Ever since the 1970s, where technological advancements and the liberalization of trade barriers opened up global avenues for businesses, cross-border enterprise has become commonplace.
Fast forward more than half a century and there are now over 80,000 multinational corporations (MNCs) operating worldwide, with companies like Western Union and Coca-Cola having a presence in almost every nation on the planet.
With more and more companies targeting global markets — and a recent pandemic triggering the accelerated adoption of remote work in many countries — global employment is also on the rise, and now more accessible than ever.
The advantages are numerous, of course — businesses can tap into local talent in new markets while saving on office or relocation costs, for instance — while global HR platforms are removing many of the complexities that would otherwise be associated with hiring someone from another country.
Targeting global expansion in 2025? Looking to seamlessly add overseas talent to your team? Here’s our run down of the best Global Employment Platforms in 2025.
1. Remote
Remote continues to lead the global employment space in 2025 thanks to its end-to-end infrastructure and laser focus on compliance. What sets Remote apart is its ownership of legal entities in every country, which eliminates the need for the third-party intermediaries and gives you much more direct control over payroll, tax, and legal compliance.
Remote supports both full-time EOR hires and independent contractors, offering localized contracts, benefits, and even stock option support for certain countries. The dashboard is clean, intuitive, and built for scale — making it as suitable for a startup hiring its first overseas employee as it is for an enterprise managing a 10-country footprint.
What’s more, the company has invested heavily in intellectual property protection, ensuring your business is safeguarded when managing sensitive projects or code overseas.
Key Features:
- Employer of Record (EOR) in 190+ countries
- Direct legal entity ownership (no third parties)
- International contractor management in 180+ countries
- Built-in IP and invention rights protection
- Global payroll, benefits, and tax compliance
- Integrations with BambooHR, Greenhouse, and more
Pros:
- Industry-leading compliance and control
- Transparent, flat-fee pricing per employee
- Owns legal infrastructure in every covered country
- Strong IP protections baked in
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer full IT/device management or finance modules
- Stock options support limited by country
2. Rippling
Rippling has rapidly evolved from a US-focused HR automation tool into a powerful global employment platform. What makes Rippling unique isn’t just that it offers Employer of Record (EOR) services — it’s that it combines them with fully integrated IT and finance functions such as laptop provisioning, app access, and expense management
Whether you opt for Rippling or Remote may come down to how much country coverage you require, since Ripping currently only offers EOR services in around 50 countries, but its strength lies in its automation and cross-functional capabilities — you can connect HR tasks with IT actions or push payroll data directly into accounting tools.
That said, Rippling’s international capabilities still don’t match players like Remote or Deel in country coverage or legal entity ownership — and pricing can climb quickly depending on the modules you add.
Key Features:
- EOR coverage in 50+ countries (expanding fast)
- Unified system for HR, IT, and Finance
- Device management and app provisioning
- Workflow automation across departments
- Native integrations with QuickBooks, Slack, JAMF, and others
- Global payroll with tax compliance
Pros:
- All-in-one back-office platform: HR, IT, finance
- Great for fast-growing tech companies
- Strong workflow and automation tools
- Unified data across departments
Cons:
- EOR coverage still behind top competitors
- Pricing can scale quickly with added modules
- Not ideal if you only want basic international hiring
3. Deel
Deel started as a contractor management platform, but by 2025 it has matured into a full-spectrum global employment solution, serving over 150 countries. Deel’s standout advantage is speed — you can onboard a full-time employee or contractor in a new country in as little as 2–3 days, while the platform handles everything from localized contracts and benefits to automated tax documentation and IP protection.
With Deel’s equity distribution feature, you can also grant and manage stock options across borders, with guidance on local tax implications — a major plus for startups offering competitive packages. While Deel doesn’t own as many local entities as Remote, it partners with a trusted network of third parties and delivers impressive reliability.
