Deel Versus the Competition

Deel’s main advantage is that they offer a full range of global operations services rolled into one user-friendly platform. Their tool covers compliance, insurance, payroll, and taxes. As a start-up having spent the last three years in hypergrowth, it offers a technology-driven approach to operations.

If you're ready to get a Deel demo, we suggest getting in touch for a look at the product and quote. Otherwise, read on!

Ratings

4.2

Ease of Use

Best For

Key Differentiator

Price

Starts at $599/employee/mo

Free Trial

No

PROS

  • Excellent 24/7 customer service with fast onboarding (2-3 days) and local payroll experts in each jurisdiction.
  • 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.

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Deel Review

We first came across Deel in early 2021, relatively shortly after their foundation in 2019, in the midst of the pandemic. Back then, they were amongst a small-but-growing group of exciting new companies spearheading the category of Global Payroll Software.

While researching those companies and testing their products, Deel immediately stood out for their crisp and sleek design, ease of use, intuitive workflows, and highly attentive customer support and sales team.

Years later, it’s great to still see them among the now ‘usual suspects’ when it comes to international payroll software. That being said, they’ve also expanded and are currently among the top companies developing HR software specific to remote teams.

We last tested their tool in 2026, and it was immediately clear that it had grown quite a bit since the last demo. While initially focused on hiring and payroll, the platform has expanded its functionality to include a wider range of capabilities, such as Core HR tools, equity management, flexible workspaces, benefits, and other perks like discounts from brands.

The main modules, like hiring, have also acquired a new level of sophistication. The product's core now includes immigration support, background checks, and a module called “Shield”, which provides further advice on the best way to avoid fees when hiring team members and freelancers overseas.

Deel is notable for having a good balance of EOR and contractor focus. This flexibility is part of what we find great about the international payroll platform. For instance, we know of small businesses that started their Deel journey using it only to hire contractors globally. After a while, if their business is ready, they can use the same tool to hire people locally via the EOR offering.

For EOR customers, their international team helps with navigating local labor laws, compliance documents, essentially hiring the employee on your behalf and acting as the legal entity. One thing to note is that, depending on the country, the legal entity might not be Deel itself but one of their partners.

Lastly, the previously-mentioned “Shield” module is worth a closer look. It’s basically an extension of their contractor hiring workflow that includes an expert assessment for individual workers to determine whether, given the particular set of factors, the worker and employer would be better served by the individual working as a contractor, or as an employee. At the same time, engaging people this way means that Deel will absorb all the liability should there be any compliance issues.

Between this flexibility and their transparent pricing, we’ve always been happy to include Deel among our selection of the best Global Payroll, EOR, PEO software, and other software categories related to human resources software.

What users think of Deel

Reviewer's Rating
8/10

Deel serves as our HRIS system for all personnel outside the US, including contractors and employees through EOR in countries like Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and the Netherlands. We use it for payroll processing, employee tracking, managing time off, and ensuring legal compliance in each country. Compliance is crucial, as Deel helps ensure we adhere to local employment laws. Additionally, it manages expenses and other HR processes for our non-US employees.

What do you like about Deel?

Deel simplifies the hiring process, particularly for contractors, making it incredibly user-friendly. The compliance features are invaluable, keeping us informed of legal changes across different countries. Moreover, the platform itself is straightforward and easy to navigate.

Why did your organization buy Deel, and how long have you used it for?

Our organization needed a system that would enable us to quickly hire contractors in Europe while scaling with our growth. Deel was chosen for its clarity, ease of setup, and cost-effectiveness. Initially, it was used for managing our European contractors, but as we transitioned from contractors to full-time employees, Deel's capacity to handle EOR and contractors across multiple countries proved ideal. We have been using Deel for just over a year, starting with contractors and recently expanding to include EOR services for our European employees.

What do you dislike about Deel?

Navigating the platform can sometimes be confusing when trying to locate specific features. Currently, Deel does not support adding US employees, necessitating separate HRIS systems for our US and international staff. Additionally, we occasionally encounter unexpected fees.

How is Deel different than their competitors?

Deel offers a more affordable solution compared to its competitors, although it's important to consider potential hidden fees. While the platform's overall look and functionality are similar to others in the market, the differences are relatively minor.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

When considering a tool like Deel, evaluate your hiring needs outside the US. Inquire about all potential costs, including benefits and administrative fees. Also, plan strategically for the countries you intend to hire in, as adding multiple countries can complicate the process.

How has Deel changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

Deel is actively developing new features aimed at becoming a comprehensive solution for US-based employers managing international hires. This ongoing evolution is geared towards creating a single platform that can accommodate a variety of HR needs.

