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Deel is a popular platform that helps businesses hire, onboard, and pay employees worldwide. As an employer of record (EOR), Deel takes on payroll, compliance, and other HR tasks, particularly in countries where businesses lack a legal entity or local expertise.
When it comes to EORs, Deel may be well-known, but depending on your organization’s goals, it might not be the best fit. Maybe you need more flexibility on contract terms or faster customer support. Or maybe you’re looking for an EOR that’s built for long-term partnership, not just quick transactions. Either way, it’s worth comparing your options before you commit.
In this guide, we’ll explain what to look for in an employer of record (EOR), why some companies explore alternatives to Deel, and how seven top Deel competitors compare regarding features, pricing, and global support.
7 top Deel competitors
If Deel’s cost feels too high, or you’ve found the platform harder to navigate than expected, here are seven strong alternatives to consider:
1. Oyster
Oyster is a leading Deel alternative for EOR and payroll services, enabling you to onboard full-time employees and contractors in over 180 countries and supporting payments in 140+ currencies. Built specifically for remote-first teams, the platform includes compliant onboarding, hiring templates, and localized guidance—plus salary insights and cost calculators to help plan compensation across markets. Oyster is also known for its fast onboarding, which can be as quick as 48 hours (depending on the country). Pricing is transparent and starts at $699 monthly per team member, with plans that include access to dedicated customer support and tools for hiring both employees and independent contractors.
2. Globalization Partners (G-P)
G-P also offers EOR services in more than 180 countries, allowing companies to hire internationally without setting up local entities. The platform covers onboarding, payroll, and compliance as well as features for managing country-specific taxes, PTO, and offboarding. G-P doesn’t list its pricing online, so you'll have to contact them for a custom quote based on your hiring needs and locations.
3. Multiplier
Designed with startups and tech companies in mind, Multiplier delivers fast onboarding, localized employee benefits, and multicurrency payroll in over 150 countries. The platform also stands out for its intuitive interface and strong coverage in emerging markets such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—regions where many global teams look to scale quickly. It’s one of the more budget-friendly EOR options, with plans starting at $400 monthly.
4. Papaya Global
Papaya Global is an EOR that specializes in AI-powered payroll and workforce management, supporting compensation and compliance in 160+ countries. The platform includes automated multicurrency payments, compliance alerts, and reporting tools. EOR plans start at $599 monthly.
5. Remote
Remote offers international hiring, contractor management, and payroll with country-specific guidance and compliance support. It’s a good fit for businesses looking for custom reporting, though some users report limitations around invoice deadlines and analytics. EOR pricing starts at $699 monthly
6. Rippling
Rippling stands out as an EOR for bundling HR, payroll, and benefits management—including 401(k) and healthcare—into one platform. You can compare plans, get quotes, and manage enrollments directly in the app. However, pricing isn’t listed online, and costs may be high for smaller teams.
7. Velocity Global
Velocity Global combines EOR and contractor management in more than 185 countries, offering flexible contracts and localized benefits. Businesses get access to compliance expertise and a clean user interface, though reviews on support are mixed. Expect custom quotes, with EOR pricing typically starting around $599 per month.
What should you look for in an EOR?
The EOR you choose directly impacts how quickly and successfully you can expand across borders. You need more than just software. You need a partner that helps you manage payroll, benefits, and compliance without slowing you down. Here are a few things to look for as you compare your options:
Simple and user-friendly interface
Payroll, hiring, and people ops tools should be simple to navigate—not something your team dreads logging into. A clean, intuitive platform saves time for you and your team, so you can spend less time on admin work and more time moving your business forward.
Features and functions
Basics like onboarding, offboarding, payroll, and benefits are table stakes. Look for extra features that actually help you grow. For example, Oyster includes legal support for visa sponsorships and insights to help you build competitive, fair compensation packages. The right EOR should feel like it was built with your team in mind.
Fast and compliant onboarding and offboarding
Your EOR should make hiring and offboarding smooth for you and your team members. That means having clear documentation, localized processes, and built-in compliance with country-specific laws at every step.
Dedicated customer support
When questions come up, you shouldn’t have to bounce between random contacts. Choose an EOR that offers dedicated account managers or named support reps, so you have one go-to person who understands your business and can help you quickly when you need it.
Cost and pricing
Pricing should be clear and predictable with no hidden fees. The cost should fit your budget today and continue to work for you as your team grows.
Scalability and global reach
If you’re building an international team, make sure your EOR actually operates in the countries where you hire. Ask about their legal expertise, local contract templates, and ability to keep up with changing employment laws. Your EOR should be ready to grow with you, wherever your business goes next.
Discover the ultimate alternative for hiring globally
Oyster goes beyond traditional EOR services with built-in compliance and expert support in more than 180 countries. You’ll get local insights, legal expertise, and hands-on help to hire, pay, and support talent anywhere without adding complexity to your operations.
Ready to make global hiring simpler? Book a demo to see how Oyster can help you manage payroll, benefits, and compliance for your distributed team—all in one easy-to-use platform.
FAQs
How does Oyster compare to Deel?
Both Oyster and Deel offer EOR services, but Oyster stands out with dedicated customer support, clear pricing, and an intuitive platform that keeps global hiring, payroll, and benefits compliant across 180+ countries. Oyster provides dedicated account managers and a partnership approach that helps businesses scale without getting lost in generic support channels.
Which are considered the best platforms for international payroll and compliance?
Some of the top-rated EOR platforms include Oyster, Remote, Papaya Global, and Rippling. Oyster ranks among the best for its global network of legal experts, ethical compliance practices, and hands-on customer support.
How do I switch EORs?
If your current EOR isn’t meeting your needs, it’s worth making a change. While switching EORs might seem complicated, Oyster’s migration experts make the process easy. You’ll get help transferring contracts, maintaining payroll continuity, and staying compliant every step of the way.
Do I need a local office to use an EOR?
No. One of the biggest benefits of using an EOR like Oyster is that you can hire anywhere without opening local offices. Oyster’s platform helps you manage remote hiring, payroll, and compliance, backed by local legal experts and dedicated support when you need it.
About Oyster
Oyster is a global employment platform designed to enable visionary HR leaders to find, engage, pay, manage, develop, and take care of a thriving distributed workforce. Oyster lets growing companies give valued international team members the experience they deserve, without the usual headaches and expense.
Oyster enables hiring anywhere in the world—with reliable, compliant payroll, and great local benefits and perks.
