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With many different Employer of Record (EOR) services out there, figuring out which one is best for your organization is challenging. You know you want to tap into international talent, but you also want to get the hassles of international legal compliance, payroll, benefits, and other challenges off of your desk. But which EOR service is best? In this article, I'll help you make this choice easy by sharing my insights on the top EOR services to help you select the right one for you.

What is an Employer of Record Service?

An Employer of Record (EOR) service is a third-party service provider that acts as the legal employer for your staff in a specific country abroad while your parent company maintains day-to-day control of your employee's tasks and workload. As the legal employer, the EOR assumes full legal responsibility for any new hires, including payroll, tax deductions, compliance management, benefits administration, and any other local employee perks.

Using an EOR service is beneficial for companies looking to tap into the global talent market or expand their operations internationally since it simplifies this process considerably. Instead of burdening your existing HR professionals with the complexity of operating within international laws and regulations, you can outsource these requirements to an EOR service and gain peace of mind that your operations are compliant in any jurisdiction where you're employing staff abroad.

Detailed Overviews of the 10 Best Employer of Record Services (EOR Services)

To help you find the best EOR service for you, I’ve described my top 10 selections in detail, including the specific services each provider offers, and how HR teams can use them. In addition, I’ve included 14 more EOR service providers below if you’d like even more options to choose from.

1

Deel

Best EOR service for managing global hiring, payroll taxes, and compliance risks

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.7
1529 reviews

Free demo available

Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people

Deel is a well-established employer of record platform that enables companies to rapidly employ people in 150+ countries. Employers can expand internationally without ever needing to establish a new entity, allowing them to leverage the skills and knowledge of a global workforce.

Why I picked Deel: Deel offers free calculator tools to help you estimate the cost of an international worker. You can compare different country costs and see what benefits and withholdings are required. Deel uses local legal experts to generate compliant contracts and keep track of regulatory changes, and will ensure all legal obligations are met on your behalf.

The well-established business has launched several new offerings over the past year, including global payroll, global mobility support, integrated Slack tools, and advanced integrations. Their global payroll offering brings in-house expertise, which can greatly help companies with existing payroll setups to streamline their accounting and reporting procedures.

Deel is known for its fast support. They offer 24/7 customer support and live chat. Compared to other EOR offerings, Deel stands out with local country experts that provide consultative approaches for each location you hire from. Many recognizable companies use Deel’s platform, including Reddit, Coinbase, and Dropbox.

Deel Key Services:

Deel offers end-to-end management for your international team covering everything from onboarding to termination. Their web app is user-friendly and provides a range of features to help businesses manage their workers effectively. These include international benefits, contract management, and expense tracking. Their integrated contract management function supports advanced customizations such as stipends, signing bonuses, and stock options.

2

Papaya Global

Best EOR for enterprise, with global workforce payroll & payment solutions

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4
28 reviews

Free trial available

EOR from $650/employee/month or $2/contractor/month; Global payroll from $3 to $12/employee/month

Papaya Global is an automated, SaaS platform that provides an end-to-end global workforce management solution, which helps recruiters remove barriers to global hiring. Their software includes features for everything from onboarding to making cross-border payments in 160+ countries.

Why I picked Papaya Global: Their platform supports all employee types (payroll, EOR, and contractors), integrates with all management tools, and uses smart technology to eliminate errors and ensure compliance. It also creates a highly visible system for tracking payroll spending and real-time business intelligence (BI).

Papaya Global can help your company simplify global people management. Enterprises can access Papaya’s state-of-the-art automation, security, and BI without replacing their existing payroll system. Their self-guided tour also walks you through how payroll professionals can use their technology to automate and manage their global payroll quickly and compliantly.

Papaya Global Key Services:

Papaya Global's services include advanced compliance, liability coverage, employee contract lifecycle management, immigration and visa assistance, data security monitoring, and enterprise-grade global payroll processing using an AI-based payroll engine.

3

Remofirst

Best EOR & global payroll service for 24/7 customer support

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3
58 reviews

Free demo available

From $199/employee/month for EOR and $25/mo for contractors

Remofirst is a global EOR service provider on a mission to free employers from geographical boundaries so they can access global talent with ease. Their EOR platform is set up to help you hire and manage full-time employees or global contractors in 150+ countries, eliminating the need to set up a local entity in every country you want to source talent from.

