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- The top 10 EORs for startups include Deel, Oyster, Remote, Multiplier, Atlas HXM, Wisemonk, Papaya Global, RemoFirst, Rippling, and Globalization Partners.
- When choosing an EOR, focus on transparent pricing, strong compliance expertise, fast onboarding, and the ability to scale globally to meet your startup's needs.
- EOR pricing typically ranges from $199 to $650 per employee per month with Wisemonk offering an affordable option starting at just $99 per employee.
- Wisemonk helps startups scale efficiently by providing compliant global hiring solutions, rapid onboarding, and specialized expertise in India.
Need help with your global expansion? Contact us today!
Discover how Wisemonk delivers trusted international solutions.
Looking for the best EOR for startups in 2025? Expanding into new countries is exciting, but managing international employees, payroll, and compliance can quickly get overwhelming. In our experience with fast-growing companies, traditional hiring stalls growth due to the need for local entities, complex labor laws, and heavy HR operations. The best EOR for startups removes these barriers, handling onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance so founders can scale into new markets faster and with minimal legal risk. In this guide, we compare the top EOR providers and share insights to help you choose the right partner for global expansion.
10 best EOR services for startups in 2025: A clear comparison[toc=10 Best EOR for Startups]
Looking to hire international talent for your startup without setting up local legal entities? Choosing the right Employer of Record (EOR) service can streamline your global payroll, compliance, and hiring needs.
Here’s a trusted listicle with detailed pricing, features, pros, and cons for the top EOR providers tailored for startups.
- Deel
- Oyster
- Remote
- Multiplier
- Atlas HXM
- Wisemonk
- Papaya Global
- RemoFirst
- Rippling
- Globalization Partners
1. Deel
Deel is a comprehensive global hiring platform that serves as an Employer of Record (EOR) for companies looking to hire international employees and manage contractors worldwide. The platform covers 150+ countries and offers extensive global payroll services, compliance management, and benefits administration for businesses of all sizes. Deel has established itself as a market leader in the global workforce management space, providing robust features for payroll processing, tax compliance, and contractor management. The platform is particularly popular among venture-backed startups and scaling companies that need enterprise-grade capabilities for international hiring and global team management.
Best for: Fast-scaling startups with larger budgets needing comprehensive global workforce management features.
Key Features:
- Global hiring reach across 150+ countries with full compliance
- Multi-currency payroll and payments with same-day processing
- Contractor classification tools and misclassification protection
- 100+ integrations with popular HR and finance systems
- Global compliance experts and dedicated legal support
Pricing: Starting at $599 per employee per month
Pros & Cons:
To learn more about Deel competitors and alternatives, refer to this detailed guide on "Top 10 Deel Competitors & Alternatives in 2025"
2. Oyster
Oyster is a global Employer of Record (EOR) platform designed to simplify the hiring and management of international teams. With coverage in 180+ countries, Oyster enables businesses to hire employees anywhere in the world while ensuring full legal and tax compliance. The platform provides essential HR services such as payroll, benefits administration, and employee onboarding. Oyster is particularly well-suited for startups and small businesses that are expanding internationally but want a streamlined, user-friendly solution for managing remote teams without the need to set up local entities. It’s known for its easy-to-navigate interface and transparent pricing, making it a go-to for founders looking for global hiring solutions.
Best for: Startups and small businesses looking for an affordable, simple EOR solution for remote team management.
Key Features:
- Global hiring reach across 180+ countries with full legal and tax compliance
- Easy-to-use platform with simple onboarding and employee management
- Payroll processing in multiple currencies with local tax compliance
- Employee benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans, tailored to each country
- Transparent and predictable pricing with no hidden fees
Pricing: Starting at $299 per employee per month
Pros & Cons:
Read more: Top 8 Oyster HR Alternatives and Competitors in 2025
3. Remote
Remote is an established Employer of Record (EOR) platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and manage international employees across 50+ countries with strong compliance focus. The platform emphasizes legal and tax compliance excellence, making it a preferred choice for companies prioritizing risk management in global hiring. Remote offers comprehensive global payroll services, benefits administration, and contractor management while maintaining transparency in pricing and operations. The company has built a reputation for reliable compliance management and professional service delivery, particularly appealing to companies expanding globally for the first time.
Best for: Companies prioritizing compliance-first approach and risk-free international hiring operations.
