Remofirst vs Atlas HXM: Unbiased EOR Comparison (2026)
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
RemoFirst vs Atlas HXM: quick comparison
Short on time? Here are the key differences between RemoFirst and Atlas HXM at a glance.
 | | |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | $199/per employee/month | — |
| Contractor pricing | $25/per employee/month | — |
| Overall rating | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Countries | 185+ | — |
| Visit site | Visit site |
EOR pricing
$199/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$25/per employee/month
Overall rating
9.3/10
Countries
185+
Let me be honest: choosing between RemoFirst and Atlas HXM for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature lists and country coverage stats, but what really matters is understanding how each platform handles fundamentally different business priorities – like when you need the industry’s lowest pricing at $199 per employee versus comprehensive Human Experience Management with advanced analytics at $595 per employee, dealing with straightforward implementation versus navigating a sophisticated enterprise platform with a learning curve, or figuring out if Atlas HXM’s owned-entity infrastructure actually justifies spending 3x more per employee monthly.
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 offer EOR services, then realize six months later they prioritized the wrong factor for their stage and needs. RemoFirst built its reputation on accessible, transparent pricing making global hiring affordable for any company, while Atlas HXM positioned itself around enterprise-grade workforce management with direct EOR entities in 160+ countries and sophisticated analytics capabilities. Both approaches have merit, but they serve completely different company sizes and operational sophistication levels.
The real decision comes down to your budget and complexity needs: RemoFirst works best when you need cost-effective global hiring at $199 per employee with simple implementation and transparent pricing for straightforward international employment, while Atlas HXM delivers better results for mid-sized to large enterprises requiring advanced HR analytics, comprehensive talent management features, and direct entity control despite premium pricing at $595 per employee. However, your budget constraints, need for advanced analytics versus basic functionality, and whether you value affordability over enterprise sophistication 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 RemoFirst’s 60-70% cost savings and straightforward approach suit your startup or small business needs, or if Atlas HXM’s enterprise features and owned-entity infrastructure justify the premium investment for your complex workforce management requirements.
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What is RemoFirst?
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
| Founded | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco |
| CEO | Nurasyl Serik |
| Employees | 10001+ |
| Total funding | $0.0B |
What is Atlas HXM?
Atlas HXM is an Employer of Record provider built around a direct infrastructure model. The platform positions itself as the legal employer through owned entities across the coverage network, rather than operating through partners.
Companies use Atlas to hire and pay international employees, manage locally compliant benefits, and maintain ongoing compliance support through a single system.
Atlas was founded by Rick Hammell in 2015 as Elements Global Services and rebranded to Atlas HXM in 2022.
How Atlas works
Atlas serves as the legal employer for your international hires. It handles contracts, payroll, statutory filings, and the compliance processes tied to employment in each country.The direct entity model typically matters most in complex scenarios, such as terminations, policy changes, audits, and edge-case benefits requirements.
With fewer third parties involved, escalation paths are more direct.
Who uses Atlas
Atlas is most commonly used by multi-country programs of companies that need consistency across regions, clear reporting, and predictable compliance oversight.What are the key features of RemoFirst vs Atlas HXM?
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.
RemoFirst key features
RemoFirst acts as the legal employer in 185+ countries. They create employment contracts, register employees with local authorities, and manage tax withholdings and social contributions. One price across all countries.
Processes payroll in 100+ currencies with automatic tax withholdings and mandatory deductions. Supports monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly payment cycles.
Creates compliant contractor agreements and manages payments in local currencies across 150+ countries for $25 per contractor monthly. Separate contractor dashboard follows the same workflow as employee management.
RemoHealth provides standardized health insurance across all countries, with optional dental and vision coverage. Handles equipment provisioning for laptops and tools shipped to remote team members.
Handles tax filings, paid time off policies, parental leave, termination requirements, and other country-specific employment regulations automatically.
Employees request time off through the platform. Automatic calculations based on local entitlements. Managers approve or deny requests directly in the system with calendar view showing team availability.
