12 Top Employer of Record (EOR) Companies in 2025

You’ve found the person you want to hire—or at least the country you want to hire in. But now you’re hitting a wall: how will you actually employ them?

You’re not opening a foreign entity just to bring on one or two team members. You don’t have time to wade through local tax codes or figure out employment law in Argentina, Colombia, or wherever your ideal candidate is based.

And while hiring abroad comes with huge upside—lower costs, stronger retention, access to incredible talent—you need a way to do it that won’t create legal risk or operational chaos.

We’ve worked with hundreds of companies navigating these exact decisions. In this guide, we’ll break down the top EOR companies and an alternative approach that might work better for your specific situation.

This guide presents the top EOR providers so you can choose a partner that aligns with your goals. Whether you need basic compliance support or comprehensive talent sourcing plus EOR services, you’ll know which direction makes sense for your business.

What Are Employer of Record Services?

An Employer of Record (EOR) lets you legally employ remote workers in other countries without opening a local entity. They handle compliance, payroll, benefits, and taxes—so you can focus on finding the right person and getting them to work.

These companies handle a range of administrative responsibilities, such as:

• Payroll
• Tax withholding
• Workers’ compensation
• Employee benefits
• Local compliance

Once you choose who you want to hire, the EOR takes responsibility for paying them, providing benefits, and ensuring compliance with local labor laws. 

While legally employed by the EOR, these professionals function as full members of your team and follow your day-to-day direction.

Essentially, EOR services allow you to hire workers based in other countries without having to set up a legal entity and navigate the complexities of legal compliance and HR issues in each location you want to hire.

What Are the Benefits of Using an Employer of Record?

Hire fast, stay compliant, and skip the red tape. Whether you’re hiring one person or building a global team, EORs let you move fast. You don’t have to master local laws or build out international HR systems. That means fewer delays, lower risk, and a faster path to hiring top talent.

There are several different options for hiring remote workers, but EOR services are among the most straightforward and popular thanks to several significant benefits:

Efficient workforce expansion

One of the key benefits of using an EOR service is that it gives you the ability to quickly scale your operations.

There are three main reasons an EOR helps facilitate efficient workforce expansion:

1. Access to a global talent pool

With an EOR, you can readily recruit and onboard employees from anywhere around the globe, giving you access to a diverse range of skills, experiences, and cultural perspectives that can help stimulate growth and innovation in your company.

2. Quick and compliant international expansion

International expansion, especially for smaller companies, has traditionally been hindered by the logistical complexities and time it takes to navigate different legal systems and cultures. 

Companies often need to set up international subsidiaries or joint ventures, which can take months or years. However, by partnering with an EOR, your business can swiftly (and legally) begin to operate in new territories. 

3. Lower barriers to entry

Setting up business operations in a new country typically involves substantial investment in understanding local regulations, employment legislation, tax structures, and other bureaucratic procedures. EORs already have this knowledge, meaning you can act faster. 

Paired with their established presence in many countries, this greatly eases and speeds up hiring employees in new markets. 

Compliance management

Navigating different payroll systems, tax rules, and employment laws can be complex. And if you aren’t familiar enough with the systems where your employees are, this can lead to costly mistakes.

EOR services ensure you stay payroll and tax compliant across different countries and states. Particularly for international employees, your EOR provider will understand and manage compliance with local employment laws, making sure your business stays above board. 

Time and cost savings

Companies can reclaim substantial operational time by offloading traditional employment tasks and liabilities to employer of record service companies. Your EOR will take care of all HR-related tasks, from onboarding, payroll, and benefits to even offboarding. 

This allows you to focus more on business development while saving on administrative overheads.

Risk mitigation

International hiring comes with a series of legal and compliance risk factors, and failing to adhere to local laws can result in severe penalties.

Employee misclassification, for instance, can incur steep penalties or fines. 

