India is one of the most popular countries for international hiring, thanks to its large talent pool (a workforce of more than 640 million), technical expertise, competitive labor costs, and English proficiency (it’s the second-largest English-speaking country in the world). In fact, many of our own clients look to India to expand their teams.
However, hiring employees in India comes with its own set of legal and administrative complexities. From employee benefits like paid leave to local employment laws, ensuring compliance is essential. One of the most reliable ways to do this is by partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR), which manages local compliance, payroll, and HR responsibilities on your behalf.
In this article, we’ll highlight some of the top EOR providers in India to help you choose the right one for your business.
Key takeaways:
- India’s large talent pool, English proficiency, and cost-effective labor make it a top destination for international hiring.
- Companies looking to hire in India can benefit from working with an EOR to help them navigate the country’s complex employment laws and compliance requirements.
- RemoFirst, with its fast onboarding and transparent pricing starting at $199 per employee per month, is an ideal partner for startups and businesses of all sizes.
Best Indian Employer of Record Quick View
1. RemoFirst
RemoFirst is a top choice for companies hiring in India, especially those looking for an EOR that won’t break the bank. With pricing that starts at just $199 per full-time employee per month (and $25 for contractors), we’re one of the most cost-effective EOR providers on the market. Unlike many other services that surprise clients with hidden fees, RemoFirst offers transparent, fixed-rate pricing, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for.
Our platform is built to serve the global employment needs of businesses of all sizes, but it’s especially well-suited for startups and small companies that need a reliable, budget-friendly way to expand internationally. We help employers handle everything from locally compliant employment contracts and benefits administration to visa and work permit support and shipping equipment directly to new hires.
We can even onboard employees in as little as 24 hours. Plus, you can tailor benefits packages to include private and localized health insurance through RemoHealth and RemoHealth Local.
We may not have as many integrations as some EORS, but we’re actively building more features. And while we don’t operate our own legal entities, we partner with experienced local providers who bring deep legal and HR expertise. This ensures full compliance with regional laws without the high costs of entity ownership leading to higher prices for our customers.
And with a dedicated account manager and responsive 24/5 chat support, help is always just a message away.
Ready to hire in India quickly, compliantly, and affordably? Book a demo.
2. Multiplier
One of Multiplier’s biggest selling points is its ability to onboard employees in under 24 hours, an advantage for companies that need to scale quickly in India.
The platform offers a centralized approach to handling payroll, benefits, and compliance, and it integrates with popular HRIS tools such as Workday, HiBob, and BambooHR. However, it has a limited number of built-in integrations, which may be a drawback for companies requiring a broader tech stack.
While Multiplier’s pricing is lower than premium platforms like Deel or Remote, it’s not the most budget-friendly option on the market, starting at $400 per full-time employee per month and $40 per contractor.
Another area to consider is user experience. Several users say the platform can be hard to navigate, with occasional confusion around local tax requirements and fees. Customer support is also limited to standard business hours.
Check out the RemoFirst vs. Multiplier comparison page for more information, or read Multiplier’s G2 reviews.
3. Deel
Deel’s comprehensive platform allows companies to hire, pay, and manage employees and contractors around the world. One of its key differentiators is that it owns and operates its own legal entities in most countries where it provides services, giving it direct control over operations.
This direct model can offer more visibility and consistency across different regions, which may appeal to large enterprises. Deel also integrates with more than 20 popular business tools, including Slack, QuickBooks, and Dropbox.
However, Deel’s pricing starts at $599 per employee per month and $49 per contractor — not including additional fees that can accumulate, such as offboarding charges. These costs may be prohibitive for startups or budget-conscious companies.
While Deel covers the full range of compliance, payroll, and benefits services, some users have reported that its platform can be overly complex. Additionally, during peak periods, customer support response times can lag, which may impact businesses that need quick resolutions.
Learn more about how RemoFirst stacks up against Deel here, or check out Deel’s G2 reviews.
4. Remote
Like Deel, one of this EOR’s defining features is its owned local entity model, which gives it more control over its operations. Remote is also known for its user-friendly platform and wide range of integrations with popular tools Workday, Zapier, Quickbooks, Gusto, and Xero.
