Remofirst vs Velocity Global: In-Depth EOR Comparison for 2024

Remofirst and Velocity Global are two leading platforms in the global payroll and hiring space, offering distinct advantages as Employer of Record (EOR) providers. However, their strengths and limitations make them better suited to different types of businesses, depending on size, complexity, and specific needs.

The main difference between Remofirst and Velocity Global is their focus and scalability. Remofirst excels in providing cost-effective EOR services for small to medium-sized businesses. At the same time, Velocity Global offers a more comprehensive suite of services suitable for larger enterprises with complex global workforce needs.

Remofirst is a robust global payroll and hiring platform that ranks among the best EOR providers I’ve used. Thanks to its ability to streamline global HR processes and provide essential legal resources, it is a top choice for companies looking to hire, pay, and manage international employees easily. In this review, I’ll share insights on when Remofirst is the right choice for expanding or managing an international workforce and when you might want to consider alternative EOR services.

On the other hand, Velocity Global’s integrated approach—combining HR, IT, and Finance solutions—offers a highly versatile platform for managing a global workforce. While its extensive customization options can be a powerful asset, they may also be overwhelming for businesses with more straightforward needs. Despite its ease of use and the comprehensive tools it provides, Velocity Global’s modular pricing could benefit from greater transparency, and there is a learning curve involved.

In this review, I’ll delve into Velocity Global’s key features and potential drawbacks, mainly focusing on its EOR service. I’ll also recommend ideal use cases for Velocity Global and suggest alternatives for organizations with more limited HR requirements.

By comparing Remofirst’s strengths and weaknesses with Velocity Global’s, I aim to help you determine which platform best meets your business needs, whether you’re managing a small startup or a large enterprise with complex global operations.

Overview of Remofirst and Velocity Global

Remofirst and Velocity Global are prominent players in the global employment solutions market. They offer Employer of Record (EOR) services to help companies hire and manage international employees. We’ve chosen to compare these two platforms because they represent different approaches to global workforce management, catering to varying business sizes and needs.

Remofirst is known for its user-friendly interface and competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses looking to expand globally. The platform offers a streamlined approach to international hiring, payroll management, and compliance.

Velocity Global, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive suite of services, including talent acquisition, immigration support, and access to international coworking spaces. Its extensive global reach and advanced features suit larger enterprises with complex international workforce needs.

Overview of Remofirst: Best For Small to Medium-Sized Businesses

Remofirst is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses looking to expand globally without the complexity and cost of establishing their legal entities in foreign countries. The platform offers a user-friendly interface and competitive pricing, making it accessible for companies with limited resources.

Key features of Remofirst include:

• Global payroll management
• Compliance assistance
• Total workforce management
• Optional visa and immigration services
• Background checks

Remofirst is best suited for companies prioritizing cost-effectiveness and ease of use in their global expansion efforts. Its straightforward pricing model and comprehensive EOR services make it an attractive option for businesses new to international hiring.

Read more in our Remofirst Review

Overview of Velocity Global: Best For Large Enterprises with Complex Needs

Velocity Global is a robust platform designed for larger enterprises with complex global workforce needs. It offers many services beyond basic EOR functionality, including talent acquisition, immigration support, and access to international coworking spaces.

Key features of Velocity Global include:

• Comprehensive EOR services
• Talent acquisition and recruitment
• Immigration sponsorship support
• Access to international coworking spaces
• Proprietary technology platform

Velocity Global is ideal for large enterprises that require a comprehensive solution for managing a global workforce. Its extensive feature set and customization options suit companies with complex international hiring and management needs.

Remofirst vs. Velocity Global At a Glance

This summary section aims to quickly show how these solutions compare with the most important features and information, such as pricing. Below is a comprehensive table comparing Remofirst and Velocity Global across various aspects:

Key Features of Remofirst

Global Payroll Management

Remofirst offers a comprehensive global payroll management system that simplifies the complex process of paying international employees. The platform ensures compliance with local tax laws and regulations in over 180 countries, reducing employers’ risk of legal issues.

