Let me be honest: choosing between Deel and Remofirst for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature lists, but what really matters is understanding whether the $400/month price difference per employee is worth it – like when you need deep platform integrations with your existing tech stack, your finance team requires advanced reporting and analytics, or you’re dealing with complex multi-country payroll scenarios that go beyond basic compliance.

I’ve been analyzing EOR platforms for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: companies pick Remofirst for the budget savings, then realize three months later they’re spending extra time on manual workarounds, or they choose Deel without considering if they actually need all those features. Deel built its reputation on comprehensive functionality and owned infrastructure, while Remofirst positioned itself as the affordable option through partner networks and essential-only features. Both work, but they’re built for completely different budget realities.

The real decision comes down to what matters most to you: Deel works best when you need extensive integrations, 24/7 support, and built-in HR tools that eliminate other software costs, while Remofirst is better for budget-conscious companies that need solid compliance and payroll without the bells and whistles. Your budget constraints, internal tech capabilities, and whether you’re willing to manage some processes manually will determine which trade-offs actually matter.

My goal is to help you understand how these platforms actually work in practice, so you can decide if saving $48,000 annually on a 10-person team with Remofirst at $199/employee is worth the simpler feature set compared to Deel’s comprehensive platform at $599/employee.

Quick overview

Key metrics Deel RemoFirst
EOR pricing
$599 /month
$199 /month
Best for Fast-growing companies needing global hiring at scale Cost-conscious and tight budgets

Deel

Global Coverage 150+ countries
G2 Rating 4.8 ★★★★★
Starting from $599/month
Get started View Details

RemoFirst

Global Coverage 185+ countries
G2 Rating 4.5 ★★★★★
Starting from $199/month
Get started View Details

What is Deel?

Deel Screenshot

Deel is a global payroll and compliance platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and manage contractors and full-time employees worldwide without needing to establish local entities. Founded in 2019 by Alex Bouaziz and Shuo Wang, the company has grown rapidly, raising over $629 million in funding and reaching a valuation of $12 billion.

The platform specializes in removing international hiring barriers through Employer of Record (EOR) services, contractor management, and global payroll solutions. When I tested Deel, I found the onboarding process remarkably straightforward for such a complex legal area, making it particularly suitable for tech companies and startups looking to build distributed teams quickly.

Deel has positioned itself as a category leader by focusing on user experience while handling the complex behind-the-scenes legal compliance work. The company now serves over 15,000 customers ranging from startups to enterprises like Dropbox, Shopify, and Reddit.

What is RemoFirst?

RemoFirst Screenshot

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.

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What are the key features of Deel vs RemoFirst?

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

  • Global payroll processing: Deel handles salary calculations and payments in 120+ currencies across 150+ countries, supporting various withdrawal methods including direct bank transfers, Revolut, Wise, PayPal, and even cryptocurrency. I found the payment dashboard particularly clear, showing exactly what each employee receives after local tax deductions – something many competitors make much harder to understand.
  • Employer of Record services: Deel's EOR service lets businesses hire full-time employees without establishing local entities in each country. The platform handles employment contracts, onboarding, local tax registrations, and mandatory benefits in each location. During testing, I was able to onboard a new hire in Germany in just under 48 hours without any prior entity setup – significantly faster than the weeks required through traditional legal channels.
  • Contractor management system: Beyond full-time employment, Deel offers comprehensive contractor management with localized agreements, payment processing, and tax documentation. The platform automatically generates tax forms like 1099s for US contractors and equivalent documents for international freelancers, significantly reducing compliance risks associated with misclassification.
  • Compliance automation: Deel continuously monitors changing regulations in all operating countries, automatically updating contract templates and employment practices to maintain compliance. The system flags potential issues and provides guidance on resolving them, giving businesses confidence in their global employment practices without needing specialized legal expertise in each country.
  • Benefits administration: The platform offers locally-relevant benefits packages in most countries, including health insurance, retirement plans, and stipends. HR teams can customize benefit offerings through an intuitive dashboard while ensuring all mandatory benefits are included according to local laws. This creates a consistent experience for employees regardless of location.

RemoFirst key features

  • Global employment services: RemoFirst functions as the legal employer in 180+ countries, handling all the paperwork and compliance so companies don't have to establish foreign entities. They generate compliant employment contracts, register employees with local authorities, and ensure adherence to local labor laws. RemoFirst maintains consistent pricing across all supported countries.
  • Multi-Currency payroll processing: RemoFirst calculates and processes payroll in 100+ currencies, handling tax withholdings, social contributions, and mandatory deductions based on local requirements. The system supports monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly payment cycles, with monthly being the standard for most countries.
  • Global contractor management: For $25 per contractor monthly, RemoFirst provides compliant contractor agreements, handles invoicing, and manages payments in local currencies. The contractor dashboard is separate from the employee section but follows a similar workflow.
  • Benefits administration:RemoFirst's RemoHealth program offers standardized health plans across all countries, with options to add dental and vision coverage. The platform also supports equipment provisioning, allowing companies to purchase and ship laptops and other tools to remote team members.
  • Compliance management: The platform automatically handles tax filings, statutory requirements, and employment law compliance across all countries. This includes managing paid time off policies, parental leave, termination requirements, and other country-specific regulations.
  • Time off management: Employees can request time off through the platform, with automatic calculations based on local entitlements. Managers receive notifications and can approve/deny requests directly in the system. The calendar view makes it easy to see team availability.

