Deel: Best global coverage

Deel supports 190+ countries. At $599/month per EOR employee and $49 per contractor (with a free HRIS), it offers the widest geographical footprint for highly distributed teams.

Remote: IP protection focus

Remote operates in 80+ countries with similar pricing ($599/month EOR, $29 contractor) but focuses heavily on IP protection, making it ideal for tech and IP-heavy companies.

Rippling: US-first scaling

Rippling is US-first and best for US-HQ teams scaling quickly, offering a full HRIS, payroll, and IT management suite in one premium package. For contractor-only setups, platforms like Plane or Gusto Global might be more cost-effective.

Frequently asked questions

Does using an EOR create permanent establishment risk?

Using an EOR mitigates standard employment compliance risk, but permanent establishment depends on the nature of the work the employee does (e.g., signing contracts on your behalf).

Can a bootstrapped startup afford EOR for one hire?

Yes, but the $599/month overhead is significant. Many startups begin with contractor agreements via Deel or Remote before converting to EOR when compliance or benefits require it.