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9 providers reviewed

Best Employer of Record in the Philippines: Top EORs of 2026

We tested and reviewed the top providers so you don't have to.

What are our top 3 picks?

#1
RemoFirst

RemoFirst

9.3/10
Best for: Small businesses making their first international hires who prioritize low pricing over advanced features.
Visit RemoFirst
#2
Multiplier

Multiplier

9.1/10
Best for: Companies looking for fast global hiring & payments
Visit Multiplier
#3
Remote

Remote

8.9/10
Best for: Companies who want strong protection of intellectual property (IP) and legal risk coverage when hiring internationally
Visit Remote

The best EOR providers in 2026 are RemoFirst (starting at $199/mo), Multiplier (starting at $400/mo), and Remote (starting at $599/mo), based on our 10-category rating system covering 9 providers.

The Philippines has mandatory 13th month pay, a five-day Service Incentive Leave requirement, and one of the most active labor enforcement bodies in Southeast Asia in the DOLE. For companies hiring here for the first time, those requirements are often a surprise. The employer of record Philippines market has good coverage from most major providers, but compliance depth varies more than their websites suggest.

The country is one of the largest BPO and outsourcing markets in Asia, which means most EOR providers have real experience there. What separates them is how well they handle the Philippine Labor Code, SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions, and whether their in-country support is genuine rather than routed through a regional hub.

For this guide I compared nine providers on Philippines-specific compliance accuracy, mandatory benefits handling, pricing, and onboarding speed. I also looked at which ones have direct client references for Philippine hires rather than just listing the country on their coverage page.

No single provider is the right fit for every company hiring in the Philippines. The right call depends on your headcount, your budget, and whether you are hiring across multiple Southeast Asian markets at the same time. I always recommend comparing two or three options and booking demos before committing. I will break down all nine providers below with full pricing and Philippines-specific compliance notes.

Editorial note: By using our partner links, you'll get exclusive discounts and the best available offers we've negotiated while also supporting our efforts to provide unbiased comparisons of global hiring solutions.

Which providers made our shortlist?

Here's a quick overview of all 9 providers. Scroll down for detailed reviews of each.

1
RemoFirst

RemoFirst

Best for: Small businesses making their first international hires who prioritize low pricing over advanced features.
from $199/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

RemoFirst pricing starts at $199/mo and covers 185+ countries. We rate them 9.3/10, with a 9.0/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra, Glassdoor.

9.3/10
Features
9.4/10
Country coverage
9.5/10
Pricing
9.7/10
User experience
9.5/10
Customer support
9.2/10
Integrations
8.8/10
Mobile app
0/10
Analytics & reporting
8.9/10
Security
9.2/10
Compliance
9.4/10

Third-party ratings

4.6/5G2(251)
4.2/5Trustpilot(64)
5.0/5Capterra(2)
4.4/5Glassdoor(33)
9.0/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $199/mo
Contractor managementFrom $25/mo
Country coverage185+ countries

Key features

Global employment services
Multi-Currency payroll processing
Global contractor management
Benefits administration
Compliance management
Time off management

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Lowest EOR pricing available
  • Fast employee onboarding
  • Complete compliance handling
  • Affordable contractor management
  • No surprise costs
  • Global benefits program
  • Simple interface

Cons

  • Limited reporting
  • Fewer integrations
  • Missing features (young platform)
  • Limited country customization

RemoFirst is an Employer of Record (EOR) service that lets companies hire and pay international employees without setting up local legal entities. Founded in 2021 by Nurasyl Serik and Volodymyr Fedoriv, this San Francisco company has attracted smaller businesses and startups with $39 million in funding.

When you use RemoFirst, they technically "hire" through their local entities in 180+ countries. RemoFirst handles the legal employment paperwork, local tax compliance, payroll processing, and benefits administration, while you manage the day-to-day work. This setup saves the 3-6 months and $15,000-$50,000 usually needed to set up foreign entities.

The platform serves two main purposes:

  • Full EOR services for companies hiring employees internationally
  • Contractor management for businesses working with global freelancers
What makes RemoFirst different is their pricing - starting at $199 per employee per month, they charge much less than competitors like Deel and Remote (both $599/month). This aggressive pricing has helped them gain market share despite being newer than other players.

