Deel vs Hire with Columbus: 2026 EOR Pricing and Features Comparison
Compare features, pricing, and capabilities side-by-side. I've analyzed both EOR providers to help you make the right decision for your global hiring needs.
Robbin Schuchmann
Co-founder, Employ Borderless
Deel vs Hire With Columbus: quick comparison
Short on time? Here are the key differences between Deel and Hire With Columbus at a glance.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | $599/per employee/month | $179/per employee/month |
| Contractor pricing | $49/per employee/month | $25/per employee/month |
| Payroll pricing | $29/per employee/month | — |
| Overall rating | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Countries | 88+ | 185+ |
| Visit site | Visit site |
EOR pricing
$599/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$49/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
$29/per employee/month
Overall rating
8.9/10
Countries
88+
EOR pricing
$179/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$25/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
—
Overall rating
8.9/10
Countries
185+
Let me be honest: choosing between Deel and Hire with Columbus for your Employer of Record (EOR) needs is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature lists and country coverage numbers, but what really matters is understanding how each global hiring platform handles the actual problems of international employment – like when compliance rules change overnight, payroll gets messed up across different time zones, or an employee has an issue and there’s no local HR person to help them.
I’ve been analyzing EOR services and talking to companies managing international teams for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: businesses pick based on the brand name or the cheapest price, then run into problems six months later. Deel built its reputation on their technology platform and self-service tools, while Hire with Columbus positioned itself as a budget-friendly EOR through partner networks. Both work, but they’re built for different priorities.
The real decision comes down to what matters most to you: Deel works best when you want integrated technology, direct control, and comprehensive support, while Hire with Columbus is better for cost-conscious companies that need to save money on international hiring and just need basic compliance coverage. Your budget, how much risk you’re comfortable with, and whether you have an in-house HR team will determine which trade-offs actually matter.
My goal is to help you understand how these EOR platforms actually work in practice, so you can decide if saving 70% on EOR costs is worth the differences in how they operate, what features you get, and the kind of support you’ll receive.
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.
What is Deel?
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.
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.
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco |
What is Hire With Columbus?
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
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.
| Founded | 2025 |
| Headquarters | Singapore |
What are the key features of Deel vs Hire With Columbus?
When you're choosing between EOR providers, it comes down to what each one actually does for you. Some focus on payroll processing, others specialize in compliance management, and some offer better employee benefits. Here's what sets these two apart.
Deel key features
Deel processes payroll in 120+ currencies across 150+ countries with withdrawal options including bank transfers, Revolut, Wise, PayPal, and crypto. The payment dashboard shows exactly what each person receives after local tax deductions.
Allow clients to hire full-time employees without establishing their own legal presence. Deel handles employment contracts, onboarding, tax registration, and mandatory benefits in each country.
Deel legally employs contractors on your behalf and assumes liability for any misclassification claims.
The platform generates localized contractor agreements and handles payments in 150+ countries. Tax forms such as 1099s are created automatically.
Deel tracks regulatory changes across all countries and automatically updates the contract templates.
The platform offers health insurance, retirement plans, and stipends tailored to each country. The client can customize packages through the dashboard while Deel ensures mandatory benefits are always included.
Hire With Columbus key features
Columbus operates as the legal employer in 180+ countries through their partner network, managing all paperwork and compliance requirements. They generate locally-compliant employment contracts, register employees with authorities, and ensure adherence to labor laws. Columbus maintains their aggressive $179 pricing across all supported countries without regional surcharges.
Columbus calculates and processes payroll in 100+ currencies, handling tax withholdings, social contributions, and mandatory deductions based on local requirements. The system accommodates monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly payment cycles depending on country standards. All currency conversions happen at competitive rates through their volume partnerships.
For $22.50 per contractor monthly, Columbus provides compliant contractor agreements, manages invoicing, and processes payments in local currencies. This represents a 10% discount on standard market rates while maintaining full compliance with contractor classification requirements.
Columbus's benefits network offers standardized health plans across all countries, with options for dental and vision coverage. The platform also facilitates equipment provisioning, enabling companies to purchase and ship laptops and tools to remote team members efficiently.
The platform automatically manages tax filings, statutory requirements, and employment law compliance across all countries. This includes handling paid time off policies, parental leave, termination requirements, and other country-specific regulations through their partner infrastructure.
What benefits do Deel and Hire With Columbus offer?
Features are one thing, but how do they actually help your business? Think faster onboarding, fewer compliance headaches, and smoother payroll runs. Here are the real benefits you'll get from each provider.
