Papaya Global VS Remote: 2026 EOR 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
Papaya Global vs Remote: quick comparison
Short on time? Here are the key differences between Papaya Global and Remote at a glance.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | $599/per employee/month | $599/per employee/month |
| Contractor pricing | $30/per employee/month | $29/per employee/month |
| Payroll pricing | — | $29/per employee/month |
| Overall rating | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Countries | 15+ | 186+ |
| Visit site | Visit site |
EOR pricing
$599/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$30/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
—
Overall rating
8.8/10
Countries
15+
EOR pricing
$599/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$29/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
$29/per employee/month
Overall rating
8.9/10
Countries
186+
Let me be honest: choosing between Papaya Global and Remote for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature comparisons and country counts, but what really matters is understanding how each platform handles a fundamental business model difference – like when Papaya uses third-party partners in 160+ countries versus Remote owning all entities in 70+ countries, dealing with separate invoicing processes for each market with Papaya versus unified billing with Remote, or figuring out if complex payroll analytics actually matter more than having direct entity control.
I’ve been helping companies navigate global expansion for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: businesses compare these two because both charge $599 per employee, then realize six months later that pricing parity masked completely different operational models. Papaya Global built its reputation on sophisticated payroll software and data analytics serving large enterprises, while Remote positioned itself around owned-entity infrastructure and transparent pricing with no third-party pass-through costs. Both approaches have merit, but they solve different problems for different company stages.
The real decision comes down to your operational priorities: Papaya Global works best when you need advanced payroll analytics across 160+ countries and can handle separate invoicing with third-party partners in each market, while Remote delivers better results for companies prioritizing direct entity ownership, transparent costs with zero hidden fees, and integrated HRIS tools despite covering fewer countries. However, your comfort with third-party dependencies, need for payroll data insights versus operational simplicity, and whether you value geographic breadth over entity control will determine which trade-offs actually matter for your situation.
My goal is to help you understand how these platforms actually perform in practice, so you can decide if Papaya’s 160+ country coverage through partners and enterprise analytics justify potential coordination complexity, or if Remote’s owned-entity model and transparent pricing with no mandatory deposits better serve your global hiring needs.
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What is Papaya Global?
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.
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | New York |
| CEO | Eynat Guez |
| Employees | 501-1000 |
| Total funding | $0.4B |
What is Remote?
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.
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco |
| CEO | Job van der Voort |
| Employees | 1001-5000 |
| Total funding | $0.5B |
What are the key features of Papaya Global vs Remote?
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.
Papaya Global key features
The platform centers on payroll calculations, deductions, and filings. HR tools complement it, not the other way around.
Clients approve payroll and release salary, tax, and third-party payments in the same system.
The system applies local tax rules, contributions, and statutory requirements directly inside payroll workflows.
Companies manage EOR employees, local payroll, and contractors without switching platforms.
Reports focus on payroll activity, costs, and changes across countries, not people analytics.
The platform generates and maintains country-specific employment contracts as part of EOR workflows.
Remote key features
Remote supports hiring in more than 190 countries without requiring local entities. Clients avoid the legal setup work and the associated startup costs.
They run their own legal entities in the countries where they operate. Direct control means stronger compliance and intellectual property protections.
Remote charges a flat $699 per employee monthly on annual plans, with no hidden fees or minimum commitments. The fixed structure makes budgeting more predictable.
The platform covers onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance. Document collection, background checks, tax registration, and ongoing administration are included.
Remote IP Guard protects your intellectual property in all markets, and employment contracts include IP clauses that match local laws.
The interface makes it easy to manage employees and contractors globally, and onboarding is well thought-out.
Companies can choose which benefits to offer beyond the legally required ones, so they stay competitive.
Companies running their own entities can now use global payroll to handle taxes, deductions, and local compliance, without paying for full EOR services.
Compliance tools monitor requirements and send alerts when rules change. The platform follows data protection standards like GDPR, files taxes, and applies local laws.
Equity support covers cross-border compensation programs, including withholding and required reporting. Companies can grant stock options and other equity awards while following local tax rules.
What benefits do Papaya Global and Remote 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.
Papaya Global benefits
Fewer vendors to manage
Clients can replace multiple local payroll providers with one system, using the same approval and reporting flows across countries.
Less manual compliance checking
Local tax rates, social contributions, and statutory requirements live inside payroll workflows instead of being tracked through external tools.
Less reconciliation between payroll and banking
Payroll approval, salary payouts, tax remittances, and third-party payments happen on the same platform.
Works once payroll gets complex
Papaya is a great fit for companies whose payroll spans many countries or includes mixed worker models.
Clear payroll visibility for finance teams
Reports track payroll activity, costs, and changes across countries from cycle to cycle.
Remote benefits
Broad coverage
Their clients can expand internationally without wasting money and time setting up local operations.
Reduced legal risk
Remote manages local labor laws and regulations. Clients face fewer compliance issues when hiring internationally.
Intellectual property protection
IP clauses protect company intellectual property in every country, and work stays secure across borders.
Faster hiring and lower costs
Companies skip entity setup and cut hiring timelines. As a plus., admin work drops compared to managing multiple vendors.
Growth support
Remote works for companies of different sizes. Their clients can scale internationally without switching providers.
Clear pricing
Pricing is upfront and clear. No hidden fees or long-term contracts required.
Local expertise
Local employment specialists answer country-specific questions. Companies get answers without researching foreign labor laws.
Simplified global operations
Local employment specialists answer country-specific questions, so companies don’t have to research foreign labor laws themselves.
How do Papaya Global and Remote 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 | $599/per employee/month |
| Contractor management | $30/per employee/month | $29/per employee/month |
| Global payroll | — | $29/per employee/month |
Not sure which is right for you?