What specific type of user or organization is Deel very good for?

Deel is exceptionally well-suited for SMBs to small enterprise businesses that need an efficient platform for managing contractors. It offers simplicity and ease of use that is ideal for businesses at this scale.

What specific type of user or organization would Deel not be a good fit for?

Larger companies may find Deel lacking in features necessary to manage a large employee population effectively, making it less suitable for bigger enterprises.

Reviewer's Rating
9/10

We use it to track our contractors, pay their invoices, collect W9s. As our EOR, it allowed us to bypass the financial and time costs with establishing a subsidiary overseas. It keeps us in compliance with international labor laws, includes global payroll, offers benefits/participates in local social welfare programs and ultimately retains key employees we would have lost as 1099 contractors.

What do you like about Deel?

I like that the process and layout is very similar regardless of which product and service you use from them - quite intuitive. It supports employers ability to maintain compliance by listing out requirements and flagging missing items or expired items. Lastly, being able to file 1099s digitally is a luxury I hadn't had previously. A total time saver.

Why did your organization buy Deel, and how long have you used it for?

We implemented Deel initially as a way to pay our onshore 1099 contractors, track their contracts and contact information outside of our HRIS. After two years, we had a new problem to address and changed our Deel platform to include an EOR. We had offshore contractors that we wanted to bring on as full-time employees to retain them and ensure compliance with the IRS. The change was seamless and the EOR is intuitive, informative and our offshore employees have been satisfied with the service from their end.

What do you dislike about Deel?

I think there is room to improve the connection between employer and the EOR service representatives in that a dedicated point-of-contact that is in house with Deel and not an international partner. Another consideration for EOR is having to pay a month's salary deposit up front for payroll is not ideal for cash flow. Lastly, I would love to see more employee and contractor features that you might find on a traditional HRIS because I believe it would be a better and more enriched experience for them.

How is Deel different than their competitors?

For 1099 contractor management, oftentimes you use an ERP or accounting SaaS which has limitations. Deel bridges the gap between accounting SaaS/ERPs and an HRIS. For EOR, Deel is middle of the road in value. It is a great option for smaller OPEX budgets, but there are other EOR companies who offer more desirable features and better in-house service partners.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

Consider the number of contractors or employees you would need for the upfront and annual costs to be justified. Whether or not you are familiar with global payroll, consider how much compliance support you need or is desirable for you. Lastly, consider whether you are up to converting your local currency to the international currency. Deel does not currently offer this in the employee profile, they only show the employee's local currency.

How has Deel changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

There is better customer service and help tutorials. Further, I have found there is an increase in the amount of educational materials available through Deel in order to stay current on contractor and global payroll trends and compliance.

What specific type of user or organization is Deel very good for?

I have known it to be used by HR and Finance professionals alike. Payroll administrators, regardless of where they fall organizationally, will find this tool beneficial. I believe organizations where these contracts or payrolls are relatively straightforward can benefit. Running payroll and paying invoices takes 10 mins or less per pay period.

What specific type of user or organization would Deel not be a good fit for?

I believe complex and large organizations may not find Deel to be scalable to their needs. At volume, Deel is not the best for tracking or reporting. For smaller teams, these features are acceptable and function appropriately.

Reviewer's Rating
8/10

We used Deel as a payment processor for our international employees. The system is customizable to pay contractors on a weekly, bi-weekly or semi-monthly basis. We were able to pay some contractors weekly, and another group semi-monthly. The system also allows for you to submit payments on behalf of the contractor or out of their usual payroll cycle in an off-cycle payroll. Reimbursements could be paid out by the use of the off-cycle payroll. They could be paid immediately after approval by the admin or included in the next payroll cycle run.

What do you like about Deel?

I liked the customization of contracts. I liked that our contractors could manage their funds after they were available. It was very easy to get help and a solution through their chat feature or by phone with a representative.

Why did your organization buy Deel, and how long have you used it for?

We were in search of an international HRIS tool to employ our international contractors and full employees temporarily. We chose Deel due to the ease of onboarding, customization, and 0 dollar up front cost to onboard our international contractors. We used the platform on a weekly basis to onboard and pay our contractors for 6 months. I especially liked that once a contract ended we could still pay out hours via an off-cycle payroll. This was helpful if a contractor missed a timesheet submission deadline. Another benefit to the platform that our contractors favored was the ability to withdraw their funds in their currency of choice; or split payments into various currencies. Once timesheets were approved and processed from an administrative perspective, funds were available, in most cases within 24hrs to the contractors Deel account.

