10+ Best Global Payroll Services for International Companies
The best international payroll providers of 2025 include Multiplier, Deel, Lano, Remote, PapayaGlobal, and ADP. Get pricing, feature breakdowns & comparisons, and more below.
Global payroll services are a great solution for businesses expanding internationally and hiring remote workers. These services allow companies to easily manage payroll for employees and contractors in multiple countries while remaining compliant with local laws and regulations.
Our team of HR tech and payroll experts have carefully selected the top global payroll systems that are best for businesses with a multi-country workforce. These systems can help you hire people internationally, pay them compliantly, and may even provide HR and EOR services.
To find the best global payroll system, we demoed dozens of products and talked to our community of HR and payroll experts. Our goal was to identify the features that were most effective for international and distributed teams. This involved focusing on products that would benefit a wide range of organizations, while also providing specific information about products that are ideal for particular use cases. Here’s more detail on how we evaluate HR tech vendors.
The featured international payroll providers all score highly on usability, pricing, flexibility, and, of course, each company’s track record. In all cases, we thought of products with which it would be easy to make a switch, whether upgrading plans with the same vendor or migrating employee data elsewhere.
- Usability: Running payroll in a multitude of countries may not be the most fun thing on earth, but we favored payroll platforms that make it a smooth and relaxed experience thanks to their intuitive workflows and aesthetically pleasing dashboards.
- Pricing: This list covers all kinds of budgets, from SMB-oriented payroll tools that help you start paying contractors overseas to enterprise payroll service options that allow you to migrate your entire international payroll to one platform.
- Flexibility: Among the dozens of products we tried, we preferred those that offer a good variety of payroll processing options (like paying contractors and employees, full-time or part-time) on an EOR or PEO scheme, with the ease of moving from one to another.
- Track Record: Some of these companies are unicorns in their field, others do great in the SMB segment, and you can see why if you talk to their users. For each, we made sure there were solid and steady growth markers for years to come.
Seeking payroll software for a specific country or industry instead? Our guides on the best Canadian Payroll Software and Trucking Payroll Systems might just be what you’re looking for.
PapayaGlobal
Multiplier
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Deel
ADP
Lano
Remote
Oyster
Rippling
Globalization Partners
TFY
WorkDay
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Atlas
PapayaGlobal
Papaya Global made our list of best global payroll software providers for enabling distributed teams to legally auto-pay contractors and employees in 160+ countries while making sure their data is protected by leading security and compliance software.
PROS
- Papaya’s full-service payroll guaranteed payouts in 72 hours in over 160 countries.
- It has a straightforward pricing system with a 60-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the platform’s performance.
- Offers a dedicated customer success manager or global payroll expert in your time zone who assists you in the local timezone and language. You also get access to their in-house specialists on global employment in 160 countries without extra fees.
- The latest starter monthly fee for the full-service payroll plan has dropped to $12 per employee (the previous one was $20).
- Provides four individual solutions (data and insights, supplemental benefits & immigration support, payment services, and employee data management) at an affordable starter price.
- Papaya Global packs the EOR services you need to do global payroll and employment compliantly in over 160 countries.
- Automated payments in over 100 currencies, 80 of them directly to the worker's bank account through its global banking partners.
- Dedicated customer support providing locations-specific knowledge regarding employment and payroll.
- End-to-end payroll guaranteed payouts in 72 hours.
- Offers four standalone solutions: data and insights, supplemental benefits & immigration support, payment services, and employee data management, making the platform more affordable and scalable.
CONS
- Lacks local entities in the countries where it sells services. We found no information regarding its tax penalty guarantee either.
- Doesn’t offer a free trial or free plan.
- There are a few additional fees, including a set-up fee per location, an onboarding fee, a cycle fee per employee, and a year-end fee for tax filing. There’s also a required deposit (refundable).
- There aren’t many existing integrations, but you can use the platform’s pre-built APIs, SFTP, and custom API integrations for free.
- No free trial or free plan.
- Doesn’t own entities in all the countries it serves. The platform forms relationships with existing local in-country partners to handle employment in a specific region on the client’s behalf.
- BI analytics reports and global immigration services cost additional fees.
- Charges extra fees for setup, onboarding, employee cycle, and tax filing. Also requires a refundable deposit.
- Built-in integration options aren’t very robust. However, the platform does offer pre-built APIs, SFTP, and custom API integrations for free.
Papaya Global is loved by several users we have talked to and also by our editorial team. It is one of a few vendors that provide a straightforward pricing point (no one likes hidden fee surprises!), a solid set of HR tools, robust BI analytics reporting, and in-country customer support.
We appreciate how the platform has kept both employers and staff in mind when developing its HR tools. As an employer, Papaya Global gives you access to payroll, payments, and workforce analytics in one unified platform. The global payroll software provides automated payments in local currency, country-tailored benefit packages, pay slips in the languages of employees across over 160 countries, and AI-based engines to audit invoices for payment accuracy. Papaya Global backs you with in-house benefits experts who advise you on the soundest plans for specific locations without costing you extra. As an employee, there is a self-service portal you can easily access and navigate through. You can find onboarding documents there, request time off, check your docs, and review payslips. The newly launched mobile app (February 2023) will soon allow you to do these things, plus access payment calendars, bank details, and company announcements on the go.
Papaya Global’s global equity management is another thing that sets it apart from other payroll software. With this tool, you can offer equity to employees as part of their compensation, regardless of their location. As we mentioned earlier, the platform does a great job of providing advanced analytics reporting. By "advanced," we mean that you can access dynamic and visual insights into not just payroll, but also HR, billing, and admin data.
However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when considering Papaya Global as your global payroll software. First and foremost, Papaya Global does not own any local entity where it provides services. The platform relies entirely on its third-party local partners. While its pricing is transparent, there are additional costs besides the plan’s price, including a set-up fee per location, onboarding fee, cycle fee per employee, year-end fee for tax filing, and refundable deposit. It is worth getting in touch with Papaya Global’s team to get a full quote for your specific requirements to evaluate the platform further.
Microsoft, Intel, Toyota, Wix, Fiverr, Johnson & Johnson, Deezer
Papaya Global has just added four standalone services to its offerings besides the three plans:
- Full-Service Payroll service: It starts from $20 per employee per month, depending on your operation. It includes its advanced payroll platform, embedded payments, global partner network, and employee portal.
- Payroll Platform License service: Starting from $20 per employee per location, it is for businesses that need to upgrade their payroll and payments tech without replacing the current payroll partners.
- Data and Insights Platform License service: Starting from $150 per employee per month, it includes tools for real-time analytics on payroll costs and headcount.
- Payments-as-a-Service service: Starting from $3 per employee per month, it provides an embedded platform designed for workforce payment.
- Global EOR plan: This plan is between $770 and $1000 per employee per month and lets you manage all your EOR locations on one platform.
- Contractor Management & IC Compliance plan: Particular services are outsourced to a domestic or foreign contractor for periods of rapid growth and the need to reduce labor costs. This plan starts at $25 per employee per pay cycle.
- Payroll Intelligence Suite plan: This plan lets you consolidate all workforce and payroll data from all your operations into a single dashboard, priced at $250 for an annual plan or $320 quarterly per location.
Best For
Those that want to automate global payroll in countries where they have entities can benefit from Papaya Global. The platform is also a go-to payroll software for businesses whose international hires (employees, contractors) are based within Papaya Global’s country coverage.
I worked with PapayaGlobal for about two years in total, weekly. Mostly, I used the HR workflows because I am an HR consultant, and we were setting up mini HR offices globally. Employee onboarding was, of course, a big one. The integration with Workday was perfect. Uploading documents and organizing was straightforward. What I personally found invaluable were the compliance tools and local experience. This boosted my profile as well because I was learning through using the system.
Customer service is exceptional; you really feel that they are part of your team. I also loved the guarantees of local compliance, which created great trust with our in-house auditors. The ability to see the big picture of our workforce globally was also crucial, as it provided a great understanding of the workforce map and enabled strategic moves on the people side of things.
I was setting up PapayaGlobal for one of my previous clients. The reason we needed a tool like this was that we wanted to hire talent from different countries. Previously, we bypassed this by hiring on a "contractor agreement," but we really wanted employees, not contractors. While managing paperwork for EU candidates was somewhat easier, when it came to hires from outside the EU, it was a bit of a nightmare. Our HR team had to learn local employment laws, and we even contacted local lawyers to send us an empty contract so we could be fully compliant. These were the pains that the service greatly alleviated. We saved a lot of time, and audits were less stressful. We used it for about two years, but then the business took another direction.
