Deel vs Remote: Complete Global Employment Comparison
When building a global team, you need an Employer of Record (EOR) to handle the legal complexity of hiring in countries where you don't have an entity. Deel and Remote are the market leaders in this space.
Quick Overview
Both platforms enable you to hire full-time employees and contractors in 150+ countries. However, they differ significantly in infrastructure, pricing model, and feature focus.
At a Glance
- Deel: Faster onboarding, more payment options (including crypto), better dashboard UI, and extensive contractor management features.
- Remote: 100% owned legal entities in all countries (no third-party partners), often more transparent pricing, strong focus on employee experience.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Deel | Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor Price | $49/mo | $29/mo |
| EOR Price | Starts @ $599 | Starts @ $599 |
| Owned Entities | Mixed model | 100% Owned |
| Payment Speed | Instant | Standard |
| Countries Covered | 150+ | 180+ |
| Crypto Payments | Yes | No |
| Onboarding Speed | 1-3 days | 3-5 days |
Pricing Deep Dive
Contractor Management
Deel charges $49/month per contractor, which includes compliance documents, payment processing, and basic expense management. Remote is cheaper at $29/month per contractor, making it more attractive for teams with many contractors.
Employer of Record (EOR)
Both platforms start around $599/month per employee for EOR services. However, pricing varies significantly by country. Some countries cost $399/month, while others can exceed $1,000/month. Always request country-specific quotes.
The Entity Ownership Question
Remote's biggest selling point is their 100% owned entities. They don't use third-party partners in any country. This means:
- More control over the employee experience
- Consistent quality of HR support globally
- Better IP protection (your employees report to Remote's entity, not a partner's)
Deel uses a mixed model—owned entities in major markets, partners in others. This isn't necessarily bad; it allows them to cover more countries faster. But some companies prefer the security of 100% ownership.
Who Should Choose Deel?
- Companies prioritizing speed (fast onboarding, instant payments)
- Teams with many international contractors
- Organizations wanting crypto payment options
- Startups that value a sleek, modern interface
- Companies needing advanced contractor compliance features
Who Should Choose Remote?
- Companies prioritizing 100% entity ownership for compliance
- Organizations hiring full-time employees globally
- Teams on a budget (cheaper contractor pricing)
- Companies valuing employee experience and benefits management
- Risk-averse organizations in regulated industries
The Verdict
Choose Deel if you prioritize speed, modern UI, and primarily work with contractors. Their instant payment options and crypto support make them ideal for the modern remote-first company.
Choose Remote if you want the security of 100% owned legal entities for full-time employees. The peace of mind knowing there's no third-party in the chain is worth a lot for compliance-conscious companies.
Pro Tip: Most companies use both platforms—Deel for contractors and Remote for full-time hires. Get quotes from both based on your specific country needs.