Why I picked Remofirst: On top of their EOR services, Remofirst also provides international payroll and invoice management, global benefits management (including insurance and equity plans, plus time-off management), and employee support with obtaining visas and other immigration documentation. They can even help you with provisioning equipment to your distributed employees around the world.

Their team of legal experts and HR professionals will ensure your business operations are always compliant with changing global regulations, with compliance documentation accessible at all times through your secure dashboard. Their customer support team is also available 24/7 in case you need additional help. All clients also receive a dedicated account manager as their main point of contact too.

Remofirst Key Services:

Their services simplify the entire international payroll process for you. You'll have the option to summarize and aggregate your invoices into one payment (rather than making multiple individual payments), and they'll automatically calculate your team’s hours, time off, holidays, bonuses, and commissions so you don’t have to worry about it. Instead, you only need to review their monthly invoice and approve it for payment. Your employees will also appreciate being paid in their own local currency too.

4

Multiplier

Best EOR service for quick hiring and effortless onboarding across 150 countries

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.6
577 reviews

Free demo available

EOR from $400/employee/month or $40/contractor/month; Global payroll from $20/employee/month

Multiplier is an employer of record company that provides HR and global payroll services to businesses, allowing them to outsource these responsibilities to a single provider. 

Why I picked Multiplier: They have local entities in over 150 countries, enabling them to offer locally compliant HR and payroll services to businesses that want to expand to new geographic locations or employ more workers abroad. By outsourcing your core HR responsibilities to Multiplier, you can reduce your exposure to the legal and financial risks associated with employing workers in different jurisdictions. Additionally, Multiplier can help businesses quickly and easily onboard new employees, manage their payroll and benefits, and ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.

So, what stands out about Multiplier? Their EOR services are very fast, with the ability to employ new talent in less than 24 hours once you've decided which international candidate you'd like to extend an offer to. Multiplier is also known for its technology-driven approach to HR and payroll services, offering a user-friendly platform for businesses to manage their workforce. The platform integrates with other HR tools and systems, providing a streamlined and efficient solution for businesses.

Multiplier Key Services:

Their services include payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits administration, and worker's compensation. Their team of experts provides ongoing support and guidance, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations and helping businesses navigate any challenges they may face. They also have several helpful resources on their website — including their international TalentWiki and their Work Permit database — which compile all the details you need to know when considering hiring in another country in one place.

5

Rippling

Best EOR and workforce management platform with global support for compliance risks

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.8
1133 reviews

Free demo available

From $8/user/month (EOR pricing upon request)

Rippling is an all-in-one HR, payroll, and IT platform for businesses and organizations with a global workforce. It allows you to run payroll easily, with each distributed team or employee paid in their local currency. In addition to their software, they also offer EOR and PEO services as well.

Why I picked Rippling: Rippling offers enterprise-grade security, scalability, and operational efficiency with its unified platform, allowing you to manage payroll and benefits, time-tracking, and reporting for your entire workforce from a single user interface.

Additionally, Rippling’s payroll processing doesn’t require you to feed the system with employee data manually and doesn't require manual calculations. Everything is done automatically, as the system syncs all HR data with the payroll system. All you need to do is set the right pay periods for your employees, review the payroll, and approve it.

Rippling Key Services:

Their combined services and software include compliance monitoring, automated tax filings, accurate time tracking, and reporting. The platform also automatically assigns required country-specific compliance training for EOR employees. This means you don’t have to figure out if a country requires employee compliance training. You don’t even have to find a separate system to enable that kind of training, since everything is handled by Rippling.

6

Talent500

Best EOR with a talent network to help you source candidates

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
5
6 reviews

From $199/employee/month

Talent500 is a global workforce management software that provides employer of record services to help businesses outsource their employment responsibilities, including hiring and maintaining employee records. It can help you manage your entire employment process, including recruitment and hiring, payroll processing, tax filing, access to operation support experts, and ensuring compliance with local government regulations.

Why I picked Talent500: The company has a talent network that can be used to source candidates, design a candidate engagement program, screen applicants, and conduct interviews. It can also handle administrative tasks associated with onboarding like background checks and completing new-hire paperwork. The platform provides a single point of contact for employers and employees.

Comprehensive payroll processing is one of the software's main features. Automated payments in multiple currencies can be set up, and applicable tax deductions can be managed. It also provides benefits administration, such as managing healthcare plans, retirement plans, and other employee benefits.