Key Features:
- EOR services in 150+ countries
- Contractor and freelancer management
- Global equity and stock option distribution
- Localized contracts and benefits templates
- Visa and relocation support
- Prebuilt integrations with Greenhouse, HiBob, QuickBooks, and others
Pros:
- Fast setup — often within a few days
- Excellent contractor management tools
- Offers global equity distribution and advisory
- Intuitive interface with strong automation
Cons:
- Relies on third-party entities in some countries
- Premium features like visa support cost extra
- Not ideal for companies that need deep finance/IT integration
4. Papaya Global
Papaya Global stands out for its data-first approach to global workforce management. Supporting payroll and employment in over 160 countries, it’s one of the most extensive solutions in terms of reach. It offers both EOR and direct payroll services, as well as a centralized platform that consolidates data across contractors, employees, and PEOs.
What’s especially useful is Papaya’s deep integration with ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, and NetSuite, allowing you to automate cross-border payroll and get country-level cost breakdowns that feed directly into your finance reports. Papaya has a steeper learning curve than more plug-and-play platforms like Deel or Oyster, and pricing is less transparent, but it may be ideal for companies looking to scale globally without creating data silos.
Key Features:
- EOR and global payroll in 160+ countrie
- Real-time workforce analytics dashboard
- Automated tax and compliance updates
- Contractor, PEO, and direct payroll support
- Deep ERP integrations with SAP, Oracle, NetSuite
- Custom compliance workflows
Pros:
- Excellent for data visibility and reporting
- Supports hybrid workforces (employees + contractors + PEOs)
- Strong ERP and accounting integrations
- Powerful compliance tools for enterprise-level governance
Cons:
- Less user-friendly for smaller teams
- Pricing is less transparent and can vary by use case
- Not ideal for companies needing speed or simplicity
5. Velocity Global
Velocity Global is one of the most established names in global employment, known for its legal expertise and enterprise-grade solutions. Offering EOR, contractor management, and global immigration services in 185+ countries, Velocity Global was built from the ground up with large, multinational corporations in mind. As a result, you get configurable workflows, in-depth compliance controls, and dedicated legal support in complex regions.
Velocity’s Global Work Platform™ acts as a “control tower” for your distributed workforce. From onboarding and time tracking to benefits and local law compliance, everything is centralized and designed to meet enterprise SLAs. The trade-off is that the platform may feel less agile and modern compared to startup-focused tools, and pricing tends to reflect enterprise expectations.
Key Features:
- EOR coverage in 185+ countries
- Global Work Platform™ with centralized controls
- Country-specific compliance workflows
- Immigration, visa, and relocation support
- Dedicated legal and HR support
- Time-tracking, leave, and benefits modules
Pros:
- Very strong on compliance and risk management
- Built for large, regulated companies
- Excellent support for cross-border immigration
- Highly customizable to enterprise needs
Cons:
- Slower onboarding for smaller businesses
- Platform is less sleek and modern than newer players
- Higher pricing tiers compared to many alternatives
6. Oyster
With a mission-driven approach that prioritizes fairness and equity, Oyster has carved out a niche for itself by championing ethical global employment. Oyster offers EOR services in over 130 countries, as well as contractor management, global benefits packages, and one of the most intuitive UIs in the category.
Oyster’s Total Rewards Calculator is a particularly innovative feature — helping businesses offer market-competitive, country-specific compensation packages that account for factors like taxes and cost of living. While it doesn’t yet offer deep workflow automation or ERP integration, its simplicity and values-first approach are huge draws for purpose-led companies.
Key Features:
- EOR services in 130+ countries
- Total Rewards Calculator for fair compensation
- Global contractor and benefits management
- Employee onboarding in <72 hours
- DEI-focused hiring and employment tools
- Knowledge library for HR and hiring teams
Pros:
- Designed with fairness and ethics in mind
- Easy to use, even for first-time global hiring teams
- Transparent pricing and fast onboarding
- Excellent educational resources
Cons:
- Lacks advanced automation and workflow tools
- No deep finance or IT integration
- Not ideal for complex multinational orgs
As global hiring becomes the norm rather than the exception, the right platform can make or break your international expansion goals.
While Remote offers unmatched compliance and legal infrastructure, a platform like Papaya Global delivers enterprise-grade data and ERP integrations. The best choice ultimately depends on your company’s size, priorities, and how deeply you want to integrate global hiring into your broader operations.