Atlas HXM key features
Contracts, payroll, benefits coordination, and government filings through Atlas-owned entities
Payroll operations and reporting across countries, with multi-currency support
Ongoing local monitoring and updates tied to employment requirements
Locally compliant benefits, including statutory requirements and market-standard add-ons
Visa sponsorship support in 100+ countries
Pay slips, time off, document access, and profile updates in 90+ languages
Access to professional development content through a Udemy Business partnership (Atlas learning)
Time capture, breaks, and overtime tracking through web or mobile
Receipt upload, categorization, and payroll-based reimbursement workflows
Support contacts for employee questions around pay, time off, and benefits
What benefits do RemoFirst and Atlas HXM 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.
RemoFirst benefits
Major cost savings
A 10-person team costs $1,990 monthly with RemoFirst versus $5,990 with Deel or Remote. That's $48,000 in annual savings.
Avoided expansion costs
Setting up a foreign entity costs $15,000-$50,000 upfront, plus $20,000-$40,000 annually for compliance. RemoFirst eliminates both.
Faster market entry
Setting up legal entities takes 3-6 months. RemoFirst onboards employees in 5-7 business days across all countries.
Reduced compliance risk
Employment law violations cost $10,000-$100,000 per incident. RemoFirst monitors changing regulations across all countries automatically.
Simplified global payroll
Automated payroll calculations and tax withholdings across multiple currencies save 15-20 hours per pay period of manual work.
Business flexibility
No minimum commitments or long-term contracts. Add or remove employees as projects change or when testing new markets.
Benefits administration
RemoHealth provides standardized health insurance across all countries. Offer dental and vision coverage without managing multiple local providers.
Atlas HXM benefits
Fewer delivery handoffs
A direct entity model cuts down on third parties in daily operations.
Stronger planning support
Cost and workforce analytics help model hiring plans and compare countries before committing.
Centralized workforce view
Headcount, payroll, and compliance status live in one place. That matters once hiring spans more than one region.
Local expertise access
HR and legal support follows country-specific rules, without forcing internal staff to manage every detail.
Predictable platform fee
A flat monthly charge is easier to budget than variable pricing.
Multi-language support
Support covers a wide range of languages for global operations.
Simplified payroll administration
Multi-currency payroll and statutory calculations reduce manual reconciliation.
How do RemoFirst and Atlas HXM 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 | $199/per employee/month | — |
| Contractor management | $25/per employee/month | — |
Not sure which is right for you?
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What are the pros and cons of RemoFirst vs Atlas HXM?
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.
RemoFirst
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Lowest EOR pricing available
RemoFirst charges $199 across 185+ countries. Deel charges $599 and Remote charges $645 for the same service.
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Fast employee onboarding
Most employees start working within a week. Setting up your own entities takes 3-6 months.
- +
Complete compliance handling
They manage local employment regulations, tax filings, and statutory requirements in every country.
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Affordable contractor management
Contractor payments cost $25 monthly. Deel charges $49 for contractor management.
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No surprise costs
One price across all countries with no setup fees, deposits, or minimums.
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Global benefits program
Standardized health insurance across all countries without navigating multiple local providers.
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Simple interface
Most HR staff navigate core functions in their first session without training.
- −
Limited reporting
Analytics cover basic workforce data only. No custom dashboards or advanced visualization. You'll need separate tools for detailed workforce analysis.
- −
Fewer integrations
Supports fewer third-party connections than Deel, Remote, or Rippling. Expect manual work connecting HRIS, accounting, and payroll systems.
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Missing features (young platform)
Founded in 2021, RemoFirst lacks multi-country payroll consolidation and tax planning tools that older competitors offer.
- −
Limited country customization
Few localization options for employment contracts and policies. Challenging for companies with specialized regional requirements or highly regulated industries.
Atlas HXM
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Direct entity ownership
Atlas’ market position is “direct EOR” with fully owned entities in more than 160 countries.
- +
Support model built for global time zones
24/7 support is part of the published service model. Account management is included, with access to local expertise where needed.
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Strong analytics angle
Cost and risk calculators show up repeatedly in Atlas’s positioning and in user feedback, and that’s a real differentiator versus “basic EOR + payroll.”
- +
Analytics and planning tools
Cost and workforce insights sit closer to the core product than they do with many EOR providers.
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Structured onboarding
Implementation support is part of the experience. Most feedback I’ve seen on this mentions guided rollout rather than self-serve setup.
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Premium cost
$599 per employee per month prices Atlas in the upper tier of the market. That’s a real constraint for smaller budgets.
- −
Setup feels heavier than simpler EOR tools
Teams often need time to learn the system’s workflows and reporting structure.