Talent500 Key Services:

Compliance with various legal regulations like employment, defining operating zones and labor laws, tax regulations, and insurance requirements is built into the software. It can help you stay up to date with changes in regulations and adjusts its functionality accordingly to mitigate the risks associated with non-compliance.

7

Remote

Best EOR service provider with scalable packages for remote workers and contractors

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.5
985 reviews

30-day free trial + free plan available

EOR from $599/employee/month or $29/contractor/month

Remote is a global HR solution for distributed teams that was founded in 2019 by Job van de Voort and Marcelo Lebre to simplify how companies employ global talent. They offer international employment of record services and are used by companies like DoorDash, HelloFresh, GitLab, Paystack, and others. They can help you hire contractors or employees, run payroll, offer benefits, and expand your business globally.

Why I picked Remote: Remote helps companies become global powerhouses by expanding their access to talent beyond their borders, allowing them to hire anyone from anywhere. Thousands of businesses rely on Remote’s modern platform and legal, financial, and cultural expertise to onboard, pay, and manage employees and contractors in 150+ countries.

Remote Key Services:

Services include global payroll processing, intellectual property and invention rights protection, and country-specific benefit packages that are local and competitive.

8

Foxhire

Best EOR service for technical, healthcare, and higher education workers

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.9
24 reviews

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

Foxhire offers a comprehensive range of Employer of Record services in over 100 countries. Their core services include financial, administrative, insurance, and legal matters. All employee personnel and administrative functions can be handled, including payroll, timesheets, and benefits administration.

Why I picked Foxhire: They've specialized their EOR services around supporting organizations looking to hire for technical, healthcare, or higher education roles. They will go the extra mile to ensure the credibility of the workers they employ for you, including detailed license and certification verification for healthcare professionals and nurses, or educational credential verification for college and university hires.

Foxhire Key Services:

Services include employee onboarding, background checks, drug screening, and fingerprinting. Foxhire will also manage workers’ compensation, deal with unemployment claims, and handle employee terminations. Other areas covered include health benefits administration, employment contracts, immigration matters, tax compliance, immigration authorizations, and IRS compliance.

9

Worksuite

Best for global freelancer management

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.4
81 reviews

Free demo available

Pricing upon request

Worksuite is a digital platform that provides businesses with the tools to manage their global network of freelancers and contractors. Additionally, it works as an employer of record in the US, which gives you the flexibility to hire across different states without having to worry about local regulations.

Why I picked Worksuite: It stands out for its ability to handle sourcing, onboarding, management, and payment processes for contractors across 190 countries, ensuring compliance with local laws and offering insights into workforce metrics.

Worksuite's contractor management system offers a set of features aimed at improving the management of contractors. Its recruiting tools allow businesses to organize their workforce, track project progress, and rehire top contractors based on feedback and rankings.

The platform also boasts a user-friendly interface, app integrations, 24-hour live support, and tailored demos to demonstrate its capabilities in meeting specific contractor management needs.

Worksuite Key Services:

Worksuite's services include screening your contractors to verify that they are independent businesses in their own countries, IC classification to mitigate the risks of employment misclassification, talent onboarding through tailored workflows according to residency, payroll and invoicing through Worksuite Pay, taxes, benefits, and ongoing compliance with local laws.

10

Agile Hero

Best EOR service offering additional global mobility support

Free trial available

From $499 to $599/employee/month (15% discount for annual)

Agile Hero is a global team management platform that provides services such as Global Employer of Record (EOR), Global Payroll, and Global Mobility support. It stands out for its commitment to social progress, partnering with a non-profit to support education for underprivileged children, positioning it as a socially responsible option for managing international teams.

Why I picked Agile Hero: I included Agile Hero in this list due to its global-first approach to employee management and mobility. Agile Hero offers a comprehensive solution that supports all aspects of managing a global workforce in a compliant manner.

Another reason I chose Agile Hero is that they offer services for managing expatriate employees, such as private health insurance plans and IT assets arrangements. These are ideal for organizations with employees who live a 'remote nomad' lifestyle, making supporting anyone based in one country but frequently working abroad easier.

Agile Hero Key Services:

Agile Hero provides a platform with a range of HR solutions, such as global employer of record services, payroll management, and support for global mobility. I especially like that they emphasize employee engagement through self-onboarding features and collaborations with non-profit organizations. The platform also ensures privacy and legal compliance at the global and local levels, with tools for handling leave and expense requests and an employee portal for resource access.

