Let me be honest: choosing between Remote and Horizons for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature lists, but what really matters is their core difference – Remote offers owned-entity EOR at $599/month with transparent pricing, while Horizons provides value-added services at $299/month including in-house recruitment support.

I keep seeing the same pattern: businesses compare these because both offer comprehensive EOR, then realize six months later they needed either Remote’s owned entities or Horizons’ integrated recruitment. Remote built its reputation on 100% owned entities with no third-party complications, while Horizons positioned itself around affordable services plus in-house recruiting teams helping companies actually find talent. Both work, but they solve different problems.

The real decision comes down to recruitment needs: Remote works best when you have talent sourcing handled and need owned-entity control at $599/month, while Horizons delivers better results for companies needing recruitment assistance at $299/month with integrated talent acquisition support. Your existing recruitment capabilities will determine which fits better.

My goal is to help you decide if Remote’s owned-entity model suits your needs, or if Horizons’ recruitment services and lower pricing better serve companies needing end-to-end hiring assistance.

Quick overview

Key metrics	Remote	Horizons
EOR pricing	$699 /month	$299 /month
Best for	Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring	Asia-Pacific focused companies requiring local expertise

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.

What is Horizons?

Horizons is a global Employer of Record (EOR) platform that streamlines hiring, managing, and paying international employees. With Horizons, businesses can expand their global workforce without setting up local entities in foreign countries. The platform offers a comprehensive solution that simplifies the complexities of international employment and ensures compliance with local laws and regulations.

One of Horizons’ key features is its user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to be intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Whether a small startup or a large corporation, you can easily manage your international team through Horizons’ web-based platform.

Horizons provides a range of services to support businesses in their global expansion. These include:

- Onboarding: Horizons handles the onboarding process for new hires, including contract generation, background checks, and compliance with local employment laws.

- Payroll: The platform manages payroll for international employees, ensuring accurate and timely payments in local currencies.

- Benefits: Horizons offers a range of benefits packages tailored to the needs of international employees, including health insurance, pension plans, and more.

- Compliance: The platform ensures compliance with local employment laws and regulations, minimizing businesses’ risk of legal issues.

In addition to its core services, Horizons also offers exceptional customer support. The platform provides dedicated account managers who can answer questions and provide guidance throughout employment. This level of personalized support sets Horizons apart from other EOR providers and ensures a smooth experience for businesses and their international employees.

What are the key features of Remote vs Horizons?

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.

Remote key features

Global employment solution: Remote supports hiring in more than 190 countries without requiring local entities. Clients avoid the legal setup work and the associated startup costs.
Owned entity model: They run their own legal entities in the countries where they operate. Direct control over billing, employment administration, and data handling strengthens compliance and intellectual property protections.
Transparent pricing: They charge a flat $599 per employee each month on annual plans, with no hidden fees or minimum commitments across supported countries. The fixed structure makes budgeting more predictable.
Full-cycle HR services: Remote covers the full employment cycle, from onboarding through payroll, benefits, and compliance. Document collection, background checks, tax registration, and ongoing administration are all included.
Intellectual property protection: Remote IP Guard protects your intellectual property in all markets. Employment contracts include IP clauses that match each country's legal requirements so your work stays safe.
User-friendly platform: The interface makes it easy to manage employees and contractors globally. Onboarding walks you through country-specific requirements step by step. In my experience, most people pick it up with little to no training.
Flexible benefits: Companies can choose which benefits to offer beyond the legally required ones.
Global payroll solution: Global payroll is now available for companies that run their own entities. The system calculates taxes and deductions and applies compliance rules across countries, so their clients can manage international payroll without paying for full EOR services.
Compliance and security: Compliance tools monitor requirements and send alerts when rules change. The platform follows data protection standards like GDPR, files taxes, and applies local laws so the clients stay compliant without tracking updates.
Equity incentives support: 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. Plus, employees get equity compensation without extra legal work.

Horizons key features

Global coverage: Operates in over 180 countries, providing extensive international reach for businesses.
Comprehensive HR management: Handles all aspects of employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding.
Global payroll processing: Manages payroll across multiple countries, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Compliance management: Focuses on keeping businesses compliant with local labor laws and regulations in all operating countries.
Benefits administration: Offers tailored benefits packages aligned with local market standards and expectations.
Recruitment services: Provides support in talent acquisition and hiring processes across different markets.
Visa and immigration support: Assists with navigating complex visa and immigration requirements for international hires.

What benefits do Remote and Horizons 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.

Remote benefits

Extensive Global Coverage: Remote covers 190+ countries. Their clients can expand internationally without wasting money and time setting up local operations.
Reduced legal risk: Remote manages local labor laws and regulations. Their clients face fewer compliance issues when hiring internationally.
Intellectual property protection: IP clauses protect company intellectual property in every country. Work stays secure across borders.
Faster hiring and lower costs: Companies skip entity setup and cut hiring timelines. Admin work drops compared to managing multiple vendors.
Growth support: Remote works for small companies and large organizations. Scale internationally without switching providers.
Clear pricing: Pricing is upfront at $599 per employee monthly. No hidden fees or long-term contracts required.
Local Expertise: Local employment specialists handle country-specific questions. Companies get answers without researching foreign labor laws.
Simplified Global Operations: One dashboard manages all international employees. No switching between systems or vendors.

