Hiring international talent can be a game-changer for businesses, but navigating foreign labor laws, tax systems, and compliance risks can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where an Employer of Record (EOR) steps in. An EOR is a third-party service that legally employs workers on your behalf in other countries, handling everything from payroll and benefits to taxes and local compliance.
EOR solutions have become essential for global hiring, enabling companies to expand into new markets without setting up legal entities. Whether you're a startup hiring remotely or an enterprise scaling globally, choosing the right EOR partner ensures smooth onboarding, risk-free compliance, and efficient payroll management across borders.
In this guide, I rank the 11 best Employer of Record (EOR) solutions based on global coverage, compliance expertise, ease of onboarding, benefits management, and platform usability, so you can find the ideal partner for your expansion goals.
Deel is a top-tier Employer of Record (EOR) platform trusted by over 20,000 businesses for hiring, onboarding, and managing global teams. It streamlines international employment across 100+ countries by handling taxes, benefits, and local compliance without the need to set up foreign legal entities. Deel’s in-house legal experts, country-specific contract templates, and automated workflows ensure complete adherence to local labor laws. Whether you’re a startup scaling fast or an enterprise entering new markets, Deel makes it easy to grow your global workforce with confidence.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing based on country and employment type.
Free Trial / Demo: Live demo available upon request.
Remote is an all-in-one platform that enables companies to hire employees or contractors in 75+ countries through its proprietary legal infrastructure. Built for startups and enterprises alike, Remote handles global payroll, taxes, benefits, and IP protection with unmatched transparency. Its flat-fee pricing, strong contractor support, and intuitive user experience make it a go-to for distributed teams. Remote is especially well-suited for companies that rely on a hybrid workforce of both full-time employees and freelancers, providing centralized control and localized compliance in one cohesive system.
Key Features:
Pricing: Starts at $599/month per employee.
Free Trial / Demo: Demo available upon request.
OysterHR is a remote-first EOR platform built to support distributed teams across 180+ countries. From onboarding and payroll to localized benefits and global compliance, Oyster provides a single platform that simplifies international employment. It’s especially popular with tech companies and mission-driven startups that want to deliver an equitable employee experience regardless of location. Oyster also stands out for its emphasis on ethical employment, sustainability, and inclusive hiring practices, making it a top choice for organizations that prioritize employee well-being along with operational efficiency.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing based on country and role.
Free Trial / Demo: Request a live demo.
Velocity Global is a trusted name among enterprise companies looking for scalable, compliant expansion into 185+ countries. The platform’s EOR services are designed for larger organizations that require hands-on legal expertise, deep customization, and high-volume onboarding capabilities. It offers powerful integrations, legal infrastructure ownership, and proactive risk mitigation. From in-country benefits to complex multi-currency payroll setups, Velocity Global handles the heavy lifting, letting enterprise HR and legal teams focus on strategic growth without getting bogged down in administrative complexity.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing for mid-size to large enterprises.
Free Trial / Demo: Available via scheduled consultation.
Papaya Global is a tech-forward EOR platform that brings automation, analytics, and compliance under one roof to streamline global workforce management. Operating in over 160 countries, Papaya supports businesses with real-time visibility into payroll, workforce costs, and HR operations. Its data-driven approach makes it a top choice for companies that want granular control and transparency. The platform supports multiple employment types: EOR, contractors, and local entities, and centralizes them through a unified dashboard, helping HR and finance teams make faster, smarter decisions at scale.
Key Features:
Pricing: Starts at $650/month per employee (EOR); contractor plans also available.
Free Trial / Demo: Demo available upon request.
Multiplier offers an all-in-one EOR and workforce management platform designed to accelerate onboarding and reduce manual HR tasks. With coverage in over 150 countries, it enables businesses to hire full-time employees or contractors globally in just a few clicks. Multiplier stands out for its emphasis on automation, from generating compliant contracts to running payroll, and its intuitive user experience. Startups and SMEs love it for its speed, while larger firms value its scalability and integrations. The platform makes global employment as simple as local hiring.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing based on role and region.