With Remofirst’s payroll system, companies can easily manage payments in multiple currencies, automate tax calculations, and generate detailed payroll reports. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses expanding into new markets, as it eliminates the need to navigate unfamiliar payroll systems in different countries.

Compliance Assistance

One of Remofirst’s standout features is its robust compliance assistance. The platform tracks changing employment laws and regulations across all supported countries, ensuring businesses comply with local labor laws, tax requirements, and other legal obligations.

Remofirst’s compliance assistance includes:

• Automatic updates on regulatory changes
• Guidance on local employment contracts
• Support for statutory benefits and entitlements
• Assistance with tax filings and reporting

This feature provides peace of mind for businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions, reducing the risk of costly compliance errors.

Total Workforce Management

Remofirst offers a comprehensive total workforce management solution, allowing businesses to oversee employees and contractors from a single platform. This feature streamlines HR processes and provides a holistic view of the entire workforce.

Key aspects of Remofirst’s total workforce management include:

• Employee onboarding and offboarding
• Time and attendance tracking
• Performance management tools
• Leave management

Remofirst helps businesses improve efficiency and maintain consistent HR practices across their global operations by centralizing these functions.

Optional Visa and Immigration Services

While not a core feature, Remofirst’s optional visa and immigration services can be a valuable addition for companies hiring international talent. These services can help streamline the often complex and time-consuming process of obtaining work visas and navigating immigration requirements.

Remofirst’s visa and immigration services include:

• Guidance on visa application processes
• Support for work permit applications
• Assistance with relocation logistics

This feature can be particularly useful for businesses attracting top talent worldwide and ensuring a smooth transition for international hires.

Background Checks

Remofirst provides background check services as part of its EOR offering, helping businesses make informed hiring decisions and maintain a safe work environment. This feature can be especially important when hiring employees in unfamiliar markets or for remote positions.

The background check service includes:

• Criminal record checks
• Employment history verification
• Education verification
• Professional license verification

By offering this service, Remofirst helps businesses mitigate hiring risks and ensure compliance with local employment regulations.

Key Features of Velocity Global

Comprehensive EOR Services

Velocity Global offers a full suite of Employer of Record (EOR) services, enabling businesses to hire and manage employees in over 185 countries without establishing their own legal entities. This comprehensive approach covers all aspects of international employment, from onboarding to offboarding.

Key components of Velocity Global’s EOR services include:

• Local employment contract generation
• Payroll processing and tax withholding
• Benefits administration
• Compliance management

By providing these services, Velocity Global allows businesses to focus on their core operations while ensuring their international workforce is managed efficiently and compliantly.

Talent Acquisition and Recruitment

Unlike many EOR providers, Velocity Global offers talent acquisition and recruitment services as part of its platform. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses looking to expand into new markets where they may not have established hiring networks.

Velocity Global’s talent acquisition services include:

• Candidate sourcing and screening
• Interview coordination
• Offer management
• Pre-employment checks

This end-to-end recruitment support can significantly reduce the time and resources required to build international teams.

Immigration Sponsorship Support

Velocity Global provides comprehensive immigration sponsorship support, crucial for businesses hiring international talent. This service helps navigate various countries’ complex visa and work permit processes.

The immigration sponsorship support includes:

• Visa application assistance
• Work permit processing
• Relocation support
• Compliance with local immigration laws

By offering this service, Velocity Global removes a significant barrier to international hiring and helps businesses access global talent pools more easily.

Access to International Coworking Spaces

Velocity Global provides access to a network of international coworking spaces in a unique offering. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses with remote or distributed teams, offering flexible workspace solutions in various locations.

The coworking space access includes:

• Over 10,000 locations worldwide
• Various workspace setups (hot desks, private offices, meeting rooms)
• Essential amenities (Wi-Fi, power sources, complimentary beverages)

This feature supports a more flexible and mobile workforce, aligning with modern work trends and providing cost-effective office solutions for international teams.

