Expanding your startup internationally is an exciting opportunity, but hiring employees across borders comes with challenges. From navigating local employment laws to managing payroll and taxes, building a global team can quickly become complicated.
An Employer of Record (EOR) can help take some of that pressure off your shoulders. Instead of having to set up a legal entity in every country you hire in, an EOR handles the employment side of things, making it easier for you to bring international talent on board.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve rounded up five of the best EOR providers for startups looking to go global.
1. Teamed
If you’re looking for an EOR provider that offers more than just a platform, Teamed deserves the top spot on your list. With transparent pricing, real HR and legal expertise, and support across 187+ countries, it’s an excellent choice for startups looking to expand internationally without unnecessary costs or complications.
One of Teamed’s biggest advantages is its commitment to eliminating the hidden global employment tax. This includes unexpected fees, FX markups and restrictive contracts that can make international hiring more expensive than you initially expected.
What sets Teamed apart, however, is its human approach. You’ll have access to real HR and legal experts assigned within 24 hours, rather than relying solely on automated support. Plus, as your startup grows, Teamed can support your transition from hiring contractors to establishing your own legal entities, all within the same platform.
Why choose Teamed?
- EOR services across 187+ countries, including 57 with owned legal entities.
- Transparent pricing with zero FX markup.
- Real HR and legal experts assigned within 24 hours.
- Contractor management, global payroll and entity management services.
- A free Crossover Calculator to identify when establishing your own entity becomes more cost-effective.
Best for: Startups seeking transparent international hiring costs, expert guidance and long-term flexibility as they expand.
2. Justworks
If you want an EOR provider that makes international hiring more manageable, Justworks is another option worth considering. Its HR and payroll services help startups expand their teams internationally without the hassle of setting up local legal entities.
With Justworks, you can manage employee onboarding, payroll, benefits and employment compliance in one place, giving you more time to focus on growing your business.
You’ll also have access to HR expertise to help you navigate local employment laws and requirements. And if your startup is already based in the US, Justworks could be particularly useful thanks to its wider range of domestic HR, payroll and benefits services.
However, if you’re planning to expand into several international markets, Teamed may be the better choice. While Justworks currently offers EOR services in 37 countries, Teamed supports 187+ and provides zero FX markup, making it a strong option for startups with broader expansion plans.
Why choose Justworks?
- International employee onboarding and payroll management.
- Employment contracts and statutory benefits administration.
- Support with local employment laws and compliance.
- Access to HR resources and guidance.
Best for: US-based startups seeking international EOR services alongside their existing HR and payroll operations.
3. Foxhire
If your startup relies on temporary workers or contract staff, FoxHire could be a good fit. Specialising in contingent workforce management, contract staffing and recruitment agency support, FoxHire helps you manage flexible staffing arrangements without taking on the full administrative burden of employment.
FoxHire takes care of responsibilities such as payroll, tax withholding, employee benefits and onboarding, giving you more time to focus on growing your business and maintaining client relationships.
You’ll also have access to tools for tracking assignments and managing workforce administration, which can be useful if you’re regularly hiring contractors or managing multiple staffing placements.
Why choose FoxHire?
- Payroll and tax administration for contract workers.
- Employee onboarding and benefits management.
- Contractor and assignment management tools.
- Services designed for recruitment agencies and contingent workforces.
Best for: Recruitment-focused startups and businesses managing temporary or contract workers, primarily in the US.
4. Atlas HXM
For startups planning to expand into multiple countries, Atlas HXM is another EOR provider to consider. It helps you hire, onboard and manage international employees while taking care of the complexities of local employment.
One of Atlas HXM’s biggest advantages is its direct EOR model. Rather than relying primarily on third-party employment partners, it operates through its own legal entities, giving you greater visibility over your international workforce.
Atlas HXM supports employment across 160+ countries, handling payroll, employee benefits and local compliance requirements. You’ll also have access to its human experience management platform, which brings different aspects of employee administration together in one place.
Why choose Atlas HXM?
- Direct EOR model using owned legal entities.
- Local employment compliance support.
- Employment services across 160+ countries.
- Workforce management and employee experience tools.
Best for: Startups planning expansion into multiple countries that prioritise a direct EOR model and centralised workforce management.
5. Plane
Plane is a global payroll and employment platform that helps startups hire and manage international employees and contractors. Its Employer of Record services cover 100+ countries, allowing you to expand your team without establishing local legal entities.
Managing different types of workers across several countries can quickly become complicated, especially when you’re juggling different payroll systems and employment requirements.
Plane aims to make this easier by bringing everything together in one place, so you can spend less time on administration and more time growing your startup.
The platform also offers localised HR guidance, helping you navigate employment requirements as you enter new markets.
Why choose Plane?
- Manage employees and contractors through a single platform.
- Access localised HR guidance when entering new markets.
- Simplify international payments and payroll processes.
- Reduce administrative work when hiring across borders.
Best for: Startups managing a mixture of international employees and contractors that want payroll and workforce management in one platform.
Choosing the right EOR for your startup
Expanding your startup internationally is a big step, and choosing the right EOR provider can make the process much easier. Before making a decision, think about where you want to hire, how much support you’ll need and whether the provider can keep up as your business grows.
Teamed is a good option if you value transparent pricing and having real HR and legal experts to turn to when questions come up.
Ultimately, the right EOR should make international hiring feel less complicated, giving you more time to focus on building your team and growing your business.
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