How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- GitLab and Automattic are the longest-running all-remote employers here, with public handbooks and distributed teams across many countries.
- Zapier, Buffer, and Doist suit people who prefer async work and written communication over back-to-back video calls.
- Toptal is not a traditional employer, since it matches vetted freelancers with clients, so it fits independent professionals better than job seekers who want a salary role.
- Pay policy matters as much as location freedom, so check whether a company adjusts pay by location or uses one band for a role worldwide.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 GitLab | All-remote engineering and product roles | See website | Yes |
 Automattic | Distributed product and support work | See website | Yes |
 Zapier | Async automation and support roles | See website | Yes |
 Buffer | Transparent social media and engineering work | See website | Yes |
 Doist | Small async product teams | See website | Yes |
 Toptal | Vetted freelance client work | See website | Yes |
 Shopify | Digital-by-default commerce roles | See website | Yes |
 Dropbox | Virtual-first product and design roles | See website | Yes |
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The best remote companies to work for
#1GitLab
Best for: All-remote engineering and product roles4.5/5 on
G2 (902 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit about.gitlab.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
GitLab is often the first name in any remote work discussion, and the reason is documentation. Its public handbook covers how teams communicate, how decisions are made, and how pay bands are structured, so a candidate can learn a lot before applying. Engineering, product, security, and go-to-market roles are hired across many countries, with async work as the default.
That openness comes with a trade-off. GitLab expects clear written communication, and interviews often include written exercises and several stages. People who prefer quick verbal decisions may find the pace slow. If you write well and like a clear, documented process, GitLab is a strong first application.
What we like- Fully remote since its early years
- Public handbook
- Roles across many countries
Watch out for- Written, async hiring process can feel long
- Documentation-heavy culture is not for everyone
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Automattic builds WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Tumblr, and related products with a team spread across more than 90 countries. The company has worked in a distributed way since it began, so remote work is part of its structure rather than a recent policy. Roles cover engineering, design, support, marketing, and operations.
Hiring often includes a trial project, which gives both sides a realistic view of the work but adds weeks to the process. Support work can also include shifts outside normal weekday hours. For candidates who want a large, stable product company without an office requirement, Automattic remains one of the most credible options.
What we like- Distributed since 2005
- Products used by millions
- Home office and meetup support
Watch out for- Hiring includes a paid trial project that takes time
- Support roles include weekend coverage in some teams
#3Zapier
Best for: Async automation and support roles4.5/5 on
G2 (2,088 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zapier.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Zapier helps people connect apps and automate routine work, and its own team works in the same async style. The company publishes much of its remote guidance, and managers are expected to write decisions down rather than rely on meetings. That suits people in different time zones who want focused work time.
The company is smaller than GitLab or Shopify, so the number of open roles at any moment is lower. Candidates should also expect a careful interview process with practical exercises. If you value quiet work time and a product that serves small businesses as well as larger teams, Zapier deserves a close look.
What we like- All-remote and async-first
- Clear documentation culture
- Roles in engineering, support, and marketing
Watch out for- Smaller team than the largest tech employers
- Fewer in-person meetups than some rivals
#4Buffer
Best for: Transparent social media and engineering work4.3/5 on
G2 (1,041 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit buffer.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Buffer builds social media planning and publishing tools, and it is known for sharing salary details and company revenue in public. That transparency helps candidates judge pay fairness before they apply, and it sets clear expectations about how the company makes decisions. Engineering, product, marketing, and customer advocacy roles appear most often.
The main limit is size. Buffer is a much smaller company than the others on this list, so openings are fewer and competition can be strong. The product focus also means fewer roles outside social media and related areas. For people who want a calm, open culture over rapid growth, Buffer is a good match.
What we like- Publishes salary formulas and revenue information
- Small, focused team
- Remote-first culture
Watch out for- Small team means fewer openings
- Social media focus limits role variety
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Doist makes Todoist and Twist, two tools built around task management and async team communication. The team is distributed across more than 30 countries, and it avoids meetings where a written update will do. That makes it attractive for people who do their best work with long, uninterrupted blocks of time.
Doist hires slowly, and most roles are in engineering, design, and support for its two products. If you want a large company with many internal moves, this is not the right fit. If you want a small team where your work is visible and meetings are rare, Doist is worth watching for openings.
What we like- Async by design
- Small team with clear products
- Strong focus on deep work
Watch out for- Very small team
- Hiring is infrequent
- Limited role types
#6Toptal
Best for: Vetted freelance client work4.7/5 on
G2 (270 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit toptal.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Toptal is different from the employers above because it is a talent network, not a single company hiring staff. Freelancers in software, design, finance, and project management pass a screening process, then get matched with clients for project work. That model suits experienced professionals who want control over which projects they take.