EOR service providers completely absorb these risks by taking on the responsibility for legal compliance in the countries you hire in. They protect your business from potential legal repercussions and let you focus on key business initiatives.

What Questions Should You Ask When Selecting the Best Employer of Record Services?

What to look for in an EOR: Local expertise, clear pricing, and reliable support. 

Not every EOR service may be suitable for your business. Some might specialize in specific industries or geographic locations that don’t align with your business needs. 

Others might not offer the full scope of services important to your company, such as benefits administration or assistance with visa and work permit applications. 

To choose the best EOR service for your company, ask the following questions:

Do they operate in and have knowledge of the right countries?

The employer of record company should have in-depth knowledge of the countries where you plan to hire foreign employees and the legal regulations that govern employment and taxes in those regions.

They must have legal entities in those countries and the networks and resources to handle local operational requirements, such as payroll processing and benefits administration.

Are they transparent about pricing?

Pricing transparency is critical. The EOR service should provide clear, up-front pricing details, including all the associated costs, fees, and potential charges. 

Hidden costs, negotiable pricing, overly complex pricing structures, or a lack of clarity on costs are all red flags. You should clearly understand what you’re paying for and how it’s benefiting your business.

Do they include support services?

An ideal EOR service should offer a comprehensive package with relevant HR support services throughout the employee lifecycle. 

These could include:

• Recruitment assistance
• Employment contracts
• Visa and work permit applications
• Health insurance and other statutory benefits
• Payroll services
• Regulatory training
• Advisory services
• Employee termination

A firm that offers extensive support services can save you time, money, and stress. 

How supportive are they?

The level of support the EOR company offers can make a significant difference in your experience. They should be responsive, communicative, and ready to address your queries promptly. 

It’s crucial that they walk you through the compliance process and keep you updated on changes that impact your business instead of solely working behind the scenes. 

Do they have a trusted reputation and a proven track record of success?

Check for testimonials, case studies, and reviews that provide insights into their work ethic and successes. A good EOR company will have solid references that corroborate their expertise and show how they have effectively worked with similar businesses to yours. 

Are they cost effective?

The most cost-effective EOR provider isn’t always the cheapest. Choose the option that provides the most value for your money.

The value of EOR services come from their ability to provide a cost-effective path to international expansion, removing the need for a separate company or subsidiary in the countries you want to hire in. Therefore, they must genuinely provide a return on investment, not just a convenience. 

Alternative to Traditional EOR Services: Staffing and Recruiting Agencies with EOR Capabilities

Some companies offer both talent sourcing and EOR services.

While traditional EOR companies focus primarily on compliance and payroll, there’s another option worth considering: staffing and recruiting agencies that provide EOR-type services alongside talent sourcing.

This approach can be particularly valuable when you need both help finding the right talent and managing the complexities of international employment.

How this model works

Instead of having to work with separate companies for recruitment and compliance, specialized staffing firms can handle everything from candidate sourcing to payroll management.

Here’s what this typically includes:

• Talent sourcing and screening: Finding qualified candidates who match your specific requirements
• Legal compliance: Managing employment contracts, tax withholding, and local labor law compliance
• Payroll administration: Handling payments and benefits
• Ongoing support: Providing dedicated account management throughout the employment relationship

When this makes sense

This model works especially well for companies that don’t have established international recruitment processes.

For example, if you’re a US company looking to build a development team in Latin America, working with a specialized recruitment firm that also handles EOR services means you get both access to pre-vetted talent and seamless payroll and compliance management.

The benefits of this approach

• Single point of contact: One partner manages both talent acquisition and ongoing employment
• Better cultural fit: Recruitment specialists understand local markets and can find candidates who align with your company culture
• Ongoing relationship management: These firms are invested in long-term success, not just placement
• Transparent processes: You maintain visibility into both the hiring process and ongoing employment management

This model bridges the gap between traditional EOR services and recruitment, giving you comprehensive support for building international teams.

What Are the Top Companies Offering Employer of Record Services?

