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
- Deel and Remote lead on platform automation and owned-entity coverage, with published EOR pricing around $599 per employee per month.
- Papaya Global suits finance-led teams that need payroll analytics across many countries, while Oyster suits remote-first teams that want a simpler setup.
- Multiplier and Remofirst-style pricing show that lower-cost EOR options exist, but check whether coverage in your target countries uses owned entities or local partners.
- G-P and Velocity Global suit larger or regulated employers that need deep compliance support and are willing to work on a custom quote.
- Rippling is the strongest pick if you also want US HR, IT, and finance in one system, rather than a standalone EOR service.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
Deel | fast global hiring at scale | $599 per employee per month | No |
Remote | distributed teams with owned entities | $599 per employee per month | No |
Papaya Global | payroll analytics and reporting | $499 per employee per month | No |
Oyster | remote-first small and mid-size teams | $599 per employee per month | No |
G-P | large enterprises with broad coverage | See website | No |
Multiplier | cost-conscious growth in many countries | $400 per employee per month | No |
Rippling | unified HR, IT, and global payroll | See website | No |
Velocity Global (Pebl) | regulated industries and complex hires | See website | No |
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The best Safeguard Global alternatives
#1Deel
Best for: fast global hiring at scale4.7/5 on
G2 (6,959 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit deel.com
Starting price$599 per employee per month
Free planNo
Deel is the most widely used alternative to Safeguard Global for teams that want to hire quickly. Contracts, onboarding, payroll, and compliance run through one dashboard, and the platform connects with common HR and accounting tools. That automation matters when you hire in five countries at once and cannot manage five local processes by email.
Coverage reaches 150 or more countries, with a mix of owned entities and local partners. Contractor management sits beside EOR in the same account, which helps companies that start with contractors and later convert some of them to employees. Deel also handles payments in many currencies, which keeps payroll simpler for finance teams.
The price is the main limit. At $599 per employee per month, Deel is not a budget EOR, and benefits packages differ by country, so the headline price does not tell the full cost of a hire. For a first hire in one country, a cheaper provider may be enough. For a team hiring across many countries at speed, Deel is a strong default.
What we like- Broad country coverage
- Strong automation and integrations
- Contractor management in the same platform
Watch out for- EOR price is at the higher end for small teams
- Benefits vary by country
- Support quality can vary by local partner
#2Remote
Best for: distributed teams with owned entities4.5/5 on
G2 (5,000 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit remote.com
Starting price$599 per employee per month
Free planNo
Remote built its name on owning entities in many countries rather than relying only on partners. That model gives Remote more direct control over payroll, taxes, and compliance, and it reduces the variation that partner models can create. For employers, the result is a more consistent experience for workers in different countries.
The platform also covers contractor management, benefits, and equity incentives, which helps startups that offer stock options to international hires. Employees get a clear portal for payslips, time off, and documents, which cuts support questions for small HR teams. Remote lists coverage in 180 or more countries in recent comparisons, though the exact count changes as entities open.
Remote is priced at $599 per employee per month in recent published comparisons, matching Deel. Choose Remote when owned-entity control matters more than the lowest price, and when you want one provider for employees and contractors. Choose a cheaper option if you hire in only one or two low-complexity countries.
What we like- Extensive owned-entity network
- Clear employee experience
- Equity and IP protection features
Watch out for- Same headline price as Deel
- Onboarding can take one to two weeks in some countries
- Benefits are standardised in many locations
#3Papaya Global
Best for: payroll analytics and reporting4.5/5 on
G2 (55 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit papayaglobal.com
Starting price$499 per employee per month
Free planNo
Papaya Global started as a global payroll platform, and that history shows in its reporting. Finance teams get a clear view of payroll costs, liabilities, and headcount across countries, which helps with budgeting and audits. That strength matters most when payroll, not just hiring, is the daily pain.
EOR coverage reaches 160 or more countries, with local partners handling employment in many locations. Papaya also offers contractor management and workforce analytics, so a company can manage employees, contractors, and payroll data in one place. Recent comparisons list Papaya from $499 per employee per month, below Deel and Remote.
The trade-off is control. A partner-led model can mean slower answers in a complex country and less room to customise benefits. Papaya suits finance-led teams that value reporting and already run payroll across entities. Teams that need deep local HR support in a regulated market may prefer G-P or Velocity Global.