Proprietary Technology Platform

Velocity Global has developed its own proprietary technology platform for global workforce management. This platform offers real-time data and analytics, providing businesses with valuable insights into their international operations.

Key features of the proprietary platform include:

• Real-time workforce analytics
• Customizable dashboards
• Automated compliance updates
• Integration capabilities with other HR systems

The platform’s advanced capabilities enable businesses to make data-driven decisions about their global workforce and streamline their international operations.

Pricing and Plans for Remofirst

Remofirst offers a transparent and competitive pricing structure, making it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses looking to expand globally. The company provides customized pricing options based on specific business needs and offers some standard pricing information.

EOR Services Pricing

Remofirst’s EOR services start at $199 per employee per month. This pricing includes:

• Compliant hiring in 180+ countries
• Local employment contract generation
• Payroll processing and tax withholding
• Basic benefits administration
• Compliance management

For businesses hiring multiple employees or in multiple countries, Remofirst may offer volume discounts, though specific details are not publicly available.

Contractor Management Pricing

Remofirst offers a contractor management service for businesses working with international contractors priced at $25 per contractor per month. This service includes:

• Contractor onboarding
• Invoice processing
• Payment distribution
• Tax form generation (where applicable)

Additional Services Pricing

Remofirst also offers several additional services with separate pricing:

1. Health Insurance: $55 per employee per month
2. Visa and Immigration Services: Custom pricing based on specific needs
3. Background Checks: Custom pricing based on the level of check required

Pricing Summary Table

It’s important to note that while Remofirst’s pricing is competitive, businesses should consider their specific needs and compare the total cost of services across different providers. Remofirst’s transparent pricing model allows for more straightforward budgeting and cost projection, benefitting growing businesses.

Pricing and Plans for Velocity Global

Velocity Global takes a more customized approach to pricing, which can be both an advantage and a challenge for potential clients. The company does not publicly disclose specific pricing information, instead opting for a tailored pricing model based on each client’s unique needs.

EOR Services Pricing

While exact figures are not publicly available, industry estimates suggest that Velocity Global’s EOR services typically fall within 5% to 10% of total payroll costs. This pricing structure is common among professional employer organizations (PEOs) and can result in significant costs for businesses with large international workforces.

The EOR services package typically includes:

• Compliant hiring in 185+ countries
• Employment contract management
• Payroll processing and tax withholding
• Benefits administration
• Compliance management
• Access to the proprietary technology platform

Additional Services Pricing

Velocity Global offers several additional services, each with its own pricing structure:

1. Talent Acquisition and Recruitment: Custom pricing based on hiring needs
2. Immigration Sponsorship Support: Priced on a case-by-case basis
3. Access to International Coworking Spaces: May be included in some packages or priced separately

Pricing Considerations

While the lack of transparent pricing can make it challenging to compare Velocity Global directly with other providers, there are some factors to consider:

1. Customization: The tailored pricing approach allows for more flexibility in service selection, potentially resulting in cost savings for businesses that don’t need the full suite of services.
2. Scalability: Velocity Global can adjust services and pricing accordingly as a business grows and its needs change.
3. Volume Discounts: Larger businesses or those hiring in multiple countries may be eligible for volume discounts.
4. Total Cost of Ownership: When evaluating Velocity Global’s pricing, it’s important to consider the potential cost savings from streamlined operations and reduced compliance risks.

Pricing Summary

While specific figures are not available, here’s a general overview of Velocity Global’s pricing structure:

Businesses interested in Velocity Global’s services should contact their sales team for a customized quote based on their needs and workforce size. While this approach may require more upfront effort, it can result in a more tailored and potentially cost-effective solution for complex international hiring needs.

Pros and Cons of Remofirst

Pros and Cons of Velocity Global

Remofirst vs Velocity Global: Simulated Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Rapid International Scaling – Velocity Global Wins

A mid-sized tech company plans to hire 50 employees across 10 countries in the next six months.