It took a long time to learn the navigation through the platform; you really need to invest time to learn everything—you cannot just jump in with no training. Sometimes the screen would not load properly; words were overlapping, and it took some reloads for it to work, which was disappointing for a service that charges so much. We also had some issues with invoices; it was not clear how to manage them, but customer service helped with that.
Compliance support and global presence are the main reasons we chose PapayaGlobal. Another key factor is the customer service, which was consistently excellent. I also enjoyed the real-time access to analytics, which was helpful in following trends and monitoring important metrics globally.
First, consider the cost and how the pricing is structured to determine how much value a company can derive from the service at the agreed price point. Another important factor is access to real people who can guide the onboarding and integration with existing tools, which was commendable. Additionally, global access to local labor laws is perhaps the biggest consideration.
PapayaGlobal has evolved, but I believe other platforms have caught up and may be more attractive in their pricing.
PapayaGlobal is great for rapidly scaling businesses that need support in managing a multinational workforce.
PapayaGlobal is excessive for startups and scaleups with a simple payroll structure, or for those who work only with digital nomads, for example. Ensure you actually need all the services within the platform to make it worth the investment.
Multiplier
Multiplier’s global payroll solution helps you process payroll in over 120 currencies. You can also use the platform to administer benefit plans, give bonuses and grant equity to employees, among many other things.
PROS
- Multiplier offers a comprehensive platform that combines compliance, payroll, onboarding, and timesheets, providing a streamlined solution for managing these aspects.
- The platform supports multi-currency payments in over 150 countries, facilitating global business operations.
- Instantly generated multi-lingual contracts enhance efficiency and convenience for users.
- Multi-currency payments in local currencies
- Multi-lingual contracts made instantly
- Compliance, payroll, onboarding, and timesheets, all in one platform
CONS
- Integration options are currently limited, with Multiplier only integrating with BambooHR, Workday, Personio, and HiBob for HCM-type tools. However, they are actively working on expanding their integrations.
- Customers have expressed a desire for more customization options, particularly in relation to contract clauses and leave types, to better align with their specific needs.
- Some users have reported experiencing slow response times from the customer support team.
- Limited integrations. As of Summer 2024, Multiplier only integrates with BambooHR, Personio, Workday, and HiBob for HCM-type tools, although they are working on adding more.
Multiplier’s self-service global payroll solution is worth checking out if you’re looking to pay employees and contractors in local currencies and in compliance with local laws in over 150 countries.
Through the platform, employees and contractors can submit invoices for completed work for you to review and approve within the agreed-upon frequency. Employees are also able to access their payslips and contracts and track expense requests, bonuses, and other benefits from their accounts, which is quite handy.
From the employer side (admin account), you’re able to track the attendance of your global workforce, approve leave requests, and review timesheets for more context into what invoices/billable time are for.
Besides global payments, you can do quite a bit through Multiplier’s EoR platform, including hiring and onboarding employees, as well as giving them local health insurance and optional benefits such as bonuses and stock options.
Amazon, Fusion, Graphisoft, ServiceNow, Linklaters, and Korn Ferry are a few of the companies that use Multiplier’s global employment solution.
Multiplier’s pricing depends on who you’re hiring and paying; employees or freelancers. You get to cancel anytime, and no credit card is required for initial sign-up.
Be aware that apart from the mentioned plans, the employee insurance package is priced seperately. The basic coverage plan starts at $20 per employee per month, and the pricing may vary depending on the level of additional coverage required. Furthermore, pricing may also differ based on the geographical location.
Moreover, Global Payroll is offered as a standalone product suitable for businesses regardless of whether they have local entities or not. The pricing for Global Payroll also begins at $20 per employee per month
Best For
Multiplier is a great bet for organizations expanding their global workforce across the Asia-Pacific landscape, even though their reach extends beyond this domain. The platform's attributes cater to startups, mid-sized enterprises, and large corporations. An illustration of this versatility lies in their adeptness at managing a diverse array of contracts. Whether it involves nurturing an on-demand workforce, administering fixed-term arrangements, or orchestrating full-time engagements, Multiplier can adeptly navigate these intricacies.
We use Multiplier’s EOR solution for everything from sending offer letters to employment agreements. We also found that the deal they have with benefit providers is quite decent. We now use Multiplier to manage employee benefits as well. It is nice that employees have a place to log in to check their employment records. They can request time off directly on the platform.
I love how quickly we can set up a contract in a completely new country. The interface is intuitive, and setting up a contract takes less than five minutes. It is also no longer necessary for us to double-check the local labor laws against the contract, as they have local lawyers ensuring compliance. For example, the system does not allow you to input a number of holidays lower than the country's legal requirement, which is pretty nifty.
It has become increasingly difficult to employ people in other countries, especially China. Due to local employment laws, we were spending a lot of resources and time putting together job offers. We also needed to ensure local people that our obligations to local law were done by the book. We are still using Multiplier several months later. With the expansion of the business, we will likely use it even more.
I would like there to be a better overall HR manager system, where we can manage everything with different levels of management access. Also, I wish there were more personalized configurations that could specifically tailor to the business. A more custom onboarding would be superb and a slightly less robust package. Additionally, the price is a bit high for a startup trying to hire in countries with lower salary rates, which kind of defeats the purpose.
Multiplier is user-friendly, and onboarding is super quick. I didn't expect the platform to provide access to a benefit management program, which was a pleasant surprise. Overall, it combines contracting, benefits, and PTO management all in one place. It literally cut my working hours in half. It is excellent.
Definitely consider the price. The pricing makes sense if you are employing people with high salaries, but if you are hiring administrators from a low-income country, the platform may not be cost-effective. You can get a discount if you bulk purchase for more than five people. The price is per person per month. Another thing to consider is its simplicity; the platform is very easy to use, practically immediately. Finally, consider the effort you would need to figure out employment laws in countries where laws are constantly changing; this tool will save you from some headaches.
Not much, although they have promised the HR section is developing and will be rolled out in full capacity soon.
Startups and scaleups. Multiplier is great for companies that are global and starting out, but not for big ones that already have entities in different countries. It is also suitable for scaling companies that do not yet have in-house HR and legal teams.
Big corporations that already have legal entities in different countries or continents do not need a tool like Multiplier.
Deel
Deel can manage payroll compliance in 150+ countries and has a notably easy-to-use interface, using one platform for all countries.
PROS
- 24/7 customer support with a rapid response time of 1.25 minutes and quick onboarding within 2-3 days.
- Deel HR is free for all company sizes.
- Integration with 100+ HR platforms natively; APIs are also available.
- User friendly with self service features and identity verification usually within 24 hours.
- Automated invoicing for payments in English.
- Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
- Deel HR is free for companies of all sizes.
- Seamless integration with platforms like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Greenhouse, plus custom integration options.
- User-friendly, self-service features enable quick setup; identity verification often takes under 24 hours.
- Automated invoices simplify payments, provided they're in English.
CONS
- Key features like onboarding automation are add-ons, which may increase costs.
- Limited flexibility in modifying contracts or service agreements; changes often require an addendum.
- Invoices cannot be generated in languages other than English.
With Deel, companies can hire employees in a multitude of countries without it getting messy. From the same dashboard, you can manage international payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance in over 150 countries.
Deel was one of the first companies to offer global payroll as their primary service. Their composite of contractor and freelancer management + EOR and PEO capabilities, as well as their sleek design, made them stand out early in the category's history.
Nowadays, they’re also notable for having expanded their tool quite a bit, adding Core HR capabilities to their platform. Other newer Deel features include immigration support, background checks, and their Shield module, devised to protect you against compliance issues.
Deel has been used by over 35,000 companies worldwide. Some of them are Brex, Google, and HomeLight.
Deel offers global payroll solutions with Deel EOR at $499/month, Deel Payroll at $29 per employee/month, and Deel US Payroll at $19 per employee/month.
Best For
Companies, big or small, who wish to stay compliant when hiring people in multiple countries can make good use of Deel. The vendor is also great for those who wish for an EOR / contractor management balance.
Deel is a crucial tool for payroll systems. As a payroll admin, you would use it almost daily to optimize payroll operations, manage payroll structures, and handle Employer of Record (EoR) services.
Some organizations opt for additional compliance support or custom reporting features. Deel workflows also include employee onboarding, offer letter generation, document collection for compliance, and payroll-related benefits administration.
- Deel is an excellent solution for organizations with international contractors, offering a smooth and simplified process.