What do you dislike about Deel?

As we were considering hiring international employees we could only do so by paying upfront cost before onboarding them, this was not ideal for us. I did not like that I couldn't set a semi-monthly rate for a few of our contractors. Onboarding manager wasn't easy to reach for quick questions when onboarding contractors.

How is Deel different than their competitors?

The management fees were lower and contractors had more control over their funds.

What Instructions should people think about when buying this type of tool?

If you are hiring contractors or employees and how many. Have a solid understanding of what countries they are located in, as this affects the management fee. Also, management fees are paid each payroll, which could get costly, so be sure the contractor or employee is aware of their pay schedule.

How has Deel changed or evolved over time to meet users needs?

We only used this tool for about 6 months and did not see any significant changes during that time.

What specific type of user or organization is Deel very good for?

Remote first companies with employees or contractors across the world.

What specific type of user or organization would Deel not be a good fit for?

None

Deel Alternatives:

Native Teams

Native Teams impressed us with one of the most flexible and affordable global payroll lineups we’ve seen. Starting at as little as $19 per month, this platform supports payroll for all types of workers, from full-time employees to freelancers and gig workers.
Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5
Visit Website

Native Teams

Native Teams impressed us with one of the most flexible and affordable global payroll lineups we’ve seen. Starting at as little as $19 per month, this platform supports payroll for all types of workers, from full-time employees to freelancers and gig workers.
Popularity Score
4.5 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.5 / 5
Learn More

Paycom

Paycom is a sound option for U.S.-based companies managing international payroll that want to automate and consolidate their payroll process as they expand. The platform processes payroll natively in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and the U.K., while offering non-native payroll options across more than 190 countries and in multiple languages.
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5
Visit Website

Paycom

Paycom is a sound option for U.S.-based companies managing international payroll that want to automate and consolidate their payroll process as they expand. The platform processes payroll natively in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Mexico, and the U.K., while offering non-native payroll options across more than 190 countries and in multiple languages.
Popularity Score
4.1 / 5
User Score
3.9 / 5
Product Score
4 / 5
Learn More

Multiplier

Multiplier tackles global payroll by operating its own employment entities across major markets. This means direct control over how payroll, local taxes, and compliance are processed. For organizations processing payroll in multiple currencies and jurisdictions, this architectural approach reduces execution delays and embeds compliance logic into the platform itself.
Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Visit Website

Multiplier

Multiplier tackles global payroll by operating its own employment entities across major markets. This means direct control over how payroll, local taxes, and compliance are processed. For organizations processing payroll in multiple currencies and jurisdictions, this architectural approach reduces execution delays and embeds compliance logic into the platform itself.
Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.3 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Learn More

Papaya Global

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.
Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Visit Website

Papaya Global

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.
Popularity Score
4.3 / 5
User Score
4.5 / 5
Product Score
4.4 / 5
Learn More

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.
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5
Visit Website

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.
Popularity Score
4.2 / 5
User Score
4.2 / 5
Product Score
4.1 / 5
Learn More

Who shouldn't buy Deel

Deel might be a bit pricey for companies who want to use their Employer of Record services, which start at $599. And since this vendor is best suited for teams engaged in multinational or multistate hiring and payroll, it’s less ideal for organizations without such needs.

Deel Customers

Deel serves over 10,000 customers, including big names like Nike, Shopify, Dropbox, Notion, Reddit, and Airtable. Their client roster also has a strong contingent of SMBs and start-ups.

Deel: Balance between EOR & Contractor focus
visit Deel

Deel Key Features

  • Employee Onboarding & Offboarding: Deel claims that you can “onboard or offboard anyone in minutes” with its platform. Collect and send documents, background checks, and other necessary documents to maintain compliance.‍
  • Global Payroll: Operate payroll for contractors and full-time employees alike in over 90 countries. Deel has entities in over 200 countries with in-house payroll experts who can provide direct, country-specific support. Deel also provides tax services to make paying taxes a breeze. It almost goes without saying, but you can pay international employees in their currencies of choice.
  • Employer of Record: For countries where your company does not have a local entity, Deel offers EOR services and can hire employees on your behalf.‍
  • Global HR Management Tool: Deel HR combines onboarding, time off, expenses, documents, compensation changes, and more in its user-friendly self-serve platform. Additionally, they also offer org charts and searchable personnel directories.‍‍
  • In-house Open API: Deel can help leverage your existing tech stack to automate tedious and time-consuming HR operations like contract creation, timesheet syncing, and more.