With so much at stake when hiring internationally, it’s crucial to partner with the right EOR company.

In no particular order, here are 12 of the best and most reputable companies offering EOR services:

1. Near

Near (Hire With Near) is a full-service staffing and recruiting agency that helps US companies of all sizes hire top-performing remote talent in Latin America across finance, accounting, sales, software engineering, AI, data, design, marketing, operations, and virtual assistance.

We’re different from traditional EOR companies because we handle the entire process from talent sourcing to ongoing payroll and benefits administration.

Instead of just providing compliance services for employees you’ve already hired, we find the right candidates and then manage all the complexities of international employment.

Our focus is exclusively on nearshore hiring in Latin American countries like Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil. This geographic specialization means we understand the local markets deeply and can offer advantages that generalist EOR companies often can’t match:

• Time zone alignment: Your team works during your hours, enabling real-time collaboration
• Cultural compatibility: LatAm professionals understand US business culture and communication styles
• Cost efficiency: Save 30–70% compared to US salaries while offering competitive local compensation
• Quality talent: Access to skilled professionals who often have experience working with US companies

Key features:

• End-to-end service: We handle everything from sourcing and screening candidates to payroll, taxes, and compliance
• Transparent pricing: Choose between a one-time recruitment fee or ongoing staffing model, and know exactly how much your hire makes
• Proven results: 97% placement success rate and 9.0+ client satisfaction score
• Replacement guarantee: If a hire doesn’t work out, we replace them at no additional cost
• Fast placements: Receive candidate profiles within 3 days and typically fill positions within 21 days

What sets us apart is our commitment to finding team members who integrate seamlessly with your company culture and contribute to long-term growth. We’re not just handling compliance—we’re helping you build a stronger, more efficient team.

2. Deel

Deel is possibly one of the best known global hiring platforms; it ranks number 1 in 36 G2 categories.

It is designed to simplify the legal and compliance procedures for hiring globally. It offers a reliable and easy-to-use platform that manages contracts, tax documentation, and payroll for companies in over 150 different countries. 

One of Deel’s standout features is its user-friendly interface, which simplifies the process of managing global employment tasks. The company also offers 24/7 support and transparent pricing.  

3. Papaya Global

Papaya Global offers a comprehensive global workforce management platform and deals with everything from payroll and compliance to benefits and workforce management. Its platform enables businesses to expand globally with a unified and streamlined solution.

The company is known for its robust software and seamless integration capabilities. Additionally, Papaya Global provides personalized customer service and allows for scalability as businesses grow.

4. Remote

As its name suggests, Remote is designed to enable companies to hire, pay, and manage remote employees worldwide. The firm is committed to simplifying the process of employing a global workforce.

Remote offers a broad range of HR services and a simple, easy-to-use interface. It also provides IP protection, which is a unique feature in the EOR market.

5. Rippling

Rippling is an all-in-one platform that manages everything from payroll and benefits to devices and apps for businesses. While not limited to EOR services, it has a robust program to support global employment.

Aside from its comprehensive HR solution, Rippling stands out for its powerful integration with other applications. The platform is also known for its intuitive design and broad range of features.

6. RemoFirst

With RemoFirst, companies can tap into international remote talent and support their employees with local benefits while maintaining compliance with international laws.

RemoFirst offers comprehensive HR services and easy-to-use payroll management. Features like bulk payment processing, automated tax calculations, and time-off management make it a one-stop solution for many businesses. 

7. Oyster HR

Oyster HR aims to simplify the process of employing a distributed team across 180 countries. It handles all aspects of global employment using a single automated platform where all employment functions can be managed, including hiring, payroll, and benefits. 

8. Globalization Partners

As one of the pioneers in the EOR field, Globalization Partners enables companies to hire in over 180 countries without establishing subsidiaries. The firm offers a comprehensive global business solution that handles taxes, legalities, and other administrative tasks.

