Remote: EOR In-Depth Review For 2024
If you’re thinking about remote as an EOR solution, you’ll want to read my in-depth review of its functionality, coverage, services, pros and cons, and even best alternative options.
Our reviewers evaluate software independently. Clicks may earn a commission, which supports testing. Learn how we stay transparent, read our review methodology, and tell us about any tools we missed.
In the pursuit of building a global workforce, many organizations will seek out an employer of record (EOR) service such as Remote.
These platforms can help you source and hire qualified candidates globally, and perform various HR functions like payroll processing and time off management. They help you with tax and labor law compliance, and many will even offload some of your core HR tasks.
EORs are still an emerging category, and the services, functionalities, and coverage offered varies from one solution to the next.
My in-depth review of Remote gives you all the information you need about the pros and cons, pricing structure, and best use case for this provider. It will help you make an informed decision about whether Remote is the best solution for your business needs.
Remote Product Overview
Remote empowers companies of all sizes to pay and manage full-time employees or contract workers around the world. Their comprehensive employer of record service covers international payroll, benefits, taxes, stock options, and compliance in dozens of countries, making it easier to hire and manage international employees efficiently. Remote also charges one low flat rate fee for their EOR service, helping companies control their budget effectively.
Pros
- Global Coverage: Remote provides extensive international reach. This means businesses can employ staff in numerous countries while adhering to local labor laws.
- Compliance Assurance: Remote's intellectual property protections and security guarantee give users peace of mind. Remote clients can confidently expand their workforce globally without worrying about legal pitfalls.
- User-Friendly Interface: The platform features an intuitive interface with mobile capabilities. This simplifies the process of managing international employees and payroll.
Cons
- Limited Customization: Remote offers fewer customization options, which can be restrictive for businesses with unique payroll needs. However, they recently introduced API capabilities aimed at simplifying the creation of custom connections for businesses.
- Lacks Live Training: Although Remote offers a wealth of online resources and support through 24/7 live chat and email, Remote does not offer live training sessions to their customers.
Expert Opinion
As an expert in tech recruiting and workforce management, I find Remote an impressive solution for global employment challenges. The platform excels in providing broad international coverage and ensuring compliance, which is crucial for businesses expanding globally. Its user interface stands out for ease of use, making it less intimidating for new users.
However, it falls short in customization and integration with other systems, areas where some competitors offer more flexibility. Remote shines in environments that demand a broad international reach and a high level of compliance support. For businesses prioritizing these aspects, it's a strong choice. In contrast, companies requiring extensive customization and integration might find it less suitable. However, with the recent introduction of their API capabilities, this is expected to expand the range of customization options available.
When selecting an employer of record service, carefully considering these factors is crucial to find the most suitable option for your specific requirements.
Remote: A Deep Dive
Standout Functionality
Remote differentiates itself in the employer of record (EOR) service market through several unique features:
- Extensive Legal and HR Compliance: Remote offers in-depth legal and HR compliance support, going beyond basic payroll and taxation. It navigates complex international labor laws to ensure businesses adhere to local regulations.
- Intellectual Property and Data Protection: It provides robust intellectual property and data protection, which is not common among all EOR services. This is crucial for companies managing sensitive information across borders.
- Localized Benefits Management: Remote stands out with its ability to manage and provide localized benefits in various countries. This feature tailors benefits packages to the specific norms of each country, enhancing employee satisfaction.
Product Specifications
| Global Payroll | Yes |
| Tax Compliance | Yes |
| Employment Contracts | Yes |
| Work Permit and Visa Assistance | Yes |
| Local Legal Compliance | Yes |
| Benefits Administration | Yes |
| Employee Onboarding | Yes |
| Offboarding Assistance | Yes |
| Intellectual Property Protection | Yes |
| Data Security Measures | Yes |
| Multi-currency Support | Yes |
| Customizable Reporting | Yes |
| Employee Self-Service Portal | Yes |
| Employer Dashboard | Yes |
| Integration with HR Systems | Yes |
| Payroll Automation | Yes |
| Time and Attendance Tracking | Yes |
| Employee Background Checks | Yes |
| Customizable Benefits Packages | Yes |
| Health Insurance Provision | Yes |
| Retirement Plan Management | Yes |
| Localized HR Support | Yes |
| Employee Relocation Assistance | Yes |
| Legal Advisory Services | Yes |
| 24/7 Customer Support | Yes |
Remote Key Features
- Employer of Record (EOR): Hire, pay, and manage full-time and contract workers in any country where you don’t have a legal entity.