Deel Key Integrations

Deel offers pre-built integrations with 15+ HRIS, accounting, and ATS platforms like Quickbooks, Bamboo, Greenhouse, and more. According to their website, an integration with Lever is coming soon. The Deel API allows HR managers to build custom integrations to automate across their tech setups.

Deel Pricing

Deel offers pricing tailored to specific business needs across its products:

  • Deel Contractor: $49/month, covering compliance, payments, and contractor management in 150+ countries.
  • Deel EOR (Employer of Record): $599/month, enabling international hiring without an entity, including payroll, taxes, and benefits in 150+ countries.
  • Deel Payroll (Global Payroll): $29 per employee/month, for payroll services in businesses with existing entities across multiple countries.
  • Deel US Payroll: Custom pricing, for US-specific payroll, tax calculations, and compliance across all states (no current public starting rate).
  • Deel US PEO: $95 per employee/month, for HR, payroll, and benefits in the US under a co-employment model.
  • Deel Engage: $20 per employee/month, for performance, learning, career, and feedback management tools.
  • Deel IT: Pricing varies by module (insufficient public data to quote a single flat rate), for device lifecycle management, app provisioning, security, and IT support.
  • Deel HR: $5 per employee/month, offering global HR management, compliance, and automation tools.
  • Deel Immigration: Custom pricing for relocation, visa sponsorship, and immigration management in 40+ countries.

Custom quotes are available for enterprise and specialized needs.

Deel is Best For

Deel is best for SMBs that are growing and want to explore different global markets and talent pools, though there is also a large market for mid-market and enterprise companies.

How has Deel Changed Over Time?

As a new product, Deel has changed a lot since its inception. Its newest offering, DeelHR, allows companies to complete most of their HR operations tasks in Deel.

Deel Implementation

Deel is quite quick to implement if you choose to hire people solely as contractors. It’s somewhat of a self-service process if you go at it like this, but we do recommend getting a demo and emailing their support team as much as you need, especially if it’s your first time setting up a global payroll solution for a remote team.

You’d start by signing up, inviting team members to join, and having them onboard themselves by signing a contract, validating their ID, and choosing a fund withdrawal method. We found the process to be quite straightforward. One notable thing is how strong the platform is with GDPR compliance and security. For instance, they send a verification code each time you sign in, right to your email, which is far more convenient than having to use a separate app for it.

For the EOR part, implementation is more complex, but you certainly get more hand-holding from the Deel team in the process. So, you’d get an estimated timeline upon beginning.

Deel Customer Success

Deel has a fairly comprehensive searchable FAQ section accessible to current and prospective customers. For current clients, they offer 100% in-house support with a 1.25 min first response time from local country experts. Additionally, they have a large database of video tutorials explaining how to utilize their software.

About Deel

Deel was founded in 2019 by Shuo Wang and Alex Bouaziz. After they graduated from MIT in 2014, the pair began to notice a common occurrence among their friends; they would get rejected from high-skilled jobs that they were great fits for only because of visa and immigration hurdles.

Years later, as the trend continued to hold true, they decided to create an EOR and couple it with the right tech that could let people hire an employee overseas in a few minutes. As they say around the Bay Area, where the company was founded, they ate their own dog food, using Deel to hire people wherever they needed.

The product continued to expand with the vision of becoming a global HR and payroll platform. Their payroll services are now available in 100+ countries while contractor management are in over 150 countries.

As of this writing, Deel has grown to 4,500+ employees across 110 countries, with an ARR of over $500 million.

Company HQ

SF Bay Area

Number of Employees

4,500+ employees across 110 countries

Year Founded

2019

Amount Raised

Series D, current total raised $679M

FAQ

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Deel Alternatives

Native Teams

Low-cost global payroll for contractors, employees, and gig workers

Popularity score
4.5 / 5
user score
4.5 / 5
Product score
4.5 / 5
Paycom

Best for U.S. companies expanding into select global markets

Popularity score
4.2 / 5
user score
3.9 / 5
Product score
4 / 5
Multiplier

Best for growing teams seeking multi-country payroll compliance

Popularity score
4.7 / 5
user score
4.3 / 5
Product score
4.4 / 5
Papaya Global

Optimal for automating payroll in multiple EORs from one hub

Popularity score
4.2 / 5
user score
4.5 / 5
Product score
4.4 / 5
Rippling

Ideal for combining global payroll & a fully-fledged HRMS

Popularity score
4.8 / 5
user score
4.2 / 5
Product score
4.1 / 5
ADP

Best for global payroll processing and HR at large enterprises

Popularity score
4.3 / 5
user score
4 / 5
Product score
4.1 / 5

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