Hiring global talent has never been more accessible, and for startups looking to scale quickly, tapping into an international workforce can be a game-changer, allowing them to not only hire top talent but also increase innovation and brand visibility.
However, navigating foreign labor laws, tax regulations, and compliance issues can be complex without a partner to help you along the way. That’s why so many startups turn to an Employer of Record (EOR).
We’ve rounded up seven of the best EORs for startups to help you find the right one for your business needs.
Key takeaways:
- Employer of Record services enable startups to hire international employees quickly without setting up legal entities in those countries.
- Partnering with an EOR allows startups to access diverse and affordable talent pools, fostering innovation while conserving cash.
- RemoFirst offers a budget-friendly EOR solution, starting at $199 per employee per month and supporting hiring in more than 185 countries.
1. RemoFirst
RemoFirst is a popular choice for startups and small businesses because it enables rapid, compliant hiring in 185+ countries without the high overhead typically associated with global expansion.
Prices start at just $199 per full-time employee per month and $25 per contractor per month, making RemoFirst one of the most affordable EORs on the market and accessible for businesses of all sizes — even bootstrapped startups. It’s also flexible enough to grow with you as you scale business operations.
And, unlike many other EORS, RemoFirst has a fixed flat rate with no hidden fees, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for.
We work with an experienced network of partners to provide legal and HR expertise across the globe, and we handle everything from onboarding (sometime in as little as 24 hours) and global payroll to compliance and benefits administration.
You can also offer your employees private health insurance through RemoHealth and RemoHealth Local, allowing for a competitive and localized employee experience.
RemoFirst might not have as many software integrations (yet) as some other EOR providers, but we’re actively expanding our features to better support our growing global client base — and to make our already easy-to-use platform even more powerful.
Plus, with RemoFirst, you can:
- Obtain assistance with employee visas and work permits
- Manage benefits, paid time off, bonuses, equity plans, and commissions
- Pay your employees and independent contractors in their local currencies
- Ship equipment to new hires
- Receive a dedicated account manager and access to 24/5 customer support
2. Deel
Deel owns and operates its own legal entities in most of the countries where it provides services. This model allows Deel to maintain tighter control over its operations, reducing reliance on third-party partners.
However, this extensive network comes at a cost, with pricing beginning at $599 per full-time employee per month and $49 per contractor. In addition to these base rates, clients may face extra charges, such as offboarding fees.
Deel provides a full range of compliance, payroll, and benefits services, and it has strong integration capabilities. It connects with more than 20 popular tools, including Slack, Dropbox, and QuickBooks, allowing companies to streamline workflows.
However, users have complained that Deel’s platform can be overly complex and overwhelming, especially for those new to global hiring.
Additionally, during periods of high usage, response times from customer support have reportedly slowed, which can be frustrating when time-sensitive issues arise.
For a side-by-side look at how Deel stacks up against RemoFirst, visit our comparison page, or read Deel’s G2 reviews for more information.
3. Remote
Like Deel, Remote operates under an owned-entity model, allowing it to directly manage operations in the countries where it operates.
It also has a proprietary feature called IP Guard, which adds an extra layer of protection for intellectual property — an important consideration for businesses in some industries.
The platform is known for its intuitive interface, and Remote integrates with major platforms such as Gusto, QuickBooks, Workday, Xero, and Zapier. Plus, Remote Embedded allows businesses to bring EOR and payroll functionality directly into their own platforms with API-based connections.
However, this level of infrastructure comes at a premium, with pricing starting at $599 per month for full-time employees under its annual plan. Contractor fees begin at $29 per month, but can go as high as $99 depending on the services selected.
Some users have also reported operational drawbacks, including lengthy onboarding times, payment delays, and a lack of in-depth analytics compared with some other platforms.
For more information, see how RemoFirst and Remote compare, or read Remote’s G2 reviews.
4. Oyster
In addition to core EOR offerings, like payroll and compliance, Oyster also offers other perks, including Oyster Academy, a learning platform for remote workers.
Customers note that Oyster’s platform is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with major HR and accounting tools like BambooHR, Slack, and QuickBooks. This makes it a good option for companies that need to consolidate HR operations across various countries.
However, Oyster’s pricing may present a challenge for budget-conscious startups. At $699 per employee per month, it’s among the most expensive EORs. Plus, its additional service charges and optional upgrades can raise the price even higher.
Performance-wise, users have complained about Oyster’s inconsistent support times, slow onboarding, and even reimbursement delays.
Take a more in-depth look at RemoFirst vs. Oyster. or check out Oyster’s G2 reviews.