Horizons benefits

Simplified global expansion: Enables quick entry into new markets without the need to establish local entities.
Risk mitigation: Strong focus on compliance reduces legal and regulatory risks associated with international employment.
Cost efficiency: Eliminates the need for setting up local subsidiaries, potentially reducing expansion costs.
Time savings: Streamlines HR processes, allowing businesses to focus on core activities rather than administrative tasks.
Flexibility: Offers tailored solutions to meet specific business needs and adapt to different market requirements.
Access to global talent: Facilitates hiring and managing international employees, broadening the talent pool.
Local expertise: Provides insights and guidance on local employment practices and cultural nuances.
Scalability: Supports business growth with the ability to quickly hire in new markets as needed.

How do Remote and Horizons 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	Remote	Horizons
EOR	USD 699 /month	USD 299 /month
Contractor	USD 29 /month	USD 249 /month
Payroll	USD 29 /month	—

What are the pros and cons of Remote vs Horizons?

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.

Remote

Pros

Own-entity model: Remote owns its legal entities in 190+ countries instead of partnering with local providers. They control employment processes and compliance directly. This reduces risk from third-party failures and keeps your data more secure.
Superior IP protection: Remote's IP Guard protects intellectual property better than most competitors, with clear ownership documentation and safeguards in all jurisdictions. Your IP stays secure at all times, no matter where you hire.
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.
Localized benefits packages: Remote offers benefits that match each country's requirements so their clients stay compliant and attract better talent in every market.
Recently launched global payroll solution: Companies with existing international entities can now use Remote's payroll services separately, simplifying multi-country payroll management.

Cons

Costs more than budget options: Remote charges $599 per employee monthly. This puts it at the higher end of the market. Providers like RemoFirst ($199 per month) work better for smaller companies.
Limited customization options: Remote uses a standardized setup for most employment scenarios. If you need unusual pay structures, custom overtime rules, or specialized benefits packages, the platform might not support it.
Basic reporting capabilities: Remote's analytics and reporting functions lack the depth found in some enterprise HR platforms, offering limited customization for complex workforce insights.

Horizons

Pros

User-friendly interface: Offers an intuitive platform that's easy to navigate and use.
Extensive global coverage: Presence in over 180 countries provides broad international reach.
Tailored benefits packages: Customizes employee benefits to align with local standards and expectations.
Strong compliance focus: Emphasizes keeping businesses compliant with local regulations.
Flexible pricing model: Offers competitive pricing with options to suit different business needs.
Dedicated support: Provides personalized assistance through dedicated account managers.

Cons

Potentially higher costs for scaling: May become more expensive for rapidly growing businesses with increasing employee numbers.
Limited regional coverage: Despite broad global presence, coverage might be limited in certain specific regions.
Possible overwhelm for small businesses: The comprehensive nature of services might be more than necessary for very small companies or those with simple needs.

What do customers say about Remote vs Horizons?

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	Remote	Horizons
G2	4.6 ★★★★★ (4444 reviews)	4.7 ★★★★★ (285 reviews)
Trustpilot	4.7 ★★★★★ (2727 reviews)	4.7 ★★★★★ (79 reviews)
Capterra	4.4 ★★★★☆ (94 reviews)	0 ☆☆☆☆☆

Last updated: January 2026

Customer Support: Remote vs Horizons

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	Remote	Horizons
Support Channels	Email, Live Chat	Email, Phone, Live Chat
Support Availability	24/7	Business Hours

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.

	Remote	Horizons
Best For	Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring	Asia-Pacific focused companies requiring local expertise
EOR Pricing	$699 per employee/month	$299 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing	$249 per contractor/month	$249 per contractor/month
Country Coverage	190	180
Support Channels	Email, Live Chat	Email, Phone, Live Chat
Support Availability	24/7	Business Hours
EOR Services	✓	✓
PEO Services	✗	✗
Global Payroll Management	✓	✓
Contractor Management	✓	✓
Compliance Support	✓	✗
Benefits Management	✗	✓
Multi-Country Support	✗	✗
Annual Discount	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 Remote if:

Choose Remote if you prioritize owned entities and have recruitment handled internally. Best for:

Companies (50-500 employees) needing 100% owned entities across 180+ countries eliminating partner complications
Organizations with existing recruitment teams only needing employment and compliance services
Tech companies requiring strong IP protection with guaranteed invention assignment agreements
Businesses wanting transparent $599/month pricing with unlimited indemnity coverage
Companies prioritizing direct entity control and no third-party dependencies

Remote’s owned-entity infrastructure works well for companies with DIY recruitment who need maximum control. If you have talent sourcing handled and want owned entities, Remote provides solutions at $599/month across 180+ countries.

Choose Horizons if:

Choose Horizons if you need integrated recruitment services alongside EOR at lower pricing. Best for:

Growing companies (20-200 employees) needing both talent sourcing and employment from one provider
Organizations without recruitment teams requiring in-house recruiter support across global markets
Companies expanding into new markets where local recruiting knowledge provides competitive advantages
Businesses valuing personalized support and user-friendly interfaces at $299/month pricing
Teams hiring for specialized roles where Horizons’ recruiters accelerate time-to-hire significantly

Horizons’ integrated recruitment and affordable pricing work well for companies needing comprehensive hiring assistance. If you need end-to-end services including recruitment, Horizons provides solutions at $299/month across 180+ 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 if these two don't hit the mark.