Multiplier 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
Multiplier vs Hire With Columbus: quick comparison
Short on time? Here are the key differences between Multiplier and Hire With Columbus at a glance.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | $400/per employee/month | $179/per employee/month |
| Contractor pricing | $40/per employee/month | $25/per employee/month |
| Overall rating | 9.1/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Countries | 164+ | 185+ |
| Visit site | Visit site |
EOR pricing
$400/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$40/per employee/month
Overall rating
9.1/10
Countries
164+
EOR pricing
$179/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$25/per employee/month
Overall rating
8.9/10
Countries
185+
Let me be honest: choosing between Multiplier and Hire with Columbus for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature comparisons, but what really matters is understanding the massive price difference and what you’re actually getting – Multiplier charges $400/employee with same-day hiring and strong Asia-Pacific expertise, while Hire with Columbus delivers the same core EOR services for just $179/employee through partner networks.
I’ve been analyzing EOR platforms for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: companies pick the budget option to save money, then realize three months later they needed the platform features and regional expertise, or they overpay for capabilities they never use. Multiplier built its reputation on rapid implementation with proprietary technology and APAC specialization, while Hire with Columbus positioned itself as the absolute lowest-cost EOR by leveraging partner infrastructure and bulk purchasing power. Both work, but they’re built for completely different priorities.
The real decision comes down to what matters most to you: Multiplier works best when you need same-day onboarding, strong Asia-Pacific presence, and a dedicated technology platform with regional expertise, while Hire with Columbus is better for extremely cost-conscious companies that need basic EOR services and can work with partner-based infrastructure. Your budget constraints, regional hiring focus, speed requirements, and whether you value platform ownership versus absolute lowest cost 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 $221 per employee monthly with Hire with Columbus at $179 is worth the trade-offs in platform features and direct control compared to Multiplier’s $400 pricing with proprietary technology and APAC strength.
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 Multiplier?
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.
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| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | New York |
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 Multiplier 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.
Multiplier key features
Multiplier runs employment operations in 150+ countries. Companies skip the entity setup entirely, and this saves 3-6 months compared to traditional international hires.
The platform pays employees in 120+ currencies. Tax calculations and deductions run automatically from one dashboard.
Multiplier creates contracts in multiple languages. All contracts follow local regulations.
To attract talent, their clients can provide insurance and benefits packages adjusted by country.
Companies pay international contractors through the platform, for $40 monthly per contractor (covers misclassification protection and supports multiple currencies).
The system tracks leave entitlements and public holidays by country, and employees submit requests through a simple interface.
Multiplier manages expense submissions, approvals, and reimbursements across currencies. Manual reconciliation work goes away for most parts (which is a big plus in my book).
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 Multiplier 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.
Multiplier benefits
Lower costs:
Companies avoid entity setup costs of $20,000-$80,000 per country. Ongoing compliance expenses disappear, too.
Faster hiring:
Their clients hire internationally in 24 hours instead of waiting 3-6 months for entity establishment.
Reduced legal risk:
Multiplier tracks changing regulations across all countries. This protects companies against compliance violations and the penalties that follow.
Less admin time:
HR teams save 15-20 hours weekly through automated processes.
Better employee experience:
Employees get a mobile app for payslips, leave requests, and support. Local benefits come standard in each country.
Clear pricing:
Multiplier rates are clear and predictable, without hidden fees. That makes planning easier.
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 Multiplier 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 | $400/per employee/month | $179/per employee/month |
| Contractor management | $40/per employee/month | $25/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 Multiplier 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.
Multiplier
- +
Lower EOR rates
EOR services cost $400 monthly with Multiplier. Premium providers charge $599 or more.
- +
Asia-Pacific expertise
Multiplier shows particular strength in Singapore, Australia, and Japan. Companies hiring in these markets get better regional support.
- +
Fast onboarding
Their clients can onboard international employees within 24 hours. Entity setup through standard methods takes months.
- +
Multi-currency payroll
Payments get processed in over 120 currencies. Tax calculations and deductions run automatically across 150+ countries.
- +
Strong compliance handling
The platform handles local labor laws and creates compliant contracts. Their clients face fewer legal risks.
- +
No setup fees
Multiplier doesn't charge additional costs for onboarding, offboarding, or setup. Many competitors add these fees.
- −
Unintuitive platform layout
The system may not be intuitive for everyone, so some users report initial difficulties with the interface.
- −
Slower email support
Email support can be significantly slower than chat support, so time-sensitive issues might take longer to resolve.
- −
Limited customization
The platform offers fewer personalization features than competitors. Businesses with specific needs face restrictions.
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 Multiplier 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 | 4.7 1,868 reviews | 5.0 6 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.9 2,396 reviews | — |
| Capterra | 4.6 42 reviews | — |
| Glassdoor | 4.2 319 reviews | — |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated February 2026.
Customer support: Multiplier 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 | Business Hours | 24/7 |
| Dedicated account manager | No | No |
| Self-service resources | No | No |
| Community forum | No | No |
How do Multiplier 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 | Multiplier | Hire With Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $400/mo | From $179/mo |
| Countries | 164+ | 185+ |
| Overall rating | 9.1/10 | 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 Multiplier if:
You’re expanding into Asia-Pacific markets. Multiplier has particular strength in Singapore, Japan, Australia, and Southeast Asian countries. Their local expertise in these regions goes beyond basic compliance – they understand cultural nuances, local benefit expectations, and regional business practices.
Speed matters for your hiring. Multiplier offers same-day onboarding in many countries, which beats most competitors’ 5-7 day timeline. If you need to secure talent quickly in competitive markets or have urgent project needs, their rapid setup provides a real advantage.
You want middle-ground pricing with solid features. At $400/month, Multiplier sits between budget providers and premium platforms. You get multi-currency payroll processing, comprehensive compliance management, and decent support without paying top-tier prices. It works well for companies that want more than bare-bones service but don’t need extensive platform features.
Choose Hire With Columbus if:
Budget is your primary concern. Starting from $179/month per employee, Hire with Columbus costs 55% less than Multiplier while covering the same countries and core EOR functions. You get compliant employment, payroll processing, and benefits administration at the absolute lowest market rate.
You’re a small to medium business watching every dollar. The $221 monthly difference per employee becomes substantial as you grow. For a 10-person international team, you save $26,520 annually compared to Multiplier – funds you can invest in growth rather than EOR fees.
You prefer personal service over platform features. While Multiplier offers more technology features, Hire with Columbus provides dedicated account management and hands-on support. This works better for companies without dedicated HR teams who need guidance through international employment complexities. You’re essentially getting professional EOR services at a fraction of typical costs.
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
Deel
Growing companies scaling internationally with a mix of contractors and full-time employees
Read reviewNot sure which is right for you? Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team and budget.
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