Remofirst vs Rippling: 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
RemoFirst vs Rippling: quick comparison
Short on time? Here are the key differences between RemoFirst and Rippling at a glance.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | $199/per employee/month | $499/per employee/month |
| Contractor pricing | $25/per employee/month | $35/per employee/month |
| Payroll pricing | — | $35/per employee/month |
| Overall rating | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Countries | 185+ | 53+ |
| Visit site | Visit site |
EOR pricing
$199/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$25/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
—
Overall rating
9.3/10
Countries
185+
EOR pricing
$499/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$35/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
$35/per employee/month
Overall rating
9.0/10
Countries
53+
Let me be honest: choosing between RemoFirst and Rippling for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature comparisons and integration counts, but what really matters is understanding that these platforms solve fundamentally different problems – like when you need specialized $199 per employee EOR services across 185 countries versus paying $8-299 PEPM plus EOR fees for unified HR, IT, and Finance management with 500+ integrations, dealing with 24-hour employee onboarding versus 1-3 month implementation for comprehensive platform setup, or figuring out if Rippling’s device management and workflow automation actually matter when you just need straightforward international employment.
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 were comparing a specialized EOR provider to an all-in-one business platform. RemoFirst built its reputation on being the industry’s most affordable EOR at $199 per employee with deep specialization in international employment, while Rippling positioned itself around unified workforce management where EOR is just one component of a comprehensive HR, IT, and Finance ecosystem. Both approaches have merit, but they serve completely different operational needs.
The real decision comes down to what problems you’re actually solving: RemoFirst works best when you need specialized EOR services at $199 per employee with rapid deployment across 185 countries for straightforward international employment without needing HR/IT/Finance integration, while Rippling delivers better results for companies requiring comprehensive workforce management starting at $8 PEPM plus EOR fees that integrates HR operations with IT device management and Finance automation through 500+ integrations. However, your need for specialized EOR depth versus broad platform capabilities, implementation timeline constraints, and whether you value cost efficiency over operational unification 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 $199 specialized EOR focus and 24-hour onboarding suit your international hiring needs, or if Rippling’s all-in-one approach with HR/IT/Finance integration and comprehensive automation better serves companies needing unified workforce operations beyond just employment.
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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 Rippling?
Rippling is an all-in-one workforce management platform that connects HR, IT, and finance functions through a unified employee database. Companies use it to manage payroll, benefits, devices, and software from one system.
Parker Conrad (former Zenefits CEO) and Prasanna Sankar founded the company in 2016. Rippling now supports businesses operating in more than 50 countries.
How Rippling works
The platform automates workflows across business systems that normally operate separately.
When I tested Rippling, the onboarding caught my attention because it was so efficient. For example, adding someone to payroll triggered their laptop order, email setup, and software provisioning right away.
There are no (or fewer) manual steps since one employee database feeds all systems at once.
What it means for clients: It means automating tasks that normally require switching between multiple tools.
Who uses Rippling
Rippling works best for medium-sized technology and growing businesses with members across the world.
These companies need advanced systems but lack enterprise-level IT departments. The Rippling platform provides just that: enterprise-grade tools without massive IT investments.
What it means for clients: Companies automate work that normally requires multiple tools and manual coordination.
| Founded | 2016 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco |
| CEO | Parker Conrad |
| Employees | 10001+ |
| Total funding | $1.4B |
What are the key features of RemoFirst vs Rippling?
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.
Rippling key features
Rippling's EOR service allows companies to hire in 80+ countries without legal entities. The platform manages all contracts, tax registrations, and compliance. International and domestic employees are managed in the same system.
One database serves as the centralized source. When information changes anywhere, all connected systems update automatically (this reduces clerical mistakes).
The platform manages device procurement, configuration, and security. Equipment gets ordered based on role templates, and software pre-installs before devices reach employees.
Rippling processes payments for domestic and international employees, contractors, and part-time workers through one interface. The system calculates taxes and deductions based on location, and reports segment costs by department or project.
The platform goes beyond basic admin/user roles. Clients can create custom access profiles based on department, seniority, or location.
What benefits do RemoFirst and Rippling 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.
Rippling benefits
Less admin work
The platform connects systems that normally operate separately. I’ve seen companies report 60-80% time savings after switching to Rippling.
Faster onboarding
New hires can start working much quicker (typically in days). The platform configures accounts, orders equipment, and sets up payroll at the same time.
Reliable compliance
Rippling applies regulations based on worker location automatically. The system then tracks changing requirements and updates rules without manual work.
Stronger security
Rippling’s integrated IT management keeps security consistent across employees and devices. It controls who gets access, enforces password rules, and handles encryption in the background.
Fewer errors
The platform automatically syncs data across systems, so there’s less room for errors that come with the human factor.
Better employee experience
Employees manage their own pay stubs and tax forms through self-service. There’s less back-and-forth with HR, and that saves everyone time.
How do RemoFirst and Rippling 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 | $499/per employee/month |
| Contractor management | $25/per employee/month | $35/per employee/month |
| Global payroll | — | $35/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 RemoFirst vs Rippling?
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
- +
Lowest EOR pricing available
RemoFirst charges $199 across 185+ countries. Deel charges $599 and Remote charges $645 for the same service.
