KMC Solutions is the closest thing to a “true local partner” that we evaluated. Whereas many global EOR platforms manage Philippine employment from abroad, KMC operates fully within the country, with HR, payroll, and compliance teams who handle these tasks every day. That proximity translates to a level of nuance that software-first providers rarely match, especially when it comes to government agencies, labor inspections, and employee relations.

In our testing and interviews, KMC showed particular strength in handling real-world HR scenarios: answering employee concerns, navigating regularization, interpreting company policy under local law, and managing documentation during performance issues or sensitive disputes.

KMC’s experience also shows in the way it manages payroll and benefits. The company has long-standing processes for SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG filings, and employers told us that remittances were accurate and predictable. The ability to speak directly with a Philippine payroll specialist (rather than submitting a ticket to a global queue) was repeatedly cited as a key benefit, especially during onboarding or months with unusual compensation adjustments.

The drawback is that KMC is not built like Deel or Papaya Global. The platform is functional but less polished, and reporting tools feel more utilitarian than sleek. Some employers may find that workflows rely more on coordinated communication than on self-service automation. For companies that simply want a fast, digital-first solution, these differences can feel like friction rather than value.