Spending too much on recruitment, payroll or global HR?
Selecting the appropriate Employer of Record (EOR) provider can save a company thousands of dollars each year and set the stage for smooth global expansion. Remote vs RemoFirst is a common comparison for businesses deciding between two popular EOR providers.
The key differences come down to Remote’s higher-priced premium services and hand-holding support, while RemoFirst prioritizes affordable EOR services with a more straightforward, transparent pricing.
By the end of this guide, employers will be able to decide which company best suits their budget, team size, and expansion needs.
Quick Overview Table
| Key Metric | Remote | RemoFirst |
| EOR Pricing | $599 per employee/month (paid annually) or $699 per employee/month (paid monthly) | $199 per employee/month |
| Best For | Mid-sized to enterprise companies seeking comprehensive and premium features | Startups and small businesses prioritizing cost efficiency |
| Country Coverage | 90+ countries for EOR; 190+ for contractors | 185+ countries for EOR; 150+ for contractors |
| Support | Dedicated specialists and in-house experts | Dedicated customer success managers |
| Contractor Management | Yes (starts at $29 per employee/month) | Yes (Free, with a premium option for $25 per employee/month) |
What is Remote?
Remote is an EOR company founded in 2019 that has quickly made a name for itself as a compliance-first platform with a focus on ease of use. The platform has the objective of simplifying the process of hiring and managing global teams for businesses as safely and seamlessly as possible. The platform is targeted towards both startups and enterprise companies that are in the market for a long-term global hiring partner.
The unique thing about Remote is that it owns the legal entities in each country where it has offices. In contrast to most EORs, Remote doesn’t need to rely on local partners. By operating this way, Remote has more control over the hiring, payroll, and compliance process.
This allows companies working with Remote to have enhanced data security, legal safety, and a uniform experience across the globe. If you are a company looking for a tried and true partner to hire internationally, Remote could be the solution for you.
Read more in our in-depth review of Remote. See also our comparison guide below:
What is RemoFirst?
RemoFirst is a relatively new US-based company that was founded in 2021. The Employer of Record (EOR) enables organizations to hire employees from around the world without having to establish local entities. RemoFirst is available in over 185 countries, and it offers support for both full-time employees and contractors.
The primary advantage of RemoFirst is its low and transparent pricing. Starting at $199 per employee per month, the EOR handles payroll, contracts, taxes, and local benefits fully compliant with local regulations. With no setup fees and no long-term contracts, it’s an inexpensive and flexible option for small and growing companies to scale globally.
Read more in our in-depth Remofirst review. See also our comparison guides:
Key Features Comparison
Remote Key Features
| Owned legal entities | Service with no third-party partnerships in 90+ countries |
| AI Recruitment | Intelligent matching of candidates from 800+ million professional profiles |
| Built-in HRIS | Complete, native HR platform with full employee lifecycle visibility & mobile accessibility |
| Robust Compliance | One place to manage international HR policies, labor compliance, and recordkeeping |
| Equity management | Award and manage equity grants for Delaware C-Corps in 85+ countries |
RemoFirst Key Features
| Contractor Management | Manage contractors for free, or pay for automatic management |
| International Payroll | An easy way to pay global employees and contractors |
| Localized Benefits | Offer locally customized health insurance and more |
| Visa and Work Permit Support | Dealing with immigration in over 85 countries |
| Global Background Checks | Reduce risk when hiring overseas |
| 24/5 Customer Support | A customer success manager is at your disposal |
Benefits Comparison
Remote Benefits
Remote’s all-in-one platform has some compelling benefits for a company scaling its operations globally. As a one-stop platform, there is less administrative overhead for HR teams to manage.
Remote owning its own legal entities ensures a high level of compliance and security that matters for larger companies with extensive legal and regulatory requirements.
The platform’s diverse functionality enables more consistent and engaging employee experiences across performance management and equity administration, which translates into better retention and culture.