- +
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.
- +
Affordable contractor management
Contractor payments cost $25 monthly. Deel charges $49 for contractor management.
- +
No surprise costs
One price across all countries with no setup fees, deposits, or minimums.
- +
Global benefits program
Standardized health insurance across all countries without navigating multiple local providers.
- +
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.
- −
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.
Rippling
- +
System integration
Rippling connects HR, IT, and finance in one platform. This removes the disconnected data that comes from using separate tools.
- +
Strong automation
Rippling reduces manual workload by automating HR processes from hiring to offboarding across all connected systems and countries.
- +
Device management
Rippling handles laptop ordering, software installation, and security for remote teams. Most EOR providers don't offer this.
- +
App integrations
Rippling connects with 500+ business applications. This creates a more unified workspace than most competitors.
- +
Custom workflows
Companies can build approval chains that match their structure.
- −
Unclear pricing
Rippling's modular pricing makes total costs hard to predict without direct quotes. Each service component adds to the base fee.
- −
Lengthy setup and steep learning curve
Setup takes longer compared to similar tools because of the many functions. HR teams coming from simpler tools face a bigger adjustment.
- −
Inconsistent support
Response times change based on issue type and plan level. Some users wait several days for a resolution.
What do customers say about RemoFirst vs Rippling?
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 | 4.8 11,614 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.2 64 reviews | 4.6 1,713 reviews |
| Capterra | 5.0 2 reviews | 4.9 4,321 reviews |
| Glassdoor | 4.4 33 reviews | 3.8 1,003 reviews |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated February 2026.
Customer support: RemoFirst vs Rippling
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 | Business Hours |
| Dedicated account manager | No | No |
| Self-service resources | No | No |
| Community forum | No | No |
How do RemoFirst and Rippling 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 |  Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $199/mo | From $499/mo |
| Countries | 185+ | 53+ |
| Overall rating | 9.3/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 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 need specialized, affordable EOR services and don’t require integrated HR, IT, and Finance platform capabilities. Its EOR-focused approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Budget-conscious companies (5-200 employees) needing the industry’s lowest EOR pricing at $199 per employee monthly for international employment
- Organizations requiring rapid deployment with 24-hour employee onboarding across 185 countries without 1-3 month implementation timelines
- Companies needing pure EOR services without HR platform features like device management, IT provisioning, or finance automation
- Businesses hiring primarily international employees where broad country coverage and EOR specialization outweigh platform integration needs
- Startups and SMBs with straightforward employment needs not requiring 500+ integrations or complex workflow automation
RemoFirst’s deep EOR specialization and industry-leading affordability make it well-suited for companies prioritizing international employment over operational unification. The platform’s laser focus on EOR services enables rapid deployment and transparent pricing without paying for comprehensive HR/IT/Finance features. If your primary goal is cost-effective international hiring with fast implementation across maximum countries, RemoFirst provides specialized EOR solutions at $199 per employee across 185+ countries.
Choose Rippling if:
Choose Rippling if you need comprehensive HR, IT, and Finance platform unification where EOR is one component of broader workforce management. Its all-in-one approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Mid-sized to large companies (100-1,000+ employees) requiring unified HR, IT, and Finance operations managed through one integrated platform
- Tech companies needing automated IT device management with procurement, software access control, and security policy enforcement alongside HR functions
- Organizations requiring 500+ integrations connecting all business systems with advanced workflow automation across departments
- Companies hiring primarily in major markets (90+ countries) where platform depth and integration capabilities outweigh maximum country coverage
- Businesses willing to invest 1-3 months in comprehensive implementation for long-term operational efficiency and system unification
Rippling’s unified platform approach and extensive integration capabilities make it particularly attractive for companies needing comprehensive workforce management beyond pure employment services. The platform’s ability to connect HR, IT, and Finance with advanced automation provides value for organizations where operational unification justifies higher costs and longer implementation. If your primary goal is unified workforce operations with integrated device management and finance automation, Rippling provides comprehensive solutions starting at $8 PEPM plus EOR fees for 90+ countries.
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
Companies hiring 5 or more international employees who want to keep costs low and predictable
Read reviewNot sure which is right for you? Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Rippling covers over 50 countries, while Remofirst offers coverage in more than 180 countries globally. Remofirst has a broader global reach, but Rippling provides more comprehensive HR, IT, and finance integration.
Remofirst is generally more cost-effective for small businesses, with EOR services starting at $199 per monthly employee. Rippling’s pricing starts at $8 per user per month for the core platform, with additional costs for various modules, but offers more extensive features that may be valuable for some businesses.
Both platforms offer strong compliance support. Rippling excels in providing advanced security measures and compliance across jurisdictions. Remofirst offers comprehensive compliance support across its 180+ country coverage, with automatic updates on legal changes and risk assessment tools.
Yes, both Rippling and Remofirst support the management of contractors and full-time employees. Remofirst offers contractor management starting at $25 per contractor per month, while Rippling’s pricing for this service is not specified but is included in their suite of services.
Rippling offers 24/7 customer support through chat, email, and phone, with a robust help center and online tutorials. Remofirst provides 24/7 support with dedicated account managers, though response times can sometimes be slower than Rippling’s.
Still not sure?
Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team size, budget, and hiring countries.