The screening is demanding, and not every applicant is accepted. Income also depends on project flow, so it is less predictable than a salary. Toptal is best for people who already have a strong portfolio and want remote client work without finding every client themselves.
What we like- Access to vetted client projects
- Remote work from anywhere
- Varied industries
Watch out for- Screening is strict
- Work is project-based, not salaried employment
- Income can vary
#7Shopify
Best for: Digital-by-default commerce roles4.4/5 on
G2 (5,144 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit shopify.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Shopify moved to a digital-by-default model, which means most roles are remote by design rather than by exception. The company builds commerce tools used by merchants of many sizes, so engineering, product, design, data, and support roles are all part of the hiring mix. Scale is a real advantage here, with more openings and more internal teams than at smaller remote firms.
Remote does not always mean fully location-free at Shopify. Some roles still favor certain regions or time zones for collaboration, so read each posting carefully. The hiring process at a company of this size can also take several weeks. For candidates who want remote work inside a large product company, Shopify is a practical choice.
What we like- Large product surface
- Digital-by-default policy
- Roles across engineering, design, and operations
Watch out for- Some roles are tied to specific hubs or time zones
- Large-company processes can feel slow
#8Dropbox
Best for: Virtual-first product and design roles4.4/5 on
G2 (31,453 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit dropbox.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Dropbox describes itself as virtual-first, with remote work as the default and physical studios used for planned collaboration rather than daily attendance. That model suits product, design, and engineering staff who want home-based work with occasional in-person sessions. The company is best known for file storage and collaboration, so related product areas dominate hiring.
Candidates should check location notes on each role, since some teams still value proximity to a studio for certain sessions. Dropbox also hires fewer roles than the largest tech companies, so timing matters. If you like a clear virtual-first policy with some structured in-person time, Dropbox fits well.
What we like- Virtual-first model
- Studios for in-person collaboration
- Strong design and product culture
Watch out for- Some roles require time near a studio city
- Product focus is narrower than a general tech giant
How we chose
We reviewed company career pages, public handbooks, and current reporting on remote policies, and we favored employers with a sustained remote model rather than a temporary policy. We included a mix of large product companies, smaller async teams, and one talent network, because remote job seekers have different goals. We also noted where pay transparency, hiring pace, or location limits change what remote actually means in practice.
What to check before you apply
Remote on a job posting does not always mean the same thing. Some companies allow work from anywhere in a country, others allow work worldwide, and some still expect you near a hub for tax or collaboration reasons. Read the location line, the time zone note, and the benefits section before you spend time on an application.
Pay, time zones, and benefits
Ask whether pay is adjusted by location, whether benefits differ by country, and how the company handles equipment and home office costs. A higher headline salary can mean less once location adjustments and contractor status are factored in. Also check core hours, because a team spread across continents may still expect overlap during part of your day.
Hiring pace and trial work
All-remote companies often use written exercises, trial projects, or longer interview loops. That is normal, but it takes time. Apply to a small set of companies at once, keep notes on each stage, and treat a trial project as a chance to judge the manager and the work, not only as a test you must pass.
Culture fit in writing
Async companies judge written communication heavily. Your application, your interview answers, and your trial work all show how clearly you write. If you prefer phone calls and quick verbal decisions, a meeting-heavy hybrid company may suit you better than a handbook-first remote team, even if both list remote roles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between remote-first and remote-friendly?
Remote-first means remote work is the default way the company operates, with documentation and processes built for distributed teams. Remote-friendly often means some roles are remote while the main culture still centers on an office, so check each posting rather than trusting the label alone.
Do remote companies pay less than office companies?
Some adjust pay by location, while others use one band for a role regardless of where you live. GitLab and Buffer publish pay information that makes this easier to check, but many companies share exact bands only during hiring, so ask early in the process.
Is Toptal a good choice for a first remote job?
Toptal suits experienced freelancers with a strong portfolio, because screening is strict and work is project-based. New graduates and career changers usually get a steadier start in a salaried remote role at a product company, where training and mentorship are built in.
How long does hiring take at all-remote companies?
It often takes three to eight weeks, including written exercises or trial projects. That pace reflects async decision making and multiple reviewers, not a lack of interest, so keep other applications moving while you wait.
Can I work from any country for these companies?
Not always. Tax, employment law, and time zone needs limit where a company can hire, even when a role is labeled remote. Check the eligible locations on the posting, and confirm contractor versus employee status if you live outside the company's main hiring countries.
Should I apply if I have no remote experience?
Yes, if you can show clear written communication, self-directed work, and results from past roles. Mention projects you led without daily supervision, tools you used for async updates, and how you handled time zone differences with teammates or clients.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://about.gitlab.com
- https://www.automattic.com
- https://www.zapier.com
- https://www.buffer.com
- https://www.doist.com
- https://www.toptal.com
- https://www.shopify.com
- https://www.dropbox.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.