# Remote vs Remofirst: 2026 EOR Comparison

> Machine-readable page from Employ Borderless (https://employborderless.com/), an independent advisory platform for global hiring solutions.
> Canonical page: https://employborderless.com/review/remote-vs-remofirst/
> Methodology: how providers are researched, tested and scored is documented at https://employborderless.com/methodology/.
> Disclosure: Employ Borderless is free to use. We may earn a referral fee from some providers; this never affects a score or ranking position (https://employborderless.com/disclosure/).
> Last updated: 2026-08-19

**Verdict: RemoFirst.** Of the 2 providers compared here, RemoFirst comes out ahead with an overall score of 9.3/10.

RemoFirst costs $199 per employee per month for EOR coverage. Remote costs $699. That $500 monthly gap per hire is the defining number in this Remote vs RemoFirst employer of record comparison, and it shapes almost every other trade-off on this page.

If you are a small business making your first international hires and price is your primary constraint, RemoFirst is the clear pick. You get solid compliance coverage across 185 countries, fast onboarding, and the lowest EOR pricing available. If you are hiring in situations where intellectual property protection and legal risk coverage are non-negotiable, Remote is worth the premium. Its own-entity model and superior IP protection make it the stronger choice for companies where that exposure is real.

Our rating gives RemoFirst a 9.3 out of 10 versus Remote's 8.9, so the lower-cost option actually scores higher overall on this platform.

## Side by side

| Field | Remote | RemoFirst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.9/10 | 9.3/10 |
| EOR price | from USD 699 per employee/month | from USD 199 per employee/month |
| Countries covered | 186 | 193 |
| Founded | 2019 | 2021 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US | San Francisco, US |
| Best for | — | — |

## 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 this means for you: 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.

| Platform | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---:|---:|
| G2 | 4.5 | 4960 |
| Trustpilot | 4.6 | 3404 |
| Capterra | 4.4 | 99 |
| Glassdoor | 3.4 | 592 |

**Pros**

- Own-entity model
- Superior IP protection
- Transparent flat-rate pricing
- Extensive human resources (HR) coverage
- Custom benefits packages
- Recently launched global payroll solution

**Cons**

- Costs more than budget options
- Limited customization options
- Basic reporting capabilities

Full review: https://employborderless.com/review/remote/

## 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 193 countries and territories. 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 ($599/month) and Remote ($699/month). This aggressive pricing has helped them gain market share despite being newer than other players.

| Platform | Rating | Reviews |
|---|---:|---:|
| G2 | 4.5 | 405 |
| Trustpilot | 4.1 | 72 |
| Capterra | 4.0 | 4 |
| Glassdoor | 3.8 | 36 |

**Pros**

- Among the lowest EOR pricing available
- Fast employee onboarding
- Complete compliance handling
- Affordable contractor management
- No surprise costs
- Global benefits program
- Simple interface

**Cons**

- Limited reporting
- Fewer integrations
- Missing features (young platform)
- Limited country customization

Full review: https://employborderless.com/review/remofirst/

## Which to choose

**Remote:** Choose Remote if you prioritize owned entities and premium features over cost savings. Best for:

- Companies (50-500 employees) needing 100% owned entities eliminating third-party complications

- Organizations requiring unlimited indemnity coverage with guaranteed IP protection

- Businesses wanting integrated HRIS, recruitment tools, and comprehensive mobile apps

- Tech companies where IP protection and owned entities justify premium $699/month pricing

- Companies prioritizing unlimited customer support and dedicated success managers

Remote’s owned-entity infrastructure and premium features work well for companies justifying higher costs. If owned entities and comprehensive features matter more than cost, Remote provides solutions at $699/month across 180+ countries.

**RemoFirst:** Choose RemoFirst if you prioritize affordability over owned entities and premium features. Best for:

- Startups and SMBs (5-200 employees) needing industry-lowest $199/month pricing

- Budget-conscious companies where $500/month savings per employee significantly impacts runway

- Organizations comfortable with partner networks versus owned entities

- Businesses needing essential EOR without premium HRIS or advanced features

- Companies hiring contractors at $25/month (versus Remote’s higher contractor fees)

RemoFirst’s budget pricing and transparent costs work well for companies prioritizing affordability. If cost efficiency matters most, RemoFirst provides essential EOR at $199/month across 179 countries.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much do Remote and RemoFirst cost for EOR?

RemoFirst starts from $199 per employee per month and Remote from $699, a $500 gap per hire that shapes almost every other trade-off. RemoFirst gives you the lowest EOR pricing across 185 countries with fast onboarding. Remote's premium buys an owned-entity model and stronger IP protection, which matters most when intellectual property and legal risk coverage are non-negotiable.

### What is RemoFirst and how much does it cost?

RemoFirst is an employer of record that lets you hire employees abroad without setting up local entities, from $199 per employee per month across 185 countries. It is one of the lowest-priced EOR providers available, aimed at startups and small businesses making early international hires. Compared with Remote from $699, RemoFirst trades premium IP safeguards for a much lower monthly cost.

### What are the best alternatives to Remote for EOR?

RemoFirst is a strong lower-cost alternative from $199 per employee per month, and Hire with Columbus is another from $179. Both cover most major markets. Deel suits companies that lean on contractors, while Globalization Partners competes on maximum coverage. The best pick depends on whether you want Remote's owned-entity IP protection, a lower price, or stronger contractor tools.

### Is Remote or RemoFirst better for a small business?

RemoFirst is usually the better fit for a small business making its first international hires. At $199 per employee per month, the $500 monthly saving per employee over Remote has a real impact on runway. Remote suits companies where IP protection and legal risk coverage justify the $699 premium. For most budget-led early-stage teams, RemoFirst is the clear pick.

### Which should I choose, Remote or RemoFirst?

Choose RemoFirst if you are a small business and price is your primary constraint: from $199 per employee per month across 185 countries with fast onboarding. Choose Remote if intellectual property protection and legal risk coverage are non-negotiable, where its owned-entity model justifies the $699 price. The $500 monthly gap per hire is the defining number between them.