What benefits do Deel and RemoFirst offer?

Features are one thing, but how do they actually help your business? Think faster onboarding, fewer compliance headaches, and smoother payroll runs. Let's look at the real benefits you'll get from each provider.

Deel benefits

  • Reduced global hiring time: Companies typically cut their international hiring timeline from 6-8 weeks to just 1-2 days using Deel's EOR service. This speed advantage allows businesses to secure top talent before competitors and accelerate entry into new markets without waiting for entity establishment.
  • Minimized compliance risks: Deel customers report significantly reduced audit risks and compliance concerns when expanding globally. The platform automatically adapts to regulatory changes across all operating countries, preventing businesses from inadvertently violating local employment laws that might result in penalties or legal complications.
  • Consolidated global workforce management: Businesses using Deel eliminate the need for multiple HR systems across different countries, saving an average of 15-20 hours per week in administrative work. HR teams manage both contractors and employees through one interface regardless of location, creating consistency in processes and reporting.
  • Improved employee experience: International workers report higher satisfaction when hired through Deel compared to other methods, citing faster onboarding, reliable payments, and better benefits packages. This improved experience helps companies retain global talent longer and build stronger distributed teams despite geographic challenges.

RemoFirst benefits

  • Major cost savings Companies save 60-75% on international employment costs versus premium EOR providers. A 10-person international team costs $1,990 monthly with RemoFirst versus $5,990 with other providers—saving nearly $48,000 annually.
  • Avoided expansion costs: Businesses avoid $15,000-$50,000 typically spent establishing foreign entities plus ongoing compliance costs of $20,000-$40,000 annually per country.
  • Faster market entry: Rather than spending 3-6 months setting up legal entities, companies can hire talent in new countries within a week. This rapid deployment capability helps businesses respond quickly to market opportunities.
  • Reduced compliance risk: Automated adherence to local regulations eliminates employment law violations that typically cost $10,000-$100,000 per incident plus business disruption.
  • Simplified global payroll: By automating payroll calculations and tax withholdings across multiple currencies, RemoFirst eliminates one of the most complex aspects of international employment. Companies save approximately 15-20 hours per pay period of manual calculation work.
  • Business flexibility: he pay-as-you-go model with no minimum commitments lets businesses scale their international workforce up or down as needed. This flexibility is particularly valuable for project-based businesses, seasonal operations, or companies testing new markets.
  • Benefits administration: Companies can offer comprehensive health benefits to employees worldwide through a single platform, enhancing recruitment competitiveness without the complexity of navigating multiple local providers.

How do Deel and RemoFirst compare on pricing?

Let's talk money. EOR pricing can be tricky – some providers quote low monthly fees but charge extra for things like setup, onboarding, or additional services. Here's what each provider charges for their main services.

Plan type Deel RemoFirst
EOR USD 599 /month USD 199 /month
Contractor USD 49 /month USD 25 /month
Payroll USD 29 /month —

What are the pros and cons of Deel vs RemoFirst?

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

Pros

  • Global employment infrastructure: Deel maintains local entities in 150+ countries, letting businesses hire employees without establishing their own legal presence in each location.
  • Multi-currency payment flexibility: Deel processes payroll in 120+ currencies with competitive exchange rates, making it cheaper than bank transfers for international team payments.
  • Automated compliance management: Deel automatically generates country-specific contracts and tax forms, reducing legal risks when hiring across different jurisdictions.
  • Employee benefits platform: Deel offers health insurance, equipment stipends, and other perks that help companies attract international talent with competitive packages.
  • 24/7 customer support: Deel provides round-the-clock assistance through multiple channels, ensuring help is available regardless of your team's time zones.
  • Contractor and EOR unification: Deel combines both contractor management and employer of record services in one platform, unlike competitors that often separate these functions.
  • User-friendly onboarding: Deel simplifies the complex process of international hiring with guided workflows and templated contracts for various employment scenarios.

Cons

  • Higher price point: Deel's contractor management starts at $49 monthly and EOR services at $599 per employee, making it pricier than budget-focused alternatives like RemoFirst.
  • Occasional support delays: During peak periods, response times can stretch beyond the advertised window, which might affect time-sensitive hiring processes.
  • Limited regional specialization: Unlike some competitors with deep expertise in specific regions, Deel offers broad global coverage but may lack the same depth in certain countries.
  • Advanced analytics limitations: Deel's reporting capabilities lack some of the sophisticated workforce analytics found in enterprise-level alternatives like Papaya Global.