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Integrations are harder to validate upfront
Atlas mentions API access, but there’s limited public information on native integrations and ecosystem depth.
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Smaller number of reviews than most competitors
Atlas has fewer third-party reviews than the largest providers. That means less first-hand info for potential clients.
What do customers say about RemoFirst vs Atlas HXM?
Don't just take my word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers on major review platforms.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.6 251 reviews | — |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 64 reviews | — |
| Capterra | 5.0 2 reviews | — |
| Glassdoor | 4.4 33 reviews | — |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated February 2026.
Customer support: RemoFirst vs Atlas HXM
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 |
| Self-service resources | No | No |
| Community forum | No | No |
How do RemoFirst and Atlas HXM 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 |  RemoFirst | Atlas HXM |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $199/mo | — |
| Countries | 185+ | — |
| Overall rating | 9.3/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 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 RemoFirst if:
Choose RemoFirst if you prioritize affordability, transparent pricing, and straightforward implementation over enterprise-grade analytics and sophisticated features. Its budget-friendly approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Startups and small businesses (5-100 employees) with tight budgets needing the most affordable EOR pricing at $199 per employee monthly
- Cost-conscious scale-ups requiring transparent, flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees, setup costs, or mandatory deposits across all countries
- Companies new to global hiring wanting simple, intuitive platforms requiring minimal training and fast implementation within days
- Organizations with straightforward employment needs not requiring advanced HR analytics, talent management systems, or complex customization
- Businesses hiring primarily for basic roles where comprehensive workforce analytics and sophisticated reporting tools provide limited value
RemoFirst’s industry-leading pricing and user-friendly interface make it well-suited for companies prioritizing cost efficiency and operational simplicity. The platform’s transparent pricing model and fast onboarding enable budget-conscious organizations to expand globally without premium enterprise costs. If your primary goal is accessible international hiring with predictable costs and minimal complexity, RemoFirst provides essential EOR services at $199 per employee with no hidden fees.
Choose Atlas HXM if:
Choose Atlas HXM if you prioritize enterprise-grade features, advanced analytics, and direct entity control over budget pricing and simplicity. Its Human Experience Management approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Mid-sized to large enterprises (200-2,000+ employees) requiring comprehensive workforce management beyond basic employment and payroll services
- Data-driven organizations needing advanced HR analytics, real-time reporting, and customizable dashboards for strategic workforce planning
- Companies requiring sophisticated talent management features including performance tracking, succession planning, and employee development tools
- Businesses expanding into complex markets where direct EOR ownership in 160+ countries provides superior compliance control and risk mitigation
- Organizations with dedicated HR teams capable of navigating comprehensive platforms and leveraging advanced features for competitive advantage
Atlas HXM’s direct entity model and sophisticated analytics platform make it particularly attractive for enterprises managing complex global operations. The platform’s comprehensive features and robust compliance capabilities provide value for organizations where workforce intelligence and strategic HR management justify premium pricing. If your primary goal is enterprise-grade workforce management with advanced analytics and direct entity control, Atlas HXM provides comprehensive HXM solutions starting at $595 per employee.
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.
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 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.
Frequently asked questions
Remofirst covers over 180 countries, while Atlas HXM is in more than 160 countries. Both offer extensive global coverage, but Remofirst edges out slightly regarding the number of countries served.
Remofirst is generally more cost-effective for small businesses, with pricing starting at $199 per employee per month for EOR services. Atlas HXM’s pricing starts higher, making it more suitable for larger enterprises.
Both platforms offer strong compliance support, but Atlas HXM’s direct EOR model, where they own entities in each country, provides higher compliance assurance. Remofirst also ensures compliance but may rely on third-party partners in some locations.
Yes, both Remofirst and Atlas HXM offer contractor payment solutions. Remofirst charges $25 per contractor per month, while Atlas HXM provides custom pricing for contractor management.
Yes, both Remofirst and Atlas HXM offer contractor payment solutions. Remofirst charges $25 per contractor per month, while Atlas HXM provides custom pricing for contractor management.
Remofirst is known for its user-friendly, straightforward interface, making it easy for businesses new to global hiring. Atlas HXM offers a more comprehensive interface with advanced features, which may have a steeper learning curve but provide more functionality for complex HR operations.
Still not sure?
Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team size, budget, and hiring countries.