Remofirst website screenshot
2
Multiplier

Multiplier

Best for: Companies looking for fast global hiring & payments
from $400/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Multiplier pricing starts at $400/mo and covers 164+ countries. We rate them 9.1/10, with a 9.5/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra, Glassdoor.

9.1/10
Features
9.4/10
Country coverage
9.1/10
Pricing
9/10
User experience
8.9/10
Customer support
9.2/10
Integrations
8.8/10
Mobile app
0/10
Analytics & reporting
8.9/10
Security
9.3/10
Compliance
9.5/10

Third-party ratings

4.7/5G2(1,868)
4.9/5Trustpilot(2,396)
4.6/5Capterra(42)
4.2/5Glassdoor(319)
9.5/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $400/mo
Contractor managementFrom $40/mo
Global payrollFrom $30/mo
Country coverage164+ countries

Key features

Hiring without local entities:
Multi-currency payroll:
Contract compliance:
Country-specific benefits:
Contractor payments:
Time-off tracking and management:
Expense management tools:

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Lower EOR rates
  • Fast onboarding
  • Multi-currency payroll
  • Strong compliance handling
  • No setup fees

Cons

  • Unintuitive platform layout
  • Slower email support
  • Limited customization

Multiplier is an Employer of Record (EOR) and a global employment platform. Companies use it to hire and manage international team members without establishing local entities.

Sagar Khatri, Amritpal Singh, and Vamsi Krishna founded the company in 2020. It's headquartered in New York, United States, and has secured over $77 million in funding since launch.

How Multiplier works

Multiplier manages employment operations across 150+ countries.

The core services they offer are:

  • Compliance management: Multiplier manages local employment laws and requirements.
  • Payroll processing: International payments run through the system.
  • Benefits administration: Companies can provide employee benefits without setting up local programs.
  • Contractor management: Businesses can manage both full employees and contractors in one place.
As I tested the Multiplier platform, I found its fast onboarding particularly impressive.

Most companies can start hiring internationally within days instead of waiting months for entity setup.

Regional strength in Asia-Pacific

Multiplier is a great fit for small to medium-sized businesses and startups entering global markets.

The platform shows particular strength in the Asia-Pacific region.

Benefit for clients: Companies hiring in Singapore, Australia, or Japan get better localized support than they'd find with most global providers.

Helpful reads: Best Employer of Record (EOR) for startups

multiplier website screenshot
3
Remote

Remote

Best for: Companies who want strong protection of intellectual property (IP) and legal risk coverage when hiring internationally
from $599/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Remote pricing starts at $599/mo and covers 186+ countries. We rate them 8.9/10, with a 9.3/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra.

8.9/10
Features
9/10
Country coverage
9.6/10
Pricing
8.1/10
User experience
8.7/10
Customer support
9/10
Integrations
8.7/10
Mobile app
8.9/10
Analytics & reporting
8.7/10
Security
9.1/10
Compliance
9/10

Third-party ratings

4.6/5G2(4,368)
4.7/5Trustpilot(2,679)
4.4/5Capterra(94)
9.3/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $599/mo
Contractor managementFrom $29/mo
Global payrollFrom $29/mo
Country coverage186+ countries

Key features

Global hiring
Owned entity model
Transparent pricing
Full-cycle HR services
Intellectual property protection
User-friendly platform
Flexible benefits
Global payroll solution
Compliance and security
Equity incentives support

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Own-entity model
  • Superior IP protection
  • Transparent flat-rate pricing
  • Extensive human resources (HR) coverage
  • Custom benefits packages
  • Recently launched global payroll solution

Cons

  • Costs more than budget options
  • Limited customization options
  • Basic reporting capabilities

Remote is an Employer of Record (EOR) service that helps companies hire international employees without creating local entities.

It was founded in 2019 by Job van der Voort and Marcelo Lebre, both former GitLab executives. The company has raised more than $500 million and expanded quickly. They now support hiring in over 190 countries.

The platform manages the full employment cycle through a centralized dashboard (compliant contracts, onboarding, payroll, benefits, taxes, and termination).

A key standout: owned entities

Remote stands out in the industry because they own and directly operate legal entities in each country instead of relying on third-party partners, which is not the case with all providers.

This wholly owned structure gives the company full control over employment tasks and compliance.