RemoFirst Benefits
Cost is one of the major advantages of RemoFirst. The platform’s pricing structure is highly competitive, making it an affordable solution for startups and SMBs to hire globally without significantly impacting their bottom lines. The broad coverage of countries allows businesses to access a wider and more diverse talent network.
RemoFirst is designed for easy onboarding. Their commitment to a simple experience makes it easy for companies to begin their global hiring journey, even with no prior experience in international hiring.
The dedicated 25/7 customer support ensures that businesses have a reliable point of contact to help them deal with the complexities of international employment.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan Type | Remote | RemoFirst |
| EOR | $599 per employee/month (paid annually) or $699 per employee/month (paid monthly) | Starts at $199 per employee/month |
| Contractor | Starts at $29/month | Free (with a premium option for $25 per employee/month) |
| Payroll Only | $29 per employee/month | Not offered separately |
Analysis
Remote is more costly; however, it offers more features and is a good fit for larger companies looking for an all-in-one solution. RemoFirst’s lower cost is more appealing to startups and small businesses looking to save money. Its free contractor management tier is especially attractive for companies that work with a large number of freelancers.
Pros and Cons
Remote Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Owns its own legal entities in every country it operates in | Prices are significantly higher than RemoFirst |
| Robust compliance and data security | EOR country coverage is not as wide as that of some other competitors |
| Premium employee experience, with world-class benefits |
RemoFirst Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very low-cost EOR and contractor management services. | Uses local partnerships instead of owning local entities, which may not be suitable for large businesses |
| Extensive country coverage for EOR | Fewer features compared to Remote’s all-in-one platform |
| Straightforward and easy-to-use platform | Not as recognizable as some of the bigger names in the industry |
Customer Support Comparison
| Feature | Remote | RemoFirst |
| Channels | Live chat, email/help desk, knowledge base, phone support | Dedicated account manager, email, and web form |
| Availability | 25/7 | 24/5 |
Availability of customer support can make a huge difference to customers in other countries. Remote’s 24/7 customer support is a huge win for businesses that operate with staff and customers in different time zones.
Which One Is Right for You?
Choose Remote if you:
- Are a mid-market or enterprise company with complex global hiring needs
- Need a comprehensive, all-in-one global HR platform
- Value compliance and security
- Have the budget for a premium EOR solution
Choose RemoFirst if you:
- Are a startup or a small business with a limited budget
- Need to hire talent from a wide range of countries
- Prefer a simple and user-friendly platform
- Value having a dedicated customer support contact
When to Consider Alternatives
Companies with more specific needs may want to check out the alternatives to Remote and RemoFirst below:
- Deel: A mid-tier in pricing, has excellent contractor management features, and can be attractive for companies looking for a balance of price and features.
- Oyster: Very heavy on distributed team culture and employee experience, so it may be a good choice for remote-first companies. Read more in our Oyster review.
- Multiplier: Has competitive pricing with solid Asian-specific coverage for companies growing into APAC markets. Check out their Key USP in our Multiplier review.
For more in-depth information on other EOR options see our guides to the best Remote alternatives and the best Remofirst alternatives.
Final Verdict
The decision between Remote and RemoFirst really depends on the particular needs and priorities of a business. Remote is the clear choice for larger enterprises that require a more comprehensive, all-in-one global HR solution with a heavy emphasis on compliance.
On the other hand, if startups and small businesses are only at the beginning of their global expansion journey, it is difficult to beat RemoFirst’s affordable and flexible solution. While both companies provide high-quality service, they are intended for different kinds of customers.
A business will be able to select the most suitable EOR provider by taking into account its needs and budget.
For help in selecting the best EOR for your purposes, get in touch with RemotePad’s EOR experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
RemoFirst is far more affordable, with plans beginning at $199 per employee per month, compared to Remote’s $599-$699 per employee per month.
Remote is best for mid-size and enterprise companies that need advanced HR technology, compliance assurance, and 24/7 support. Large businesses that don’t find the pricing of Remote unaffordable can benefit from its premium services.
RemoFirst is best for startups and small businesses that need low-cost and flexible global hiring with no setup fees or long-term contracts.
