Companies are increasingly turning to Employer of Record (EOR) services to streamline international hiring, manage global payroll, and simplify HR compliance in today's rapidly changing global business landscape.
With over 10 years of experience in human resources, global workforce development, and cross-border employment, I've seen firsthand how EOR services can facilitate global business expansion, mitigate compliance risks, and unlock international talent pools.
Here are my top picks for Employer of Record Providers (EORs) for companies seeking global talent in 2025.
EORs are Easier to Use Than Ever
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EOR services are more than just a practical solution for companies wanting to expand abroad; they're strategic partners that help navigate the complexities of international markets. EORs provide:
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring adherence to local employment regulations, labour laws, and tax obligations.
- Global Payroll Management: Handling payroll, benefits administration, and HR functions across multiple countries.
- Business Focus: Letting you concentrate on core business operations without worrying about setting up costly legal entities in every new market.
These services make it easier to enter new markets, reduce the complexities of international HR compliance, and give your business a competitive edge by accessing a diverse and broader talent pool.
In today's global economy, finding top talent is crucial. Partnering with an EOR provides local market expertise, employment law insights, and simplified onboarding, turning global expansion into a strategic advantage.
Who Should Use an EOR?
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If your business wants to scale quickly, an EOR can help you tap into international talent pools without the administrative burden or legal headache of setting up subsidiaries in each country. Here are some examples:
- U.S. Tech Businesses: Hiring software developers in Eastern Europe? An EOR can handle local employment laws, payroll, and taxes so you can focus on product development.
- European E-commerce Company: Expanding into Asia? Use an EOR to onboard sales and marketing pros across different countries. They provide local expertise to ensure compliance, manage payroll, and tailor your strategy.
- U.S. Manufacturing Company: Looking to test the European market? An EOR can help you hire a local sales team in Germany without needing a local office.
If you want to grow globally but don't have an entity in the country, using an EOR is a smart move.
What to Look for in an Employer of Record
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A strong EOR should offer:
- Global Payroll Services: Paying your team accurately and on time, including local tax deductions and statutory contributions.
- Local Employment Law Compliance: Ensuring adherence to local labour laws, contracts, and regulations.
- Hiring and Onboarding Support: Managing recruitment, employee agreements, and smooth onboarding for international hires.
- Employee Benefits Administration: Providing competitive benefits packages, including healthcare, pensions, and statutory leave.
- User-Friendly Digital Platform: Offering an easy-to-use dashboard for managing your global workforce, payroll processing, and HR compliance in one place.
Hiring a remote team can be challenging, but an EOR helps make sure everything, from legal employment to paying your team, is covered.
Best Employers of Record for 2025
I recommend Teamed Global, Papaya Global, Deel, Oyster, and Lano because they excel at managing international payroll, ensuring legal compliance with local labour rules, and simplifying the process of hiring and onboarding remote employees:
- Teamed Global: Rapid onboarding, compliance assurance, and affordable pricing.
- Deel: Great country coverage and flexible employment solutions.
- Oyster: Offers transparency and excellent employee benefits.
- Lano: Strong payroll and contractor management tools.
- Papaya Global: Comprehensive payroll and compliance services.
I've worked with or recommended these EORs throughout my career, and they've been instrumental in helping businesses grow without setting up local entities.
Let’s dive into each one in more detail
Teamed Global
Teamed Global is a UK-based Employer of Record (EOR) service provider that enables companies to hire and manage employees worldwide without establishing local entities.
They handle payroll, taxes, compliance, and benefits across over 150 countries, ensuring adherence to local labour laws.
Teamed Global provides solutions for global workforce expansion, mitigating the risks associated with employment law non-compliance, and ensuring streamlined onboarding.
Teamed Global at a Glance
Pros:
☑️ Capable of onboarding new employees within 24 hours, streamlining the hiring process.
☑️ Ensures global operations comply with local labour laws, reducing risk and protecting your business from legal liabilities.
☑️ Offers affordable EOR services starting from €299 per employee, with no hidden fees.
☑️ Provides 24/5 human support, including direct communication channels like WhatsApp, ensuring swift service and resolutions.
Considerations:
→ While Teamed offers extensive country coverage, the depth of services may vary by region.
→ Integration with existing HR systems is available but may require additional setup and configuration time.