The 10 Best Employer of Record Services Comparison Chart

This comparison chart summarizes basic details about each of my top EOR service provider selections side-by-side to help you find the best EOR service for your budget.

Tool Trial Info Price
1
Deel

Best EOR service for managing global hiring, payroll taxes, and compliance risks

Free demo available

Flat rate user pricing, with a free version for businesses with up to 200 people Website
2
Papaya Global

Best EOR for enterprise, with global workforce payroll & payment solutions

Free trial available

EOR from $650/employee/month or $2/contractor/month; Global payroll from $3 to $12/employee/month Website
3
Remofirst

Best EOR & global payroll service for 24/7 customer support

Free demo available

From $199/employee/month for EOR and $25/mo for contractors Website
4
Multiplier

Best EOR service for quick hiring and effortless onboarding across 150 countries

Free demo available

EOR from $400/employee/month or $40/contractor/month; Global payroll from $20/employee/month Website
5
Rippling

Best EOR and workforce management platform with global support for compliance risks

Free demo available

From $8/user/month (EOR pricing upon request) Website
6
Talent500

Best EOR with a talent network to help you source candidates

Not available

From $199/employee/month Website
7
Remote

Best EOR service provider with scalable packages for remote workers and contractors

30-day free trial + free plan available

EOR from $599/employee/month or $29/contractor/month Website
8
Foxhire

Best EOR service for technical, healthcare, and higher education workers

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
9
Worksuite

Best for global freelancer management

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
10
Agile Hero

Best EOR service offering additional global mobility support

Free trial available

From $499 to $599/employee/month (15% discount for annual) Website

Other Employer of Record Solutions

Here are some other EOR service providers that didn't make the top list, in case you'd like a few more suggestions:

  1. Safeguard Global

    Best EOR service provider for centralizing multi-country payrolls covering 170 countries

  2. Shield GEO

    Best EOR provider for simplifying international hiring

  3. Omnipresent

    Best Employer of Record service for simplifying health insurance for remote teams

  4. Headway Workforce Solutions

    Best EOR for staffing research, hospitality and event-focused roles

  5. Airswift

    Best EOR services for the energy, infrastructure, mining, and technology industries

  6. Globalization Partners

    Best EOR service provider offering an AI-driven global employment platform

  7. Oyster HR

    Best Employer of Record service for managing HR processes in 180+ countries

  8. Atlas HXM

    Best EOR provider for supporting global teams with international expansion initiatives

  9. Skuad

    Best employer of record for assistance with work permits and asset tracking

  10. Pilot

    Best employer of record solution for hiring and onboarding staff in 100+ countries, including North America

  11. Velocity Global

    Best EOR service provider for building global, distributed teams

  12. Innovative Employee Solutions (IES)

    Best EOR provider with tools to help you decide on hiring an independent contractor or a full-time employee

  13. Mercans

    Best EOR and PEO for accessing industry-leading global payroll outsourcing specialists

  14. TCP Solutions

    Best EOR for borderless and limitless employment arrangements

Selection Criteria for the Best Employer of Record Services

Wondering how I determined the best EOR service providers for this list? I'm happy to explain my methodology. I started by reviewing recent Employer of Record market data to create a long list of the most popular EOR service providers to look into. I also cross-referenced the biggest names on that list against publicly available endorsements from human resources professionals.

Next, with my long list in place, I started digging deeper into the details. For this portion of the assessment, I carefully compared the service offerings from each provider using the selection criteria below. This helped me determine which partnerships would add the most value for organizations wanting greater access to global markets.

Here's a summary of the fine details I was looking for, to satisfy your curiosity.

Core Capabilities

Here are the core capabilities I vetted for each employer of record service that made my top 10 list. Each service provided needed to demonstrate the strength and depth of these capabilities in order to be included.

Industry Expertise

The EOR service providers in this list clearly demonstrated a strong track record in this complex and highly specialized field. To assess this, I reviewed the depth of their services offered, including how many different countries they have local expertise in. I also reviewed the credentials of their team members, if available.

Compliance & Legal Expertise

To give your human resources team peace of mind, all of the EOR service providers in this list have the expertise needed to assist with managing local labor laws and tax laws in the jurisdictions they operate in. This expertise is crucial when expanding into new markets as it will help your organization avoid any non-compliance issues, which can lead to big problems (i.e., fines, penalties, and legal actions).

Customer Service

I selected service providers that offer strong support for international expansion operations, with proactive service for both employees and the client company. Since the EOR provider will act as your remote workers' legal employer, it's important to ensure you'll receive timely communications and top-level support.