This EOR can provide greater protections for clients' intellectual property thanks to its proprietary IP Guard feature, which may be a key consideration for companies in tech, R&D, and other IP-sensitive industries.
This level of control and infrastructure comes at a high cost though. Remote charges $599 per employee per month on its annual plan and $29 per contractor — although some contractor pricing is higher depending on the level of service.
Also, users have reported that onboarding can take longer than promised, and customer support is sometimes slow to respond. In addition, delays in payments and occasional overcharges have been flagged in customer reviews. The platform also lacks some of the deeper analytics and reporting capabilities that other EORs provide.
For more information, see how RemoFirst and Remote compare or read Remote’s G2 reviews.
5. Globalization Partners (G-P)
Globalization Partners is a feature-rich EOR built for enterprises. Its owned-entity model provides in-country expertise and a high level of control over compliance. The platform is also packed with features, including a user-friendly dashboard, a wide array of integrations, and an AI assistant that can help with tasks like identifying misclassification risks and drafting compliant employment contracts.
However, G-P’s premium infrastructure and numerous features come at a high cost. Pricing starts at $699 per employee per month, and all clients are required to sign a minimum 12-month contract. Additionally, many users have reported surprise fees, such as charges for country setup, wire transfers, and offboarding, which can further inflate the G-P’s total cost.
This, combined with reports of slower-than-expected customer support, makes G-P a less ideal fit for small and midsize companies.
See our RemoFirst vs. G-P comparison for more information, and check out G-P’s reviews on G2 to see what customers have to say.
6. Playroll
Playroll supports full-time hiring and contractor management, automating payroll, benefits, and compliance processes. Its dashboard provides real-time insights into workforce spending and ensures accurate tax and Social Security contributions across regions. It also offers localized benefits and multilingual support.
Pricing starts at $399 per employee per month, which is more budget-friendly than some EORs but not necessarily ideal for smaller businesses. Additionally, users have complained about Playroll’s 2.5% currency conversion fee on all payroll paid in foreign currencies — something not always transparently disclosed in contracts or invoices, according to some reports. Users also note that Playroll’s interface isn't fully optimized for mobile.
See Playroll’s G2 reviews to learn more about this EOR.
7. Papaya Global
Papaya Global supports hiring full-time employees and contractors in more than 160 countries. The platform has several AI-powered tools, such as budget tracking and anomaly detection, and users report that they benefit from this EOR’s self-service portal, where they can manage documents, PTO, and payslips.
The platform also boasts robust compliance management, with country-specific contract templates, real-time alerts on local labor law changes, and built-in reporting tools to help businesses stay audit-ready.
While Papaya Global is packed with features, support is limited to email, which may fall short for companies needing real-time help. And its pricing — starting at $599 per employee per month and $30 per contractor — can be steep, especially for startups or small businesses.
For more information, see how RemoFirst and Papaya Global compare and check out Papaya Global’s G2 reviews for additional information.
8. Wisemonk
Wisemonk is a specialized and cost-effective — at $99 per employee per month — EOR solution for companies looking to hire solely in India.
Because Wisemonk only operates within India, it has deep knowledge of India’s complex regulatory landscape. It offers India-specific benefits administration, including health insurance, transportation stipends, meal allowances, and more. Plus, its India-optimized payroll processing system processes payments in INR, and companies benefit from strategic tax structuring that can increase employee take-home pay by up to 20%.
However, since Wisemonk focuses only on India, companies planning to hire in other countries will need to team up with additional providers to manage other team members in their global workforce. Also, some customers complain about Wisemonk’s UI, and many reviews note the company’s slow customer response times.
Check out Wisemonk’s G2 reviews to learn more.
Compliant and Cost-Effective Hiring in India
Hiring in India offers incredible opportunities for companies looking to access top talent at competitive cost, but it also comes with legal, cultural, and compliance challenges that can’t be overlooked. That’s why choosing the right EOR is essential.
At RemoFirst, we specialize in making global hiring simple and compliant. We handle workforce management and HR administrative tasks, from onboarding new employees to managing global payroll management, statutory benefits (like maternity leave and healthcare), tax regulations, and local labor law compliance. And we operate in 185+ countries, so wherever your team needs to be, we’ve got you covered.
Ready to start hiring in India? Book a demo to see why RemoFirst is the best EOR for your business needs.
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