RemoFirst vs Remote: pricing, features and which to choose
Remote
Employ Borderless Standard · 10 of 10 pillars
- EOR from
- $599
- Countries
- 186
RemoFirst
Employ Borderless Standard · 9 of 10 pillars
- EOR from
- $199
- Countries
- 193
Choose Remote if you need owned entities, or if you need a public API or webhooks. Choose RemoFirst if cost decides it, or if you mainly pay contractors.
This is an independent comparison by Employ Borderless.
Remote or RemoFirst: which fits your team?
There is no overall winner. Each provider fits a different team. Employ Borderless lists a reason only where our pricing, coverage, entity and capability data separate the two.
Choose Remote if
- You need owned entities17 vs 0 owned entities we checked in national registers
- You need a public API or webhooksRemote offers them; RemoFirst's own site does not mention them
- You care most about user experience4.8 vs 4.5 out of 5 in our scoring
Choose RemoFirst if
- Cost decides it$199 vs $599 per employee per month for EOR
- You mainly pay contractorscontractors from $25 vs $29 a month
- You care most about features4.7 vs 4.5 out of 5 in our scoring
- You care most about compliance4.7 vs 4.5 out of 5 in our scoring
Either works on: country coverage.
How we make money: Employ Borderless earns commissions and pre-negotiated discounts when you choose a provider through us. You pay nothing for our recommendation. Our methodology is independent of partner economics. If a provider is wrong for you, we say so.
Remote covers 186 countries and RemoFirst covers 193. Employer of record starts from $599 per employee per month at Remote and $199 at RemoFirst.
This page sets out what each one is strongest at, where each gives ground, and which of the two suits your situation. In short: Remote suits companies who want strong protection of intellectual property (IP) and legal risk coverage when hiring internationally; RemoFirst suits companies of any size that want some of the lowest EOR pricing we track, with fast human support and predictable per-employee pricing.
Watch: Remote vs RemoFirst explained
How do Remote and RemoFirst compare on our ratings?
I've scored both providers across 10 categories based on independent research, user feedback, and hands-on testing where providers grant access. Here's how they stack up.
average of the 26 providers we rate
Features
Country coverage
Pricing
User experience
Customer support
Integrations
Mobile app
Analytics & reporting
Security
Compliance
Why you can trust our reviews
We combine structured research with real-world global hiring experience. Our methodology is built by operators who've spent years working with EOR, PEO, and payroll providers across multiple markets.
- 10+ years in global hiring - hands-on experience selecting and working with EOR providers
- 5-layer research methodology - demos where providers grant access, review platforms (G2, Trustpilot, Capterra), communities, and provider validation
- The Employ Borderless Standard - our 10-pillar rating framework, scored out of 5 in half steps across features, country coverage, pricing, UX, support, integrations, mobile, analytics, security, and compliance
- Weighted review analysis - platforms with more reviews have higher impact (e.g. 2000 > 30)
- Independent - rankings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships
Built by practitioners, not publishers - so you can rely on it for real hiring decisions.
What is Remote?
We rate Remote 4.5 out of 5. Expect pricing from $599/mo, spanning 186+ countries.
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 186 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.
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US |
| CEO | Job van der Voort |
| Employees | 1,001-5,000 |
| Total funding | $495M |
What is RemoFirst?
We rate RemoFirst 4.7 out of 5. Expect pricing from $199/mo, spanning 193+ countries.
RemoFirst was founded in 2021 by Nurasyl Serik and Volodymyr Fedoriv, is headquartered in San Francisco, has raised $39 million and employs between 201 and 500 people. It sells two things: employer of record services for hiring employees abroad without a local entity, and contractor management for paying freelancers compliantly.
Your contract is with RemoFirst. In most countries the legal employer of your hire is an in-country partner that RemoFirst manages; we have confirmed that model in 34 countries and have no owned entities on file. RemoFirst issues the employment contract, runs payroll, files taxes and statutory contributions and administers benefits. You manage the work. For a first hire abroad that replaces the three to six months it takes to set up your own entity.
