Expanding your startup across borders is exciting, but hiring internationally brings its own set of challenges. From navigating local labor laws to handling taxes and compliance, the process can quickly become overwhelming. That’s where an Employer of Record (EOR) comes in. An EOR acts as the legal employer on your behalf, making it easier to hire talent globally without setting up local entities.
For startups looking to grow fast without the operational hurdles, this is a game-changer. In this blog, we’ll explore five top EOR providers that make global hiring simpler, faster, and more compliant for growing teams.
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Why Startups Use EOR Services
Startups looking to hire across borders often face legal and administrative roadblocks. EOR services offer a flexible way to grow without slowing down. Here’s why they’re becoming a go-to solution:
Faster International Expansion
EOR providers allow startups to hire employees in other countries without setting up a legal entity, significantly speeding up the hiring process.
This means you can build teams in new markets within days, not months.
Cost-Effective and Scalable
Setting up local subsidiaries can be expensive. EORs offer a pay-as-you-grow model that works well for lean teams and early-stage companies.
You only pay for the hires you make, without long-term infrastructure costs.
Simplified Legal and Tax Compliance
From labor laws to payroll taxes, EORs manage compliance on your behalf—reducing risk and saving time.
This helps startups avoid penalties while staying focused on their core operations.
Access to Global Talent
Hiring through an EOR opens doors to talent in new markets, helping you build diverse, distributed teams quickly and confidently.
It also increases your chances of finding specialized skills that may be limited locally.
Top 5 Employer of Record (EOR) Softwares
| Provider | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Global payroll, contracts, compliance, expense tracking | Fast global hiring at scale |
| Remote | GDPR-ready, equity support, localized benefits | Compliance-focused remote teams |
| Rippling | HR + IT in one system, global payroll, device management | Startups needing all-in-one automation |
| Oyster | Hiring toolkit, cost estimator, benefits management | Remote-first, growing startups |
| Velocity Global | 185+ countries, immigration, HR tools, 24/7 support | Broad reach and expert compliance |
Deel
Deel
- Spot Score: 8.5
- Platforms: Web, Cloud, Android, iOS
- Best For: Small, Mid-size, Large Business
Overview of Deel
Deel is a leading Employer of Record (EOR) platform built to simplify global hiring for businesses of all sizes. With operations in over 150 countries, Deel enables companies to legally employ full-time workers without establishing local entities.
Deel combines automation with legal infrastructure to help startups and enterprises streamline international hiring, payroll, and compliance processes. It’s a strong solution for distributed teams, offering fast onboarding, localized contracts, and consistent payroll across borders.
Key Features of Deel
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) | Hire full-time employees legally in 100+ countries without setting up entities. Deel handles employment contracts, taxes, and compliance. |
| Global Payroll & Benefits | Manage payroll, bonuses, and benefits like health insurance or pensions in one platform, tailored to local laws and market expectations. |
| Automated Compliance | Built-in legal infrastructure ensures all employment contracts and tax filings comply with local labor regulations. |
| Onboarding & Document Management | Digitally onboard new hires with localized contracts, ID verification, and centralized access to HR documents. |
| Employee Self-Service Dashboard | Employees can view payslips, manage benefits, and access important documents from a single, user-friendly portal. |
Pricing
Deel pricing offers tailored plans to different global employment needs:
- Deel Contractor: Starts at $49/month for contractor payments and compliance in over 150 countries.
- Deel Employer of Record (EOR): Starts at $599/month per employee. This service includes full legal employment, localized payroll, benefits, and tax handling.
- Deel Global Payroll: Starts at $29/month per employee. Ideal for businesses with existing entities who need help managing international payroll.
- Deel US Payroll: Starts at $19/month per employee. Offers automated payroll for US-based teams.
These pricing options allow startups and enterprises to choose a plan that aligns with their growth goals and workforce structure.
Why Choose It for Startups?
Deel is a strong fit for startups aiming to grow internationally without getting weighed down by legal and administrative hurdles. Its EOR model allows early-stage teams to hire full-time employees in new countries without setting up local entities. This saves time, reduces upfront costs, and speeds up hiring.
Deel also automates compliance, payroll, and benefits, helping lean HR teams stay focused on growth. For startups with limited resources, Deel provides a reliable infrastructure to scale global operations with confidence.
Remote
Remote
- Spot Score: 9.4
- Platforms: Web, Cloud, Android, iOS
- Best For: Small and Mid-sized businesses
Overview of Remote
Remote is a global Employer of Record (EOR) platform that helps businesses hire full-time employees in over 70 countries without needing to set up local entities. Known for its strong focus on compliance and data protection, Remote ensures every hire is made legally, with all employment contracts, benefits, and payroll tailored to local laws.