Key Features:
- Strong compliance infrastructure with owned entities in key markets
- Comprehensive global payroll and benefits administration
- Transparent flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs
- Contractor management alongside full-time employee services
- Dedicated compliance and legal expertise by region
Pricing: EOR services at $599 per employee per month; Contractor management at $29 per contractor monthly
Pros & Cons:
To know more about the competitors and alternatives of Remote, you can refer this guide on "Top 9 Remote Competitors & Alternatives in 2025"
4. Multiplier
Multiplier is an Employer of Record (EOR) platform specializing in emerging markets and APAC regions, helping companies hire international talent across 150+ countries efficiently. The platform focuses on cost-effective global hiring solutions while maintaining strong compliance with local employment laws and tax regulations. Multiplier positions itself as ideal for startups targeting fast-growing markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and other emerging economies. The company offers immigration services alongside traditional EOR capabilities, making it easier for businesses to expand globally and manage international workforce compliance.
Best for: Startups expanding into APAC and emerging markets with budget-conscious hiring strategies.
Key Features:
- Strong coverage in emerging markets and APAC regions
- Cost-effective payroll processing with transparent pricing
- Immigration services including visa and work permit support
- 24/7 compliance and legal team support
- Comprehensive resource library for global hiring guidance
Pricing: Starting at $400 per employee per month
Pros & Cons:
Read more: Top 8 Multiplier Competitors & Alternatives in 2025
5. Atlas HXM
Atlas HXM is a global Employer of Record (EOR) and human‑experience management platform that helps companies hire, onboard, and manage employees in 160+ countries, all without needing to set up a local entity. As a “direct EOR,” Atlas manages legal employer status, payroll, benefits, compliance, and local labor law adherence in each country where it operates, eliminating reliance on third‑party intermediaries.
Best for: Startups or growing companies that want a scalable, compliance-first global hiring solution, especially those expanding into multiple countries or regions where they don’t have local entities.
Key Features:
- Global hiring and employment in 160+ countries via fully owned legal entities
- Direct EOR model, no third‑party or partner‑entity dependency, giving full control over compliance and employment terms
- Integrated global payroll, multi‑country payroll processing, local currency payments, automated tax and statutory compliance
- HR management & employee experience features, centralized dashboard/HXM platform, local‑language support, benefits administration, global mobility/visa support (where applicable)
- Transparent pricing model, publicly listed starting fee per employee per month, which includes a comprehensive suite of EOR services.
Pricing: Starts at approximately US $599 per employee per month (for 1–5 employees). Volume‑based discounts may apply as team size grows.
Pros & Cons:
6. Wisemonk
Wisemonk is a leading Employer of Record (EOR) service provider that helps global companies build and manage international teams with comprehensive compliance and operational support. It offers end-to-end EOR services including payroll management, tax compliance, and full legal compliance, while uniquely integrating equipment procurement and lifecycle management for remote employees. Wisemonk specializes in India as a hiring destination while providing global coverage, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to hire international talent cost-effectively. The platform addresses key challenges for businesses expanding globally by ensuring employees have proper tools and support without added logistics complexity.
Best for: Startups seeking the most affordable EOR with India specialization and equipment management capabilities.
Key Features:
- Industry-leading transparent pricing starting at $99 per employee monthly
- Comprehensive global payroll services with local compliance expertise
- Unique equipment procurement and lifecycle management for global teams
- Rapid onboarding process with dedicated account manager support
- Full tax compliance and benefits administration across multiple jurisdictions
Pricing: Starting at $99 per employee per month with transparent, all-inclusive fees
Pros & Cons:
7. Papaya Global
Papaya Global is a comprehensive workforce management platform that provides Employer of Record (EOR) services alongside automated payroll and compliance solutions across 160+ countries. The platform offers flexible solutions including payroll-only services, full EOR capabilities, and custom workforce management plans for companies of various sizes. Papaya Global emphasizes its technology platform and automation capabilities for global payroll processing, tax compliance, and benefits administration. The company serves both startups and enterprise clients with scalable solutions that can adapt to different global expansion strategies and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Best for: Companies seeking flexible payroll and EOR solutions with strong automation and scalability options.
Key Features:
- Flexible solutions from payroll-only to full EOR services
- Automated payroll processing across 160+ countries
- Comprehensive tax compliance and regulatory management
- Equity and stock plan management capabilities
- Scalable platform for growing international teams
Pricing: EOR services starting at $599 per employee per month with multiple pricing tiers available
Pros & Cons:
Read moreRippling vs Papaya Global: Payroll Services Comparison
8. RemoFirst
RemoFirst is a cost-effective Employer of Record (EOR) provider that focuses on small to medium-sized businesses seeking affordable global workforce solutions. It helps companies stay compliant while hiring international workers across 180+ countries without establishing local legal entities. RemoFirst positions itself as a budget-friendly alternative to premium EOR providers, offering transparent pricing and simplified global payroll management. The platform specializes in supporting startups and SMEs that need basic EOR services without enterprise-level complexity.