What it means for potential clients: Remote is a good fit for businesses that prioritize compliance and risk management when expanding into new markets because the platform keeps employment responsibilities in-house.

remote website screenshot
Robbin Schuchmann

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4
Hire with Columbus

Hire with Columbus

Best for: Companies hiring 5 or more international employees who want to keep costs low and predictable
from $179/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Hire with Columbus pricing starts at $179/mo and covers 185+ countries. We rate them 8.9/10, with a 10.0/10 weighted third-party average across G2.

8.9/10
Features
8.8/10
Country coverage
9.5/10
Pricing
9.7/10
User experience
8.9/10
Customer support
9.3/10
Integrations
8.5/10
Mobile app
0/10
Analytics & reporting
7.6/10
Security
8.7/10
Compliance
9.1/10

Third-party ratings

5.0/5G2(6)
10.0/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $179/mo
Contractor managementFrom $25/mo
Country coverage185+ countries

Key features

Global employment infrastructure
Multi-currency payroll automation
Contractor management solution
Global benefits coordination
Compliance automation

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Lowest published EOR pricing
  • Fast employee onboarding
  • Compliance management
  • Affordable contractor management
  • Transparent flat-rate pricing
  • International benefits administration

Cons

  • Limited platform ownership
  • Limited reporting functionality

Hire with Columbus is an Employer of Record (EOR) service that enables companies to hire and pay international employees without establishing local legal entities. Operating as a high-volume discount provider, Columbus has positioned itself as the most affordable EOR solution by leveraging bulk purchasing power.

When you use Hire with Columbus, they technically employ workers through their partner entities in 185+ countries. Columbus manages the legal employment paperwork, local tax compliance, payroll processing, and benefits administration, while you handle day-to-day work management. This arrangement saves the 3-6 months and $15,000-$50,000 typically required for foreign entity establishment.

The platform serves two primary functions:

  • Full EOR services for companies hiring employees internationally
  • Contractor management for businesses working with global freelancers
What distinguishes Columbus is their pricing model, at $179 per employee per month, they offer a 10% discount on standard market rates through volume aggregation. This approach makes enterprise-level EOR services accessible to smaller businesses that previously couldn't afford international expansion.

Hire with Columbus operates through strategic partnerships with established EOR providers, negotiating bulk rates based on aggregate client volumes. This model allows them to offer premium services at significantly reduced costs while maintaining compliance standards across all jurisdictions.

hire with columbus website screenshot
5
Deel

Deel

Best for: Growing companies scaling internationally with a mix of contractors and full-time employees
from $599/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Deel pricing starts at $599/mo and covers 88+ countries. We rate them 8.9/10, with a 9.5/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra, Glassdoor.

8.9/10
Features
9.4/10
Country coverage
9.1/10
Pricing
8.6/10
User experience
8.4/10
Customer support
8.7/10
Integrations
8.8/10
Mobile app
9/10
Analytics & reporting
8.7/10
Security
9/10
Compliance
9/10

Third-party ratings

4.8/5G2(11,935)
4.7/5Trustpilot(8,150)
4.8/5Capterra(3,697)
4.5/5Glassdoor(1,708)
9.5/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $599/mo
Contractor managementFrom $49/mo
Global payrollFrom $29/mo
Country coverage88+ countries

Key features

International payroll
Employer of Record services
Contractor of Record services
Contractor management
Compliance automation
Benefits administration:

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Owned legal entities
  • Multi-currency payroll services
  • Automated compliance tracking
  • Contractor of Record service
  • Localized benefits packages
  • 24/7 support across multiple channels
  • Unified platform

Cons

  • Premium pricing
  • Support delays during peak periods
  • Limited reporting

Deel is an Employer of Record (EOR) and a global payroll platform. Companies use it to hire, pay, and manage international contractors and full-time employees without setting up local entities.

Alex Bouaziz, Shuo Wang, and Ofer Simon founded the company in 2019. Deel is headquartered in San Francisco and has raised more than $980 million in seven funding rounds.

The platform is now valued at $17.3 billion.

How Deel works

Deel supports hiring and payroll across more than 150 countries.

Companies typically use the platform for the following services:

  • Employer of Record (EOR): Deel becomes the legal employer in the target country while the client manages the day-to-day work
  • Contractor management: Allow clients to hire, manage, and pay independent contractors in multiple countries through a single platform.
  • Contractor of Record (COR): Deel takes on the liability, manages all HR/admin, and handles the risk for you.
  • Global payroll: Clients submit payroll data and approve it in one dashboard, and Deel handles taxes, deductions, and currency conversions automatically.
Note: The main difference between contractor management and Contractor of Record services is who bears the legal risk and responsibility: you (with a standard Deel contractor service) or Deel (with COR).