- It provides EoR services in over 150 countries and includes additional features like onboarding and time-off tracking for international contractors.
I worked with a company expanding into two international markets as part of a tech stack selection project. My engagement lasted about six months and involved selection, implementation, and change management for onboarding.
Deel is a global payroll solution designed to streamline compensation operations for organizations. The company needed a system to manage international payroll efficiently while ensuring compliance across different regions.
- Deel is only worthwhile if you fit its niche. It can be expensive, and if you don’t have a high volume of international hires, the cost may not be justified.
- If you need a more streamlined international hiring process with lower volume, alternatives like Oyster, Remote, or Papaya may be better options.
- Customer support is lacking.
Deel is uniquely positioned to expedite international hiring, particularly for contractors, seasonal hires, or high-turnover roles. It outperforms most competitors in this area for the price. However, if your needs don’t align with this niche, Deel may not be the best choice.
- What does your international hiring strategy look like, and what types of employees are you hiring?
- What is your budget?
- What HRIS features do you need?
Deel’s primary strength is its extensive EoR services, which have expanded to meet user demand. The company has focused on increasing its EoR coverage in new countries to strengthen its niche. Additional onboarding and benefits features support this strategy, but overall, Deel has not evolved significantly beyond its core offering.
- Companies with high-volume international hiring can benefit from Deel, particularly for contractors or high-turnover roles.
- Organizations managing extensive international payroll and compliance requirements.
- Employers needing to sponsor immigration visas.
- Companies that do not hire internationally don’t need Deel.
- Organizations prioritizing integrated HRIS features or complex HR operations.
- Honestly, most organizations.
ADP
ADP GlobalView is the solution for international payroll from one of the most reputable and long-standing companies in the space.
PROS
- Native, all-in-one technology suite for recruitment, payroll, and compliance.
- 17 RPO service centers in 14 countries and provide services in 42 different languages.
- Dedicated team of AIRS-certified recruiting professionals.
CONS
- Technology options outside ADP’s dedicated HR tools are limited.
If you intend to manage global payroll for thousands of employees, ADP’s GlobalView should be on your list of vendors to consider. The payroll giant has put together a solution that’s specific to big businesses, providing them with a single system to unify all global employee payroll data while letting you stay compliant.
For this product, ADP also operates with local experts. You can process payroll yourself, or outsource most of the back office payroll functions to ADP’s team. Finally, GlobalView works only in 40 countries, but it can be combined with ADP Celergo to extend their coverage to up to 140 nations.
Among others, ADP’s global payroll solution is used by the likes of PayPal.
Like with most ADP products, pricing details aren’t available online, since they’ll likely provide a custom quote once you request and have a demo.
Best For
Large enterprises that want a single place from where to manage an international workforce.
The company used ADP for payroll. It also uses it for 401k retirement programs. Our HR department has been happy with it. ADP has provided nice incentives to move to it.
Easy to use. Provided sign up incentives. Respected brand.
Colleagues had experience with ADP in the past and were lobbying for the company to make a change. We have made that change and then continued to increase the services that we were obtaining from them. It has been a positive experience. The vendor is exceeding our expectations. We don't foresee making changes in the near future.
It is a big company so you don't always feel like an important customer. We often deal with different people at the company. It would be nice to have one consistent contact.
The breadth of products that it offers is important to us. We know it has quality products and services.
A company with a long track record. Incentives to move to it. Suggested enhancements to the products.
It is continually updating its service offerings with improvements. It contacts us for associated products and services that may assist our business.
Small to medium business.
I cannot think of any.
Lano
Lano is a B2B and B2C platform. Businesses can use it to process global payroll, hire remote talent, and manage contractors, while employees and freelancers can benefit from its payslip service, invoicing app, multi-currency wallet, and more.
PROS
- Collaborates with local payroll experts for compliance and reliability.
- Offers flexibility by integrating with existing payroll and HR systems but can also be used as a stand-alone.
- The platform provides real-time insights and reporting to enhance data-driven decision-making.
- Users have also praised the personalized customer support with a single point of contact for issue resolution.
- Collaborates with local payroll experts for compliance and reliability.
- Offers flexibility by integrating with existing payroll and HR systems but can also be used as a stand-alone.
- The platform provides real-time insights and reporting to enhance data-driven decision-making.
- Users have also praised the personalized customer support with a single point of contact for issue resolution.
CONS
- Lano is not ideal for small businesses with less than 50 employees and three locations; and more straightforward payroll needs, as opposed to a focus on automation.
- No mobile app, limiting accessibility for on-the-go users.
- Lano is not ideal for small businesses with less than 50 employees and three locations; and more straightforward payroll needs, as opposed to a focus on automation.
- No mobile app, limiting accessibility for on-the-go users.
Lano is a cloud-based platform offering comprehensive global payroll and workforce management solutions. Designed for medium-to-large international companies, Lano simplifies hiring, onboarding, and payroll processing across 150+ countries and 50+ currencies. By working with a vetted network of local payroll experts, Lano ensures precise, compliant payroll tailored to each region.
The platform’s Global Payroll Consolidation Tool centralizes data, reduces errors with automated audits, and enhances visibility through real-time reporting. Businesses can make data-driven decisions while streamlining payroll operations. Recent updates include a redesigned user interface and advanced automation features to improve efficiency for payroll and HR teams. Additionally, Lano integrates seamlessly with HRIS and ERP systems like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and Personio, further supporting flexible payroll management.
However, Lano’s extensive capabilities may be excessive for small businesses with straightforward payroll needs. Additionally, the absence of a mobile app limits accessibility for users requiring on-the-go solutions.
Lano serves a variety of industries and notable clients, including Preply, Phrase, PrestaShop, and Ironhack.
Lano offers flexible pricing tailored to specific needs:
- Contractor Management: €20/contractor/month
- Employer of Record: €600/employee/month
- Multi-Country Payroll: €30/employee/month (minimum 5 employees)
- Payroll Consolidation: €3/employee/month (minimum 100 employees)
A free trial for the Payroll Consolidation feature is available.
That being said, SSR Readers can get an exclusive discount.
Best For
Medium to large international companies based in EMEA with complex payroll and workforce management needs.
Remote
Remote global payroll software enables employers to hire and pay contractors and employees in locations around the world. They also offer IP protection, data security, 24/7 localized customer service, and ample platform customization.
PROS
- Flat fee structure. No deposit is required (conditions apply), and there is no extra charge for benefits administration.
- Mobile apps are user-friendly and frequently updated.
- 24/7 local support via email and live chat.
- Equity-based compensation available.
- Helpful HR tools and global employment guidelines are free to access via Remote’s website.
- Fast and compliant payroll in 170+ countries.
- Live chat support with local payroll experts.
- Flexible, localized benefit packages.
- Flat-rate pricing structure, no deposits or hidden fees.
- Mobile app streamlines expense reimbursement with autofill from receipt photos.
CONS
- It may be out of reach for small teams with limited budgets.
- Only supports direct deposit and wire transfers, and no off-cycle pay runs.
- No phone support is available.
- Remote has limited pre-built integrations, but you can access its custom API for free.
- Doesn’t have a free trial.
- Redundant for organizations solely recruiting within the U.S.
- Help center documentation isn’t easiest to understand.
Remote is one of our top picks for global payroll solutions.
Remote offers localized payroll services, handling benefits administration, payroll processing, and contractor payments. Remote owns legal entities in more than 60 countries, so it’s one of the most effective solutions for growing teams who employ and pay international employees and independent contractors.
As an Employer of Record (EOR), Remote handles employment's administrative and legal aspects, like payroll processing, benefits administration, tax, and legal compliance. For those who have handled tasks like these close to home, it’s not difficult to imagine how profoundly complicated and error-prone global payroll is. With the help of Remote, companies can focus on doing their actual work, whatever that may be, rather than learning the intricacies of payroll across the planet.
Loom, GitLab, DoorDash, HelloFresh, Workato, Semrush, Teamway
- Global Payroll: $50/employee/month
- Employer of Record: Starts at $599/employee/month (when paid annually)
- Contractor Management: $29/contractor/month
- Contractor Management Plus: $99/contractor/month (Everything in Remote Contractor Management with added indemnity coverage)
- Remote Talent: Starts at $119/month
- HRIS: Free
- Startup and nonprofit discount: Eligible startups and nonprofits can get 15% off EOR and Contractor Management services for 12 months.
Best For
Great pick for either remote-first businesses or those with distributed workforces.
