How can this tool improve the experience of our workers?
  • What are the things that would make me or my coworkers nervous about switching our current processes to this platform?
  • How is employee data kept safe if trusted to this vendor?
  • What conclusions can I start to make about the quality of customer support? Is there a help center? Are the support articles clear and easy to read?
  • How will this solution fit our current plans for global expansion?

Alternatives to Global Payroll Software

We’ll now expand into one of the points we touched upon above— what are your alternatives if you decide that global payroll software is not the way to go for you just yet? Mainly, these are the two following:

  1. Payroll services: Most of the vendors we mentioned offer a combination of payroll services and a platform to manage and keep track of them. But of course, you could also opt for partnering with a company and letting them take care of it themselves. This requires you to get more familiar with each kind of payroll service and the fees they charge. It will also require much more direct communication with those payroll professionals.
  2. Money transfer companies: The other option is to just solve the issue of an international money transfer. Suppose your contractors overseas are okay with handling taxes & benefits themselves. In that case, this can be a less costly and time-consuming option, particularly helpful while you figure out what to do in the long term.

Global Payroll FAQs

What is Global Payroll?

The term “global payroll” refers to the compensation that a company needs to make to its foreign employees, independent contractors, and freelancers. Typically handled by the HR or finance departments, it includes salaries, tax withholdings, invoicing, benefits, bonuses, PTO, overtime, commissions, and of course, international bank transfers.

What is an EOR?

EOR stands for ‘Employer of Record’. It is an essential component of an internationally compliant payroll since it’s what most providers use to be the legal employer of a worker in their country. Through this practice, a company doesn’t need to set up a legal entity in that country to stay compliant with the local labor laws.

What is a PEO?

Essentially, a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) is a company that offers a wider range of HR services to other businesses, including payroll operations, of course, but also benefits administration, HR consulting, hiring, onboarding, and even training. This can be quite helpful for companies that don't have a big internal HR team, as it allows them to stay compliant while focusing on other responsibilities for their in-house concerns.

So, PEO goes way beyond employing people on your behalf to ensure compliance but goes into the territory of absorbing more of your HR tasks.

Last Advice on Buying a Global Payroll Solution

Setting up an international payroll properly is quite a project. It’s not only about setting up direct deposits to people and staying within the boundaries of the law but investing in creating the best possible experience for them. If your workers feel that they’re properly taken care of, they will feel enabled to perform their best and stick with you in the long run.

Because of this, it is essential that you choose the provider that is right for your business needs. Take your time, ask a lot of questions, figure out what the right mix is for you and your team, and you’re likely to gain an edge over your competitors while saving time, cutting costs, and making your employees happier and more productive.

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