What stood out in my tests

In my tests of the platform, the onboarding stood out for its simplicity and speed.

In most cases, contracts are generated automatically based on the country, reviewed right on the platform, and approved in a few steps.

What it means for clients: Deel clients can hire in established markets within days. They’re also likely to find better contract standardization, clear compliance guidance, and faster onboarding compared to smaller regional providers.

deel website screenshot
6
Glints TalentHub

Glints TalentHub

Best for: Mid-sized companies building teams in Southeast Asia
from $299/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Glints TalentHub pricing starts at $299/mo and covers 20+ countries. We rate them 8.2/10, with a 9.0/10 weighted third-party average across G2.

8.2/10
Features
8.2/10
Country coverage
6/10
Pricing
9.3/10
User experience
8.3/10
Customer support
8.5/10
Integrations
8/10
Mobile app
0/10
Analytics & reporting
8.2/10
Security
8.4/10
Compliance
8.9/10

Third-party ratings

4.5/5G2(1)
9.0/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $299/mo
Global payrollFrom $100/mo
Country coverage20+ countries

Key features

Combined recruitment access
Full EOR services
Local HR teams
Compliance monitoring
Visa and immigration support
Employee programs
Benefits administration

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Regional focus
  • Combined recruitment and EOR
  • Lower pricing
  • Hands-on support
  • No hidden fees
  • Faster issue resolution

Cons

  • Geographic limitation
  • Higher first-year costs with recruitment
  • Basic analytics

Glints TalentHub is a regional HR platform that handles recruitment, Employer of Record (EOR) services, and team management across seven Southeast Asian markets.

The company started as Glints, a recruitment platform founded in Singapore in 2013, and evolved into TalentHub to serve businesses expanding into Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan.

The company has raised $82.17 million in funding and currently serves over 40,000 organizations across the region.

The platform works differently from global EOR providers.

Instead of offering worldwide coverage, Glints focuses entirely on Southeast Asia with dedicated local HR teams in each market.

They combine three services in one package:

  • Access to their 10 million+ talent database for recruitment
  • EOR services for companies without local entities
  • Ongoing HR management with professionals who understand local employment regulations and workplace culture

How Glints TalentHub works

Glints operates as a service-led provider rather than a self-serve platform.

Their team includes local HR professionals and recruiters in each country who handle payroll calculations, tax withholdings, benefits administration, and compliance updates.

Companies typically use Glints when they want to build Southeast Asian teams quickly without managing multiple vendors or learning seven different sets of employment laws.

Glints TalentHub website screenshot
7
Oyster

Oyster

Best for: Growing companies looking for strong global compliance support and fast onboarding in all major markets
from $599/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Oyster pricing starts at $599/mo and covers 88+ countries. We rate them 8.7/10, with a 8.9/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra.

8.7/10
Features
8.5/10
Country coverage
9.3/10
Pricing
8.2/10
User experience
9/10
Customer support
8.7/10
Integrations
8.7/10
Mobile app
0/10
Analytics & reporting
8.5/10
Security
8.9/10
Compliance
8.8/10

Third-party ratings

4.4/5G2(853)
4.5/5Trustpilot(240)
4.5/5Capterra(68)
8.9/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $599/mo
Contractor managementFrom $29/mo
Global payrollFrom $25/mo
Country coverage88+ countries

Key features

Global hiring
Payroll in 120+ currencies
Compliance tracking
Benefits packages
Contractor and employee management
Visa support
Oyster Academy

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Employee development
  • Designed for remote teams
  • Strong global coverage
  • Simple compliance tracking
  • Built-in cost calculator
  • Ethical employment standards

Cons

  • Premium rates
  • Add-on costs
  • Limited self-service

Oyster HR is an Employer of Record (EOR) and a global employment platform that allows companies to hire and manage international workers in more than 180 countries without setting up local legal entities. Founded in 2020, the company focuses on supporting distributed teams.

Oyster’s services include international employment contracts, payroll processing, benefits administration, and ongoing local compliance in each country where it operates.

Focus on employee experience

Oyster places more emphasis on the employee experience than traditional EOR providers.