Deel benefits
Faster international hiring
Deel allows companies to hire internationally without creating owned subsidiaries. This can cut weeks or months from the hiring process.
Lower compliance risk
Employment contracts, payroll rules, and benefits follow local regulations automatically. That means lower compliance risk and less manual tracking (or none at all).
Centralized workforce management
Contractors and full-time employees are managed through a single platform. This replaces multiple HR and payroll systems and saves time.
Better employee experience
Faster onboarding, predictable payroll, and access to local benefits all add to the overall experience of international employees and contractors.
Hire With Columbus benefits
Unprecedented cost savings
Companies save 70-75% on international employment costs versus premium EOR providers. A 10-person international team costs $1,790 monthly with Columbus compared to $5,990 with competitors—delivering over $50,000 in annual savings that can fund business growth.
Eliminated entity setup costs
Businesses avoid the $15,000-$50,000 typically required for establishing foreign entities plus ongoing compliance costs of $20,000-$40,000 annually per country, making international expansion accessible for smaller companies.
Accelerated market entry
Companies can hire talent in new countries within a week rather than waiting 3-6 months for entity establishment. This rapid deployment enables businesses to capitalize on market opportunities immediately.
Minimized compliance exposure
Automated adherence to local regulations eliminates employment law violations that typically cost $10,000-$100,000 per incident, protecting companies from expensive penalties and business disruptions.
Streamlined payroll operations
By automating payroll calculations and tax withholdings across multiple currencies, Columbus eliminates approximately 15-20 hours of manual work per pay period while ensuring accuracy and compliance.
Maximum operational flexibility
The pay-as-you-go model with no minimum commitments allows businesses to scale their international workforce based on actual needs, particularly valuable for project-based work or market testing.
How do Deel and Hire With Columbus compare on pricing?
Let's talk money. EOR pricing can be tricky - some providers quote low monthly fees but charge extra for setup, onboarding, or additional services. Here's what each provider charges for their main services.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Employer of record | $599/per employee/month | $179/per employee/month |
| Contractor management | $49/per employee/month | $25/per employee/month |
| Global payroll | $29/per employee/month | — |
Not sure which is right for you?
Tell me about your team and I'll give you a free, unbiased recommendation.
What are the pros and cons of Deel vs Hire With Columbus?
No EOR provider is perfect - they all have their sweet spots and pain points. Getting honest about what works and what doesn't will save you from unpleasant surprises down the road. Here's the real talk on both providers.
Deel
- +
Owned legal entities
This gives Deel more direct control compared to providers that use third-party suppliers.
- +
Multi-currency payroll services
Processes payments in over 120 local currencies (often with better exchange rates than bank transfers).
- +
Automated compliance tracking
Generates country-specific contracts and tax forms automatically.
- +
Contractor of Record service
Deel assumes the misclassification liability by hiring contractors on your behalf through their entities.
- +
Localized benefits packages
Health insurance, equipment stipends, and perks are tailored to each market. This helps Deel clients attract (and keep) better talent.
- +
24/7 support across multiple channels
They offer round-the-clock support beyond workdays.
- +
Unified platform
Manages both contractors and full-time employees in one system.
- −
Premium pricing
With EOR at $499 per month and contractor management at $49, their rates are higher compared to some budget providers.
- −
Support delays during peak periods
Response times might exceed those advertised during busy payroll periods.
- −
Limited reporting
Analytics covers the essentials but lacks deep customization options.
Hire With Columbus
- +
Industry's lowest pricing
Hire with Columbus charges just $179 per employee monthly, making it the most affordable EOR service available – 70% cheaper than Deel ($599) and saving companies over $50,000 annually for a 10-person team.
- +
Quick employee onboarding
Columbus completes full employee setup within 5-7 business days across 185+ countries, eliminating the 3-6 month wait required for establishing independent legal entities.
- +
Compliance management
The platform handles all local employment regulations, tax filings, and statutory requirements in every operating country, protecting companies from compliance penalties that average $10,000+ per violation.
- +
Budget-friendly contractor services
Columbus manages contractor payments for just $22.50 monthly per contractor, undercutting competitors like Deel ($49) by over 50% while maintaining full compliance.
- +
Transparent flat-rate pricing
Unlike many competitors who vary rates by country or add hidden fees, Columbus maintains consistent global pricing with no setup fees, deposits, or minimum commitments required.
- +
International benefits administration
Companies can provide standardized health insurance packages across all countries through Columbus's global benefits network, improving recruitment without navigating multiple local providers.
- −
Limited platform ownership
Hire with Columbus operates through partner infrastructure rather than proprietary technology, potentially affecting service consistency and direct control over platform improvements.