Value for Cost

EOR services are complicated, and because of that the price tag can sometimes be high. Most providers offer a flat rate per employee or contractor hired through their service. However, some only offer pricing details upon request. Either way, the prices for their services still offer a good ROI considering the complexity of the premium-grade services you're gaining.

Other Key Services

In addition to the core capabilities above, I also assessed the depth of the other key services each EOR provider offered. While each one does have its own unique blend of options, this list covers the core functions every EOR provider should cover:

  • Processing and funding payroll: ensuring that your employees are paid correctly and on time
  • Depositing and filing taxes: covering all legal obligations regarding deducting and managing local and payroll taxes
  • Dealing with timesheets: collecting and processing time records as necessary, including tracking time off requests
  • International talent acquisition: working with the client company to source additional talent from the global market as needed
  • Background checks: checking the background of new hires to confirm their credentials and ensure their suitability for their role
  • Employee onboarding: helping new hires assimilate into their new company and role
  • Managing employment relationships: creating and maintaining appropriate employment contracts for staff members and dealing with any grievances
  • Handling workers’ compensation: ensuring legal compliance with all workers’ compensation matters
  • Maintaining certificates of insurance: providing an adequate level of cover for all business activities
  • Administering benefits: managing and paying out employee benefits as appropriate, including local health insurance for remote workers
  • Handling offboarding: dealing with the termination of employment and related matters as per the labor laws of each jurisdiction

FAQ: Employer of Record Services

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions people often have about EOR services and how they work:

EOR vs. PEO Services

The main difference between EOR and PEO services is the legal status of the parent company. If you're interested in hiring remote employees in a country where you don't have a legal entity established, then an Employer of Record service is what you need.

On the flip side, if your organization already has a legal entity established in a foreign country and your in-house HR staff just need additional help with hiring and managing international talent, you can opt to outsource specific parts of your HR services through a PEO agreement.

Under a PEO agreement, your organization and the PEO company enter a co-employment situation where each party has distinct legal responsibilities.

To help you make that choice, take a closer look at our detailed comparison of PEO vs EOR services to figure out which service is the right one for you.

Tips for Selecting the Best EOR Service Provider for You

To help you select the best EOR service provider to work with, you need to have a clear idea of your specific needs so you can be sure the EOR provider addresses them. To help you hone in on that quickly, try answering the following questions:

  • Are you interested in hiring new employees within a specific country? If so, how much experience does the EOR have in that country?
  • Does the EOR have a proven track record in the region you're interested in, such as North America or Asia?
  • How long has the EOR been in business for?
  • Does the EOR have a permanent local entity in the country you're interested in hiring in, or are they using a local partnership instead?
  • Does the EOR handle all the areas you need support with, including sourcing top talent, international payroll & taxes, work permits, health benefits, background checks, and more?
  • Will the EOR provider assist you if you do decide to open up a foreign entity of your own? Could you retain their services under a PEO agreement instead?
  • How do their services and fees compare to other EOR providers you're considering?

Use these questions to vet your top three choices for EOR providers and the best choice for you should become clearer. And if you'll mostly be working with contractor or freelance workers, a contractor management software might also be something to consider using.

Other Resources & Services

With international employment on your mind, I recommend checking out these other helpful articles too:

Simplify Your International Operations with EOR Services

Now, you should have a better sense of how EOR services can alleviate the typical hassles of hiring international employees. They're truly a valuable resource, whether you're an enterprise organization striving for the best global talent, or a small business or startup trying to compete in the global talent marketplace.

If you found this article helpful, I recommend signing up for our weekly People Managing People newsletter too. You'll get access to the latest insights from thought leaders, as well as our latest podcasts, and more software and service recommendations. 

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By Kim Behnke

Kim Behnke is an HR Tool Expert & Writer for People Managing People. She draws on her 9 years of human resources experience and her keen eye for systematic processes to support her analyses of the top HR tools on the market. She is passionate about maximizing efficiencies and streamlining workflows to ensure internal systems run smoothly. Kim's HR experience includes recruitment, onboarding, performance management, training and development, policy development and enforcement, and HR analytics. She also has degrees in psychology, writing, publishing, and technical communication, and recently completed a Certified Digital HR Specialist program through the Academy to Innovate HR. When away from her desk, she can usually be found outside tending to her ever-expanding garden.