Tools for Remote Work
Working remotely across borders requires more than a laptop and an internet connection.
Legal, financial, and operational constraints vary significantly by country, employer, and contract type. The tools used to manage these constraints can materially affect whether long-term remote work is practical or sustainable.
This page provides an overview of the main categories of tools commonly used by remote professionals and distributed teams.
Categories of Tools We Cover
We focus on tools that address the structural and operational aspects of global remote work, including:
- Payroll and Employer of Record (EOR) services
- Banking and international money management
- Insurance and healthcare platforms
- Compliance and tax support tools
- Connectivity and infrastructure services
- Team collaboration and security software
Coverage is based on relevance to long-term or cross-border work rather than short-term travel.
Payroll and Employer of Record (EOR)
For individuals working for foreign companies, or for organisations hiring internationally, payroll and compliance tools are often essential.
These services may help with:
- Local employment contracts
- Salary payments in different currencies
- Tax withholding and reporting
- Benefits administration
- Labour law compliance
EOR platforms are commonly used when a company does not have a legal entity in an employee’s country of residence.
Banking and Financial Tools
Remote professionals often need to manage income, expenses, and taxes across multiple countries.
Common use cases include:
- Receiving salary from foreign employers
- Holding balances in multiple currencies
- Reducing international transfer fees
- Separating personal and business finances
Banking tools vary widely in terms of regulatory coverage, fees, and geographic availability.
Insurance and Healthcare Platforms
Insurance requirements for remote workers differ from standard travel insurance.
Tools in this category may include:
- Long-term international health insurance
- Coverage for multiple countries
- Flexible start and end dates
- Emergency and routine medical care access
More detailed comparisons are available in our Insurance section.
Compliance and Tax Support
Working from another country can trigger tax residency, reporting, or social security obligations.
Some tools and services aim to assist with:
- Personal tax filing across jurisdictions
- Contractor vs employee classification
- Permanent establishment risk
- Documentation and reporting
These services are not substitutes for professional advice but can help manage complexity.
Connectivity and Infrastructure
Reliable connectivity is a basic requirement for remote work, but availability and quality vary by location.
Tools in this category may include:
- International mobile data services
- VPN providers
- Network security platforms
- Remote device management tools
Infrastructure constraints are often location-specific and should be evaluated alongside visa and legal considerations.
Team Collaboration and Security
Distributed teams frequently rely on tools for:
- Project management
- Secure file sharing
- Identity and access management
- Internal communication
Security requirements often increase when teams operate across borders and jurisdictions.
How Tools Are Evaluated
Tools referenced on Work From Anywhere are selected based on:
- Relevance to long-term or cross-border work
- Geographic coverage
- Regulatory and compliance considerations
- Practical use cases
- Transparency around pricing and limitations
More information is available on our How We Recommend page.
Tool Comparisons and Reviews
Where appropriate, we publish:
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Category overviews
- Use-case specific guides
These are designed to explain trade-offs and constraints rather than promote a single solution.
Updates
Tools and regulations change frequently.
We aim to review key categories periodically and update content when material changes occur.
A curated list of commonly used tools is available on our Resources page.