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What are the pros and cons of Papaya Global vs Remote?
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.
Papaya Global
- +
Core payroll focus
The platform was built around the payroll engine, not as an HR tool with payroll as a secondary add-on. The result: fewer calculation errors and more reliable tax compliance.
- +
Payments built in
Payroll approval and payment execution happen in the same system. That means less back-and-forth between payroll software and banking tools for reconciliations.
- +
Over 160 countries covered
Broad enough to consolidate payroll across all major markets in a single system.
- +
Detailed logs
Changes, approvals, and payments are tracked across the full payroll process.
- +
Multiple worker models
EOR employees, locally employed staff, and contractors are managed in the same system.
- −
Setup takes time
Multi-country rollouts require planning, testing cycles, and clear payroll ownership on the client side.
- −
Not HR-led
The platform is oriented toward payroll and finance users rather than employee-facing HR workflows.
- −
Partner-based EOR
Employer of Record services rely on local partners in most countries. That can affect consistency by region.
- −
Quote-based pricing
Pricing is custom and modular, so clients don't know the full cost before speaking with Papaya's sales team.
Remote
- +
Own-entity model
Remote mainly operates through their own legal entities instead of partnering with local providers, especially for EOR services. They control employment processes and compliance directly.
- +
Superior IP protection
Remote's IP Guard protects intellectual property better than most competitors, with clear ownership documentation and safeguards in all locations. Client's property stays secure at all times.
- +
Transparent flat-rate pricing
There are no hidden fees, setup costs, or minimum commitments in Remote's pricing. This allows for better planning and predictable budgeting.
- +
Extensive human resources (HR) coverage
The platform does everything through a single dashboard, from onboarding to offboarding, benefits administration, global payroll, and compliance management.
- +
Custom benefits packages
Remote offers benefits that match each country's requirements so their clients attract better talent.
- +
Recently launched global payroll solution
Remote now offers a standalone global payroll service. That means employers with international entities can run payroll in one system.
- −
Costs more than budget options
Remote charges $699 per employee monthly for EOR services. This puts it at the higher end of the market. Providers like RemoFirst ($199 per month) work better for smaller companies.
- −
Limited customization options
The platform uses a standardized setup for most employment scenarios. If you need unusual pay structures, custom overtime rules, or specialized benefits packages, it might not be supported.
- −
Basic reporting capabilities
Remote's reporting covers basic metrics but isn't as deep as some enterprise HR platforms. Specifically, custom reports that combine data across payroll, benefits, and time tracking require manual exports and external analysis.
What do customers say about Papaya Global vs Remote?
Don't just take my word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers on major review platforms.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.5 35 reviews | 4.6 4,368 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.5 49 reviews | 4.7 2,679 reviews |
| Capterra | 4.4 33 reviews | 4.4 94 reviews |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated February 2026.
Customer support: Papaya Global vs Remote
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 | No | Yes |
| Support languages | — | English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Other |
| Self-service resources | No | Yes |
| Community forum | No | No |
How do Papaya Global and Remote 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 | Papaya Global | Remote |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $599/mo | From $599/mo |
| Countries | 15+ | 186+ |
| Overall rating | 8.8/10 | 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 Papaya Global if:
Choose Papaya Global if you prioritize sophisticated payroll analytics, broad geographic coverage, and enterprise-grade features over direct entity ownership. Its partner-network approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Large enterprises (500-5,000+ employees) requiring advanced HR analytics and data-driven workforce insights across complex global operations
- Companies in specialized industries like maritime, oil and gas, shipping, or iGaming where Papaya has deep expertise and tailored solutions
- Organizations with existing trusted local partners they want to continue using while managing global payroll through one unified platform
- Finance teams needing detailed payroll analytics, real-time business intelligence, and comprehensive reporting across 160+ countries
- Businesses comfortable coordinating with third-party providers in exchange for broader geographic coverage and specialized industry knowledge
Papaya Global’s extensive partner network and sophisticated analytics platform make it well-suited for enterprises managing complex, distributed workforces across many countries. The platform’s emphasis on data-driven insights and specialized industry expertise provides value for organizations where payroll complexity and strategic workforce planning outweigh concerns about third-party coordination. If your primary goal is comprehensive payroll management with advanced analytics across the broadest possible geographic footprint, Papaya Global provides enterprise-grade solutions starting at $599 per employee.
Choose Remote if:
Choose Remote if you prioritize owned-entity control, transparent pricing, and operational simplicity over geographic breadth and advanced analytics. Its direct-ownership approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Scale-ups and mid-sized companies (50-500 employees) prioritizing direct entity control and consistent experience across all markets
- Organizations requiring transparent pricing with no third-party pass-through costs, mandatory deposits, or hidden transaction fees
- Remote-first companies needing integrated HRIS tools, recruitment features, and mobile apps beyond basic EOR employment services
- Businesses valuing unlimited indemnity coverage and dedicated customer success managers for personalized support
- Companies hiring primarily in major markets where Remote’s 70+ owned countries provide sufficient coverage without third-party coordination complexity
Remote’s 100% owned-entity infrastructure and transparent pricing model make it particularly attractive for companies prioritizing operational control and cost predictability. The platform’s integrated HRIS, recruitment tools, and compliance features provide comprehensive workforce management beyond pure payroll processing. If your primary goal is direct entity ownership with transparent costs and integrated HR tools for hiring in major global markets, Remote provides a complete solution at $599 per employee with no hidden fees.
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
Deel
Growing companies scaling internationally with a mix of contractors and full-time employees
Read review
Hire With Columbus
Budget-conscious companies needing affordable EOR services across many countries, especially those hiring 5+ international employees where cost savings compound significantly
Read reviewNot sure which is right for you? Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team and budget.
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