What we like- Strong payroll analytics and reporting
- Coverage in 160 or more countries
- Good fit for finance-led operations
Watch out for- Partner-reliant model in many countries
- Benefits are less customised than some rivals
- Pricing varies by plan and volume
#4Oyster
Best for: remote-first small and mid-size teams4.4/5 on
G2 (1,611 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit oysterhr.com
Starting price$599 per employee per month
Free planNo
Oyster is designed for companies that were remote from day one. Onboarding is guided, documents are central, and managers can see hiring status without chasing a provider by email. That simplicity helps small teams without a dedicated global HR specialist.
Coverage is broad, at 180 or more countries in recent comparisons, with a mix of owned and partner entities. Oyster is also a certified B Corporation, which appeals to companies that weigh social impact in vendor choice. The platform covers EOR, contractor management, and benefits, though benefits depth varies by country.
Pricing is a watch point. Recent comparisons list Oyster at $599 to $699 per employee per month, so confirm the current rate for your countries before you budget. Oyster fits remote-first teams that want a clean setup and are willing to pay a mid-range price. Larger enterprises with complex compliance needs may need a more service-heavy provider.
What we like- Simple onboarding for remote teams
- Coverage in 180 or more countries
- Clear interface for employees and managers
Watch out for- Headline price has risen in recent comparisons
- Benefits are standardised in many countries
- Enterprise features are lighter than G-P
#5G-P
Best for: large enterprises with broad coverage4.4/5 on
G2 (1,072 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit g-p.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
G-P, formerly Globalization Partners, is one of the oldest EOR providers. That history brings a large entity network and processes built for large, regulated employers. Companies hiring in many countries, including complex labour markets, often choose G-P for compliance depth rather than for the lowest price.
The platform covers hiring, onboarding, payroll, and benefits, with analytics for global workforce planning. G-P also offers contractor management and support for equity and benefits in many locations. For a multinational with an existing HR team, G-P can act as a steady compliance backbone rather than a self-serve tool.
The main drawback is transparency. G-P does not publish a simple EOR rate, so budgeting needs a sales conversation and a country-by-country quote. Small teams hiring one or two people may find Deel or Multiplier faster and cheaper. Enterprises that need proven coverage and legal depth will find G-P worth the quote process.
What we like- Long history as an EOR pioneer
- Broad coverage in 180 or more countries
- Deep enterprise compliance infrastructure
Watch out for- Pricing is quote only
- Setup can feel heavier than platform-first rivals
- Smaller teams may pay for capacity they do not use
#6Multiplier
Best for: cost-conscious growth in many countries4.7/5 on
G2 (1,494 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit multiplier.com
Starting price$400 per employee per month
Free planNo
Multiplier appeals to companies that need EOR coverage without paying $599 per head. Recent comparisons list it from about $400 per employee per month, with lower rates on annual billing in some listings. That gap adds up fast: on ten hires, the saving against a $599 provider can exceed $20,000 per year before benefits and taxes.
Coverage reaches 150 or more countries, with particular strength in Asia-Pacific markets. The platform covers contracts, payroll, benefits, and compliance, and onboarding is designed to be quick for standard hires. Multiplier also supports multi-currency payments, which helps teams paying workers in different regions.
The limit is the partner model. In countries where Multiplier uses a local partner, service quality and benefits options can differ from countries with direct coverage. Check the model for your specific countries, and ask about onboarding time and benefits before you sign. For cost-conscious growth in standard markets, Multiplier is a strong value pick.
What we like- Lower starting price than Deel and Remote
- Coverage in 150 or more countries
- Strength in Asia-Pacific markets
Watch out for- Partner model in many countries
- Pricing varies by billing term
- Support depth varies by location
#7Rippling
Best for: unified HR, IT, and global payroll4.8/5 on
G2 (13,464 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit rippling.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Rippling differs from most tools here because EOR is one module in a much larger system. US companies can run payroll, benefits, device management, and app access in Rippling, then add global EOR for international hires in the same account. That single system removes the need to sync employee data across three or four tools.