Best for: Budget-conscious startups needing basic global hiring capabilities under $250/month per employee.
Key Features:
- Competitive global EOR pricing with local compliance management
- Payroll processing and benefits administration across multiple countries
- Efficient onboarding process for international employees
- Compliant employment contracts aligned with local labor laws
- 24/7 HR support and tax compliance assistance
Pricing: EOR Services starting at $199 per employee per month
Pros & Cons:
9. Rippling
Rippling is a unified workforce management platform that combines EOR services with HR, IT, and finance functions in a single integrated system. The platform serves companies across 160+ countries, offering global payroll services, compliance management, and comprehensive employee lifecycle management from onboarding to offboarding. Rippling is particularly popular among tech startups and companies that want to consolidate multiple HR operations into one platform. The system automates device provisioning, app access management, and payroll processing while ensuring compliance with local labor laws and employment regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
Best for: Tech startups seeking integrated HR, IT, and EOR services in a unified platform.
Key Features:
- Unified workforce management combining EOR, HR, IT, and finance
- Global payroll automation across 160+ countries
- 500+ app integrations with automated workflows
- Equity and stock options support for startups
- Automated employee onboarding with device provisioning
Pricing: Custom pricing based on specific requirements and company size
Pros & Cons:
To learn more about the competitors and alternatives to Rippling, you can refer to this article on "10 Best Rippling Competitors & Alternatives 2025".
10. Globalization Partners
Globalization Partners operates one of the largest global Employer of Record (EOR) platforms, enabling companies to hire international employees across 185+ countries without establishing local legal entities. The platform focuses on enterprise-grade compliance management, legal and tax compliance, and comprehensive global workforce management solutions. Globalization Partners emphasizes its AI-powered platform capabilities and extensive legal expertise for companies expanding globally at scale. The company serves primarily larger organizations and established companies that require sophisticated compliance management and are willing to invest in premium EOR services for risk mitigation.
Best for: Established startups and enterprises requiring premium compliance management and extensive global coverage.
Key Features:
- Extensive global coverage across 185+ countries
- AI-powered platform for compliance and workforce management
- Comprehensive legal and regulatory expertise
- Enterprise-grade security and data protection
- Dedicated account management and support teams
Pricing: Starting around $1,500 per employee per month or 15% of salary
Pros & Cons:
Which EOR is right for your startup in 2025?[toc=Comparison Table]
Finding the perfect Employer of Record (EOR) is crucial for scaling your startup globally. This comparison table highlights the top EOR services based on pricing, features, and global reach, helping you choose the best fit for your team’s needs and growth ambitions in 2025.
How to choose the best Employer of Record (EOR) provider for your startup?[toc=How to Choose]
The best EOR for your startup depends less on hype and more on real metrics like cost, compliance, support and global fit, so you get the talent you need fast, legally, and without surprises.
Factors to consider when evaluating Employer of Record partners:
- Pricing transparency and overall cost‑efficiency: Startups move fast but budgets don’t stretch infinitely. The ideal EOR offers clear flat‑fee or per‑employee pricing, avoids hidden charges, and delivers predictable costs over time.
- Legal compliance & risk protection: Employment laws, tax codes, and labour regulations differ by country, a top‑tier EOR assumes legal liability, handles contracts, payroll taxes, benefits and ensures compliance, so you don’t end up with costly misclassification or regulatory issues.
- Global coverage and local presence: If you plan to hire in multiple countries, check whether the EOR has owned legal entities or strong partnerships in those markets. This ensures smoother onboarding, accurate compliance with local laws, and reliable payroll operations.
- Speed of onboarding and scalability: Startups often need to grow quickly. The right EOR should let you onboard new hires in days, not weeks or months and scale seamlessly as team size or geographic footprint grows.
- Integration, support, and cultural fit: Look for EORs whose platform integrates cleanly with your HR and payroll systems, provides responsive support across time zones, and allows customization of employment contracts and benefits per region.
The “right” EOR isn’t a single name, it’s the one whose pricing, compliance backbone, global reach, onboarding speed, and support model align best with your startup’s stage, budget, and expansion plans. Prioritize those practical metrics over flashy marketing claims, and you’ll avoid surprises while scaling globally.
How to get started with an EOR service for your startup?[toc=Steps to Get Started]
Starting with an Employer of Record (EOR) service can simplify your global hiring, but knowing the right steps, timeline, and budget considerations ensures a smooth experience. Based on extensive research and expert insights, here’s a concise, practical guide for startups looking to implement EOR services efficiently.