Globalization Partners has a wealth of experience and a solid reputation for delivering high-quality services. It also stands out for its comprehensive coverage, serving more countries than most other EOR service providers.

9. Velocity Global

Velocity Global is renowned for simplifying global expansion with its suite of services that include EOR, global payroll, and independent contractor compliance. The company operates across 185 countries and excels in providing flexible solutions tailored to the unique needs of each of its clients. 

10. Safeguard Global

Safeguard Global offers cutting-edge workforce management solutions tailored to businesses scaling internationally. The platform has operations in over 170 nations and handles global payroll, HR operations, and compliance, helping clients focus on growth instead of administrative burdens. 

11. Justworks

Justworks aims to simplify business tasks related to HR, benefits, and compliance, particularly for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises. While not exclusively an EOR provider, its capabilities include supporting remote and international teams.

12. Multiplier

Multiplier was ranked in the top 50 of HR products by G2 in 2024. It’s a modern EOR platform operating in more than 150 countries worldwide.

It is designed to make international employment straightforward and compliant. It supports businesses by managing HR, payroll, compliance, and taxation, all through its user-friendly platform.

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Final Thoughts

Here’s the reality: most companies considering EOR services are dealing with one of two scenarios. Either they’ve found great talent internationally and need help with compliance, or they’re struggling to find the right people and need both talent sourcing and employment support.

Traditional EOR companies solve the first problem well—they handle payroll, benefits, and compliance for people you’ve already hired. But if you’re dealing with the second scenario, you’re essentially looking at managing two separate relationships: one with a recruiter to find talent, and another with an EOR to handle employment logistics.

The companies that move fastest and see the best results often choose a different path. They work with specialized firms that can handle both sides of the equation—finding the right talent and managing all the compliance complexities.

At Near, we’ve helped over 700 companies navigate exactly this situation. Instead of juggling multiple vendors, you get a single partner who understands both sides of international hiring: finding exceptional talent and managing the employment complexities.

Our approach is straightforward—we handle everything from sourcing and screening candidates to payroll, compliance, and ongoing support. But we’re flexible. If you prefer to handle employment logistics yourself or work with a separate EOR, that’s perfectly fine too. We flex to what works best for your specific situation and business needs. You receive candidate profiles within 3 days, typically fill positions within 21 days, and save 30-70% compared to US salaries.

But here’s what really sets us apart: we don’t just find you employees, we help you build team members who integrate seamlessly with your company culture and contribute to long-term growth.

Ready to see if this approach makes sense for your specific situation?

Book a zero-commitment consultation to discuss your hiring needs and explore how we can help you build a stronger international team. No sales pressure—just a straightforward conversation about your options and what might work best for your business.

Frequently Asked Questions about EOR Services

What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?

An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party company that legally employs your international workers on your behalf. The EOR handles payroll, benefits, tax compliance, and employment contracts—so you don’t have to set up a legal entity in the employee’s country.

When should a company use an EOR?

Use an EOR when:

• You want to hire internationally without opening a local entity
• You need to move quickly into a new market
• You’re hiring a small number of employees in a new country
• You want to reduce compliance risks when hiring remote talent

What’s the difference between an EOR and a PEO?

A PEO (Professional Employer Organization) co-employs your team within your country and typically requires you to have a legal entity.

An EOR becomes the legal employer in countries where you don’t have a business presence—making it ideal for international hiring without entity setup.

Read more in our article on the differences between PEOs and EORs.

When might I not need an Employer of Record?

If you’re hiring internationally but don’t need to set up your own legal entity, an Employer of Record (EOR) can handle payroll, compliance, and contracts for your team.

But it’s not the only option. If you work with a staffing company for hiring outside the US, they can recruit your team and act as the legal employer in the worker’s country, covering payroll and compliance for you. 

This can be a better fit if you want end-to-end support with sourcing and vetting talent, not just handling the paperwork. Learn more about how global staffing companies work when hiring internationally