- Global Payroll Management: Remote efficiently manages payroll across different countries, handling varying tax systems and compliance requirements.
- Contractor Management: This feature helps protect your company against misclassification risk, provides helpful automations, and ensures lightning-fast payments.
- IP Protection and Strict Data Security Measures: Ensures that intellectual property rights are secured, and stringent data security protocols are implemented across international borders, a vital feature for tech and creative industries.
- Local Legal Compliance and Advisory Services: Provides comprehensive support for local legal regulations and international employment, significantly reducing legal risks in foreign markets.
- Customizable Total Rewards: Offers tailored benefits packages in each country, enhancing employee experience and meeting local norms.
- Employee Onboarding: Streamlines the onboarding process for international employees, enhancing efficiency and employee experience.
- Employer Dashboard: Offers a centralized dashboard for employers to manage and monitor their global workforce effectively.
- Data Security Measures: Implements stringent data security protocols, essential for companies handling sensitive information.
- Employment Contracts: Remote helps in drafting and managing employment contracts, ensuring they meet the specific standards of each jurisdiction.
- Fair Price Guarantee: This guarantee means no minimums, hidden fees, or large upfront deposits; and if you’re not completely satisfied, they’ll refund all management fees for the first 90 days.
- Robust integrations and API capabilities: Offers integrations with industry-leading HR software tools, the capability to connect with over 5,000 external apps via a Zapier integration, and the potential to build bespoke connections using their API.
Ease of Use
Remote's user interface is straightforward and offers a mobile app that makes managing international employees more accessible. However, the complexity of integrating with existing HR systems can be a challenge. The onboarding process is simple and efficient, but navigating some of the more complex features like customized benefits management might require further assistance.
Customer Support
Remote offers robust customer support through documentation, webinars, and live chat. Online user reviews consistently highlight Remote's high user satisfaction and quick response times. Users also benefit from access to in-house experts in payroll, HR, legal, and finance.
Integrations
Remote does not extensively offer out-of-the-box integrations with other software or tools. While this could limit its functionality for some businesses, they offer an API to develop custom integrations. This feature allows for greater flexibility in extending the platform's capabilities, particularly for businesses with unique system requirements.
Remote Pricing
Remote's pricing structure is designed to accommodate various business needs, but exact pricing details are often specific to each organization's requirements. However, a general estimate can be provided:
| Plan Type | Pricing Details |
| HR Management | Free |
| Employer of Record | • $599/employee/month if paid monthly • $699/employee/month if paid annually |
| Contractor Management | $29/employee/month paid monthly |
| Contractor Management Plus | $99/employee/month paid monthly |
| Payroll | $50/employee/month (no annual plans available) |
| Special discount for startups: Eligible startups can access a 15% discount on Remote services for an unlimited number of hires for 12 months | |
Remote Use Cases
Who Would Be A Good Fit For Remote?
In my assessment, Remote is particularly well-suited for:
- Tech Startups Expanding Globally: Fast-growing should be outsourcing their HR services and payroll to save time, conserve budget for more mission-critical uses, and for better employee experience; Remote allows startups to do just that, and also offers a startup-friendly discount!
- Medium to Large-Sized Businesses with International Teams: Businesses that operate across borders find Remote's global coverage and localized benefits management immensely beneficial. The platform's ability to navigate complex international labor laws makes it a robust choice for such companies.
- Creative Industries: These sectors appreciate the software's strong intellectual property protection and data security features. Given the importance of protecting creative and technological assets, Remote's focus on these areas is highly valuable.