RemoFirst

Pros

  • Lowest EOR pricing available:RemoFirst charges just $199 per employee monthly, making it 60-75% cheaper than Deel ($599) and Remote ($599), saving companies up to $48,000 annually for a 10-person international team.
  • Fast employee onboarding: RemoFirst completes employee setup within 5-7 business days across 180+ countries, compared to 3-6 months needed for establishing independent legal entities.
  • Complete compliance handling: The platform manages all local employment regulations, tax filings, and statutory requirements in every country, eliminating compliance risks that cost companies $10,000+ in penalties per violation.
  • Affordable contractor management: Beyond EOR services, RemoFirst handles contractor payments for just $25 monthly per contractor, undercutting Deel ($49) by 50% and most other providers.
  • No surprise costs: Unlike many competitors who charge different rates by country or add unexpected fees, RemoFirst maintains flat global pricing with no setup fees, deposits, or minimum commitments.
  • Global benefits program: Companies can provide employees standardized health insurance (including vision and dental) across all countries through the RemoHealth program, boosting recruitment competitiveness without navigating multiple local providers.
  • Simple interface The platform uses clean, minimal design that requires little training for HR staff, with most users navigating core functions within their first session.

Cons

  • Basic reporting tools: RemoFirst's analytics tools lack the depth found in enterprise options like Rippling, offering only fundamental workforce data without customizable dashboards or visualization options. Companies need separate tools for advanced workforce analytics.
  • Few integration options: The platform supports fewer third-party integrations than established competitors, potentially creating manual work when connecting with popular HRIS, accounting, and payroll systems. Users report difficulties connecting with some project management software.
  • New platform limitations: As an EOR provider founded in 2021, RemoFirst is still developing features that older competitors already offer, including multi-country payroll consolidation and tax planning tools.
  • Limited country customization: The platform offers limited localization options for employment contracts and policies, potentially creating challenges for companies with highly specialized regional requirements or those operating in highly regulated industries.

What do customers say about Deel vs RemoFirst?

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers – the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Review Platform Deel RemoFirst
G2
4.8 ★★★★★ (9937 reviews)
4.5 ★★★★★ (209 reviews)
Trustpilot
4.7 ★★★★★ (7556 reviews)
3.9 ★★★★☆ (37 reviews)
Capterra
4.8 ★★★★★ (3381 reviews)
5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Last updated: November 2025

Customer Support: Deel vs RemoFirst

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 when you need them most.

Support Feature Deel RemoFirst
Support Channels Email, Phone, Live Chat Email, Live Chat
Support Availability 24/7 24/7

Support features are based on publicly available information and may vary by plan or contract. Contact providers directly for specific support details.

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.

Deel RemoFirst
Best For Fast-growing companies needing global hiring at scale Cost-conscious and tight budgets
EOR Pricing $599 per employee/month $199 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing $25 per contractor/month $25 per contractor/month
Country Coverage 150 185
Support Channels Email, Phone, Live Chat Email, Live Chat
Support Availability 24/7 24/7
EOR Services ✓ ✓
PEO Services ✗ ✗
Global Payroll Management ✓ ✓
Contractor Management ✓ ✓
Compliance Support ✓ ✓
Benefits Management ✓ ✓
Multi-Country Support ✗ ✗
Annual Discount Available Not available
Visit Website Visit Website Visit Website

Which one is right for you?

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:

Deel is ideal for companies with complex international hiring needs and a desire for comprehensive HR solutions. Its robust platform caters to businesses scaling globally, offering extensive compliance support and payroll options across numerous countries. Deel’s advanced features and integrations make it suitable for:

  • Large multinational corporations
  • Fast-growing startups with global ambitions
  • Companies hiring in multiple countries simultaneously

Choose RemoFirst if:

Remofirst is well-suited for smaller to medium-sized businesses looking for a more straightforward approach to global hiring. Its user-friendly interface and competitive pricing make it attractive for companies just starting their international expansion or those with more focused hiring needs. Remofirst is particularly good for:

  • Companies prioritizing cost-effectiveness in global expansion
  • Small to medium enterprises
  • Startups with limited global hiring needs

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 if these two don't hit the mark.

Explore these alternatives:

Remote

Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring

$599/mo 186+ countries
Remote Review →

Multiplier

Companies Looking for Same-Day Global Hiring & Payments

$400/mo 150+ countries
Multiplier Review →

Rippling

Tech-forward companies with 50-1000 employees needing integrated HR and IT management

$499/mo 185+ countries
Rippling Review →

Frequently asked questions