Remote was introduced to an international employee or contractor after they were hired and the first part of their onboarding process. They were asked to complete basic personal information; such as address, contact info, emergency contacts, and bank details for payment. Medical benefits were offered to employees and could be elected through the platform. Once employees and contractors were onboarded they could access their portal at any time to view their personal details, and pay stubs. Payroll ran on a bi-weekly and semi-monthly basis for employees and contractors, this was dependent on their in-country laws and was processed completely by Remote. We would fund the platform a month in advance for payroll. In some cases we had employees who submitted timecards for overtime differential.
The platform was easy to onboard new employees, and select and edit all personal and employment details. Employees and Contractors were paid timely and we never ran into any payroll issues of people not being paid on time. We had monthly calls with our Account Rep who was always willing to step in to escalate or help answer any questions we had or anything that came up that was employee specific.
Our org purchased the platform so we could pay and offer benefits to our international employees. I used Remote for just under 2 years. We had over 50 employees in 5-10 different states and using this platform allowed us to offer benefits in those local countries, along with any other country-specific benefits that in some cases we were required to offer. Remote also served as our EOR, employer of record, and provided legal protections related to employee terminations. All international employees and contractors were onboarded into the platform at hire and could access their portal at any time.
There was no reporting function. There would be payroll reconciliations each month, sometimes there was a payment due to us and other times we underfunded accounts, this posed problems with forecasting and budgeting for our finance team. It was unclear and not detailed on employee pay stubs to see what the benefits breakdown was for employees and employers. Meaning who was covering what percentage or what amount was being paid by each party on a biweekly or monthly basis.
I know Remote is an EOR and not all international platforms are. Over the last year I used a different international platform and did prefer that over Remote. The functionality was built out more, support was more responsive and as the HR admin I had more control over the contracts and editing.
How many employees or contractors you are planning to hire internationally. Does Remote support those countries and in what way? What is your annual budget for an International HRIS tool? How do you want federal taxes to be withheld from international employees or contractors? Do you want to offer benefits to international employees? If so, what benefit tiers are you looking to offer, can Remote support your company goals.
Remote increased the number of countries they offered onboarding and hiring during the time I used the platform.
Companies looking to hire internationally and ones' where they do not want to be the Employer of Record and would prefer the HRIS have an entity in the countries you are looking to hire in and be the EOR.
Organizations that do not have any plans to grow globally.
Oyster
Among several global payrolls in the market, Oyster stands out for being flexible enough to manage payroll in over 120 currencies while integrating features for expense reimbursement, time-off request, and bonuses.
PROS
- Oyster’s global payroll supports salary payouts in over 120 currencies.
- You can sign up to explore the platform, help docs, and HR tools, only paying when you hire someone.
- Provides transparent flat rates for employees and contractors and a tool that can quickly calculate potential costs and risks of hiring in a new country.
- Whether your employees are in one country or 100, Oyster can accommodate them accordingly, and this is a feature few platforms can boast of.
- Helpful customer support and help center. Thorough guidance on global employment (available for only the highest-priced plan, though).
- Intuitive: The platform is easy to navigate and makes logical sense.
- competitively priced: The flat rate for employees and contractors makes cost comparisons simple, and is competitive in the market.
- Targeted for a remote workforce: Whether your employees are in one country or 100, Oyster can accommodate them accordingly, and this is a feature few platforms can boast.
CONS
- There may be some salary delays in transfers.
- Only supports bank transfers for payments.
- Monthly pricing varies by where the employees are based.
- Slight delays in processing times for payments in the local currency are somewhat common.
- Immediate communication via phone support is not an option, but they do offer live support via Zoom when necessary.
- An initial security deposit is necessary to begin the engagement and is refundable.
- The platform lacks native time-tracking functionality and provides only an in-app tool for managing time off.
- If you’re looking to co-employ your employees and partially outsource HR responsibilities, Oyster isn’t for you. They are more akin to employer of record services (EOR) than a Professional Employer Organizations (PEO).
Among several options in the space, Oyster is flexible enough to manage payroll in multiple currencies and locations globally and has integrated features for expense reimbursement for traveling employees. Running payroll on Oyster was easy. We could process both employee and contractor payroll in one platform and choose the preferred currency and payroll frequency (monthly/bimonthly), depending on country payroll regulations. We’re also happy with its simplicity in managing tax withholding and accounting. While Oyster did well in ensuring employees working under different currencies are paid correctly and compliantly, we wished to see more withdrawal options in the platform rather than just bank transfers.
Oyster is one of a few vendors that can accommodate teams hiring people in over 180 countries. The platform also provides a self-service portal where employees can request time off and reimbursements. We liked that each time one submitted a request, we instantly saw it in Oyster’s admin dashboard, highlighted under the Requiring Attention section. Related tools like the cost calculator, global recruitment guides, and invoice management were placed right in the dashboard, making it easier to access and get the needed help.
Some of Oyster's customers are Juno, Demodesk, Chili Piper, Quora, Wagestream, Impala, and Grover.
Oyster has three pricing plans:
- Contractor: It starts at $29 per contractor per month and includes hiring contractors in 180+ countries, drafting, editing, signing compliant contracts, processing invoices, and paying contractors in 120+ currencies.
- Employee: The plan starts at $499 per employee per month when billed annually and includes features for hiring full-timers in 120+ countries with compliance and liability coverage, automation, IP protection, global payroll, expenses, allowances, and bonuses in 120+ countries.
- Scale: The plan has custom pricing and includes a discounted rate, dedicated client service, and support to navigate global employment and bulk hiring.
- Local benefits plans are provided as add-ons for Employee and Scale plans.
- You can create an account, explore the platform, and access Oyster’s HR tools and resources for free. You’ll only pay once you’ve engaged a team member.
- Discounts are available for nonprofits and businesses hiring refugees.
Best For
Distributed teams whose current and future contractors, employees, or both are based in countries listed on Oyster’s 120+ country coverage. Nonprofits and businesses looking to hire refugees in countries where Oyster has local entities would also benefit from the platform’s special discounts.
I’ve used Oyster during a one-time project with a client who was developing a nearshore consulting practice in South America. The tool was used to hire contractors abroad (Brazil).
- Great interface which creates a very positive experience while using the tool.
- Easy to stay compliant to local labor laws.
- Easy onboarding process for new clients.
I helped a client to develop a nearshore consulting practice in South America.
Oyster definitely makes it easy to hire and manage employees abroad, which can be a challenging task due to labor laws intricacies. I have only used the tool during this project’s duration (1 month), but my experience was very positive.
- I wish there were more subscription package options available.
- The cost can be a barrier for startups.
- The resource tools are very helpful, however I’ve identified a couple of inaccuracies in some of the country guides.
Easy and efficient onboarding process.
Ensure that your internal processes are well defined, so you can meet the monthly deadlines to share your company’s information.
Analyze if the solution fits your needs, I’d highly recommend using the free trial that they offer.
Evolution and adaptability are definitely key characteristics when offering a global payroll solution, given the challenge that is to ensure compliance to the labor law complexities of some countries.
Companies that are starting to test or implement a workforce globalization project.
Super large companies that already have HR functions around the world.
Rippling
Rippling stands out from other global payroll companies because it handles every aspect of the payment process. Very few global payroll companies directly administer all of the steps needed to pay employees across the globe.
PROS
- Nested within HRIS
- Hire, pay, and manage people under a single system of record
- All-in-one platform for employee management + PEO services offered, and even a suite of other IT products
- With 500 integrations, it’s very likely that they integrate with other key tools from your tech stack.
- Operates globally with any currency
- Workflow automation
- Analytics opportunities
- Provides a holistic view of company outflows—headcount costs included
CONS
- Not advisable for very small companies with slow growth
- While you can buy a base tier and add payroll, the real “magic” of this system requires total immersion in the Rippling environment
- Total buy-in to Rippling is essential
- Very SMB-oriented, in case you’re a larger company.
- New features tend to be buggy in ways that tech teams are not accustomed to fixing
Rippling went the extra mile on their global payroll product. They solved a business problem better and before anyone else in their weight class. At this point in their growth, they are agile enough to move quickly, but have just enough mass and inertia to put thousands of hours of labor into doing a complex thing right.
As we pointed out before, Rippling’s global payroll suite stands out from other global payroll companies because it handles every aspect of the payment process; from tracking hours to calculating and filing taxes. Very few global payroll companies directly administer these kinds of steps while also offering a full HRMS to plug it with.