Beyond EOR and contractors it offers RemoHealth, one health insurance program across countries, RemoTech equipment provisioning, and visa and work-permit support in 85+ countries.
| Founded | 2021 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US |
| CEO | Nurasyl Serik |
| Employees | 201-500 |
| Total funding | $39M |
What are the key features of Remote vs RemoFirst?
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
Remote supports hiring in 186 countries without requiring local entities. Clients avoid the legal setup work and the associated startup costs.
They run their own legal entities in the countries where they operate. Direct control means stronger compliance and intellectual property protections.
Remote charges from $599 per employee per month, with no hidden fees or minimum commitments. The fixed structure makes budgeting more predictable.
The platform covers onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance. Document collection, background checks, tax registration, and ongoing administration are included.
Remote IP Guard protects your intellectual property in all markets, and employment contracts include IP clauses that match local laws.
The interface makes it easy to manage employees and contractors globally, and onboarding is well thought-out.
Companies can choose which benefits to offer beyond the legally required ones, so they stay competitive.
Companies running their own entities can now use global payroll to handle taxes, deductions, and local compliance, without paying for full EOR services.
Compliance tools monitor requirements and send alerts when rules change. The platform follows data protection standards like GDPR, files taxes, and applies local laws.
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.
RemoFirst key features
RemoFirst issues the compliant employment contract, registers the employee with local authorities and handles tax withholdings and social contributions, from $199 per employee per month; its pricing page notes the fee may vary with local requirements.
Payroll in 100+ currencies with local withholdings and mandatory deductions, on monthly, bi-weekly or weekly cycles depending on the country.
Compliant contractor agreements free to manage; invoicing and local-currency payments at $25 per contractor per month, in a dashboard that mirrors the employee workflow.
RemoHealth health insurance across countries with optional dental and vision, plus laptop and equipment provisioning through RemoTech.
Tax filings, paid time off, parental leave, termination rules and other country-specific requirements, handled by RemoFirst and its in-country partners.
Employees request leave in the platform, entitlements are calculated from local labour law, managers approve in the same place and a calendar shows who is out.
What benefits do Remote and RemoFirst 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.
Remote benefits
Broad coverage
Their clients can expand internationally without wasting money and time setting up local operations.
Reduced legal risk
Remote manages local labor laws and regulations. Clients face fewer compliance issues when hiring internationally.
Intellectual property protection
IP clauses protect company intellectual property in every country, and work stays secure across borders.
Faster hiring and lower costs
Companies skip entity setup and cut hiring timelines. As a plus., admin work drops compared to managing multiple vendors.
Growth support
Remote works for companies of different sizes. Their clients can scale internationally without switching providers.
Clear pricing
Pricing is upfront and clear. No hidden fees or long-term contracts required.
Local expertise
Local employment specialists answer country-specific questions. Companies get answers without researching foreign labor laws.
Simplified global operations
Local employment specialists answer country-specific questions, so companies don’t have to research foreign labor laws themselves.
RemoFirst benefits
Lower fees at scale
A ten-person international team costs from $1,990 a month at RemoFirst against from $5,990 at Deel, before salaries and statutory costs. The fee difference grows with every hire.
No foreign entity to set up or run
You skip incorporation, local registrations and the ongoing accounting and filings of a subsidiary, and you can leave a country as easily as you entered it.
You can hire the candidate you found
You are not waiting on company formation before someone can start, so the timeline turns on documents and local registration instead.
Compliance risk moves to the employer of record
RemoFirst and its in-country partners carry the statutory obligations of the employer, which is the point of using an EOR in a country you do not know.
Payroll in one place
One invoice, in USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD or ILS, for employees paid in their own currency across every country.
Scale up and down freely
No minimum commitment is published, so you can add a hire for a project and let them go at the end of it without a contract penalty.
Benefits without local insurers
RemoHealth gives every employee the same health plan, which is easier to recruit with and simpler to run than a policy per country.
