Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies the international hiring process while ensuring your company complies with all local labor laws. EORs act as the legal employer for your international employees, handling the employee onboarding process, payroll, benefits, compliance, and more. Partnering with an EOR also eliminates the need for companies to open legal entities in different countries.
However, not every EOR provider offers the same features or level of service. The best choice will depend on the specific needs of your business.
We’ll take a look at how RemoFirst and Horizons stack up against each other, comparing their features, pricing, usability, customer support, and more to help you choose the best partner for your company’s global employment needs.
Key takeaways:
- RemoFirst is a particularly good fit for small businesses and startups seeking cost-effective global hiring solutions, while Horizons targets larger companies that need additional services, such as recruiting help to build international teams.
- Horizons offers recruiting services, making it a solid choice for companies that need help sourcing global talent in addition to EOR services.
- RemoFirst provides international contractor management services for just $25 per month, making it a far more cost-effective option than Horizons, which charges $199 per month.
RemoFirst vs. Horizons
Both RemoFirst and Horizons take the complexity out of global hiring by acting as the legal employer of clients' international employees, ensuring compliance with local employment laws.
However, these EORs have some key differences that may make one a better fit for your business needs.
RemoFirst Features
RemoFirst features an easy-to-use platform that covers the entire employee lifecycle — from onboarding and payroll services to benefits management and compliance to offboarding.
It can be a good fit for any company seeking a reliable, cost-effective solution for international hiring, from small businesses and startups to Fortune 500 corporations.
Clients are paired with a dedicated account manager, can rely on 24/5 customer support, and have access to an embedded chat function for quick answers to HR and product questions.
With local experts averaging more than 20 years of experience managing billions in global payroll on average, RemoFirst ensures companies stay compliant with local employment laws while also offering additional services, such as visa and work permit assistance, equipment shipping, and localized health insurance through RemoHealth and RemoHealth Local.
One of RemoFirst’s core advantages is its affordability. Pricing begins at just $199 per full-time employee per month (and $25 per contractor), with no hidden fees, making it one of the most budget-friendly EOR options on the market.
RemoFirst offers comprehensive global coverage in more than 185 countries. And while its integration options are still growing, RemoFirst continues to expand its feature set.
Horizons Features
In addition to providing EOR services in more than 180 countries, Horizons combines talent management, performance tracking, timekeeping, and analytics in one centralized system.
In addition, Horizons supports benefits administration, including health coverage, equity plans, and retirement options tailored to local standards, as well as visa and immigration support and onboarding in as little as 24 hours.
It also reportedly integrates with many popular HR tools and platforms.
One of Horizons’ biggest differentiators is its complementary recruitment sourcing service. With an in-house team of recruiters operating across its global markets, Horizons doesn’t just help companies manage employees — it also helps them find the right ones (for an additional fee).
According to reviews, one thing to keep in mind when evaluating Horizons is that some of its numerous features and services may be overwhelming or unnecessary for smaller businesses. In addition, costs can rise quickly for companies scaling headcount if they work with a lot of contractors.
RemoFirst Pricing
RemoFirst offers one of the most affordable and transparent pricing models in the EOR space. EOR pricing for full-time employees starts at $199 per month, while managing and paying contractors costs only $25 per month. And there are never any hidden fees, so you always know exactly what your costs will be.
Horizons Pricing
Horizons’ EOR services start at $199 per person per month for employees. However, its contractor services are also $199 per person, which is high compared to most competitors.
RemoFirst Customer Support
Every client receives a dedicated account manager who provides ongoing guidance, while both hiring managers and employees have access to 24/5 support. The platform also includes a chat function to answer questions in real time.
Horizons Customer Support
Horizons provides 24/5 customer support via email, phone, and chat.
RemoFirst Contractors
RemoFirst’s contract agreement generator ensures compliance with local labor laws in 150+ countries, protecting your business from costly misclassification issues.
The platform streamlines the payment process by allowing you to pay contractors in their local currencies using a single invoice.
Plus, the integrated time-tracking tool allows freelancers to log their hours directly in the system, where customers can approve them with just a click.
RemoFirst also automatically files 1099-NEC forms for U.S.-based contractors on the platform.
Horizons Contractors
Horizons allows businesses to hire and manage contractors in 180+ countries and make payments in more than 70 currencies.
The platform's automated payment system consolidates contractor and employee payments into a single monthly invoice, and companies can manage their entire global workforce through a secure online portal.
Horizons also implements safeguards to ensure contractor relationships don't compromise sensitive business information or violate regional data protection regulations.
RemoFirst Visas and Work Permits
Remofirst makes international hiring even easier by providing visa and work permit support in more than 85 countries.
The process begins with a consultation, where the RemoFirst team gathers details about your employee's role, citizenship, compensation, and other relevant factors to determine the most appropriate visa pathway.
Local immigration specialists then evaluate eligibility requirements and associated costs before submitting applications on behalf of your employees. You'll also have a dedicated account manager who provides personalized guidance throughout the process.
Horizons Visas and Work Permits
The Horizons offers comprehensive immigration support, handling all aspects of visa and work permit requirements from initial applications through visa renewals.
The company bills itself as an end-to-end relocation partner coordinating the entire immigration lifecycle, including translation services and regulatory guidance.
RemoFirst or Horizons: Which is Right for Your Business?
The choice between RemoFirst and Horizons ultimately depends on your company's size, budget, and specific requirements. For small businesses and startups looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on essential features, RemoFirst is a top choice.
Starting at just $199 per employee per month with no hidden fees, RemoFirst delivers comprehensive EOR services across 185+ countries while providing dedicated account management and 24/5 support. In addition, its contractor services clock in at a budget-friendly $25 per contractor per month.
Horizons, on the other hand, may appeal more to larger companies that need extensive talent acquisition support, recruitment services, and don’t hire many contractors.
Want to learn more about how RemoFirst can simplify global hiring? Book a demo.
