You've found the perfect candidate for your startup, but there's one problem: they live in another country. How do you hire them legally, pay them correctly and make sure you're following local employment laws?
For many startups, setting up a legal entity abroad isn't realistic, especially when you're only hiring one or two people. That's where an Employer of Record (EOR) can help. An EOR legally employs international workers on your behalf, allowing you to build a team in another country without establishing a local company.
But not every EOR offers the same level of support, pricing or flexibility. Here are five providers to consider before making your next international hire.
1. Teamed
Hiring your first employee overseas is one thing. Knowing what to do when your international team grows is another. Teamed takes the top spot for startups that want expert guidance throughout that journey, rather than simply somewhere to process payroll.
Teamed operates across 187+ countries and helps businesses decide whether to use contractors, an EOR or their own legal entities. This means you're not tied to one employment model as your plans change.
The company also challenges what it calls The Hidden Global Employment Tax. These are costs and frustrations that can catch businesses off guard, including FX markups, surprise fees and restrictive contracts.
Teamed's EOR services start from £479 per employee per month, with no setup fee, no exit fee and zero FX markup.
Another reason Teamed stands out is its human support. Every plan includes access to real HR and legal experts assigned within 24 hours, alongside a designated person who can help when employment questions get complicated.
Pros
EOR coverage across 187+ countries, including 57 with owned legal entities.
No setup fee, exit fee or FX markup.
Real HR and legal experts on every plan.
Supports the transition from contractors to EOR and your own entities.
Cons
Pricing may be less suitable for startups with very limited budgets.
The range of services may be more than smaller businesses initially need.
Best for: Startups that want clear costs, expert advice and room to change their employment structure as they grow.
2. Native Teams
Sometimes, the biggest obstacle to international hiring is simply figuring out how to employ someone in another country. Native Teams focuses on making that process more accessible.
Offering EOR services across 95+ countries, the platform helps you formalise employment arrangements, organise contracts and pay overseas employees in their local currencies.
Native Teams also offers a range of payment and employment services, so your startup can choose an arrangement based on whether you're working with employees or independent contractors.
The platform brings employment administration and international payments together, helping you manage different hiring arrangements as your business expands into new markets.
However, Teamed may be the better choice if you're planning to expand into multiple markets. Its EOR services cover 187+ countries, compared to Native Teams' 95+, and you'll have access to real HR and legal experts on every plan, assigned within 24 hours.
Pros
EOR services in 95+ countries.
Localised employment contracts and payroll management.
Options for both employees and contractors.
Cons
Smaller EOR country coverage than some competitors.
Service availability may vary depending on the country.
Best for: Startups looking to manage international employment and payments through one platform.
3. Remote People
Finding the right person for a role can be difficult enough in your home country. Searching overseas adds another layer of complexity, particularly when you don't know the local recruitment market.
Remote People offers an alternative by combining international recruitment and EOR services. The company can help you find, assess and employ talent, taking some of the pressure off your international hiring process.
Its services support hiring across 150+ countries, making it an option for startups exploring unfamiliar markets.
Beyond recruitment, Remote People helps manage employment contracts, onboarding and local compliance requirements, so you can focus on building your team without getting caught up in unfamiliar employment processes.
Pros
Recruitment and EOR services from one provider.
Hiring support across 150+ countries.
Assistance with onboarding and local employment compliance.
Cons
Recruitment services may not be necessary if you've already found suitable candidates.
Available services can vary depending on the country.
Best for: Startups that need help finding suitable candidates, not just employing them.
4. Justworks
Startups based in the US often already have payroll, employee benefits and HR administration to manage at home. Adding overseas workers can make those responsibilities harder to coordinate.
Justworks offers EOR services alongside its established US HR and payroll products, making it an option for businesses growing beyond their domestic workforce.
Its international employment services cover onboarding, payroll, statutory benefits and compliance. You can also access HR guidance when questions arise about local employment requirements.
Pros
International EOR alongside US HR and payroll products.
Support with employment regulations and statutory benefits.
Employee onboarding and payroll administration.
Cons
More limited international EOR coverage than Teamed.
Some additional services may incur separate charges.
Best for: US startups that want international hiring services alongside domestic HR operations.
5. Skuad
Managing employees across different countries can come with its fair share of challenges, especially as your startup begins to grow. Skuad, now part of Payoneer Workforce Management, helps make international employment more manageable.
The platform offers Employer of Record services across 110+ countries, allowing you to hire employees overseas without setting up local legal entities.
Skuad also helps you handle everyday employment responsibilities, including payroll, contracts and employee administration. By bringing these tasks together in one place, it aims to reduce the time you spend managing your international workforce.
This makes it a useful option for startups looking to build overseas teams while keeping their employment processes organised.
Pros
EOR services across 110+ countries.
Support for international payroll and employee management.
Services for both employees and contractors.
Cons
Some additional services may involve extra fees.
Some additional services may involve extra fees.
Best for: Startups looking for a straightforward way to hire and manage international employees and contractors.
How to choose the best EOR provider for your startup
Expanding your startup overseas is a big step, and the last thing you want is to get caught up in complicated employment processes. That's why finding the right EOR provider matters.
As you compare your options, think beyond what each provider offers today. You'll want someone who can support your hiring plans now and continue helping as your business grows.
Teamed is a strong choice if you're looking for transparent pricing and real HR and legal experts who can guide you through international hiring.
Take the time to find a provider you feel confident working with. Growing your team overseas should be an exciting opportunity, not another source of stress.