Key takeaways
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The United Kingdom is a strong hiring market but has complex labor laws, including IR35, PAYE, National Insurance, RTI, and pension rules.
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A UK EOR handles payroll, taxes, contracts, HR administration, and compliance for foreign companies.
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This guide compares the 10 best EOR services for hiring in the UK in 2025.
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Rivermate ranks #1 due to compliance expertise, transparent pricing, and fast onboarding.
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Pricing varies from £199 to £599 per employee per month depending on provider and service level.
Best EOR Services in the United Kingdom in 2025
The United Kingdom remains an attractive market for global hiring thanks to its skilled workforce, strong English proficiency, and established digital infrastructure. Cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Birmingham continue to draw companies seeking talent across technology, finance, creative industries, and operations. But UK labor laws are complex, covering IR35, PAYE, National Insurance contributions, RTI payroll reporting, pension auto-enrolment, and statutory leave requirements, which can be difficult to manage without a local entity.
A UK Employer of Record (EOR) enables foreign companies to hire employees quickly by handling payroll processing, taxes, contracts, benefits, and compliance while allowing employers to manage day-to-day responsibilities. This guide compares the top 10 Employer of Record services for 2025, summarizing their strengths, pricing, and ideal use cases.
10 Best Employers of Record in the UK: 2025 Overview
| Rank |
EOR provider |
Best for |
Starting price (approx.) |
| 1 |
Rivermate |
Overall best EOR for UK hiring |
From £299/month |
| 2 |
Remote |
Tech-driven companies |
From £599/month |
| 3 |
Deel |
Fast-scaling startups |
From £499/month |
| 4 |
Oyster HR |
Remote-first teams |
From £399/month |
| 5 |
Multiplier |
Automation at scale |
From £450/month |
| 6 |
Papaya Global |
Enterprise-level compliance |
Custom |
| 7 |
Velocity Global |
Established multinationals |
Custom |
| 8 |
Skuad |
Budget-friendly global startups |
From £350/month |
| 9 |
Omnipresent |
Employee experience-focused companies |
Custom |
| 10 |
RemoFirst |
Small budgets |
From £199/month |
Rivermate – Best overall EOR
What is Rivermate?
Rivermate is a global Employer of Record operating in 180+ countries and offering comprehensive UK compliance, payroll, tax, and HR administration. It is widely recognized for its transparent pricing, deep legislative expertise, and high-responsiveness support teams.
Key features
- Full UK employment compliance
Rivermate handles every legal step for hiring in the UK, including PAYE setup, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment, RTI submissions, and IR35 compliance, ensuring all contracts and payroll meet current UK employment laws.
- Fast, transparent onboarding
Rivermate can issue compliant UK contracts within 48 hours. Their portal gathers right-to-work, tax, and banking details directly from employees, while employers receive an upfront cost breakdown with no hidden fees.
- Unified global HR platform
A single dashboard lets you manage payroll, contracts, benefits, and time-off across countries. API integrations with tools like BambooHR or Gusto help maintain data accuracy and streamline HR and finance workflows.
- Local payroll and benefits management
Rivermate processes payroll in GBP, applying correct tax and pension rates. Employees receive timely payments, and optional local benefits such as private health insurance or cycle-to-work schemes can be added easily.
- Legal and tax expertise
Rivermate’s UK HR and legal specialists monitor law changes, including IR35 and minimum wage updates. They guide employers through compliant offboarding, redundancy pay, and final payroll calculations to reduce risk.
- Dedicated customer support
Employers gain 24/7 access to local HR experts through chat, phone, or email. Dedicated account managers provide proactive compliance updates and help forecast employment costs for upcoming UK hires.
- Global consistency and local flexibility
Rivermate delivers standardized processes across all countries while adapting to local regulations. Businesses can scale globally with one contract template, one invoice, and a unified system for full compliance.
Pros
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Strong compliance coverage
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Transparent pricing structure
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Fast onboarding process
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Hands-on customer support
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Unified HR dashboard
Cons
Pricing: From €499 per employee per month.
Customer support: 24/7 email, phone, live chat.
Best for: Companies hiring employees in the UK who value simplicity, compliance, and hands-on support.
Remote – Best for tech-driven companies
What is Remote?