With the exception of payroll titans like Workday, most businesses offering global payroll services are actually “aggregators” of other businesses– they arrange connections between an array of third-party vendors who are unified under one company name. This has some serious drawbacks. Like a game of telephone, a lot can be lost in translation as data is passed from one entity to another.
Built-in is better. This feature’s proximity to the HRIS means the integration process is simple. According to Rippling, it takes “about 90 seconds” to set up an employee for global payroll if you’re already using Rippling. Being built-in also results in seamless access across all dimensions of employee information.
Best For
I use Rippling for a wide range of functions: creating workflows to automate key processes, conducting performance reviews, adjusting payroll and expenses, onboarding and offboarding, and generating ad hoc reports to support business needs. Compliance is a priority, and Rippling helps ensure everything is handled properly.
The payroll application is effective for processing payments to contractors in multiple countries. The built-in currency exchange feature is simple to use and ensures accurate payments, which is essential.
- Rippling is highly versatile, and the workflow builder is easy to use and customize.
- It scales well with business growth, making it a sustainable long-term solution.
- The platform supports comprehensive employee life cycle management, including onboarding, offboarding, performance reviews, and training.
I have been using Rippling for about a year. Our organization became increasingly reliant on global contractors, and Rippling has made it easy to manage contractors from different countries around the world. Payroll is highly efficient, and benefits administration is simple.
The reporting tool is user-friendly, allowing accurate reports to be generated with just a few clicks. The workflows and IT functions are powerful and straightforward, offering a high level of versatility across the platform.
- When modifying a workflow trigger, the entire workflow is deleted, which is frustrating.
- The cost can be high for small businesses, as each app comes with separate pricing.
- Rippling’s interface is not very user-friendly and has a learning curve, although manageable with time and effort.
Rippling stands out with its strong global support and nearly 24/7 live chat. Specialized support teams are available to help tailor the platform to specific organizational needs.
Consider how the organization plans to scale and whether the investment aligns with long-term growth. Training requirements should also be factored in, as the platform requires time to learn to use effectively.
Rippling’s support has improved significantly, with faster response times that enhance the overall user experience.
Rippling is well suited for small to medium-sized organizations that employ global contractors and are experiencing growth.
Rippling may not be ideal for small businesses with limited HRIS experience or those without the resources to manage a complex system.
Globalization Partners
Globalization Partners are the makers of a global Employer of Record platform, putting together professional services and AI for more than just payroll.
PROS
- Their G-P Meridian platform is heavily focused on the EOR space, but it’s offered in several plans that can cater to varying needs, even those that might only need to hire people as contractors.
- Using their tool also implies access to a team of HR and legal professionals with significant experience in each country they operate in.
- Their UX has evolved continuously and gotten more intuitive and modern each time we delve into the product.
CONS
- Customizing a contract is only possible with the G-P Meridian Prime plan.
- Features like background checks, equity management, and IT equipment— to name a few— are only available as add-ons.
- There is no way to try out the software product unless you sign up for a demo and request a proposal.
Globalization Partners combines professional HR and global payroll services with an AI-driven platform. Through their offering, you can hire team members in any of the 187 countries they operate in. Their platform & services go well beyond payroll, helping with onboarding, managing, benefits, and compliance.
Since they own a business entity in almost every country on earth, they can let you hire talent globally within a matter of days. Naturally, all this is done without you having to handle any legal, tax, or HR burdens yourself.
Zeeto
Pricing details are not provided by Globalization Partners. The best way forward is to request a demo and they’ll work with you to provide a custom quote.
Best For
Companies that want an employer of record provider with a platform to manage it all.
I frequently utilize GoGlobal for work-related tasks; onboarding new hires and database updates are handled by the centralized HR system. For the purpose of reporting and data analysis that will aid in providing answers, analytics tools are essential. GoGlobal is used to help employees boost productivity who are already using the platform. The platform ensures that all our procedures comply with local laws and regulations in each of the different regions. The tool is used for making decisions on rewards, benefits, and pay for employees.
The tool's well-organized dashboard, which includes all of the capabilities, makes it simple to use. The technology makes it possible to integrate with various platforms, which improves productivity and workflow. Analytical tools are helpful when researching new and developing markets.
My organization was having trouble expanding its business operations globally. The task of expanding the business required a lot of data migration and integration processes, which was discouraging for the team. My organization wanted to reduce the cost of the recruitment process and litigations that arose due to compliance and regulations. The issue of employee performance and reward systems was identified as a reason for low staff productivity, hence the need to acquire this tool. Due to the strict recruiting standards, my organization struggled to find the proper people for worldwide recruitment. I have personally used GoGlobal for over a year.
The customer service staff should do better because the technical support is slow to respond to inquiries, which slows down workflows. It would be ideal if the product integrated with CRM tools, as it currently has problems integrating with other platforms. The tool ought to be more capable and feature-rich given the price.
What I like best about GoGlobal is the simplicity of the HR procedure and the integration of employee records.
First, the tool's functionality and accessibility. Second, the tool's capacity to manage employee recognition and remuneration in an efficient manner. Third, the tool's reporting and analytics capabilities that aid in making decisions.
With the introduction of AI technology and a more effective payroll system, the tool has changed over time.
GoGlobal is very good for large IT companies that work remotely.
GoGlobal would not be a good fit for start-ups.
TFY
TFY packs features for applicant tracking, freelance management, payroll and more in a single platform. Not only that, but the platform supports diversity hiring, and can support you in planning and running a host of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
PROS
- TFY offers features for applicant tracking, freelance management, payroll and more in a single platform.
- TFY’s platform supports diversity hiring, and can support you in planning and running a host of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
- TFY has simple and transparent pricing which is something software users always appreciate.
CONS
- According to user feedback, TFY’s UI feels outdated and takes some time to get used to.
- Interested users cannot create trial accounts on their own from TFY’s website.
- TFY doesn’t have prebuilt integration modules, but they do offer API access to connect with tools in your tech stack.
- TFY currently doesn’t have a mobile app.
TFY’s global payroll solution allows you to transfer payouts to your employees and independent contractors in over 150+ countries and over 130 currencies, including more than 20 cryptocurrencies. You won’t need to collect and store bank account details or monitor foreign currency exposures. Simply define the frequency for recurring payments, number of payouts, etc. All of these capabilities and more can be combined with TFY’s Employer of Record services and Vendor Management System, so you can hire seamlessly beyond your borders and have better visibility over your external workforce.
TFY serves companies of different industries. Some of their most notable customers are Zigurat Business School, Exante, Kissflow, WeWork, Revolut, B-caused, and RedHat.
TFY price their ATS and FMS separately as follows:
- FMS: $5 per team member, billed monthly. This includes everything you need to manage and pay remote teams, consultants, and freelancers.
- ATS: $50 per posted job. This plan provides insights into candidates’ skills and salary expectations.
Best For
TFY is best suited for companies looking to hire and manage over 100 freelancers. The platform would also make a good addition to companies looking to implement CSR activities.
I use TFY daily to streamline various essential workflows within the organization. I mainly use it for scheduling tasks, where I can create and manage employee shifts based on demand and availability. I also use the time and attendance tracking feature regularly to monitor attendance, manage overtime, and generate reports.
- It is easy to navigate and use, allowing me to efficiently manage schedules and track employee time without extensive training.
- The automation features, such as scheduling and time tracking, save me considerable time and reduce manual errors, ensuring smoother operations.
- It provides detailed reports on attendance, overtime, and scheduling metrics, empowering me to make informed decisions and optimize workforce management strategies effectively.
We implemented TFY due to the manual processes in the organization that were causing inefficiencies, specifically with scheduling and time tracking. These processes were time-consuming and prone to errors, frequently leading to payroll discrepancies. TFY allowed us to automate tasks and create optimized schedules quickly and efficiently. It has robust time tracking, which has significantly improved accuracy in employee hours, payroll, and overall operational efficiency. It has streamlined our workforce management, removed administrative tasks, and allowed us to focus more on strategic initiatives and employee productivity.
- Sometimes the customization options for specific scheduling rules or reporting formats can feel restrictive, making it less adaptable to unique organizational needs.
- Integrating with other existing systems or software can be complex and may require additional technical support to ensure seamless operation and data consistency across platforms.
- At times, the response time from the customer support team could be improved, especially during urgent situations or when needing assistance with complex issues that require immediate resolution.
It is easier to use than competitors and provides a much more streamlined approach, ensuring operational efficiency.
