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Employer of Record (EOR)
Employer of Record (EOR)
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RemoFirst vs. Papaya Global [Employer of Record Comparison]

Carrie Murphy
Updated date
November 25, 2024

Global hiring helps companies expand and grow, but it can be challenging for businesses that have never hired internationally.

For example, company HR teams would need to learn to navigate legal requirements specific to each country where they’re hiring — which are constantly evolving.

Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) streamlines this process.

EORs function as the legal employer for remote international employees and take on the administrative and legal responsibilities of onboarding, payroll, tax compliance, benefits management, and other essential tasks. 

We’ll compare two EOR providers, RemoFirst and Papaya Global, to compare their global employment product offerings, pricing, payroll management, customer support, and other key features.

Key takeaways: 

  • RemoFirst and Papaya Global both enable companies to employ staff worldwide, with RemoFirst offering more extensive global coverage. 
  • Papaya Global touts its robust compliance services, with local teams of experts in each country where it operates.
  • RemoFirst is a solid choice for small businesses and startups (as well as larger enterprises) that want to start hiring and managing international employees quickly and at a competitive price.

RemoFirst vs. Papaya Global 

RemoFirst and Papaya Global are both EORs, providing similar services and enabling companies to compliantly hire internationally. Still, one may be a better fit, depending on the needs of your business.  

Here’s a brief overview of some of their features:


Remofirst Papaya Global
Best for Startups, entrepreneurs, and cost-conscious businesses Medium-to-large businesses seeking strong compliance safeguards
Global reach 180+ countries 160+ countries
Differentiator Best-in-class pricing Local expert teams to ensure compliance, HR and other business software integrations
Employee pricing Starts at $199 per person/month Starts at $599 per person/month
Contractor pricing Starts at $25 per person/month Starts at $30 per person/month
Hidden fees None None
Employee onboarding 1-5 days, but often under 24 hours Not specified
Global payroll processing Yes Yes
Payment options Bank transfers, digital wallets Bank transfers, cryptocurrency
Employee benefits RemoHealth Global health plan
Customer support Dedicated account manager and 24/5 customer service 24/7 WhatsApp chat, knowledge base, expert support
Reporting A single dashboard tracks and displays team members’ hours, time off, holidays, bonuses, and commissions Insightful reporting that displays data by employee, country, and more
Background checks Yes Yes
Equipment Will ship to new hires Unknown

RemoFirst Features

With an intuitive interface, RemoFirst’s platform simplifies employee management from individual onboarding to global payroll, benefits administration, and more.

Remofirst payroll.

Every RemoFirst client is assigned a dedicated account manager.

Remofirst account manager.

RemoFirst can manage the complicated and time-consuming visa process in more than 85 countries. 

Example of countries Remofirst works with.

Papaya Global Features

Papaya Global’s notable features include the ability to integrate multiple payroll systems into a single platform, supporting compliance with local labor laws while helping companies pay global employees in 100+ currencies with guaranteed end-to-end payroll payouts in 72 hours.

Papaya Global active projects.

Papaya Personal is an app available for iPhone and Android that allows employees to see and update their work details, including payments. 

Papaya Global has a team of local experts with deep knowledge of legal and compliance issues in each country where it operates. The company also maintains a knowledge base with information on different countries. 

Papaya Global knowledge base.

RemoFirst Pricing

RemoFirst’s pricing is straightforward, starting at $199 per employee per month and with no hidden fees.

In addition, RemoFirst offers a free contractor management option. Employers can use this to onboard and perform background checks. RemoFirst’s pricing to manage and pay contractors starts at $25 per contractor per month. There are no minimums required.

Papaya Global Pricing

Papaya Global’s pricing starts at $599 per employee per month and starts at $30 per month per contractor. There are additional costs for Workforce OS, global workforce payments, and Agent of Record services.

There are no minimums or maximums, and there do not appear to be any hidden fees.

RemoFirst Customer Support

RemoFirst’s customer support operates 24/5 via direct, real-time chat. In addition, the company provides all employer clients with a dedicated account manager to provide personalized support. 

RemoFirst also has a knowledge base that is accessible 24/7.

Papaya Global Customer Support 

Papaya Global provides a dedicated 24/7 chat via WhatsApp. 

The company also offers Papaya 360 Support, a “white-glove” service from experts designed to solve your problem as quickly as possible. 

Customers also have access to a knowledge base with frequently asked questions and a “Countrypedia” that features information about labor and tax laws in different countries. 

RemoFirst Contractors

RemoFirst offers companies a full-service option to manage contractors in over 150 countries. The platform allows employers to easily hire, onboard, create contracts, and pay their contractors. 

RemoFirst also ensures compliance with local laws, which is vital to avoid the risk of contractor misclassification. For U.S. contractors onboarded through the platform, RemoFirst will file the 1099-NEC forms. 

Papaya Global Contractors

Papaya Global allows employers to onboard, manage, and pay contractors in 14 different funding currencies on its all-in-one platform. 

RemoFirst Visas and Work Permits

With its comprehensive RemoVisa feature, RemoFirst assists companies with the application process for visas and work permits in over 85 countries. 

Country comparions of Remofirst and Papaya Global.

Papaya Global Visas and Work Permits

Papaya Global’s Global Immigration services help employers navigate complex immigration laws, visa requirements, and work permits with the help of dedicated visa experts.

RemoFirst or Papaya Global: Which is Right for Your Business?

RemoFirst and Papaya Global can both support companies in employing global employees. When it comes down to it, the best EOR for your company depends on your business needs. 

Papaya Global heavily emphasizes compliance and partners with 40 CPA firms worldwide as part of its global payroll and compliance offerings. The company also can integrate multiple payroll systems into one platform. It’s on the pricier side though, which makes it a better fit for larger or more established companies with a bigger budget.

RemoFirst’s reliable all-in-one pricing and streamlined, user-friendly platform make it ideal for budget-minded companies that want the ability to quickly and easily onboard new employees in more than 180 countries.

Papaya Global

  • A mobile app for employees: Papaya Global’s iPhone and Android app makes it easy for employees to manage their employee experience.
  • Comprehensive compliance management support: Dedicated local experts in each country apply their knowledge to ensure compliance across the global workforce.
  • Multiple contractor funding options: Employers can pay contractors in 14 different funding currencies.

RemoFirst:

  • Best-in-class pricing: RemoFirst has the most competitive pricing, with EOR services starting at $199, with no hidden fees or add-ons. 
  • Broader country coverage: RemoFirst operates with partners in over 180+ countries, versus Papaya Global’s 160+.
  • Ease of use: The user-friendly platform is easy to navigate with local experts available for support as needed.

Book a demo now to learn how we can help you grow your global team. 

About the author

Carrie is passionate about flexible work, especially for parents. She has been working remotely since 2012.