Let me be honest: choosing between Remote and RemoFirst for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature lists, but what really matters is the fundamental price-value difference – Remote offers owned-entity EOR at $599/month with premium features, while RemoFirst provides essential EOR at $199/month (67% cheaper) with straightforward service.

I keep seeing the same pattern: businesses compare these because both offer comprehensive EOR, then realize six months later they were paying 3x more for features they didn’t use or missing owned-entity benefits they needed. Remote built its reputation on 100% owned entities with unlimited indemnity and integrated HRIS, while RemoFirst positioned itself as the industry’s most affordable option with transparent pricing. Both work, but they serve different budget realities.

The real decision comes down to budget versus features: Remote works best when you can invest $599/month for owned entities and premium features, while RemoFirst delivers better results for budget-conscious companies at $199/month with essential EOR services. Your budget constraints will determine which fits better.

My goal is to help you decide if Remote’s owned-entity model justifies 3x pricing, or if RemoFirst’s $199 essential services meet your needs.

Quick overview

Key metrics	Remote	RemoFirst
EOR pricing	$599 /month	$199 /month
Best for	Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring	Cost-conscious and tight budgets

What is Remote?

Remote is an Employer of Record (EOR) service that enables companies to hire international employees without establishing local entities. Founded in 2019 by Job van der Voort and Marcelo Lebre (former GitLab executives), Remote has raised over $500 million in funding and grown rapidly to support hiring in more than 180 countries.

The platform handles the entire employment lifecycle – from compliant contracts and onboarding to payroll, benefits, taxes, and termination – all through a centralized dashboard. Unlike many competitors, Remote owns its legal entities in each country rather than partnering with third-party providers, giving them direct control over employment processes.

The platform is particularly well-suited for companies prioritizing compliance and risk management in their global expansion strategy. Remote’s owned-entity approach means they don’t outsource employment responsibilities to local partners, potentially reducing compliance risks and providing stronger IP protections.

What is 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 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 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

Global employment solutions: Enables hiring in over 180 countries without establishing local entities, supporting rapid international expansion. The platform handles all employment documentation, contracts, and compliance requirements through their owned legal entities in each country.
Owned entity model:Operates its own legal entities in each country rather than partnering with local providers. This approach gives them greater control over billing, employee experience, and data protection, resulting in stronger compliance management and IP protection.
Transparent pricing: Offers flat-rate pricing starting at $599 per employee per month for annual plans, with no hidden fees or minimum commitments across all countries. The consistent pricing structure makes budgeting predictable for finance teams.
Comprehensive HR services: Manages the full employee lifecycle, including onboarding, payroll, benefits, and compliance with local regulations. Remote handles document collection, background checks, tax registration, and ongoing employment administration.
Intellectual property protection: Provides Remote IP Guard to ensure strong intellectual property protections for clients across all jurisdictions. The system includes specialized IP clauses in all employment contracts, tailored to each country's legal framework.
User-friendly platform: Features an intuitive interface for managing both employees and contractors globally with minimal training required. The onboarding workflow guides users through country-specific requirements without overwhelming them with complexity.
Flexible benefits administration: Offers competitive, localized benefits packages with multiple tiers in most markets, including health insurance and pension plans. The system allows for some customization while ensuring compliance with local requirements.
Global payroll solution: Recently introduced Remote Global Payroll for companies with existing entities, streamlining multi-country payroll management. The system handles tax calculations, deductions, and compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
Compliance and security: Incorporates built-in compliance features like Remote Watchtower and adheres to global data protection regulations. The platform automatically handles tax filings, statutory requirements, and employment law compliance across all countries.
Equity incentives support: Provides compliant equity incentives support, including withholding and reporting. This feature helps companies offer stock options and other equity compensation to international employees while maintaining compliance with local tax laws.

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.

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. Let's look at the real benefits you'll get from each provider.

Remote benefits

Extensive Global Coverage: Enables hiring in over 180 countries, facilitating rapid international expansion.
Compliance Assurance: Minimizes legal risks with comprehensive management of local labor laws and regulations.
IP Protection: Ensures robust safeguarding of company intellectual property across all jurisdictions.
Time and Cost Efficiency: Streamlines global hiring and management processes, reducing administrative burdens.
Scalability: Supports business growth with flexible solutions for both small teams and large enterprises.
Transparent Pricing: Offers clear, upfront pricing without hidden fees or long-term commitments.
Local Expertise: Provides access to in-country specialists for navigating complex employment issues.
Simplified Global Operations: Centralizes management of international workforce in a single platform.

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.

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 things like setup, onboarding, or additional services. Here's what each provider charges for their main services.

Plan type	Remote	RemoFirst
EOR	USD 599 /month	USD 199 /month
Contractor	USD 29 /month	USD 25 /month
Payroll	USD 29 /month	—

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

Pros

Own-entity model in 180+ countries: Remote maintains its own legal entities rather than using third-party partners, giving them direct control over employment processes and compliance in every location they serve.
Superior IP protection: Remote's IP Guard feature provides stronger intellectual property safeguards than most competitors, with clear ownership documentation and protection mechanisms across all jurisdictions.
Transparent flat-rate pricing: Remote charges $599 per employee monthly with no hidden fees, setup costs, or minimum commitments, making budgeting predictable for finance teams.
Extensive HR service coverage: The platform handles everything from onboarding to offboarding, including benefits administration, global payroll, and compliance management through a single dashboard.
Localized benefits packages: Remote offers competitive, country-specific benefits that help companies attract top talent globally while remaining compliant with local requirements.
Recently launched global payroll solution: Companies with existing international entities can now use Remote's payroll services separately, simplifying multi-country payroll management.

Cons

Premium pricing structure: At $599 per employee monthly, Remote costs significantly more than budget-friendly alternatives like Remofirst ($199/month), making it expensive for smaller companies.
Limited customization options: The platform's standardized approach works well for most situations but offers less flexibility for companies with unique employment arrangements or non-standard benefits needs.
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.

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.

What do customers say about Remote vs RemoFirst?

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	RemoFirst
G2	4.6 ★★★★★ (4097 reviews)	4.5 ★★★★★ (209 reviews)
Trustpilot	4.7 ★★★★★ (2408 reviews)	3.9 ★★★★☆ (37 reviews)
Capterra	4.4 ★★★★☆ (93 reviews)	5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Last updated: November 2025

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 when you need them most.

Support Feature	Remote	RemoFirst
Support Channels	Email, Live Chat	Email, 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.

	Remote	RemoFirst
Best For	Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring	Cost-conscious and tight budgets
EOR Pricing	$599 per employee/month	$199 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing	$25 per contractor/month	$25 per contractor/month
Country Coverage	186	185
Support Channels	Email, Live Chat	Email, 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	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 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 $599/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 $599/month across 180+ countries.

Choose RemoFirst if:

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 $400/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 185+ 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.