Who Would Be A Bad Fit For Remote?
Conversely, Remote might not be the ideal fit for:
- Small Local Businesses and Startups: These organizations might find Remote's features more extensive and costly than needed. Its focus on global employment might be more than what smaller, locally-focused businesses require.
- Industries with Basic HR Needs: Sectors like small retail or hospitality, which often have simpler HR requirements, may find Remote's comprehensive and international-focused offerings unnecessary.
- Companies Seeking Simple HR Solutions: Businesses needing straightforward, quick-to-implement solutions might find Remote's comprehensive features and focus on international compliance overwhelming.
Remote FAQs
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions you may have about Remote.
What does Remote software do?
Remote is a global HR platform that helps companies hire, manage, and pay their entire team around the world — and more effectively compete in the modern global economy — through 5 core products: HR Management, Employer of Record (EOR), Contractor Management, Payroll, and Remote Talent. They also take care of benefits, taxes, stock options, and compliance.
Is Remote suitable for small businesses?
Remote is more aligned with the needs of small to medium sized startups, especially those with international employees.
Can Remote integrate with existing HR systems?
Remote offers integrations with other industry-leading HR and payroll systems, such as BambooHR, Greenhouse, Gusto, Hibob, Personio, Sequoia, Xero, Workday, and Zapier.
Does Remote offer support for visa and work permit applications?
Yes, Remote assists with work permit and visa applications for international employees.
What type of customer support does Remote offer?
Remote provides customer support through various channels, including documentation, webinars, live chat, and email.
Are there data security and intellectual property protections?
Yes, Remote places a strong emphasis on data security and intellectual property protection.
Can Remote manage employee benefits in different countries?
Yes, Remote offers localized benefits that are compliant, comprehensive, flexible, and competitively priced.
Does Remote have a free trial or a free version?
Yes, you can create a free account and start managing your team right away. They also offer pay-as-you-go plans for additional products including Employer of Record, Contractor Management, and Global Payroll.
Remote Company Overview & History
Remote was founded in 2019 by Job van der Voort and Marcelo Lebre, and is backed by leading investors including SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Accel, Sequoia, Index Ventures, Two Sigma Ventures, General Catalyst, and B Capital.
- April 2020: Closed an $11M seed round led by Two Sigma Ventures, with participation from Index Ventures, General Catalyst, and others.
- November 2020: Raised $35M in Series A funding led by Index Ventures, with support from Sequoia Capital and notable angel investors.
- July 2021: Secured $150M in Series B funding, reaching unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion. Accel led the round, joined by Sequoia Capital, Index Ventures, and others.
- April 2022: Announced a $300M Series C financing round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with participation from existing investors and new backers 9Yards, Adams Street, and Base Growth.
Remote Summary: The Bottom Line
In my view, Remote stands out in the realm of remote work and global HR, particularly in a post-pandemic world where managing remote teams and contractor management has become crucial. Its strength lies in providing comprehensive payroll services and robust support for legal entities, essential for businesses with full-time and remote workers. Remote excels in streamlining the onboarding of new employees and efficiently handling the workflow, making it a valuable tool for human resources.
The platform's most noteworthy features are its capability to navigate complex legal compliance and its strong support team, ensuring smooth team member management across various jurisdictions.
Alternatives to Remote
If Remote doesn't seem like a great fit, consider these alternatives:
- Deel: Ideal for businesses looking for more flexible integration options with existing HR systems.
- Papaya Global: A better choice for companies seeking more customization in their payroll and HR services.
- Velocity Global: Suitable for businesses prioritizing a more straightforward user interface and ease of use.
Summary
In conclusion, Remote is a robust choice for small to medium-sized startups, particularly those with a global workforce.
It offers comprehensive features for managing international employees, though it may be less suited for smaller businesses or those with simpler HR needs.
I encourage readers to share their experiences with Remote or similar services, as these insights are invaluable for others considering these tools.
For more on EORs in general, benefits, and how they work, check out our article what is an EOR.