Let me be honest: choosing between RemoFirst and Velocity Global for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of country coverage statistics and service descriptions, but what really matters is understanding how each platform handles fundamentally different business maturity levels – like when you need transparent $199 per employee pricing with straightforward EOR services versus enterprise-grade solutions requiring custom quotes with 240+ in-country experts, dealing with simple self-service platforms versus white-glove consulting with 10+ years of established experience, or figuring out if Velocity Global’s premium support and comprehensive immigration services actually justify opaque pricing that’s likely 2-3x higher than RemoFirst’s transparent costs.

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 in 185+ countries, then realize six months later that similar coverage masked radically different service philosophies and pricing models. RemoFirst built its reputation on democratizing global hiring at $199 per employee with transparent costs and rapid deployment, while Velocity Global positioned itself around enterprise-grade services with dedicated experts, comprehensive mobility support, and a decade of proven experience serving large organizations. Both approaches have merit, but they serve completely different company stages and budget realities.

The real decision comes down to your service expectations and budget: RemoFirst works best when you need affordable, straightforward EOR services at $199 per employee monthly with transparent pricing and fast self-service implementation for growing international teams, while Velocity Global delivers better results for large enterprises requiring white-glove support with 240+ local experts, comprehensive immigration services, and dedicated account management despite opaque custom pricing. However, your budget constraints, need for hands-on expert guidance versus self-service efficiency, and whether you value pricing transparency over established enterprise credibility 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 transparent pricing and straightforward approach suit your startup or SMB needs, or if Velocity Global’s enterprise services and decade of experience justify requesting custom quotes without upfront pricing visibility.

Quick overview

Key metrics RemoFirst Velocity Global
EOR pricing
$199 /month
$599 /month
Best for Cost-conscious and tight budgets Global workforce management solutions

RemoFirst

Global Coverage 185+ countries
G2 Rating 4.5 ★★★★★
Starting from $199/month

Velocity Global

Global Coverage 185++ countries
G2 Rating 4.6 ★★★★★
Starting from $599/month

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.

What is Velocity Global?

Velocity Global Screenshot

Velocity Global is a comprehensive global employment solutions provider that enables businesses to hire, pay, and manage employees across 185+ countries without establishing local entities. Founded in 2014 by Ben Wright in Denver, Colorado, the company has experienced rapid growth, raising $500 million in funding and becoming one of the leading platforms in the expanding global employment market.

At its core, Velocity Global operates as an Employer of Record (EOR), serving as the legal employer for a client company’s international workforce. This co-employment relationship allows businesses to expand globally without navigating the complexities of entity establishment, which typically costs $15,000-$50,000 and takes 3-6 months per country.

The company’s platform handles the entire international employment lifecycle, from compliant onboarding and payroll processing to benefits administration and eventual offboarding. Their services extend beyond basic EOR functionality to include global contractor management, visa and immigration support, and access to international coworking spaces through partnerships with providers like WeWork.

Velocity Global differentiates itself through its expansive geographic coverage and technology-forward approach, with its platform offering integrations with major HR systems to create seamless workflows. Current CEO Frank Calderoni leads the company, with founder Ben Wright serving as Executive Chairman. The company announced crossing $200 million in annual recurring revenue in recent financial disclosures.

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What are the key features of RemoFirst vs Velocity Global?

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

  • 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.

Velocity Global key features

  • Global Employer of Record (EOR) services: Enables companies to hire employees in 185+ countries without establishing local entities.
  • Comprehensive HR solutions: Offers end-to-end services including hiring, onboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance management.
  • Proprietary technology platform: Provides a cloud-based solution for real-time data and analytics, streamlining global workforce management.
  • Talent acquisition services: Assists businesses in finding and hiring top talent globally, managing the recruitment process from sourcing to selection.
  • Global payroll solutions: Offers centralized payroll services for international workforces, handling different wage rules, deductions, and currencies.
  • Benefits management: Creates customized, competitive benefits packages designed to attract top talent in various markets.
  • Contractor management: Ensures proper classification and compliant payments for independent contractors and freelancers.
  • Access to international coworking spaces: Partnered with providers to offer access to over 10,000 workspace locations worldwide.

What benefits do RemoFirst and Velocity Global 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.

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.

Velocity Global benefits

  • Rapid market entry: Allows companies to enter new markets up to 90% faster than traditional methods of establishing local entities.
  • Compliance assurance: Handles complex international labor laws, tax filings, and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Cost efficiency: Reduces the time and resources required for international hiring and HR management.
  • Global talent access: Enables businesses to hire the best talent regardless of location, expanding their talent pool.
  • Scalability: Facilitates rapid business growth and expansion into new markets with flexible hiring solutions.
  • Risk mitigation: Reduces legal and compliance risks associated with international employment.
  • Centralized management: Provides a single platform for managing global workforce, payroll, and compliance.
  • Flexible work environments: Offers access to international coworking spaces, supporting distributed workforces.
  • Comprehensive support: Provides 24/7 customer service and access to local HR experts in various countries.
  • Customized solutions: Tailors services to meet specific business needs across different industries and company sizes.