Remofirst: While Remofirst could handle this expansion, its standardized approach might struggle with the complexity of rapid multi-country hiring. The platform’s strength in compliance would be valuable, but it may lack the depth of support needed for such rapid scaling.

Velocity Global: With its comprehensive services and experience handling complex international hiring, it is better equipped for this scenario. Its talent acquisition services could speed up the hiring process, while the proprietary platform would provide valuable insights for managing a rapidly growing international workforce.

Winner: Velocity Global, due to its more comprehensive support for complex, multi-country hiring and talent acquisition services.

Scenario 2: Small Business Going Global – Remofirst Wins

A small e-commerce business with 20 employees wants to hire its first five international team members in three countries.

Remofirst: With its competitive pricing and user-friendly interface, Remofirst is ideal for this scenario. The straightforward pricing model ($199/employee/month) makes it easy for small businesses to budget for expansion. The platform’s strong compliance support would also be crucial for a company new to international hiring.

Velocity Global: While Velocity Global could certainly handle this expansion, its more comprehensive (and likely more expensive) services might be overkill for such a small-scale international hiring initiative. The lack of transparent pricing could make budgeting challenging for a small business.

Winner: Remofirst, due to its cost-effectiveness and simplicity, better suited to a small business’s initial international expansion.

Scenario 3: Compliance in Challenging Markets – Velocity Global Wins

A multinational corporation must hire employees in several countries known for complex labor laws and strict regulatory environments.

Remofirst: While Remofirst offers strong compliance support, its standardized approach might not be sufficient for navigating the most complex regulatory environments. The company’s newer status in the market might also mean less experience with particularly challenging jurisdictions.

Velocity Global: With its more extensive experience and customized approach, it is better positioned to handle highly complex compliance situations. Its proprietary technology platform likely offers more advanced compliance tracking and reporting capabilities, crucial for operating in challenging regulatory environments.

Winner: Velocity Global, due to its more customized approach and likely deeper experience in navigating complex international labor laws.

When to Consider Other EOR Providers

While Remofirst and Velocity Global are excellent choices for many businesses, there are scenarios where other EOR providers might be more suitable.

Specialized Industry Needs: Oyster HR

For businesses in highly regulated industries or those requiring specialized compliance support, Oyster HR might be a better fit. Oyster HR is known for its strong focus on compliance and offers tailored solutions for specific industries.

Extensive HR Software Integration: Rippling

Rippling could be a superior choice if your business heavily relies on integrated HR software systems. Rippling offers a comprehensive HR platform with extensive integration capabilities, allowing for seamless connection with various HR, IT, and finance systems.

Region-Specific Expansion: Deel

For companies focusing on expansion in specific regions, particularly in emerging markets, Deel might be the better option. Deel has a strong presence in many emerging markets and offers localized expertise.

Advanced Analytics Needs: Papaya Global

Businesses requiring advanced analytics and reporting capabilities might find Papaya Global more suitable. Papaya Global is known for its sophisticated analytics and reporting features, providing in-depth insights into global workforce management.

Comprehensive IT and Finance Integration: Remote

For organizations seeking a solution that seamlessly integrates HR, IT, and finance functions, Remote could be an excellent alternative. Remote offers a comprehensive platform that extends beyond traditional EOR services, including IT and finance management capabilities.

Summary Table of Alternatives

Who I Recommend Remofirst To

Remofirst is an excellent choice for certain types of businesses and scenarios. Based on its features, pricing, and strengths, I recommend Remofirst to:

1. Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: Remofirst’s competitive pricing and straightforward service model makes it ideal for SMBs exploring international hiring without breaking the bank.
2. Startups and Scale-ups: Remofirst’s user-friendly platform and rapid onboarding process can be invaluable for fast-growing companies that need to expand their international presence quickly.
3. Companies New to Global Hiring: The platform’s strong compliance support and clear pricing structure make it a great choice for businesses venturing into international hiring for the first time.
4. Businesses Focused on Cost-Effectiveness: Remofirst’s transparent and competitive pricing is perfect for companies that must monitor their bottom line while expanding globally.
5. Organizations with Straightforward International Hiring Needs: If your global employment needs are relatively straightforward and don’t require highly specialized services, Remofirst’s standardized approach can be efficient and cost-effective.