Alongside core employment services, the platform includes Oyster Academy for professional development, as well as tools designed to support onboarding and cross-cultural collaboration.

What it means for clients: Oyster acts as more than a compliance partner. The platform is designed to help companies build and maintain engaged global teams, not just employ them on paper.

Typical customers

Oyster primarily serves mid-market and enterprise companies with 50 or more employees, but I've also seen a few startups in their customer base.

The limiting factor here is the higher rate for Employer of Record (EOR) services.

The platform attracts companies that value consistency, employee satisfaction, and long-term retention, even when that means paying more than low-cost EOR alternatives.

oyster hr website screenshot
8
Papaya Global

Papaya Global

Best for: Mid-size to large companies with complex, multi-country payrolls
from $599/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Papaya Global pricing starts at $599/mo and covers 15+ countries. We rate them 8.8/10, with a 8.9/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra.

8.8/10
Features
8.9/10
Country coverage
9.1/10
Pricing
8.2/10
User experience
8.9/10
Customer support
8.9/10
Integrations
8.5/10
Mobile app
8.3/10
Analytics & reporting
8.9/10
Security
9/10
Compliance
8.9/10

Third-party ratings

4.5/5G2(35)
4.5/5Trustpilot(49)
4.4/5Capterra(33)
8.9/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $599/mo
Contractor managementFrom $30/mo
Country coverage15+ countries

Key features

Payroll as the core system
Integrated payroll and payments
Country-level payroll logic
EOR and direct payroll in one system
Payroll-centric reporting
Contract handling for EOR

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Core payroll focus
  • Payments built in
  • Over 160 countries covered
  • Detailed logs
  • Multiple worker models

Cons

  • Setup takes time
  • Not HR-led
  • Partner-based EOR
  • Quote-based pricing

Papaya Global is a global workforce platform that helps companies manage payroll, payments, and employment across multiple countries.

Founded in 2016 by Eynat Guez, Ruben Drong, and Ofer Herman, Papaya Global later raised roughly $440 million, including a $250 million Series D in 2021.

On the product side, Papaya covers:

  • Global payroll: Runs payroll and workforce payments in more than 160 countries
  • Employer of Record: Allows companies to hire employees in countries where they don’t have a legal entity
  • Contractor management: Supports compliant onboarding and payments for international contractors
  • Compliance support: Handles local tax rules, labor laws, and reporting requirements
  • Benefits administration: Offers benefits for employees (including health coverage) that are aligned with each country
  • Integrations: Connects with tools like Workday, NetSuite, and other HRIS and ERP systems

Note: HRIS (Human Resources Information System) manages employee data, payroll, benefits, and HR functions. ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) integrates core business processes, including finance, accounting, supply chain, and human resources, into one platform.

Papaya Globals website screenshot
9
Rippling

Rippling

Best for: Companies with 50–1,000 employees that use multiple tools to manage HR, IT, and finance
from $499/moVisit site

Expert evaluation

Rippling pricing starts at $499/mo and covers 53+ countries. We rate them 9.0/10, with a 9.5/10 weighted third-party average across G2, Trustpilot, Capterra, Glassdoor.

9.0/10
Features
9/10
Country coverage
9.5/10
Pricing
8.7/10
User experience
8.8/10
Customer support
8.8/10
Integrations
9/10
Mobile app
8.8/10
Analytics & reporting
8.9/10
Security
9.2/10
Compliance
9.1/10

Third-party ratings

4.8/5G2(11,614)
4.6/5Trustpilot(1,713)
4.9/5Capterra(4,321)
3.8/5Glassdoor(1,003)
9.5/10weighted avg.

Pricing and coverage

Employer of recordFrom $499/mo
Contractor managementFrom $35/mo
Global payrollFrom $35/mo
Country coverage53+ countries

Key features

Full EOR service
Central employee database
IT automation
Payroll across worker types
Role-based permission controls

Pros and cons

Pros

  • System integration
  • Strong automation
  • Device management
  • App integrations
  • Custom workflows

Cons

  • Unclear pricing
  • Lengthy setup and steep learning curve
  • Inconsistent support

Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that connects HR, IT, and finance functions through a unified employee database. Companies use it to manage payroll, benefits, devices, and software from one system.

Parker Conrad (former Zenefits CEO) and Prasanna Sankar founded the company in 2016. Rippling now supports businesses operating in more than 50 countries.

How Rippling works

The platform automates workflows across business systems that normally operate separately.