5. Papaya Global
Papaya Global is a feature-rich EOR solution that allows businesses to hire full-time employees and contractors in more than 160 countries.
Its user-friendly platform allows teams to manage documents, track time off, and access their payslips, and the platform has several AI-driven tools that assist with tasks like budget monitoring and anomaly detection.
Papaya Global also boasts several integrations with popular HR tools like Workday, BambooHR, HiBob, and Expensify.
However, this EOR may be too costly for startups. Pricing begins at $599 per month for full-time employees and $30 per contractor, placing it on the higher end of the EOR pricing spectrum. Plus, onboarding and offboarding costs can quickly add up.
Another downside is that customer support is primarily handled via email, which can be challenging for companies that require immediate assistance.
Learn more about how RemoFirst stacks up against Papaya Global, or check out Papaya Global’s G2 reviews.
6. Multiplier
Multiplier is an EOR that allows companies to hire in 150+ countries, and it’s known for its ability to onboard new employees in fewer than 24 hours — a big advantage for startups looking to scale rapidly.
The platform offers fewer than 20 built-in integrations, but it does integrate with some widely used HR tools like Workday and BambooHR.
In terms of cost, Multiplier sits in the mid-range of the EOR market, with pricing starting at $400 per full-time employee per month and $40 per contractor. The platform is transparent about its pricing with no hidden charges; however its monthly cost may still be too high for startups.
While some users say the platform is intuitive, others say they have difficulty navigating it. And there have been complaints that Multiplier has difficulty adapting to the dynamic needs of startups.
Check out the RemoFirst vs. Multiplier comparison page for more information, or read Multiplier’s G2 reviews.
7. Atlas HXM
Atlas HXM bills itself as a full-service EOR and human-experience management platform, helping companies manage the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding and performance tracking to benefits administration and legal compliance. It enables businesses to hire and manage employees in 160 countries and has a strong emphasis on data.
Its platform integrates with tools like SAP and Workday, and it includes a user-friendly employee self-service portal, allowing workers to manage their own documents, PTO, and other details.
However, Atlas HXM’s many features can potentially be overwhelming for new users, which can slow adoption. Plus, customers have complained that customization options are limited. Customer support, which is available via chat, can also be slow, which can be challenging for startups in need of quick assistance.
Atlas HXM doesn’t make its pricing publicly available, but it’s considered to be on the higher end of EORs because of its focus on large enterprise and advanced HR analytics.
For more information, check out Atlas HXM’s G2 reviews.
How Startups Can Accelerate Growth With an EOR
It can be challenging for startups to expand their teams and enter new markets — especially internationally — without overextending resources. But partnering with an EOR offers a flexible, cost-effective way to scale globally without the need to establish legal entities in each country.
By leveraging an EOR, startups can focus on innovation and expansion while the EOR handles local compliance, payroll, and employment logistics. Let’s take a look at four ways an EOR can accelerate growth for startups.
Immediate Access to Global Talent
An EOR enables startups to hire international employees quickly and compliantly. Companies can even onboard top talent from around the world in a matter of days — or, in the case of RemoFirst, in as little as one to three days. This gives startups access to highly skilled professionals regardless of their location.
Affordable Global Hiring That Drives Innovation
Hiring through an EOR enables startups to tap into talent markets where costs may be significantly lower than in their home country. This not only helps conserve capital, but it also introduces diversity, new perspectives, and more.
Diverse teams foster innovation, which is a key driver of competitive advantage. In fact, companies with higher-than-average diversity drive 45% of their average revenue from product innovation compared with only 26% for those with below-average diversity scores.
Enhance Employer Branding Globally
Working with an EOR ensures that international hires receive locally compliant contracts and competitive benefits, which can improve a company’s reputation as a great place to work. And a strong global employer brand can make a startup more attractive to top talent and potential partners in every market they enter.
Enter New Markets Faster
By placing team members directly in a startup’s target markets, the company can gain access to invaluable local insights without the upfront cost of establishing a physical presence in a country. This accelerates go-to-market strategies and helps build customer trust more quickly.
Scale Your Global Business with RemoFirst
EOR service providers make hiring international talent easy and accessible for small businesses and startups, handling employment contracts, global payroll services, and local compliance for remote teams.
If your goal is to hire remote workers in different countries or expand into new markets, partnering with an EOR like RemoFirst can streamline your operations and save your business time and money.
With our budget-friendly pricing, intuitive, easy-to-use platform, and outstanding customer support, RemoFirst is the best option for companies ready to take their business global.
Request a demo to learn more about how RemoFirst can help you conquer the world through global hiring.