Clients have reported positive experiences with Teamed Global, highlighting their efficient onboarding processes, cost-effective solutions, and quality customer support.
For instance, Luganodes noted that Teamed offered a superior product at a lower price compared to competitors, with exceptional customer service.
In summary, Teamed Global provides comprehensive EOR services with a focus on personalised support, cost-efficiency, and legal compliance, making them a viable option for companies looking to expand their global workforce efficiently.
Papaya Global
Papaya Global provides a comprehensive workforce management platform that focuses on global payroll processing, cross-border payments, compliance with local labour laws, and advanced data security protocols.
They operate in over 160 countries, focusing on automation, real-time compliance, and integrating with HR systems.
Papaya at a Glance
Pros:
☑️ Global payroll in 160+ countries.
☑️ Automated payroll and HR, covering tax, benefits, and compliance.
☑️ Easy-to-use interface for HR teams and employees.
☑️ Advanced analytics for real-time payroll and compliance insights.
Take note:
→ Customisation may vary depending on local requirements.
→ Pricing is scalable, but it's important to evaluate it for your growth needs.
The Papaya platform
Papaya Global makes managing a global workforce easy, thanks to automated workflows and strong compliance knowledge.
Oyster
Oyster focuses on democratising global talent and expanding job opportunities.
They simplify hiring remote international employees, offering payroll, employee benefits, compliance, and tax solutions across more than 180 countries.
Oyster at a Glance
Pros:
☑️ Hire employees and contractors in 180+ countries.
☑️ Streamlined hiring process with compliance agreements and payroll setup.
☑️ Transparent pricing and user-friendly platform.
☑️ Employee-focused, with perks based on local data.
Take note:
→ In some countries, local partners are the actual Employers of Record, which can affect response times.
→ Users report some challenges with managing monthly costs for international employees.
The Oyster platform
With its automated workflows and in-depth local knowledge, Oyster makes global employment more accessible.
Visit Oyster's website to learn how they can help you improve your global hiring and HR processes.
Lano
Lano simplifies the management of international staff, helping businesses expand with streamlined payroll, compliance, and contractor payment solutions.
They operate in over 170 countries, offering payroll, compliance, and payment solutions to organisations of all sizes.
Lano at a Glance
Pros
☑️ Simplifies global hiring and payroll.
☑️ Compliant hiring in 170+ countries.
☑️ User-friendly platform with guides, academies, and full support.
Take note:
→ Services provided through local partners can impact consistency.
→ Integration across payroll and HR systems is available but requires setup.
The Lano platform
Lano makes global hiring less complicated, helping you focus on growing your business.
Deel
Deel provides a global employment platform that manages hiring, payroll, and legal compliance for multinational teams, allowing you to hire talent anywhere in the world without the need to establish a local legal entity.
Deel at a Glance
Pros
☑️ Comprehensive coverage in 150+ countries.
☑️ Manages payroll, taxes, and benefits in one platform.
☑️ Offers flexibility for both full-time and contractor roles.
Take note:
→ Custom services and support may vary.
→ Digital contracts and e-signatures make admin easier, but user experience can depend on tech familiarity.
The Deel platform
Deel makes global workforce management simple with strong payment solutions, data protection, and customer support.
For more on how Deel can improve your worldwide hiring and payroll procedures, visit their website.
FAQs
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1. What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An EOR is a third-party company that legally employs your team on your behalf. They handle payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance so you can focus on your business.
2. Why should I use an EOR?
If you want to expand internationally without setting up a local entity, an EOR helps you hire, pay, and manage employees in different countries, all while staying compliant.
3. How do I choose the right EOR for my company?
Look for an EOR with global payroll capabilities, compliance expertise, and a user-friendly platform. It's also important to consider their support services and whether their pricing fits your growth plans.
4. Can an EOR help with employee benefits?
Yes, most EORs manage employee benefits as part of their services, ensuring you stay competitive in each local market.
Conclusion
Employer of Record (EOR) services like Deel, Oyster, Papaya Global, and Lano are essential for companies aiming to expand globally, as they help with remote workforce management, international payroll, and cross-border compliance.
They simplify payroll, compliance, and hiring processes, making it easier for you to focus on growth.
EORs remove the need for local entities and handle the legal responsibilities for employing remote workers.
If you're aiming for global workforce development while staying compliant, these EORs are your go-to partners in 2025.
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