Steps to get started with an EOR
- Assess Your Business Needs
Clarify your hiring goals, target countries, and the roles you want to fill internationally. This helps in selecting an EOR with the right country coverage, expertise, and service scope aligned to your growth plans. - Choose the Right EOR Partner
Evaluate providers based on compliance management, payroll systems, local labor laws expertise, and pricing transparency. Confirm they handle employment contracts, global payroll management, and benefits in your target markets.
Read more: 10 Best Employer of Record (EOR) Companies in 2025 - Align Internal Teams
Involve HR, finance, legal, and IT teams to prepare for onboarding. Assign clear roles and responsibilities for smooth coordination between your startup and the EOR partner. - Negotiate and Sign the Agreement
Finalize contract terms, understand fee structures, including any onboarding, payroll processing, or contractor management costs, and set expectations on services and timelines. - Prepare Employment Documentation
The EOR will generate compliant contracts reflecting local employment laws. You'll provide key employee info and collaborate on benefits and policies.
Read more here: Types of Employment Contracts Explained - Onboard Employees
Using digital platforms, onboarding typically involves document submission, e-signatures, setting up payroll, and briefing new hires about their role and company culture. Equipment and system access are also coordinated if your EOR offers device management.
Read more: Employee Onboarding through EOR Service - Ongoing Support and Compliance
After onboarding, your EOR manages ongoing payroll processing, tax filings, benefits administration, and ensures compliance with evolving local labor and tax laws.
Timeline expectations
For most startups, the EOR onboarding process typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the complexity of roles, number of hires, country coverage, and local labor law compliance requirements. With the right employer of record (EOR) partner, this timeline can be significantly shortened.
Thanks to digital onboarding tools, process automation, and experienced EOR providers, traditional timelines that once took months are now reduced to days or a few weeks. Efficient preboarding steps, compliant employment contracts, benefits setup, and employee integration are managed centrally, accelerating international hiring while ensuring legal compliance and eliminating operational inefficiency.
From document verification to global payroll system setup, each stage is designed to comply with local employment laws, streamline the hiring process, and deliver a smooth onboarding experience for international employees and remote global teams.
Budget planning tips
- Know the full cost: EOR fees usually include a per-employee charge plus statutory benefits and payroll taxes, all aligned with international labor laws.
- Watch for hidden costs: Check for FX markups, onboarding charges, or extra fees for benefits administration and contractor management.
- Get a clear breakdown: Request upfront details covering global payroll processing, tax compliance, benefits, and support services.
- Factor in indirect savings: Avoid local entity setup, cut legal risks, and reduce HR compliance costs.
- Review regularly: Update your EOR partner agreement and global employment budget as you add new hires or enter additional countries for smoother international expansion.
By following these streamlined steps and planning effectively, startups can leverage EOR services to enter new markets fast, manage global payroll confidently, and maintain legal compliance, all while focusing energy on core growth goals.
Read more: EOR Implementation Guide: 90-Day Roadmap to Global Hiring Success
Wisemonk: Your Trusted EOR Partner for Global Expansion[toc=How Wisemonk Helps]
Wisemonk is a leading Employer of Record (EOR) helping global companies hire, pay, and manage employees, without the hassle of setting up a local entity. With our deep understanding of local employment laws, tax compliance, and cross-border workforce management, we enable businesses to expand quickly while staying compliant and efficient.
Here’s what you get with Wisemonk as your EOR partner:
- Fast onboarding: Hire top talent in days, not months, with fully compliant contracts and seamless setup.
- Effortless payroll management: We handle salaries, taxes, and statutory filings accurately and on time across geographies.
- Comprehensive employee benefits: From health coverage to paid leave, we offer locally compliant and competitive packages that attract top talent.
- Dedicated HR support: Our HR specialists handle day-to-day operations, employee engagement, and issue resolution, so your team stays happy and productive.
- End-to-end compliance: Stay protected from legal and regulatory risks with our always-updated local expertise.
"I'm very happy that I discovered Wisemonk. They have been a pure pleasure to work with, and their attention to detail is impressive. They helped us understand their pricing model, find top-qualified individuals, interview them, and then onboard them. I gave them criteria for the type of people we sought, and they delivered. The individuals they were able to find have been some of the best engineers I have ever worked with. I recommend Wisemonk to anyone who is in need of staffing assistance."
- Dan Sampson, Head of Engineering at Cobu
While India is our core strength, we’re expanding rapidly into key global markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond. With Wisemonk, you get a reliable partner for your India operations and your broader global hiring journey.
Ready to scale your global team fast, compliant, and without the headaches? Talk to our team today!
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