In summary, Remofirst is best suited for:

• Companies with 1-100 international employees
• Businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness in their global expansion
• Organizations that value simplicity and ease of use in their EOR platform
• Startups and SMBs making their first forays into international hiring
• Companies with straightforward compliance needs across multiple countries

Remofirst’s competitive pricing, user-friendly interface, and strong compliance support make it an excellent choice for businesses looking for a no-frills, efficient solution to their international hiring needs.

Who I Recommend Velocity Global To

Velocity Global caters to a different segment of the market than Remofirst. Based on its comprehensive service offering, customization capabilities, and global reach, I recommend Velocity Global to:

1. Large Enterprises: Velocity Global’s extensive suite of services and ability to handle complex international hiring scenarios make it ideal for large companies with diverse global workforce needs.
2. Rapidly Expanding Companies: Velocity Global’s scalable solutions and talent acquisition services can provide valuable support for businesses planning aggressive international growth.
3. Organizations with Complex Compliance Needs: Velocity Global’s customized compliance solutions can benefit companies operating in highly regulated industries or countries with complex labor laws.
4. Businesses Seeking End-to-End Global Employment Solutions: If you’re looking for a provider that can handle everything from recruitment to retirement, Velocity Global’s comprehensive service offering is hard to beat.
5. Companies Valuing Flexibility in Workspace Solutions: The access to international coworking spaces makes Velocity Global an excellent choice for businesses embracing remote and flexible work arrangements.

In summary, Velocity Global is best suited for:

• Large corporations with 100+ international employees
• Companies with complex, multi-country hiring needs
• Businesses requiring specialized compliance support in challenging markets
• Organizations looking for end-to-end global employment solutions, including recruitment
• Companies valuing advanced analytics and customization in their EOR platform

Velocity Global’s comprehensive approach, proprietary technology, and global reach make it an excellent choice for businesses with complex international workforce management needs. While it may come at a higher price point, the depth and breadth of services can provide significant value for the right organizations.

My Final Thoughts on Remofirst vs Velocity Global

After thoroughly comparing Remofirst and Velocity Global, it’s clear that both platforms offer valuable solutions for international hiring and workforce management. Still, they cater to different market segments and business needs.

Remofirst is a cost-effective, user-friendly solution for small to medium-sized businesses and startups. Its straightforward pricing, strong compliance support, and easy-to-use platform make it an excellent choice for companies new to international hiring or those with straightforward global employment needs. Remofirst’s strength lies in its ability to simplify the complex international hiring process without breaking the bank.

On the other hand, Velocity Global stands out as a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for larger enterprises with complex global workforce needs. Its wide range of services, including talent acquisition and immigration support, and its proprietary technology platform make it a powerful tool for businesses looking to scale rapidly across multiple countries. While potentially more expensive, Velocity Global’s customized approach and depth of services can provide significant value for organizations with diverse and complex international hiring requirements.

The choice between Remofirst and Velocity Global ultimately depends on your business size, budget, and specific needs:

• Choose Remofirst if you’re a small to medium-sized business, startup, or any organization prioritizing cost-effectiveness and simplicity in your global hiring efforts. It’s particularly well-suited for companies making their first steps into international employment or those with straightforward hiring needs across multiple countries.
• Opt for Velocity Global if you’re a large enterprise, a rapidly expanding company, or an organization with complex international workforce requirements. It’s ideal for businesses that need comprehensive support, from recruitment to retirement, and value customization and advanced analytics in their global employment solutions.

Both platforms have their strengths, and the best choice will depend on aligning these strengths with your organization’s specific global employment strategy and needs.

Frequently Asked Questions