How do Remote and RemoFirst 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 | $599per employee/month | $199per employee/month |
| Contractors | $29per employee/month | $25per employee/month |
| Global payroll | $29per employee/month | - |
Checked by Employ Borderless on Remote's pricing page, October 25, 2026. Employ Borderless is free to use.
Checked by Employ Borderless on RemoFirst's pricing page, October 25, 2026. Employ Borderless is free to use.
What Remote’s headline price doesn’t include
Fully-loaded EOR cost runs well beyond the per-employee rate once deposits, FX margins and one-off fees land. These are the ones we could source for Remote.
| Fee | Amount | Disclosure | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FX / currency markup | Not published | Not published | Oct 2026 |
| Security deposit | Not published | Not published | Oct 2026 |
| Offboarding fee | Not published | Not published | Oct 2026 |
| Off-cycle payroll run | $29 | Published | Jul 2026 |
| Contract amendment | Not published | Not published | Oct 2026 |
| Benefits markup | Not published | Not published | Oct 2026 |
| Minimum term | Not published | Not published | Oct 2026 |
Published fees are stated on Remote’s own site; contract-only fees are documented but appear only in the agreement or a quote, so confirm them in writing before you sign. Not published means we searched Remote’s own site for this fee and found no stated figure. Ask for it in writing, since unpublished is not the same as zero. Fees not listed are undocumented, not necessarily zero. Every figure is sourced and dated · latest check Oct 2026.
Not sure which is right for you?
Tell me about your team and I'll give you a free, independent recommendation.
What are the pros and cons of Remote vs RemoFirst?
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
- +
Own-entity model
Remote mainly operates through their own legal entities instead of partnering with local providers, especially for EOR services. They control employment processes and compliance directly.
- +
Superior IP protection
Remote's IP Guard protects intellectual property better than most competitors, with clear ownership documentation and safeguards in all locations. Client's property stays secure at all times.
- +
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.
- +
Custom benefits packages
Remote offers benefits that match each country's requirements so their clients attract better talent.
- +
Recently launched global payroll solution
Remote now offers a standalone global payroll service. That means employers with international entities can run payroll in one system.
- −
Costs more than budget options
Remote charges from $599 per employee per month for EOR services. This puts it at the higher end of the market. Providers like RemoFirst (from $199 per month) work better for smaller companies.
- −
Limited customization options
The platform uses a standardized setup for most employment scenarios. If you need unusual pay structures, custom overtime rules, or specialized benefits packages, it might not be supported.
- −
Basic reporting capabilities
Remote's reporting covers basic metrics but isn't as deep as some enterprise HR platforms. Specifically, custom reports that combine data across payroll, benefits, and time tracking require manual exports and external analysis.
RemoFirst
- +
One of the lowest published EOR prices
From $199 per employee per month across the 193 countries and territories we have verified. Deel and Remote both list from $599 for the same service.
- +
You hire without setting up an entity
The limit is document turnaround and local registration rather than company formation. Setting up your own entity takes months.
- +
Compliance handled end to end
Contracts, payroll taxes, statutory contributions and filings in every country covered, with RemoFirst taking legal responsibility as the employer of record.
- +
Free contractor management
Compliant contractor agreements free to manage, and local-currency payments at $25 per contractor per month, in the same platform as your employees.
- +
No setup fee, deposit or minimum term published
The price page lists the per-employee fee and nothing else. Confirm the unpublished items in writing; the cost section says which.
- +
One health insurance program
RemoHealth covers employees across countries from one plan, with dental and vision as options, so you do not manage a local insurer per country.
- +
A platform HR staff learn in a session
Employee management, payroll and compliance tracking in a clean interface with little to configure.
- −
Basic reporting
Payroll summaries and headcount only. No custom dashboards, so workforce analysis happens in another tool.
- −
Few integrations
BambooHR, Workday, ADP Workforce Now and GoCardless, plus payroll exports. No public API.
- −
A young platform
Founded in 2021, RemoFirst is still adding features that older providers have, such as multi-country payroll consolidation.