Prioritize functionality—evaluate whether the tool covers critical areas such as scheduling, time tracking, and reporting comprehensively. Assess the user interface for ease of use, as this impacts adoption rates and training requirements. Then look for customization options that align with your organization's unique workflows and policies. Integration capabilities with existing systems should also be a priority to streamline operations and data management. Also, evaluate the vendor's support services and maintenance to ensure ongoing reliability and assistance when needed. Taking these factors into account will help you choose a tool that enhances operational efficiency and meets long-term business objectives.
I’ve heard there are regular updates to provide the most up-to-date system, but not sure about the specifics as I haven’t used for a long time.
Small to medium companies can find TFY useful.
Large international companies may benefit better from other more robust tools than TFY.
WorkDay
Workday is a popular HR software that includes payroll functionality. It focuses on enterprise needs and offers international payroll solutions for the US, Canada, the UK, and France.
PROS
- Ability to make changes and update payroll in real time.
- Customizable automated calculation engine streamlines payroll processing.
- Provides audits for compliance and payroll accuracy.
- Employee self-service to pay slips, W-2s, W-4s, and payment elections.
- Offers pay on-demand.
- Automatic tax updates
- Support mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
- Accessible customer support from the community, live chat, and telephone.
- Compatible with 300 HR systems such as ERP/GL, CRM, HR, and PSA.
- Configurable dashboard with AI and ML-driven insights.
- Ability to maintain real-time alignment of budgets and workforce plans.
- SOC 2 Type 2 compliance.
CONS
- Enterprise-focus; not a great choice for smaller businesses.
- Time-consuming and complicated setup process.
- No free trial. Undisclosed pricing.
- Mobile app lacks stability and user-friendliness.
- Undisclosed pricing.
- No free trial for its talent management software.
- Time-consuming implementation period (average 4.5 months).
- Challenge navigating for first-time users may require training.
- Issues with logging in were reported by users.
Workday's payroll software is scalable, highly secure, and great for enterprise companies. However, user reviews on the mobile app and implementation vary. It covers the US, Canada, the UK, and France and integrates with Activpayroll for 140+ country coverage.
Workday's payroll software excels on the tech front. It ensures accurate deductions and tax information through automatic updates and audits. It offers flexibility with multiple pay cycles based on employee groups and supports workers' financial well-being by providing a pay-on-demand option for accessing accumulated wages before the scheduled payday.
Workday's mobile app offers customizable dashboards with access to payslips, time off, and time tracking. However, user feedback suggests that it lacks ease of use, with reports of app glitches and logging-in issues.
While Workday boasts impressive scalability and valuable HR features for large enterprises and global companies, it may not be ideal if your company is looking for a simple setup and a super-intuitive mobile app.
Quicken Loans, AstraZeneca, Target, Dell, Bank of America.
The exact pricing details of Workday are undisclosed. Contact Workday’s team for a quote.
Best For
Large enterprises looking for a global payroll solution within a broader HCM suite.
I used Workday daily to manage various aspects of our organization's workforce. The key workflows I rely on include employee data management, performance management, and reporting. For employee data, I maintain up-to-date employee records, including personal information, job titles, and reporting structures. For performance management, as a manager, we used it to track employee performance by setting goals, conducting performance reviews, and managing feedback. Workday also has robust reporting functionality.
User-friendly interface: Workday's clean and intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need.
Scalability: This makes it an ideal solution for growing businesses that require additional functionality over time. As a company expands or needs change, Workday can be customized to meet those evolving requirements.
Seamless integration: Workday offers robust integration capabilities with various third-party applications, ensuring a smooth flow of data across different systems. This compatibility with other software tools enables organizations to maintain a connected ecosystem, streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual data entry or reconciliation.
My organization was 10k plus employees and our old HRIS system was dated and clunky. I used it for approximately 2 years. We needed better self-service for not only employees but for managers as well with built-in approval processes. Additionally, we were looking for a tool that could handle the complex requirements of our global workforce, including compliance with local labor laws and regulations. Our previous system didn't have robust reporting capabilities, and it was challenging to extract useful data for analysis. Furthermore, it made it easier to manage employee data and processes across multiple systems. It also provided built-in compliance features, ensuring that we were meeting legal requirements in all countries where we had operations.
Cost: The investment in Workday is substantial, and not a good option for smaller companies.
Learning curve: While Workday's user interface is intuitive, the platform's extensive features may require some time to master. Adequate training and onboarding are essential for users to get the most out of the software.
Limited customization: Workday offers a wide range of built-in features and functionalities, but it may not be the best fit for organizations with highly specific or unique requirements.
While Workday has a long list of impressive companies that utilize their system I find SAP SuccessFactors does just as much and for slightly cheaper.
Functionality: Determine the features and capabilities that are most important to your organization. Consider aspects such as human resources, payroll, talent acquisition, time and attendance, performance management, financial management, and analytics. Ensure the tool you choose covers the required functionalities or can be easily integrated with other systems to create a comprehensive solution.
Scalability: Assess whether the tool can grow and adapt to your organization's changing needs. A scalable solution will allow you to add or modify features as your business evolves, ensuring long-term viability.
Integration: Examine the tool's ability to integrate with existing systems and third-party applications. Seamless integration is essential for streamlining processes and reducing the need for manual data entry or reconciliation.
User experience: Evaluate the tool's user interface and overall usability. An intuitive and user-friendly design will encourage adoption and make it easier for employees to effectively use the platform.
They have expanded product offerings and made some user experience enhancements.
Enterprise with large (1000k+) and global employees.
Small businesses with under 1k employees.
Atlas
Atlas is an EOR and HR services-focused global payroll provider. They work well for teams of all sizes and offer a good combination of in-house expertise and a functional tech platform.
PROS
- Hire people through direct EOR entities in 160+ countries.
- They are a services-focused company with the tech to back it. For example, with the help of a locally-versed expert to guide you through the process, you can onboard employees and process their payroll in any of the 160+ countries they cover – and it can all be done online.
- Strong focus on compliance: regulations, taxes, local labor laws, etc.
- Atlas has legal entities in over 160 countries. They’ll help you take care of employee onboarding and payroll processing in any of those countries, eliminating the need to engage any local service providers.
- The platform simplifies how you hire, manage and pay employees and contractors abroad, without needing to set up an operation where they are located.
- Atlas helps you stay compliant with local labor laws and frees you from employer liability.
CONS
- Some users noted communication with support can be tricky. An individual expert (or one representing a small team) may be involved in addressing compliance issues specific to a geographic region. Though this has been reported to slow the process, our reviews suggest ongoing improvements.
- No native integrations, but they do have API
- Atlas currently doesn’t offer global managed payroll for non-employer of record (EoR) clients; so if your company doesn't need Atlas to take on from you as EoR, but need to use Atlas' global payroll services, you can't do so at this time. Do note though that the team at Atlas is planning to offer this service next year.
- Atlas currently has limited prebuilt integration modules but they do offer API access for users to plug in third-party tools.
Atlas is a comprehensive global payroll and direct employer of record (EOR) solution that empowers businesses to hire and compensate talent across the globe effortlessly. We’ve seen a demo of Atlas and tried the tool, finding them a solid company to entrust with your legal employer responsibilities.
What does this mean? We found that Atlas can dependably manage most of the operations aspects of the employee life cycle, for several employees, in several countries, from a single platform.
Atlas is used by over a thousand companies, including Toyota, CACI, Bath & Body Works, Coupa, PAE, and Namely.
- Essential: For $99 per month, this plan encompasses features and services that help users navigate the labor & employment laws in over 160 countries (+50 US States), manage employee lifecycle, compliance information between countries, be compliant with their accounting for travel and business expenses, receive personalized notifications, as well as have moderate access to expert insights and HR templates (which are priced separately).
- Premium: For $149 per month, this plan packs everything in the Essentials plan, plus compliance audit interactive checks, people analytics and planning features as well as dedicated account management.
- Enterprise: The pricing of this plan varies according to the number of purchased licenses and customer needs. You can reach out to Atlas’ Sales team for a custom price quote.
Add-ons:
- Contractor Pay: Starting at $49 per contractor per month
- Employer of Record: $595 per employee per month
- Visa & Mobility Sponsorship: Starting at $2,500 per visa
Best For
Companies of all sizes would find an ally in Atlas, but it’s especially good for those looking for a service-oriented offering rather than a DIY, employee-driven, self-service platform.
We primarily use it for onboarding activities, hiring, and succession planning. It provides a comprehensive portal for employees, reducing administrative workload and enhancing the overall experience by allowing them to manage their own details.
We also rely on it for managing our global payroll, ensuring compliance with international employment laws. The platform helps streamline HR processes, making operations more efficient.