The platform also supports equity and stock options, which is especially valuable for startups looking to build long-term relationships with international team members. Remote gives growing companies a simple, secure way to expand globally while keeping legal and payroll tasks under control.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) | Hire and onboard full-time international employees without establishing a local legal entity. |
| Stock Option Support | Helps manage global equity plans and ensure compliance with local laws for international employees receiving company shares. |
| GDPR-Compliant Infrastructure | Built with privacy in mind, ensuring sensitive employee and payroll data is fully protected. |
| Localized Benefits and Contracts | Provides country-specific benefits and fully compliant employment agreements for every new hire. |
| Free Hiring Tools | Includes a salary calculator, global employment guide, and contractor management tools for easier planning and budgeting. |
Pricing
Remote pricing offers transparent, flat-rate pricing for EOR services:
- Employer of Record: $599/month per employee. This includes full compliance, payroll, benefits, and HR support across 70+ countries.
- Contractor Management: $29/month per contractor. Helps manage contracts, invoices, and secure international payments.
- Global Payroll (BYO entity): Custom pricing available for companies managing their own legal entities but needing payroll support.
Remote’s pricing structure is designed to scale with startups, offering clarity and flexibility without hidden fees.
Why Choose It for Startups?
For startups expanding globally, Remote offers a balance of speed, security, and simplicity. It handles all the heavy lifting—employment contracts, payroll, taxes, and benefits—so founders and HR teams can focus on growth.
With built-in stock option support and strong data protection, Remote is well-equipped for startups offering equity to distributed teams. It’s also ideal for lean teams looking to hire compliantly across multiple countries without investing in local infrastructure.
Rippling
Rippling
- Spot Score: 8.4
- Pricing: Custom
- Best For: Small and Mid-size businesses
Overview of Rippling
Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that combines HR, IT, and finance tools with Employer of Record (EOR) capabilities. It allows companies to hire full-time employees across multiple countries without setting up legal entities while managing everything from payroll to device provisioning—all in one place.
What sets Rippling apart is its ability to unify global hiring with employee onboarding, app access, and IT hardware setup, making it ideal for startups that want to run global operations from a single dashboard. With its automation-first approach, Rippling gives growing teams the infrastructure they need to scale faster and smarter.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) | Hire employees in 50+ countries with full compliance and no need to set up local entities. |
| Global Payroll | Automated payroll with built-in currency conversions, tax deductions, and benefit calculations. |
| Unified HR + IT Platform | Manage employee data, access to software, and company devices from one system. |
| Automated Onboarding | Onboard new hires globally with device setup, payroll enrollment, and document collection in one flow. |
| Real-Time Insights | View workforce data across locations and departments with analytics dashboards for better decision-making. |
Pricing
Rippling pricing is customized based on company size and feature needs.
- Public pricing for EOR is not available, but their core HR platform starts at $8/month per user.
- EOR services and other modules (like global payroll or device management) are priced separately.
- Companies can request a tailored quote based on the number of international hires and countries involved.
- The modular pricing model allows startups to scale affordably by paying only for the features they need.
Why Choose It for Startups?
Rippling is a great match for startups that need more than just EOR. Along with international hiring, it helps automate IT setup, manage devices, and run payroll—all from one platform. This makes it especially useful for tech startups or companies with remote-first teams.
It’s built to scale with your team, whether you’re hiring locally or abroad, making global expansion feel more like flipping a switch than starting from scratch.
Oyster
Oyster
- Spot Score: 8.4
- Pricing: Starts at $499 per employee/month
- Best For: Small, Mid-size Business
Overview of Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to help companies hire, pay, and manage full-time employees and contractors across over 180 countries. With a focus on compliance and employee experience, Oyster enables businesses to onboard talent quickly without the need to establish local entities.
The platform offers comprehensive tools for payroll, benefits administration, and legal compliance, making it a valuable partner for startups and SMEs aiming to expand their global footprint. Oyster simplifies the complexities of international hiring, allowing companies to focus on growth and innovation.
Key Features of Oyster
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) Services | Legally employs workers on behalf of your company, handling compliance, payroll, and benefits in over 180 countries. |
| Global Payroll Management | Streamlines payroll processing in 120+ currencies, ensuring timely and accurate payments to your global team. |
| Contractor Management | Facilitates the hiring and payment of contractors worldwide, with compliant agreements and efficient onboarding. |
| Localized Benefits Administration | Offers competitive, country-specific benefits packages, including health insurance and equity management, to attract top talent. |
| Compliance and Risk Management | Provides built-in compliance features and access to local expertise to mitigate legal and financial risks associated with global hiring. |
Pricing
Oyster pricing offers straightforward plans to accommodate various business needs:
- Contractor: 30 days free, then $29 per contractor/month. This plan allows you to hire, pay, and manage contractors globally.
- Employer of Record (EOR): Starts at $599 per employee/month. This service enables you to hire full-time employees in over 180 countries without setting up local entities.
- Scale: Custom pricing for businesses planning to hire 5 or more full-time employees annually. This plan includes dedicated customer support and additional features tailored to larger teams.
These pricing structures provide flexibility and scalability, making it easier for startups and growing companies to manage their global workforce effectively.
Why Choose It for Startups?
Oyster is particularly beneficial for startups aiming to expand internationally without the complexities of establishing local entities. Its EOR services handle legal employment responsibilities, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.
The platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive tools streamline HR processes, allowing startups to onboard talent quickly and efficiently. Additionally, Oyster’s transparent pricing and flexible plans make it accessible for businesses at various stages of growth, enabling startups to scale their teams globally with confidence.
Velocity Global
Velocity Global
- Platforms: Web, Cloud
- Pricing: Custom
- Best For: Mid-size, Large Businesses
Overview of Velocity Global
Velocity Global is a comprehensive Employer of Record (EOR) solution that enables businesses to hire, pay, and manage talent in over 185 countries without establishing local entities. With a focus on compliance and streamlined workforce management, Velocity Global offers an AI-powered platform that simplifies global expansion.
Their services include handling payroll, benefits, immigration, and risk mitigation, allowing companies to focus on growth while ensuring adherence to local employment laws. Velocity Global’s extensive coverage and expert support make it a reliable partner for companies aiming to build and manage a global workforce efficiently.
Key Features of Velocity Global
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Global Employer of Record (EOR) | Enables compliant hiring and management of employees in over 185 countries without the need for local entities. |
| AI-Powered Global Work Platform™ | Offers a centralized platform to hire, pay, and manage global teams efficiently. |
| Compliance and Risk Management | Provides local expertise to navigate complex employment laws and mitigate compliance risks. |
| Global Payroll and Benefits Administration | Ensures accurate payroll processing and offers competitive, locally tailored benefits packages. |
| 24/7 Support | Offers around-the-clock assistance to address queries and provide timely support across different time zones. |
Pricing
Velocity Global pricing offers a transparent plan for its EOR services:
- Employer of Record (EOR): $599 per employee/month. This includes comprehensive services such as payroll, benefits administration, compliance, and ongoing employee support.
This straightforward pricing model allows businesses to budget effectively and scale their global workforce with confidence.
Why Choose It for Startups?
For startups aiming to expand internationally, Velocity Global provides a seamless solution to navigate the complexities of global employment. Their EOR services eliminate the need to establish local entities, reducing time and financial investment.
The AI-powered platform streamlines HR processes, allowing startups to onboard and manage talent quickly and compliantly. Additionally, Velocity Global’s transparent pricing and extensive country coverage make it an attractive option for startups looking to scale their operations globally without unexpected costs or compliance concerns.
How to Choose the Right EOR for a Startup
Choosing the right Employer of Record (EOR) depends on your current team size, hiring plans, budget, and where you’re expanding. Here’s a quick guide to help you align the right platform with your specific needs:
| Scenario | Recommended EOR | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Hiring in fewer than 3 countries | Deel, Oyster | Quick onboarding, flexible pricing, ideal for early-stage expansion |
| Need EOR + IT automation | Rippling | Unified platform to manage hiring, payroll, apps, and devices |
| Hiring in niche or highly regulated countries | Velocity Global | Deep compliance knowledge and support in 185+ countries |
| Offering global equity or stock options | Remote | Built-in tools for managing equity and legal compliance worldwide |
| Focusing on employee experience and localized benefits | Oyster | Competitive benefits and employee support to attract top global talent |
- Hiring in fewer than 3 countries?
Platforms like Deel and Oyster offer fast onboarding and flexible pricing, making them ideal for early-stage startups testing new markets. - Need HR + IT automation in one place?
Rippling is a strong fit if you want to manage devices, apps, and payroll alongside global hiring—all from a single dashboard. - Focusing on compliance in niche or highly regulated countries?
Velocity Global stands out with deep compliance expertise and local support in 185+ countries. - Prioritizing equity or stock option support for global hires?
Remote is built with these features in mind, making it easier for startups offering international equity packages. - Looking for competitive benefits and employee experience at scale?
Oyster offers localized benefits and employee-centric tools that help attract and retain top global talent.
Start by identifying where you want to hire, how fast you plan to grow, and what level of control you want over HR and compliance. The right EOR should match both your short-term goals and long-term expansion plans.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Employer of Record (EOR) is a critical step for startups aiming to grow globally without the overhead of setting up international entities. Each provider brings unique strengths—some focus on speed and simplicity, while others offer deeper compliance or all-in-one HR solutions.
The best choice depends on where you’re hiring, your budget, and how much support your team needs. By aligning your EOR with your current stage and future hiring plans, you can expand confidently and stay focused on what matters most—building your business.
Whether it’s managing payroll, navigating legal requirements, or offering competitive benefits, the right EOR partner can make global hiring easier, faster, and more secure for your startup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An EOR is a third-party service that legally employs workers on your behalf in other countries.
Do startups need to set up a legal entity to hire globally with an EOR?
No, EORs allow startups to hire internationally without creating a local entity.
Is EOR the same as PEO?
No, EORs become the legal employer, while PEOs co-employ and usually require a local entity.
How fast can an EOR onboard a new hire?
Most EOR platforms can onboard employees within a few days.
Can EORs handle employee benefits and payroll?
Yes, they manage payroll, taxes, and benefits based on local regulations.