How do RemoFirst and Velocity Global 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 RemoFirst Velocity Global
EOR USD 199 /month USD 599 /month
Contractor USD 25 /month

What are the pros and cons of RemoFirst vs Velocity Global?

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

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.

Velocity Global

Pros

  • Extensive global coverage across 185+ countries: Velocity Global offers one of the industry's widest geographic footprints, enabling companies to hire virtually anywhere without establishing legal entities or navigating complex local regulations.
  • Robust technology platform with advanced integrations: The cloud-based platform seamlessly connects with major HR systems like Oracle HCM and BambooHR, creating efficient workflows for managing international teams through existing tools.
  • Comprehensive compliance management: Velocity Global handles proper worker classification, tax requirements, and employment law across jurisdictions, significantly reducing legal risks for companies operating internationally.
  • Fast employee onboarding capabilities: The platform enables companies to hire international talent within 48 hours in many locations, dramatically accelerating global expansion compared to traditional entity establishment.
  • Centralized multi-currency payroll processing: Businesses can manage payroll across multiple countries and currencies through a single invoice, simplifying financial operations for global workforces.
  • Tailored benefits administration by country: The service provides locally competitive benefits packages adapted to each country's norms and requirements, helping companies attract top international talent.

Cons

  • Reliance on third-party providers in some regions: Unlike competitors with fully-owned entities, Velocity Global uses partner networks in certain countries, potentially causing service inconsistencies or delays.
  • Limited customization for specialized industries: Companies in highly regulated or niche sectors may find the standardized approach insufficient for their specific compliance requirements.
  • Required 30-day notice period for offboarding: The mandatory notice period for removing employees from the platform creates less flexibility compared to some competitors with shorter termination timelines.

What do customers say about RemoFirst vs Velocity Global?

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 RemoFirst Velocity Global
G2
4.5 ★★★★★ (209 reviews)
4.6 ★★★★★ (467 reviews)
Trustpilot
3.9 ★★★★☆ (37 reviews)
2.9 ★★★☆☆ (3 reviews)
Capterra
5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)
☆☆☆☆☆

Last updated: November 2025

Customer Support: RemoFirst vs Velocity Global

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 RemoFirst Velocity Global
Support Channels Email, Live Chat Email, Phone, 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.

RemoFirst Velocity Global
Best For Cost-conscious and tight budgets Global workforce management solutions
EOR Pricing $199 per employee/month $599 per employee/month
Country Coverage 185 185+
Support Channels Email, Live Chat Email, Phone, 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 Not 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 RemoFirst if:

Choose RemoFirst if you prioritize affordability, transparent pricing, and self-service efficiency over white-glove enterprise support and established credibility. Its budget-focused approach makes it particularly attractive for:

  • Startups and SMBs (5-200 employees) needing the industry’s lowest EOR pricing at $199 per employee monthly with transparent, predictable costs
  • Budget-conscious companies requiring upfront pricing visibility for financial planning without sales negotiations and custom quote requests
  • Organizations comfortable with self-service platforms and 24/5 support rather than dedicated in-country experts and white-glove account management
  • Fast-growing companies needing rapid 24-hour employee onboarding across 185+ countries without lengthy implementation and consultation processes
  • Businesses with straightforward employment needs not requiring comprehensive immigration services, mobility support, or complex consulting engagements

RemoFirst’s industry-leading affordability and transparent pricing make it well-suited for companies prioritizing cost efficiency and speed over enterprise-grade hand-holding. The platform’s straightforward approach enables budget-conscious organizations to expand globally at accessible costs without paying for premium consulting and expert services they may not need. If your primary goal is cost-effective international hiring with transparent pricing and rapid deployment, RemoFirst provides essential EOR services at $199 per employee across 185+ countries.

Choose Velocity Global if:

Choose Velocity Global if you prioritize established enterprise credibility, white-glove expert support, and comprehensive services over transparent pricing and cost efficiency. Its premium approach makes it particularly attractive for:

  • Large enterprises (500-5,000+ employees) requiring white-glove service with 240+ in-country legal, HR, and payroll experts across global markets
  • Organizations needing comprehensive immigration and mobility services beyond basic employment including visa sponsorship and relocation support
  • Companies in heavily regulated industries where 10+ years of established experience and proven track record reduce compliance and operational risk
  • Businesses expanding into complex markets requiring dedicated local expertise and personalized consulting rather than self-service platform navigation
  • Enterprises comfortable with custom pricing models and willing to invest in premium services for strategic global workforce management without upfront cost transparency

Velocity Global’s decade of experience and 240+ local experts make it particularly attractive for enterprises with complex global operations requiring expert guidance. The platform’s comprehensive services including immigration support and white-glove account management provide value for organizations where established credibility and hands-on expertise justify premium custom pricing. If your primary goal is enterprise-grade global workforce management with dedicated expert support and comprehensive services, Velocity Global provides premium solutions across 185+ countries with custom pricing based on your requirements.

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:

Frequently asked questions