- Atlas HXM focuses on Human Experience Management, improving the workplace experience for employees by emphasizing talent management and engagement.
- The platform offers robust reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing companies to track performance metrics and gain valuable insights for strategic planning.
- Atlas HXM ensures compliance with local regulations, while its primary strength lies in enhancing the overall employee experience through a holistic approach.
We purchased Atlas HXM when we decided to revamp our onboarding process. We needed a better employee experience, covering everything from hiring to managing and ensuring timely payments.
Atlas HXM was highly compatible with our business needs at the time, offering compliance support and global mobility, all delivered through an easy-to-use technology platform.
We also used it for workforce planning, and it proved to be a highly service-driven and trustworthy platform. We have used it for about six years.
- The platform can be expensive, and for small businesses, the cost may outweigh the benefits.
- While Atlas HXM provides strong features, alternatives such as Workday or SuccessFactors may offer better integration capabilities.
- The setup process requires additional time, and vendor support can be slow to respond.
Atlas HXM excels in employee lifecycle management and HR analytics. It also stands out for its robust reporting capabilities. The performance management tools are particularly useful for tracking and improving employee performance.
Additionally, the platform simplifies onboarding through automation. Atlas HXM seamlessly handles payroll, compliance, and other HR functions across multiple countries.
Cost should be a major consideration when investing in this type of tool. It's important to evaluate your organization's budget and determine whether the platform is compatible with your existing processes.
Understanding the scope of changes your organization is looking to implement is crucial in selecting the right solution.
Lastly, assessing the user interface and ensuring it will be well received by employees is key, as system adoption is just as important as improving the employee experience.
Atlas HXM has significantly improved its user interface and overall efficiency in performing HR tasks. The integration of AI has been beneficial, helping to eliminate logistical challenges across borders. This has allowed many startups to expand their operations globally.
Organizations operating in dynamic and rapidly changing environments can benefit greatly from Atlas HXM. Businesses should also consider their size and budget to ensure the platform aligns with their needs.
Atlas HXM may not be a suitable match for smaller businesses or those that require simpler HR solutions.
Omnipresent
Omnipresent excels in delivering comprehensive global payroll services with a unique blend of automation and expert human support. Their focus on compliance, contractor management tools, and flexible PEO and VEO solutions make them a top contender for companies navigating international payroll complexities.
PROS
- Global Coverage: Payroll and compliance support in 160+ countries, including contractor management.
- Human Support: Direct access to in-house experts for payroll, tax, and legal issues.
- Virtual EOR (VEO): Efficient virtual EOR product for simplified international hiring.
- Transparent Invoicing: Clear breakdowns of payroll costs, enhancing financial transparency.
- Integrations: Seamless connections with 50+ HRIS platforms, reducing data duplication.
- Global Coverage: Payroll and compliance support in 160+ countries, including contractor management.
- Human Support: Direct access to in-house experts for payroll, tax, and legal issues.
- Virtual EOR (VEO): Efficient virtual EOR product for simplified international hiring.
- Transparent Invoicing: Clear breakdowns of payroll costs, enhancing financial transparency.
- Integrations: Seamless connections with 50+ HRIS platforms, reducing data duplication.
CONS
- Pricing: Higher cost compared to some competitors; suited for companies prioritizing quality.
- No Free Trials: Unlike some providers, Omnipresent does not offer free trials.
- Support Limitations: No phone support, which may be a drawback for some users.
- Partner Reliance: In niche markets, service consistency depends on third-party partners.
- Pricing: Higher cost compared to some competitors; suited for companies prioritizing quality.
- No Free Trials: Unlike some providers, Omnipresent does not offer free trials.
- Support Limitations: No phone support, which may be a drawback for some users.
- Partner Reliance: In niche markets, service consistency depends on third-party partners.
Omnipresent offers a powerful global payroll solution tailored for companies with a distributed workforce. What struck us immediately while demoing their platform is how many options you have to hire people internationally. The tool lets you manage payroll for employees and contractors in over 160 countries, ensuring compliance with local tax laws and regulations. The Virtual Employer of Record (VEO) feature simplifies the process for companies looking to test international markets without establishing physical entities, while their PEO services support larger-scale operations.
One of the things that sets Omnipresent apart is their combination of automated tools and expert human support. They won G2’s award for best support within the Global Payroll category in 2024. The reason it’s so celebrated is because it’s so easy to access it within the platform via a chat window that you can pull up with one click. This little view lets you decide whether to find an answer in their technical documentation or chat with a human. During a demo, we were told that 35% of issues are resolved before a human is needed, and 80% of queries are solved live without needing an email follow-up.
Clients also benefit from features like the OmniCalculator for total employment cost estimation and detailed, transparent invoicing. Compared to tech-only providers, Omnipresent’s approach ensures complex payroll issues are resolved quickly by subject matter experts.
Their contractor management tool is another highlight. It offers seamless onboarding and payroll for freelancers worldwide, starting at just $25/month per contractor. This makes Omnipresent suitable for full-time global employees and companies with a diverse, flexible workforce.
However, the higher pricing and absence of a free trial may deter budget-conscious organizations. Additionally, while support is award-winning, the lack of phone assistance could be a downside for some users. Despite these considerations, Omnipresent’s robust platform and compliance-first approach make it a top choice for managing global payroll.
Omnipresent is used to hire people at places like Danelec, Soundtrap, Juni, Tessian, American Eagle, and Polaroid.
Starts at $600 per employee per month, with discounts for larger teams. Contractor plans begin at $25 per month.
Best For
Companies of all sizes who’d favor compliance-centric, expert-supported global payroll solutions for employees and contractors. This option is ideal for organizations prioritizing contract flexibility, compliance, and human-centric service.
Why Use Global Payroll Software
International payroll is necessary when businesses of any size want to pay people abroad while staying fully compliant in each country. It’s not just about being able to process payments internationally but about being able to hire international workers and run payroll as if you had a registered company in each of the nations that at least one of your hires calls home.
One could argue that you could do just that by having a payroll provider or a PEO/EOR in each country. However, global payroll systems take it to the next level. These tools help you avoid the extra costs and logistical headaches of having multiple providers. This can be especially challenging when you need a central repository from where to manage them all, and the data inherent to payroll processing is scattered across various systems.
A basic example of the simplicity of using global payroll services is that, at least with the ones we’ve mentioned here, you’re assumed to pay each worker in their local currency. They can literally decide this with a couple of clicks.
This ease of localization extends beyond salary as well. Some of these tools can provide all the employee benefits required by law in each individual’s country as if they worked for a local company. Depending on the payroll software vendor, these can include social security, benefits insurance, retirement funds, disability, and more. It also means that taxes are handled for them using the same tool. This is what global payroll systems mean when they tout full compliance.
Key Considerations & Pitfalls of Multi-Country Payroll
Certain considerations must be made before assuming that the right global payroll providers will do the heavy lifting for you, ensure your people are paid on time, and present everything in a user-friendly way.
- Knowing Local Laws: Just because the global payroll services provider will be doing part of the work for you doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be aware of what that work is. Like with any good manager, delegating doesn’t mean ignoring. As an employer, you must adhere to the international HR and regulations in each country where you’ll pay someone. This not only helps with making sure that you’re staying compliant but also aids when creating a budget, deciding whether to hire someone, shifting from contractor status to full-time, etc.
- Know Your Costs: Fees for some of these global payroll systems may seem high compared to payroll software for small businesses or even some enterprise payroll software solutions. It helps to try and calculate how much you’d spend if you choose to go with individual providers in each country or even set up an operation there and handle it in-house. That should help determine how much is reasonable to spend on the project instead of trying to find the lowest-cost provider. Among these costs, you should also consider the fines you would incur if you stay non-compliant or even the potential cost of churn if your employees and/or contractors leave you for not providing the full range of benefits.
- Loading The Project Mainly into HR: Traditionally, human resources departments tend to have little time, lots of work, and few idle hands. Looking to them to solve the puzzle of international payroll and stick to a budget is one way of ensuring that the project’s outcome will be subpar. Some key payroll software features to look towards are payroll automation and tax filing, as they help free up some of HR’s time while keeping them in the loop. Also, choosing said solution should be taken into the hands of the finance team and upper management since it is, after all, an investment.
- Be Mindful of Data Protection: Data protection laws, especially GDPR, should be one of your concerns if you hire people in new markets. When trusting a software company with your employees’ data, you should know which laws are being obeyed when it comes to said data’s safekeeping. You should also know what kind of practices are put into keeping it safe beyond the legal requirements.
