6 Top Employer of Record Companies in 2025

Hiring across borders has never been easier—or more necessary—than it is in 2025. Businesses of all sizes want to tap into global talent, but navigating foreign labor laws, tax systems, and employment rules can be overwhelming. That’s where employer of record companies come in.

Employer of record providers make it simple for businesses to hire international employees without having to set up a local entity. They take care of payroll, taxes, benefits, compliance, and other legal responsibilities, so companies can focus on building strong teams and growing their business.

As the workforce becomes more global and remote work continues to rise, employer of record services have become a key partner for businesses that want to stay competitive. In this guide, we will explore the top employer of record companies in 2025 and what makes each one a strong choice.

What to look for in the best employer of record providers

Choosing the right employer of record provider is a big decision. The right partner can save your company from legal headaches, speed up hiring timelines, and help you build a strong global workforce. On the other hand, the wrong choice could lead to delays, penalties, or unhappy employees.

When looking at different employer of record companies, there are a few important things to consider:

• Compliance expertise: Good employer of record providers know how to stay up-to-date with changing labor laws and tax rules in every country they operate.
• Wide service range: The best employer of record services handle more than just payroll. They also manage benefits, taxes, local contracts, and HR support.
• Global reach: If you plan to hire in many countries, make sure the provider has strong coverage and experience in those locations.
• Easy onboarding: A smooth hiring process makes a big difference for both you and your new employees.
• Reliable customer support: Fast and helpful support is vital when dealing with urgent employment issues across different time zones.

Top employer of record companies in 2025

Finding the right partner to handle your global hiring can make all the difference. Below, we review six top employer of record companies that are leading the way in 2025. Each offers unique strengths to fit different business needs.

1. Deel

Deel is one of the most popular employer of record providers today, known for its simple platform and wide global reach. Companies use Deel to hire, pay, and manage workers in over 100 countries without needing a local entity.

Key strengths: Deel stands out for its easy-to-use technology, fast onboarding, and flexible contracts. Its platform also offers helpful features like automated invoicing, tax document management, and local benefits support.
Standout features: Deel now includes AI-powered compliance monitoring, helping businesses stay ahead of legal changes worldwide.
Best for: Startups and tech companies that want to scale quickly without heavy legal costs.

2. Remote

Remote has made a strong name for itself among employer of record companies by offering full-service global employment solutions. It covers everything from payroll to benefits to compliance.

Key strengths: Remote offers top-notch employee benefits packages and strong legal protections. It also keeps operations in-house, which improves service quality and security.
Standout features: Remote now provides custom benefits programs by country, helping companies offer attractive packages to employees around the world.
Best for: Companies expanding into multiple countries at once and needing strong benefits support.

3. Oyster

Oyster focuses on making global hiring fair, easy, and affordable. It appeals to businesses that care deeply about employee experience and compliance.

Key strengths: Oyster offers solid support for remote work, including global health benefits, local legal compliance, and a library of hiring resources.
Standout features: Oyster’s platform now features real-time salary benchmarking by country to help businesses stay competitive.
Best for: Mission-driven companies building remote teams with an emphasis on fair pay and benefits.

4. Papaya Global

Papaya Global is a strong player for businesses needing more than just basic employer of record services. It offers a full workforce management platform that includes EOR, payroll, and contractor management.

Key strengths: Papaya’s automated payroll system, strong focus on data security, and ability to support complex multi-country setups make it a great choice for larger companies.
Standout features: Papaya now offers smart reporting dashboards that give real-time insights into workforce spending and trends.
Best for: Larger companies with complicated hiring needs across many countries.

5. Rippling

Rippling combines EOR services with a complete HR, IT, and finance platform, making it easy to manage everything in one place.

Key strengths: Rippling’s integration with HR tools like benefits management, device management, and apps like Slack or Zoom sets it apart. Onboarding new employees takes just a few clicks.
Standout features: Rippling now offers instant employment setup in over 50 countries directly through its platform.
Best for: Growing businesses that want flexibility and a central system for employee management.

6. Velocity Global

Velocity Global has built a reputation as a reliable and flexible partner for global hiring. It supports companies through every step, from hiring to scaling.

Key strengths: Velocity Global is known for strong compliance support, deep expertise in different regions, and customized employment solutions.
Standout features: Velocity Global now offers direct immigration and visa services for companies moving talent across borders.
Best for: Businesses that want a hands-on, customizable EOR partner with personal support.

How these employer of record providers compare

When choosing between the top employer of record companies, it helps to see how they stack up against each other. While all six offer reliable employer of record services, they each bring different strengths that can better match certain business needs.

Deel shines when it comes to user-friendly technology and fast onboarding, making it a strong choice for startups and tech companies. Remote offers rich employee benefits and full legal support, which is important for businesses expanding into several countries at once. Oyster focuses heavily on remote work and fair pay, giving it a special edge for mission-driven companies.

Papaya Global offers strong payroll automation and is better suited for larger businesses dealing with complex, multi-country hiring. Rippling stands out by combining employer of record services with broader HR and IT tools, helping businesses manage employees more easily from one system. Velocity Global takes a more hands-on approach and is a great fit for businesses needing customized hiring solutions and immigration support.

To help you quickly see the differences, here’s a simple overview:

• Fastest onboarding: Deel
• Best benefits support: Remote
• Best for remote-first teams: Oyster
• Best for large, complex operations: Papaya Global
• Best full HR integration: Rippling
• Best for personal, customized service: Velocity Global

Knowing these key points can make it easier to narrow down the best employer of record providers for your goals.

How to choose the right EOR service for your business

Selecting the right employer of record company is more than just picking a big name. You want a partner that matches your current needs and future plans. To help you make the best choice, here’s a simple checklist you can follow:

• Confirm the provider operates in the countries where you plan to hire.
• Review the types of employer of record services they offer beyond payroll, like benefits management and local compliance.
• Ask about onboarding timelines and how they handle employee support.
• Check if the provider can scale with your growth plans.
• Read customer reviews or ask for references from companies similar to yours.

Also, take a moment to think about what matters most to your business. Is it fast hiring? Employee experience? Cost savings? Once you know your top priorities, it becomes easier to pick the right employer of record providers that align with your vision.

By staying focused on your company’s unique needs and asking the right questions, you can avoid costly mistakes and set your global team up for success.

Final thoughts: Choosing an employer of record company in 2025

Employer of record companies have become an important part of global business in 2025. They allow companies to grow quickly across borders without the cost and time of setting up new legal entities. With the right employer of record providers, you can hire top talent, stay compliant with local laws, and offer strong support to your global team.

As competition for international talent rises, using trusted employer of record services is one of the smartest moves your business can make. Whether you are looking for speed, support, or custom solutions, there is an EOR provider ready to meet your needs.

Now is the time to start your search, ask the right questions, and find a partner that will help you build the future of your business—one great hire at a time.

Sara Duerr

Sara has been in the career development field for over 10 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share. She covers topics such as resume writing, job search strategies, interview techniques, career planning, and more. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Medium. She has curated our free downloadable resume templates for Word and resume templates for Google Docs.