- −
Limited contract customisation
Fewer localisation options for employment contracts and policies, which matters for specialised roles and regulated industries.
Where Remote and RemoFirst both frustrate users
Both platforms draw the same complaints in a few areas, so switching from one to the other will not fix them. If these matter to you, weigh them before you commit.
Remote
Remote's reporting covers basic metrics but isn't as deep as some enterprise HR platforms. Specifically, custom reports that combine data across payroll, benefits, and time tracking require manual exports and external analysis.
RemoFirst
Payroll summaries and headcount only. No custom dashboards, so workforce analysis happens in another tool.
Remote
The platform uses a standardized setup for most employment scenarios. If you need unusual pay structures, custom overtime rules, or specialized benefits packages, it might not be supported.
RemoFirst
Fewer localisation options for employment contracts and policies, which matters for specialised roles and regulated industries.
What people flag on Reddit
Approved community mentions, summarised. First-hand accounts shown first; mentions from accounts we consider promotional are excluded.
Remote
Employee in Portugal says their employer's EOR, Remote, is handling layoff offboarding and pressuring them to sign a mutual termination agreement, threatening 'other methods' otherwise; asks if others have negotiated with Remote.First-hand
r/devptEmployee working through Remote.com notes it does not include local benefits like meal vouchers or car allowances, resulting in a high tax burden.First-hand
r/cscareerquestionsEUAuthor tried Remote but switched to Deel because Remote lacked a legal entity in Serbia for local currency payments.First-hand
r/ycombinator
RemoFirst
User reports post-sales issues with RemoFirst: health insurance costs and payroll timing differed from what was represented, and the onboarding handoff from sales was rough.First-hand
r/humanresourcesEmployee reports RemoFirst delivered contracts two weeks late and that the account manager was frequently unavailable.First-hand
r/remoteworkCommenter notes RemoFirst uses in-country partners for EOR delivery and flags that low-cost providers like RemoFirst can have hidden fees.
r/remotework
What do customers say about Remote vs RemoFirst?
Don't just take my word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers on major review platforms.
| | |
|---|---|---|
 G2 | 4.5 5,416 reviews | 4.5 420 reviews |
 Trustpilot | 4.6 3,535 reviews | 4.1 72 reviews |
 Capterra | 4.3 101 reviews | 3.4 5 reviews |
 Glassdoor | 3.4 592 reviews | 3.8 36 reviews |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated October 2026.
Customer support: Remote vs RemoFirst
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 | 24/7 |
| Dedicated account manager | - | Yes |
| Support languages | English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Other | - |
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 |  Remote |  RemoFirst |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $599/mo | From $199/mo |
| Countries | 186+ | 193+ |
| Pays employees in | Local currency (134 currencies) | Local currency (128 currencies) |
| Invoices in | AUD, CAD, CHF, DKK, EUR, GBP, JPY, NOK, NZD, SEK, SGD, USD | AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, ILS, NZD, SGD, USD |
| Overall rating | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 |
| Mobile app | Yes | Not published |
| API available | Yes | Not published |
| Webhook support | Yes | Not published |
| Dedicated account manager | — | Yes |
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.
Deel
Growing companies hiring internationally with a mix of contractors and full-time employees
Read review
Multiplier
Companies looking for fast global hiring & payments
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
How much do Remote and RemoFirst cost for EOR?
RemoFirst starts from $199 per employee per month and Remote from $599, a $400 gap per hire that shapes almost every other trade-off. RemoFirst gives you the lowest EOR pricing across 193 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 193 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 $599, 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 $599 premium. For most budget-led early-stage teams, RemoFirst is the clear pick.
Which should I choose, Remote or RemoFirst?
Choose Remote if you need owned entities, or if you need a public API or webhooks. Choose RemoFirst if cost decides it, or if you mainly pay contractors. Employ Borderless names a reason only where its pricing, coverage, entity and capability data separate the two. For the detail behind each, read the Remote review and RemoFirst review.
Still not sure?
Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team size, budget, and hiring countries.