The Evolution of Global Payroll Technology: Current Innovations and Future Directions
While already somewhat novel, global payroll technology is always undergoing profound transformations, driven by cutting-edge innovations and evolving workforce expectations. This analysis examines the key developments that are reshaping how organizations manage international compensation.
- Artificial Intelligence: These intelligent systems now handle complex processes automatically— from calculating precise salary and tax payments to maintaining compliance with diverse regional filing requirements. Some platforms like Borderless, an EOR product and service, have opted for implementing a chat-based agent, which you can consult on the tax implications of employing an individual in a new location; the way you’d ask a seasoned expert.
- Financial Flexibility Through Earned Wage Access: The integration of Earned Wage Access (EWA) represents a significant shift toward employee-centric payroll solutions. This innovative approach allows workers to access their earned compensation before traditional payday cycles, addressing immediate financial needs and improving overall financial wellness.
- Global Payroll Meets Global HR: Given that 94% of business leaders worldwide agree that they would like to see their payroll software integrated across all their HR systems, companies Deel and Remote are incorporating HR workflows into their suite. In a move likely ignited by Rippling’s 2022 incursion into the space with their EOR offering, HR departments have likely figured that if they’re employing people internationally, it also makes sense to handle their HR processes within the same tool. Deel, for example, has had a sturdy HRIS for a couple of years now. Naturally, they are not alone in adding more features to it with each quarter, like onboarding, time management, org charts, and expense tracking.
Pricing: What Global Payroll Systems Cost
Most multinational payroll providers charge a fee per full-time employee and a smaller fee for contractors. Many providers will give you a custom quote if you ask for a demo, but not every vendor discloses its initial pricing scheme online. For reference, check out the following payroll software pricing list:
- Atlas: The Essential plan starts at $99 per month, then $149 for Premium or custom for Enterprise.
- Papaya Global: Starts at a $20-$100 fee per employee per month for the basic payroll. Global EOR starts at $770 and Contractor Management from $25 per pay cycle.
- Deel: Pricing is per worker per month. Contractors start at $49 and full-time employees hired with an EOR start at $500.
- Remote: Pricing for employees starts at $299 per month and they offer custom quotes after that. To hire contractors, you only pay the payment processing fees.
- Oyster: First two contractors are free, then $29 per month. EOR for full-time employees is $399 or $699 per employee per month.
- Multiplier: $400 per month to hire employees, $40 per month for freelancers.
- Rippling: Starts at $8 per user per month, but varies depending on the amount of modules.
- TFY: ATS and FMS are priced separately. The FMS is $5 per team member.
Key Components of Global Payroll Software
When we speak about global payroll, it means much more than paying people internationally, likely with a money transfer company, and using a different system to manage and onboard them. In the full sense of the term, global payroll systems should let you do all this while offering the following services or payroll models:
Global Employment Services
This is when you don’t own a business entity where your remote employees live, so you can set up a legal entity in the country or use employer of record companies to employ workers on your behalf. This is essential if you intend to hire people full-time in a country and don’t plan on opening a new branch where they live. Precisely because of that, it’s an excellent way to go if you plan on hiring as little as one person or a bigger team.
Through this model, you'll get access to a team of payroll experts who are well-versed in the local regulations when hiring international employees. A thing to note here is that many companies in the global payroll space don't own the entities they use but work with local firms in each country and aggregate their services in a software tool that presents it all as a streamlined version for you. While this can certainly work, we've been seeing more companies own as many EOR providers as they can (or only use the ones they own) in order to reduce risks and simplify payroll operations for everyone.
Contractor Payment Services
This type of service is suitable when one side prefers contractor status as opposed to full-time employment. Essentially, this means that the worker acts more as a service provider and is legally a self-employed person. An international payroll company should also offer this type of service, with a key component being the assurance of full digital nomad compliance.
In other words, a global payroll processing provider (or freelancer management tool, in this case) helps manage payments to an international contractor, ensures that all the local legal requirements of working with said worker are met, and avoids non-compliance.
Localized Payroll Services
Then we have the case of a company with a legal entity in a country that requires a local payroll solution. Naturally, most global payroll providers can also help with this since they don’t need to employ the workers for you to process payroll for them. In that case, they can handle payroll and benefits just like any local payroll provider would. At the same time, you are the legal employer of your people and thus responsible for the legal obligations that stem from that relationship.
As you probably imagine, multi-country payroll partners can offer a mix and match of these services, letting you choose different methods for different countries depending on what’s more comfortable and efficient for you. Suppose you're unsure whether you will stick with hiring people overseas on a contractor status or eventually move into an EOR or PEO model. In that case, we'd recommend looking at tools that offer a good mix of both.
One way in which this software category has evolved is by having more players in the space that offer both models instead of focusing exclusively on one.
The same goes for the number of capabilities an international payroll provider can offer. Some of these cloud-based tools now also include a fully working HRMS, a benefits administration suite, or even an IT management product, in the case of Rippling.
Demo Questions: What To Ask To International Payroll Companies
As with any software purchase, once you select 2-3 options for your global payroll provider, you should try each of them, likely through a demo and maybe even by doing a free trial. With both scenarios, it’s a good idea to step into the process with a list of the critical questions you need to answer.
To put this list together, you should consult each stakeholder within your team, including remote employees and contractors overseas. This list should reflect your unique business needs when it comes to employing people in different countries, but we’ve put together a basic list to get you started:
- Which countries do we need payroll in, or do we plan on needing payroll in, and in which of those do we need the full service, such as EOR?
- What kind of benefits would I like to offer to my global workforce?
- What are the key features I want to try out and validate?
- What kind of workflows are possible and maybe automated?
- What tax regulations should we be concerned with if we hire in X or Y country?
- How will this solution fit into the rest of my tech stack and therefore what integrations do I need?
- How will others in the organization use this solution?
- How can this tool improve the experience of our workers?
- What would make me or my coworkers nervous about switching our current processes to this platform?
- How is employee data kept safe if trusted by this vendor?
- What conclusions can I draw about the quality of customer support? Is there a help center? Are the support articles clear and easy to read?
- How will this solution fit our current plans for global expansion?
Alternatives to Global Payroll Software
We’ll now expand into one of the points we touched upon above— what are your alternatives if you decide that global payroll software is not the way to go for you just yet? Mainly, these are the two following:
- Global payroll services: Most of the vendors we mentioned offer a combination of payroll services and payroll software tools to manage and keep track of them. But of course, you could also opt for partnering with a company and letting them take care of it themselves. This requires you to get more familiar with each kind of payroll service and the fees they charge. It will also require much more direct communication with those payroll professionals.
- Money transfer companies: The other option is to just solve the issue of an international money transfer. Suppose your contractors overseas are okay with handling taxes & benefits themselves. In that case, this can be a less costly and time-consuming option, particularly helpful while you figure out what to do in the long term.
Global Payroll FAQs
What is Global Payroll?
The term “global payroll” refers to the compensation that a company needs to make to its foreign employees, independent contractors, and freelancers. Typically handled by the HR or finance departments, it includes salaries, tax withholdings, invoicing, benefits, bonuses, PTO, overtime, commissions, and of course, international bank transfers.
What is an EOR?
EOR stands for ‘Employer of Record’. It is an essential component of an internationally compliant payroll since most providers use it to be the legal employer of a worker in their country. Through this practice, a company doesn’t need to set up a legal entity in that country to stay compliant with the local labor laws.
What is a PEO?
Essentially, a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) is a company that offers a wider range of HR services to other businesses, including payroll operations, of course, but also benefits administration, HR consulting, hiring, onboarding, and even training. This can be quite helpful for companies that don't have a big internal HR team, as it allows them to stay compliant while focusing on other responsibilities for their in-house concerns.
So, PEO goes way beyond employing people on your behalf to ensure compliance but goes into the territory of absorbing more of your HR tasks.
Read More: How to Choose the Right Professional Employer Organization for Your Company
Last Advice on Buying a Global Payroll Solution
Setting up an international payroll properly is quite a project. It’s not only about setting up direct deposits to people and staying within the boundaries of the law but investing in creating the best possible experience for them. If your workers feel that they’re properly taken care of, they will feel enabled to perform their best and stick with you in the long run.
Because of this, it is essential that you choose the provider that is right for your business needs. Take your time, ask a lot of questions, and figure out what the right mix is for you and your team. You’ll likely gain an edge over your competitors while saving time, cutting costs, and making your employees happier and more productive.
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