- −
Basic reporting functionality
The analytics tools lack advanced features found in premium alternatives, offering only fundamental workforce data without extensive customization or visualization capabilities.
What do customers say about Deel vs Hire With Columbus?
Don't just take my word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers on major review platforms.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.8 11,935 reviews | 5.0 6 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 8,150 reviews | — |
| Capterra | 4.8 3,697 reviews | — |
| Glassdoor | 4.5 1,708 reviews | — |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated February 2026.
Customer support: Deel vs Hire With Columbus
When things go wrong (and they will), you want to know someone's got your back. Great support can make the difference between a minor hiccup and a major disaster. Here's how these providers handle support.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Support availability | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Dedicated account manager | Yes | No |
| Support languages | English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Other | — |
| Self-service resources | Yes | No |
| Community forum | No | No |
How do Deel and Hire With Columbus compare on our ratings?
I've scored both providers across 10 categories based on hands-on testing, user feedback, and independent research. Here's how they stack up.
Features
Country coverage
Pricing
User experience
Customer support
Integrations
Mobile app
Analytics & reporting
Security
Compliance
Third-party ratings average
Complete comparison table
Every detail that matters when choosing an EOR provider. Compare pricing, features, country coverage, and support options in one easy-to-scan table.
| Feature | Deel | Hire With Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $599/mo | From $179/mo |
| Countries | 88+ | 185+ |
| Overall rating | 8.9/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Mobile app | ||
| API available | ||
| Webhook support | ||
| Dedicated account manager | ||
| Self-service resources | ||
| Community forum |
Which provider should you choose?
Different companies have different needs. Your team size, budget, and where you're hiring all play a role in which provider will work best for you. Here's how to pick the right fit.
Choose Deel if:
You need a self-service platform with extensive global coverage. From my research, Deel works best for companies that want to move fast and have internal HR teams comfortable with digital-first solutions.
I’d recommend Deel when you’re hiring across multiple countries regularly and need automated compliance handling.
The platform excels at contractor management alongside EOR services, making it ideal if you work with a mix of employees and freelancers. I’ve noticed tech companies and startups often prefer Deel’s modern interface and API integrations with existing HR tools.
You’ll benefit most from Deel if you value speed over hand-holding and prefer managing processes yourself through their platform.
Choose Hire With Columbus if:
You want the most cost-effective EOR solution without sacrificing service quality. From what I’ve seen, Hire with Columbus offers the same core EOR functions (compliant hiring, payroll, benefits administration) at significantly lower prices than mainstream providers.
I found this platform works best when you need personalized support rather than just software. You get dedicated account management and guidance through complex international employment laws, which I believe matters more than having every automated feature. Small to medium businesses find better value here, especially when expanding into new markets for the first time.
I recommend Hire with Columbus when your priority is keeping costs down while ensuring full compliance. You’re essentially getting enterprise-level EOR services at a fraction of typical market rates, making it the smart choice for budget-conscious companies that still need reliable global employment solutions.
When to consider alternatives
Sometimes neither option is quite right. Maybe you need rock-bottom pricing, enterprise-level features, or coverage in a specific country these providers don't serve well. Here are some other EOR providers worth checking out.
RemoFirst
Startups and small businesses making their first international hires on tight budgets, needing basic EOR services at the lowest market price of $199 per employee monthly.
Read review
Remote
Companies who want strong protection of intellectual property (IP) and legal risk coverage when hiring internationally
Read review
Multiplier
Companies looking for fast global hiring & payments
Read reviewNot sure which is right for you? Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Hire with Columbus is a fully legitimate EOR provider. I was skeptical about the lower pricing at first too. After digging into it, I learned they work together with RemoFirst and leverage their platform for the technical infrastructure. This partnership means they get enterprise-level EOR capabilities without building everything from scratch. They keep costs down by focusing on service delivery rather than expensive marketing campaigns and venture capital overhead that companies like Deel have. They’re essentially a white-label solution that provides the same compliance, payroll, and benefits administration but without the brand premium. I’ve verified they hold all necessary licenses and registrations in their operating countries through RemoFirst’s established network.
You can switch EOR providers, though I recommend planning the transition carefully. Most employment contracts can be transferred between EORs, but you’ll need to coordinate the handover to avoid gaps in employment or benefits. From what I’ve seen, the process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Hire with Columbus actually helps with transitions from other providers, while Deel’s self-service model means you’ll handle more of the switch yourself. The main thing to watch for is timing the transition around payroll cycles to keep everything smooth for your employees.
Still not sure?
Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team size, budget, and hiring countries.