When I tested Rippling, the onboarding caught my attention because it was so efficient. For example, adding someone to payroll triggered their laptop order, email setup, and software provisioning right away.

There are no (or fewer) manual steps since one employee database feeds all systems at once.

What it means for clients: It means automating tasks that normally require switching between multiple tools.

Who uses Rippling

Rippling works best for medium-sized technology and growing businesses with members across the world.

These companies need advanced systems but lack enterprise-level IT departments. The Rippling platform provides just that: enterprise-grade tools without massive IT investments.

What it means for clients: Companies automate work that normally requires multiple tools and manual coordination.

Rippling's website screenshot

How do these providers compare on pricing and ratings?

Best Employer of Record in the Philippines: Top EORs of 2026 - pricing, G2 ratings, and country coverage compared
ProviderEORcontractorPayrollG2 ratingCountries
RemoFirst
RemoFirst
$199/mo$25/mo-
4.6
185+
Multiplier
Multiplier
$400/mo$40/mo$30/mo
4.7
164+
Remote
Remote
$599/mo$29/mo$29/mo
4.6
186+
Hire with Columbus
Hire with Columbus
$179/mo$25/mo-
5.0
185+
Deel
Deel
$599/mo$49/mo$29/mo
4.8
88+
Glints TalentHub
Glints TalentHub
$299/mo-$100/mo
4.5
20+
Oyster
Oyster
$599/mo$29/mo$25/mo
4.4
88+
Papaya Global
Papaya Global
$599/mo$30/mo-
4.5
15+
Rippling
Rippling
$499/mo$35/mo$35/mo
4.8
53+

How do we rate these providers?

These scores come from our 10-category rating system applied to every provider review. Rankings in this listicle also factor in editorial judgment for the target audience, pricing, and real-world suitability - not just the overall score.

Best Employer of Record in the Philippines: Top EORs of 2026 - rating breakdown by category
CategoryRemoFirstMultiplierRemoteHire with ColumbusDeelGlints TalentHubOysterPapaya GlobalRippling
Features9.49.49.08.89.48.28.58.99.0
Country coverage9.59.19.69.59.16.09.39.19.5
Pricing9.79.08.19.78.69.38.28.28.7
User experience9.58.98.78.98.48.39.08.98.8
Customer support9.29.29.09.38.78.58.78.98.8
Integrations8.88.88.78.58.88.08.78.59.0
Mobile app--8.9-9.0--8.38.8
Analytics & reporting8.98.98.77.68.78.28.58.98.9
Security9.29.39.18.79.08.48.99.09.2
Compliance9.49.59.09.19.08.98.88.99.1
Overall9.39.18.98.98.98.28.78.89.0

Why use an EOR in the Philippines?

Hiring in the Philippines means managing one of Southeast Asia's more detailed labor frameworks. The Labor Code sets strict rules around employment contracts, mandatory benefits, and termination procedures. Getting any of these wrong can expose you to back-pay claims, government penalties, or costly reinstatement orders.

Employer costs go well beyond base salary. You're required to contribute to three separate government agencies: SSS (Social Security System), PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG (HDMF). Each has its own contribution schedule, income ceilings, and remittance deadlines. Missing a deadline or miscalculating a bracket isn't just an admin headache - it's a statutory violation.

Termination is where many foreign employers get caught off guard. The Philippines requires just cause or authorized cause for dismissal, along with due process steps including written notices and a hearing period. Skipping steps, even unintentionally, can result in illegal dismissal findings and full back-pay liability. An EOR that knows this framework protects you from the start.

How to evaluate an EOR for the Philippines

Not every EOR handles the Philippines equally well. Here's what to check before you commit.

