Taking your startup into a new country can open up opportunities you might not find at home. But before you start building an international team, there’s something important to consider: how will you employ people legally in a country where your business isn’t registered?
That’s where an Employer of Record (EOR) comes in. An EOR handles the legal employment of overseas workers, including contracts, payroll and local compliance, so you can hire internationally without needing to establish your own legal entity.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a list of five of the best EOR providers for startups planning their next stage of growth.
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Teamed – Best overall EOR provider for startups expanding globally
Teamed takes the top spot for startups looking for an EOR provider that offers more than just employment administration. Founded in 2018, the London-based company supports over 1,000 growing teams and has a 4.8/5 rating on G2.
What makes Teamed stand out is its approach to The Hidden Global Employment Tax. Unexpected fees, FX markups and restrictive contracts can quickly increase your international hiring costs. Teamed aims to eliminate these challenges through transparent pricing and flexible monthly terms.
Beyond hiring, Teamed helps you choose the right employment structure for each market. Its free Crossover Calculator even shows when establishing your own legal entity could become cheaper than using an EOR.
You’ll also benefit from Ted, Teamed’s AI agent, which audits payroll runs and performs compliance checks, with every action confirmed by a person.
Key reasons to choose Teamed:
- EOR coverage across 187+ countries, including 57 with owned legal entities.
- Pricing from £479 per employee per month, with zero FX markup.
- Real HR and legal experts assigned within 24 hours.
- 24/5 human support, with a first response within 15 minutes.
- Contractor management, global payroll and entity management through one platform.
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Rivermate – Best for first-time international hiring
Hiring your first employee overseas can feel like a big step, especially when you’re unfamiliar with local employment requirements. Rivermate aims to make the process easier by helping businesses employ international talent across 180+ countries.
The provider handles employment contracts, payroll, employee benefits and compliance, allowing you to concentrate on welcoming new team members.
Rivermate also places an emphasis on human support. Each client receives a designated account manager and access to employment specialists who can help explain country-specific requirements.
However, Teamed may be the better option for startups planning long-term international growth. While both providers offer extensive country coverage and human support, Teamed also provides proactive advice on when to move from EOR employment to establishing your own legal entity, supported by its free Crossover Calculator.
Key reasons to choose Rivermate:
- EOR services across 180+ countries.
- Assistance with local employment contracts and compliance.
- International payroll and employee benefits administration.
- Support with employee onboarding and offboarding processes.
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Brunel – Best for specialist recruitment and technical industries
Not every startup is looking to hire the same type of employee. Some need engineers, technical specialists or experienced professionals who can work on complex international projects.
Brunel focuses on these hiring challenges by combining Employer of Record services with specialist recruitment and workforce management.
The company has extensive experience in industries such as engineering, energy and technology, helping businesses source and manage skilled professionals across different markets.
In addition to employment administration, Brunel supports international mobility and employee relocation. This can be useful when your expansion involves moving employees overseas or managing teams across project locations.
Key reasons to choose Brunel:
- Experience recruiting for technical and specialist industries.
- International recruitment and workforce management services.
- Support for employee relocation and global mobility.
- Assistance with payroll and local employment compliance.
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Native Teams – Best for international employment and payment management
Native Teams helps startups bring international employment and payment management together in one place.
Its Employer of Record services cover 95+ countries, allowing you to hire overseas employees without establishing local legal entities.
One of Native Teams’ main advantages is its direct employment model. The company operates through its own legal entities across supported markets, providing a more direct approach to international employment.
The platform also helps manage employment contracts, payroll and employee benefits. This can make everyday administration easier as your startup begins hiring people across several countries, although Teamed offers broader EOR coverage across 187+ countries.
Key reasons to choose Native Teams:
- Direct EOR services across 95+ countries.
- Local employment contracts and payroll administration.
- Centralised employment and payment management.
- Support for international employee benefits.
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Mercans – Best for global payroll and workforce management
Managing payroll becomes more complicated when your employees are working in different countries. Each location has its own employment regulations, tax requirements and payment processes to consider.
Mercans helps businesses handle these responsibilities through its global payroll and Employer of Record services. Operating across 160+ countries, it allows startups to hire international employees without establishing local legal entities.
A key feature of Mercans is HR Blizz, its payroll management platform. It brings international payroll and HR administration together, helping businesses organise employee information and payment processes.
Mercans also provides support with local employment compliance, although startups looking for wider EOR coverage and direct access to HR and legal experts may find Teamed a better fit.
Key reasons to choose Mercans:
- EOR services across 160+ countries.
- Global payroll and HR management technology.
- Support with local employment compliance.
- Centralised workforce administration.
How to choose the best EOR provider for your startup
Choosing an Employer of Record provider isn’t just about finding someone who can process international payroll. You’ll also want to think about what happens after you’ve made your first overseas hire.
As your startup grows, you might need additional employment support or decide to establish your own presence in another country. Having a provider that understands these changes can make the process easier.
Before signing any agreement, make sure you understand the services and support available. The right EOR provider should give you the confidence to grow your international team without adding unnecessary complications.