Workflow automation is the core strength. Rippling can trigger device orders, app access, and payroll changes from one hire event, which cuts manual work for operations teams. Global coverage reaches 185 or more countries in recent comparisons, with a mix of owned and partner entities.
Rippling does not publish a simple EOR rate, so you need a quote to compare it with Deel or Remote. It also makes most sense if you will use the wider HR and IT features. If you only need EOR for two hires and already have a US HR system, a standalone provider may be simpler and cheaper.
What we like- One system for HR, IT, and finance
- Strong workflow automation
- Global EOR beside US payroll and benefits
Watch out for- EOR pricing is quote only
- Platform breadth can mean a longer setup
- Smaller teams may not need the full suite
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Velocity Global, now branded as Pebl, suits employers that need advice, not just software. The company pairs its platform with in-country expertise for labour law, tax, and benefits, which helps in regulated industries such as finance, health, and energy. Complex hires, such as executives or workers with unusual contracts, benefit from that human layer.
Coverage is broad, and the platform handles onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance reporting. Velocity Global also offers immigration and contractor services in many markets, which helps companies moving staff across borders. Benefits can be more flexible than the standardised packages offered by some platform-first rivals.
The drawback is that Velocity Global is quote only and service-led, so setup can feel slower than Deel for a standard hire. Small teams with simple hires may not need the advisory depth. For a regulated employer or a hire in a complex market, the extra guidance can prevent costly mistakes.
What we like- Advisory support for complex markets
- Flexible benefits
- Experience with regulated industries
Watch out for- Pricing is quote only
- Platform feels more service-led than self-serve
- Onboarding may take longer in complex countries
How we chose
We compared EOR providers that offer the same core service as Safeguard Global: legal employment, payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance in countries where you have no entity. We used published pricing and coverage from vendor pages and recent comparison guides found in web search, and we kept only providers active in 2026. We favoured a mix of platform-led, cost-led, and service-led options so readers can match a provider to team size, budget, and risk.
What to check before you sign
Start with your countries, not the headline price. Ask each provider whether it uses an owned entity or a local partner in each country you plan to hire in, and what that means for onboarding time and benefits. A low price in a partner country can still bring slow support, while a higher price with an owned entity can mean faster, more consistent service.
Next, model total cost per hire. EOR fees sit on top of salary, employer taxes, and benefits, and those extras vary sharply by country. Ask for a sample payslip breakdown for each target country, and confirm who pays for benefits, severance reserves, and currency conversion. Finally, test the platform with a trial hire or a detailed demo, and check integrations with your HR and accounting tools before you commit to a multi-country contract.
Frequently asked questions
What does an employer of record actually do?
An employer of record becomes the legal employer of a worker in their country. It handles the contract, payroll, taxes, benefits, and local compliance, while you manage the worker day to day. You avoid setting up a local company just to hire one person.
How much does an EOR cost in 2026?
Published EOR rates in recent comparisons run from about $400 to $699 per employee per month, with many providers on custom quotes. Salary, employer taxes, and benefits sit on top of that fee, so total cost per hire is much higher than the fee alone.
Is an owned entity better than a partner model?
An owned entity often gives more direct control and a more consistent experience, while a partner model can still work well in standard markets. Ask about the model in your specific countries, because the same provider may own entities in some places and use partners in others.
When should I set up my own entity instead of using an EOR?
EOR suits one to five hires in a country where commitment is uncertain, since setup takes weeks rather than months. Ten or more long-term hires often justify your own entity plus global payroll, which costs less per head at scale but takes six to twelve months to establish.
Can an EOR also manage contractors?
Most providers here offer contractor management beside EOR, including Deel, Remote, Papaya Global, and Oyster. Contractor fees are usually lower than EOR fees, often $29 to $49 per contractor per month, but check whether that covers tax forms and compliance checks.
Do I still need local legal advice with an EOR?
For standard hires, a good EOR covers most compliance work. For executive contracts, equity, terminations, or regulated roles, get local counsel as well. An EOR reduces risk, but it does not remove your duty to understand local rules for sensitive cases.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.deel.com
- https://remote.com
- https://www.papayaglobal.com
- https://www.oysterhr.com
- https://www.g-p.com
- https://www.multiplier.com
- https://www.rippling.com
- https://velocityglobal.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.
Request a listing
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.