Free Trial / Demo: Free demo available.
Rippling’s Global EOR solution is part of its all-in-one workforce platform that blends HR, IT, finance, and compliance into a single system. With a presence in 50+ countries and growing, Rippling enables businesses to onboard employees globally while managing devices, payroll, apps, and benefits from one place. It’s uniquely positioned for tech-forward teams that need tight integrations and automation. Ideal for companies already using Rippling’s US platform, the EOR solution extends its robust feature set into the global talent arena.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing (bundled with platform access).
Free Trial / Demo: Personalized demo available.
Skuad is a fast-growing EOR platform focused on helping startups and SMEs hire talent across emerging markets, especially in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. With EOR coverage in over 160 countries, it provides localized contracts, compliance, and payroll with a special focus on underrepresented hiring regions. Skuad simplifies remote hiring for founders and HR teams through a clean, developer-friendly interface and flexible engagement models. It’s especially suited for companies that want to tap into global talent hubs beyond North America and Europe.
Key Features:
Pricing: Starts at $199/month for contractors; EOR pricing is custom.
Free Trial / Demo: Yes – Free trial and live demo available.
Globalization Partners, now known as G-P, is a pioneer in the EOR industry and remains one of the most trusted providers for risk-free global expansion. Operating in 180+ countries, G-P offers a fully compliant, AI-powered platform that enables businesses to hire and manage global teams quickly and securely. G-P’s standout advantage lies in its owned legal infrastructure and robust in-country expertise, which eliminates reliance on third parties. It’s an ideal solution for companies that need a scalable, secure, and compliant way to onboard international employees without legal exposure.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing.
Free Trial / Demo: Demo available upon request.
Safeguard Global offers a flexible EOR solution for businesses managing hybrid teams across borders. Whether you're hiring full-time employees, part-time workers, or contractors, Safeguard enables you to stay compliant in over 170 countries. The platform is ideal for organizations shifting toward fluid workforce models, providing tools to manage employment classification, benefits, and payroll under one system. With a mix of advisory and tech automation, Safeguard Global appeals to companies that value agility, scalability, and workforce visibility at a global level.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing.
Free Trial / Demo: Demo available by request.
Horizons is a global EOR platform with deep specialization in the APAC and European markets. The company combines on-the-ground legal teams with a tech-enabled platform to offer fast, compliant employment solutions in 150+ countries. Horizons is ideal for companies looking to enter new regions quickly, especially in jurisdictions with complex labor laws. With its owned entities and localized HR knowledge, Horizons ensures faster onboarding, seamless payroll management, and strong risk mitigation, making it a go-to for firms expanding into high-growth international markets.
Key Features:
Pricing: Custom pricing based on region and headcount.
Free Trial / Demo: Yes – Live demo available.
Selecting the right Employer of Record (EOR) provider is a critical decision that can impact your global hiring success, employee experience, and legal compliance. With dozens of providers available, it’s important to evaluate your options based on your company’s size, expansion goals, budget, and hiring regions.
1. Global Coverage: Start by confirming that the EOR provider has legal entities or partnerships in the countries you plan to hire in. Broader coverage means fewer gaps as you scale internationally.
2. Pricing Model: Some EORs charge flat fees per employee, while others use tiered or region-based pricing. Understand whether costs are transparent and predictable, especially if you're growing rapidly.
3. Onboarding Speed: Time-to-hire is key. Look for providers with streamlined onboarding workflows, automated contract generation, and pre-compliance checks that can reduce friction and hiring delays.
4. Payroll & Benefits Administration: A strong EOR should manage end-to-end payroll processing, tax withholdings, and benefits that align with local labor standards, while ensuring timely and accurate payments.
5. Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure the provider stays up to date with local labor laws, tax codes, and classification regulations. Built-in compliance tools and legal advisory services are a big plus.
6. Platform Usability & Integrations: Choose a platform with an intuitive interface and integrations with your HR, payroll, and finance tools to streamline operations.
7. Support & Employee Experience: Finally, consider the provider’s support structure. Look for multilingual, 24/7 support, and a great experience for both your HR team and international employees.
Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) unlocks powerful advantages for businesses looking to expand their workforce internationally, without the hassle of setting up foreign entities or navigating complex labor laws on their own.
1. Faster International Hiring: With an EOR, you can hire employees in days, not months, thanks to pre-established legal entities and ready-to-use local employment contracts.
2. Reduced Legal & Compliance Risk: EOR providers assume the legal responsibility for your international employees, ensuring adherence to country-specific labor laws, tax regulations, and compliance standards.
3. No Need for Local Entities: You don’t have to establish a legal business presence in each country. The EOR acts as the official employer, reducing your upfront investment and time-to-market.
4. Seamless Payroll & Benefits: EORs handle payroll processing, tax withholdings, and statutory benefits in each region, giving you peace of mind and freeing up your internal HR team.
5. Simplified Remote HR Operations: For remote and distributed teams, EORs streamline onboarding, offboarding, and workforce management, regardless of geography.
6. Focus on Growth, Not Admin: By outsourcing employment logistics, your team can focus on strategic growth, product development, and talent engagement.
While both Employer of Record (EOR) and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) services support businesses in managing HR and compliance, they operate in fundamentally different ways. Understanding these differences is essential when expanding globally.
An EOR is the legal employer of your international hires. It assumes full responsibility for compliance, payroll, taxes, and employment contracts in the employee’s country. You maintain operational control, but the EOR handles the legal and administrative burden, making it ideal for global expansion without setting up local entities.
A PEO, on the other hand, is a co-employment model. It shares responsibilities with your company but requires you to have a legal entity in the country where the employee is hired. PEOs are best suited for companies with existing local operations that want HR support.
Employer of Record solutions are incredibly versatile and can support a wide range of global hiring strategies. Whether you are expanding for the first time or managing a remote workforce, an EOR can simplify your operations.
1. Hiring Talent Before Setting Up a Local Entity: EORs let you hire employees in new countries immediately while you evaluate whether to establish a long-term presence.
2. Entering a New International Market: An EOR helps you test new markets without the cost or complexity of legal incorporation.
3. Managing Remote or Distributed Teams: If your team is spread across borders, EORs ensure consistent compliance and payroll administration.
4. Avoiding Contractor Misclassification: Convert independent contractors to full-time employees in countries where classification laws are strict.
5. Supporting Short-Term Expansion Projects: For temporary projects or seasonal hiring, EORs provide a fast and compliant hiring solution without long-term commitments.
Expanding your workforce across borders no longer requires setting up local entities, navigating unfamiliar labor laws, or managing global payroll complexities alone. With the right Employer of Record (EOR) solution, you can hire top talent anywhere in the world quickly, legally, and compliantly.
Each EOR provider in this list offers unique strengths depending on your business size, hiring goals, and target markets. Whether you're a startup growing a remote team or an enterprise entering new regions, there's a platform here that fits your needs.
Any company that wants to hire employees in a country where it does not have a legal entity can benefit from using an EOR. Startups, remote-first teams, and large enterprises use EOR services to expand globally without the legal complexity of setting up local branches.
Yes, the EOR model is legal in most countries. However, regulations vary by jurisdiction. A reputable EOR provider ensures that employment contracts, benefits, and tax practices comply with local labor laws. Always choose an EOR with deep in-country expertise to reduce legal risks.
EOR pricing typically ranges from $300 to $1,000 per employee per month, depending on the country, role, and services included. Some providers offer flat-rate pricing, while others charge custom fees based on employee location and employment type. Most also offer custom enterprise plans.