  1. Own legal entity in the Philippines. Ask whether the provider employs workers through their own registered Philippine entity or through a local partner. A direct entity means faster onboarding, cleaner compliance, and one clear point of accountability when something goes wrong.
  2. SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG administration. These three contributions are mandatory and each has distinct rules. Confirm the provider handles all three, remits on time, and gives employees proper documentation like SSS slips and PhilHealth MDRs.
  3. 13th month pay processing. The 13th month pay is a statutory requirement under Presidential Decree 851, not a bonus. It must be paid by December 24 each year and equals one-twelfth of the employee's total basic salary. Check that the provider calculates and pays this correctly - not as an optional add-on.
  4. Termination process support. The Philippines' two-notice rule and mandatory hearing requirement mean terminations take time and documentation. Ask how the provider manages this process and whether they've handled both just cause and authorized cause terminations locally.
  5. Leave entitlement accuracy. Service Incentive Leave (SIL) of five days per year applies to employees who have worked at least one year. Some providers also need to account for special non-working days and regular holidays under the Philippine holiday schedule. Confirm their leave tracking reflects local law, not a generic global template.
  6. Withholding tax and BIR compliance. Employers in the Philippines must withhold income tax under the TRAIN Law tax tables and remit to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) monthly. Ask how the provider handles year-end tax filing and whether employees receive their BIR Form 2316 on time.

Questions to ask during provider demos

These questions will quickly show you who actually knows the Philippines and who's reading from a script.

  • How do you calculate and remit SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG contributions, and how do you handle mid-year contribution schedule updates?
  • Walk me through how you process 13th month pay. Is it included in your standard service or billed separately?
  • If we need to terminate an employee for just cause, what does your process look like? How do you handle the two-notice rule and the employee's right to be heard?
  • How do you manage Philippine holiday payroll premiums, including the difference between regular holidays and special non-working days?
  • How do you handle BIR withholding tax remittances and year-end filing? Do employees receive their Form 2316 directly from you?
  • What happens if a government agency changes a contribution rate or a new BIR revenue regulation comes out? How quickly does your platform reflect that?
  • If a permanent establishment risk issue arises with one of my employees, what's your indemnification policy?
  • Do you employ workers through your own Philippine entity, or do you use a local in-country partner?
  • Can you give me a full cost breakdown before I sign, including your fee, all statutory contributions, and any one-time setup costs?

Tip: Book calls with at least 2-3 providers. A 30-minute conversation will tell you more about their Philippines expertise than any website or feature list.

Red flags to watch for

These are the warning signs that a provider isn't the right fit for the Philippines.

  • They can't explain the two-notice rule for termination or describe what "authorized cause" means under the Labor Code. This is foundational knowledge, not advanced detail.
  • They treat 13th month pay as an optional or configurable benefit rather than a statutory obligation under PD 851.
  • They can't confirm whether they operate through their own Philippine entity. Using an undisclosed local partner adds a layer of risk you can't see or control.
  • Their pricing is vague about statutory contributions. If the quote doesn't break out SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG employer shares, you don't have the full picture.
  • They offer short contract terms as a selling point but bury auto-renewal clauses or long cancellation notice periods in the fine print.
  • They can't describe their process for handling BIR audits or employee tax disputes. Payroll tax compliance in the Philippines is closely monitored, and you need a provider that's prepared for scrutiny.

Common mistakes to avoid

These are the pitfalls we see most often when companies start hiring in the Philippines.

  • Assuming termination works like other countries. The Philippines requires documented just cause or authorized cause plus a formal due process procedure. The right EOR will walk you through each step before you act, not after.
  • Overlooking 13th month pay in budget planning. It adds roughly 8.3% to annual base salary cost and must be paid regardless of performance. A good EOR builds this into your cost estimate from day one.
  • Misclassifying workers as independent contractors to avoid statutory benefits. Philippine labor authorities look at the economic reality of the relationship, not just the contract label. An EOR removes this risk by employing workers correctly from the start.
  • Ignoring the distinction between regular and probationary employment. Philippine law allows a probationary period of up to six months, but if you don't communicate clear performance standards in writing at the outset, the employee may be deemed regular from day one. A knowledgeable EOR sets this up correctly from the offer stage.
  • Underestimating payroll complexity around public holidays. The Philippines has a large number of regular and special non-working holidays, each with different pay multipliers. Missing these in payroll calculations leads to underpayment claims.

Your next steps

Here's how to go from this list to your first hire in the Philippines.

1
Pick your shortlist
Choose 2-3 providers from the comparison above that fit your budget and needs.
2
Book intro calls
Schedule a 30-minute demo with each. Ask the questions above and see who knows the Philippines most thoroughly.
3
Compare and decide
Look at pricing clarity, Philippines expertise, and how responsive they were. Then go with your gut.

Price matters, but it's not the only thing. A provider that mishandles a termination, files BIR remittances late, or miscalculates 13th month pay will cost you far more than whatever you saved on the monthly fee. Compliance expertise in the Philippines is worth paying for.

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