Remote

Best Remote Alternatives 2026

Hire and pay global teams without setting up local entities. Find free, indie, and cheaper options that work for your team.

HR$29/user/monthUpdated 2025-01

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What is Remote?

Remote is a global HR and payroll platform that enables companies to hire employees and contractors in countries worldwide through its employer of record service. It handles international payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance. Plans start at $29/user/month.

Key Features

-Employer of record services in 60+ countries
-International payroll processing with local compliance
-Contractor management and payments in multiple currencies
-Country-specific benefits administration
-Immigration and visa support for relocating employees

Why Look for Remote Alternatives?

Companies may seek Remote alternatives when they need coverage in countries not yet supported or when per-employee costs become unsustainable at scale. Some teams also prefer platforms with more comprehensive day-to-day HR features beyond just payroll and compliance.

Common Pain Points

  • •Per-employee pricing can be very expensive for larger distributed teams
  • •Onboarding timelines vary significantly by country and can cause delays
  • •Benefits options are limited in some regions compared to local providers
  • •Platform features for day-to-day HR management are less mature than dedicated HRIS tools

Best Remote Alternatives (4)

1
Deel

Deel

$49/contractor

40% savings

Global payroll and contractor management. Free for contractors under certain plans. Strong compliance in 150+ countries.

Global payrollContractor paymentsEOR servicesCompliance

Best for: Companies with international contractors and employees

Visit Deel →
2
Oyster HR

Oyster HR

$29/contractor

65% savings

Global employment platform. Contractor payments start free, EOR from $599/employee.

Global hiringContractor managementComplianceBenefits

Best for: Growing companies hiring globally

Visit Oyster HR →
3
Papaya Global

Papaya Global

$20/payee

75% savings

Workforce payments platform. Handles payroll, contractors, and compliance in 160+ countries.

Global payrollContractor paymentsComplianceAnalytics

Best for: Companies needing automated global payments

Visit Papaya Global →
4
Gusto

Gusto

$40/mo + $6/person

45% savings

US payroll with contractor payments. Best for US-based teams with some international contractors.

US payrollContractor paymentsBenefitsHR tools

Best for: US companies with mostly domestic team

Note: Limited international employee support

Visit Gusto →

Tips for Switching from Remote

-Coordinate employee transitions carefully to avoid gaps in payroll or benefits
-Verify that the new provider covers all countries where you have employees
-Review local employment contracts and ensure compliance continuity during transfer
-Allow extra lead time for transitions in countries with complex labor regulations

Pro Tips

-Deel offers free contractor payments under certain volumes
-For US-only teams, Gusto is much cheaper than Remote
-Oyster has the best contractor experience at the lowest price

Ready to Switch from Remote?

See exactly how much you'll save by switching to one of these alternatives.

Calculate My Remote Savings →

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