Ten providers that can employ someone in another country for you, so you don't need a company of your own there: their published prices for employees and contractors, the countries they say they cover, and what to ask before you sign.
Starting prices, and their own claims. These are the "from" prices on each provider's own site (Rippling only quotes); the price you pay is usually set by quote and depends on the country. Country counts and "own entities" are what each company says about itself, and we haven't checked them.
What an employer of record does
It becomes the legal employer of your person in their country, while you direct their day-to-day work.
It runs the payroll, tax withholding, benefits and local employment rules, and invoices you.
It is mostly used where you have no company of your own in that country.
Core plan USD 459 per person a month billed annually, or USD 499 monthly. Growth plan USD 519 or USD 559.
Contractors
USD 40 per contractor a month, billed annually; contractor of record USD 399 to 400.
Terms
No minimum headcount and no minimum contract term. Its FAQ says there are no setup, onboarding or offboarding fees, though its pricing page mentions implementation fees "as applicable".
Also offers
Benefits, IT equipment, background checks and immigration support, as extras. Three months free for new customers, until 31 December.
Countries
160+ countries. Says it uses its own entities in every country.
USD 599 per employee a month. Its pricing page says local compliance, payroll and benefits administration are in the quoted price.
Contractors
USD 49 per contractor a month; contractor of record USD 325.
Terms
Month-to-month pricing with no long-term commitment, its FAQ says.
Free tier
Deel's blog says its HR software is free for any business, but its HR software page starts it at USD 5 per employee a month. Check before you count on it.
From USD 599 per employee a month (CA$810 on its Canadian page), with no base platform fee.
Contractors
From USD 29 per contractor a month, only for contractors you work with that month. USD 99 with up to USD 100,000 of indemnity per contractor; contractor of record USD 325.
Startups
15% off for 12 months, and no deposit or setup fees for pre-seed to Series A companies.
Not stated
Its pricing page asks whether it requires deposits, but the answer didn't load for us. One review site lists USD 699 with discounts for annual plans; Remote's own page doesn't say whether USD 599 needs a yearly commitment.
Countries
90+ countries for employees. Says "100% owned entities, no third parties".
From USD 599 per employee a month; USD 399 for eligible NGOs.
Contractors
Its agent of record service is USD 199 per contractor a month, plus a USD 99 assessment fee credited if you go ahead.
Extras
Visa sponsorship is charged per visa on top of the fee. Extra benefit premiums cost more. Currency is converted at the OANDA rate plus a disclosed markup.
Switching
It offers free migration from another employer of record.
Countries
160+ countries. Says it employs through its own entities in 160+ countries.
USD 650 per employee a month, or EUR 650 in Europe, on its own pricing page (read 16 October 2026). A pricing tracker had recorded USD 499 in August 2026.
Contractors
USD 5 per contractor a month, from the same tracker.
How it works
Its own page says it partners with leading employer of record companies; we found no claim that it employs through entities of its own.
Not stated
Deposits, setup fees and annual billing.
Countries
160+ countries. Says "we partner with leading EOR companies".
Oyster asks for a refundable deposit per employee. Remote waives deposits and setup fees for early-stage startups. Most others don't publish a policy, so ask.
What does the fee include?
Deel says compliance, payroll and benefits administration are in the price. Oyster sells benefits and visa support as add-ons, and Atlas charges per visa.
Own company or a partner?
Several say they employ through their own companies; Papaya says it partners with other providers; Oyster and Skuad say they use both. Ask which applies in the country you need.
How long are you tied in?
Deel is month to month, and Multiplier and G-P say there is no minimum term. Multiplier and Oyster cost less on annual billing.
Can it sponsor a visa?
Some help with visas for a fee. Bird & Bird says that in the UK an employer of record cannot sponsor a work visa at all.
Does it settle your tax risk?
Not always. Bird & Bird warns that in many countries using an employer of record does not remove the risk of a taxable presence, and some countries restrict supplying staff this way.
