The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region has become a well-known hub for companies seeking international remote talent. It’s easy to see why. For organizations that make global expansion a priority, the opportunity to potentially reduce labor costs while engaging a diverse, highly skilled workforce across the region’s growing tech hubs is too good to pass up.
But compliantly expanding your footprint into new territories isn’t always straightforward. You must navigate a complex web of local labor laws and tax requirements in every country where you hire. If you mess up, you could face significant legal consequences.
So how can you avoid common international hiring pitfalls when managing a global team? For many companies, the solution is simple: partner with an Employer of Record (EOR).
Key takeaways:
- The costs of EOR services vary widely, ranging from USD 199 per person/month to USD 699 per person/month or more.
- EOR integrations can help streamline workflows, but some come at outsized costs.
- When selecting an EOR, businesses should do their research, including pursuing customer reviews for honest feedback.
Best APAC Employers of Record Quick View
Assembling High-Performing Remote Teams in APAC
Whether you are making a strategic first hire in Singapore, building an engineering hub in India, or scaling customer service operations in the Philippines, potential roadblocks are bound to pop up.
From multi-currency payroll to compliance with local data regulations and the administration of local benefits — such as Australia’s Superannuation and India’s Payment of Gratuity Act — there’s a lot to consider.
Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) is the most efficient way for international companies to hire across APAC without establishing a local entity. An EOR handles all localized payroll, taxes, and compliance on your behalf, allowing you to hire and onboard talent in days rather than months.
Ready to hire in the APAC region, but not sure where to start? Here are some of the top EORs that can help.
1. RemoFirst
RemoFirst enables companies to comply with regulations and employ professionals in over 185 countries, including key APAC hubs such as Singapore, India, Japan, and the Philippines. Transparent, flat-rate pricing starts at just USD 199 per full-time employee and USD 25 per contractor per month, with no hidden fees.
RemoFirst handles the heavy lifting of regional compliance and HR administration for companies employing contractors or employees in APAC. This includes:
- Drafting contracts that comply with local labor codes
- Managing global payroll and tax filings
- Overseeing statutory benefits, such as pensions and health insurance
The company’s comprehensive suite of service offerings also includes assistance with visa and work permit applications, as well as background checks and equipment shipping.
One thing to keep in mind is that RemoFirst currently offers fewer HRIS integrations than some of the larger, more expensive providers in the market, although that is changing, with recent integrations announced with BambooHR and ADP Workforce Now.
For companies that care about staying compliant in APAC without overcomplicating their tech stack or blowing their budget, RemoFirst strikes a practical balance.
Want to see how easy it is to manage a global team with RemoFirst? Book a demo.
2. Glints TalentHub
Glints TalentHub differentiates itself by offering highly localized EOR services. While many EORs operate in 150+ countries through third-party partners, Glints focuses exclusively on Southeast Asia, maintaining physical offices and local teams in hubs including Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, and the Philippines.
This hyper-regional focus enables them to offer a “managed talent” model that has empowered over 6 million professionals through localized employee engagement and office space solutions. However, if your expansion plans extend to North Asia or Australia, you’ll likely need an additional EOR partner.
Some customers have praised Glint’s strong regional expertise. However, others have noted that the platform lacks the advanced HRIS integrations found in larger global enterprise solutions.
3. Oyster
The Oyster platform is built for speed and can help companies automate contract generation and begin onboarding employees in as little as 48 hours.
While the company offers a polished interface and a wide array of educational resources for hiring in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, Oyster’s premium features also come with a higher price tag than many other regional options at USD 699 per person per month.
Many users have praised the platform for its ease of use, although some have noted that Oyster offers inconsistent customer support and that they experience communication delays.
For an in-depth comparison, read our RemoFirst vs. Oyster guide or visit Oyster’s G2 profile for more user reviews.
4. Multiplier
Multiplier has carved out a niche in the APAC region by positioning itself as a high-tech, mid-premium solution for scaling businesses, with pricing starting at USD 400 per person, per month.
Multiplier uses its own localized infrastructure to deliver an increasingly automated experience across major Asian markets, including India, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
Some Multiplier customers praise the easy-to-use interface and features, including crypto payroll. Others, however, have reported inconsistent responsiveness and frustrations with the lack of customization in the product. Businesses looking for maximum ROI and dedicated human support may find better value elsewhere.
To see a side-by-side breakdown of features, visit our RemoFirst vs. Multiplier guide. You can also check out more customer feedback on G2.
5. Deel
Enterprise companies seeking an automation-heavy platform to manage large, distributed teams across the APAC region often choose Deel.
The company’s “all-in-one” approach is its biggest selling point. The platform leans on over 100 integrations to consolidate everything from global payroll and localized contracts to equipment provisioning and equity management into one dashboard.
However, all those integrations come at a price. Starting at USD 599 per employee, per month, Deel’s pricing may be too high for many startups or mid-sized firms. Some clients have mentioned what they consider to be excessive fees, and others have noted that customer support can be slow or inconsistent.
Check out our RemoFirst vs. Deel comparison page or browse their latest G2 reviews to learn more.
6. Remote
Instead of relying on local partners, Remote operates its own legal entities in the countries where it offers services. The owned-entity model can offer consistency, but it also limits coverage to the countries where Remote has a presence.
Its platform leans heavily on automation, with a polished interface that makes overseeing payroll, benefits, and even global equity management easier across APAC markets such as India, Singapore, and Australia.
Pricing starts at USD 699 per employee per month, making Remote a stronger fit for companies with larger budgets or teams that prioritize integrations.
Some customers note that onboarding can take longer than expected, particularly in countries like Japan, where documentation requirements are more detailed. A handful of users also mention occasional delays in support responses, payroll processing, or reimbursements.
If you’d like a closer comparison, you can review how RemoFirst and Remote stack up side by side or explore customer feedback on G2.
7. BGC Group
BGC Group takes a more traditional, people-first approach compared to many EOR platforms. With more than 20 years of experience, they operate primarily as a recruitment agency that also provides EOR services, helping companies source and manage talent across APAC markets like Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Japan.
The company can be a strong option for businesses that want hands-on support throughout the entire hiring process, from sourcing candidates to onboarding. It’s less about logging into a dashboard and more about working closely with a team.
That said, companies that prefer a modern, self-serve platform with deep HRIS integrations and automation may find the agency-style model less streamlined. And since BGC’s infrastructure is concentrated in key Asian hubs, its coverage outside those markets may not be as broad as that of some larger global EOR providers.
Compliant and Cost-Effective Hiring in the APAC Region
Expanding into the APAC area offers access to high-growth markets and top-tier talent, but navigating the region's complex labor laws, tax regulations, and cultural nuances is a significant challenge. Working with an EOR allows you to hire compliantly within days, without the costs, time, or risks of setting up local entities.
While there are multiple EOR options for employing APAC talent, RemoFirst stands out for its affordability and price transparency, making it a strong option for startups and scaling teams alike.
And if you’re hiring beyond Asia, RemoFirst supports compliant employment in 185+ countries worldwide.
Book a demo to learn how RemoFirst can help you hire anywhere your team grows next.