Remote provides a highly automated EOR platform with strong data security and extensive integration options, making it suitable for engineering-driven and digital-first organizations.
Key features
Pros
Cons
- Higher cost than mid-market alternatives
Pricing: From £599/month.
Customer support: Chat and email support with premium SLA options.
Best for: Tech companies prioritizing efficiency and modern software workflows.
Deel – Best for fast-scaling startups
What is Deel?
Deel enables rapid international hiring with fast onboarding and robust contractor support, making it effective for startups scaling across multiple markets.
Key features
Pros
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Very fast onboarding
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Strong contractor tools
Cons
Pricing: From £499/month.
Customer support: 24/7 live chat + dedicated account managers.
Best for: High-growth startups needing quick, flexible hiring.
Oyster HR – Best for remote-first teams
What is Oyster HR?
Oyster HR provides structured hiring workflows and intuitive guidance for remote-first companies needing clear compliance information and predictable processes.
Key features
Pros
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Very user-friendly
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Clear documentation
Cons
Pricing: From £399/month.
Customer support: Chat, email, documentation-based assistance.
Best for: Remote-first organizations.
Multiplier – Best for automation at scale
What is Multiplier?
Multiplier offers automation-driven payroll and compliance tools designed for companies hiring across multiple countries and looking to centralize HR operations.
Key features
Pros
Cons
Pricing: From £450/month.
Customer support: Chat and email; account managers for larger teams.
Best for: Distributed companies scaling headcount.
Papaya Global – Best for enterprise-level compliance
What is Papaya Global?
Papaya Global provides a consolidated global payroll infrastructure with enterprise-grade governance, making it suitable for corporations with advanced auditing and reporting requirements.
Key features
Pros
Cons
Pricing: Custom.
Customer support: Dedicated onboarding and enterprise support teams.
Best for: Enterprises managing complex multi-entity payroll workflows.
Velocity Global – Best for established multinationals
What is Velocity Global?
Velocity Global delivers a service-centric EOR model with strong global mobility and visa support, appealing to multinationals with long-term international workforce plans.
Key features
Pros
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Mature service model
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Global coverage
Cons
Pricing: Custom.
Customer support: Dedicated account management teams.
Best for: Large organizations needing mobility services and long-term support.
Skuad – Best for budget-friendly global startups
What is Skuad?
Skuad provides a cost-effective EOR solution with simple workflows and compliance coverage suited to early-stage companies hiring internationally.
Key features
Pros
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Affordable pricing
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Easy to use
Cons
- Limited benefits & HR tools
Pricing: From £350/month.
Customer support: Email and chat support.
Best for: Startups hiring globally with limited budgets.
Omnipresent – Best for employee experience
What is Omnipresent?
Omnipresent focuses on employee experience through structured onboarding and global benefits programs that enhance engagement and retention.
Key features
Pros
Cons
Pricing: Custom.
Customer support: Dedicated onboarding teams.
Best for: Companies emphasizing long-term employee satisfaction.
RemoFirst – Best for small budgets
What is RemoFirst?
RemoFirst offers essential EOR functions at a low cost, providing basic UK compliance and payroll for companies needing a simple solution.
Key features
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PAYE & NI compliance
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Contractor tools
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Fast onboarding
Pros
Cons
- Limited advanced HR capability
Pricing: From £199/month.
Customer support: 24/7 chat and email.
Best for: Small businesses hiring their first UK employee.
How to choose the right EOR for the UK
When choosing a UK EOR, consider compliance depth (especially IR35), pricing transparency, onboarding speed, and level of ongoing support. Companies with global operations benefit from providers with broad international coverage, while startups may prioritize speed or affordability. Evaluate whether the provider offers UK-specific expertise, easy workflows, and predictable monthly costs.
Understanding IR35 and worker classification in the UK
IR35 determines whether a contractor should be taxed as an employee. HMRC examines control, substitution rights, financial risk, and integration into the business. Misclassification can trigger penalties and backdated tax. EOR providers help reduce risk by using IR35-compliant contracts and processing payroll via PAYE.
For more information on UK payroll, taxes and benefits administration, please see our Employer of Record UK guide.
Conclusion
Hiring in the UK offers access to a deep talent pool but requires navigating complex local labor laws. A UK EOR enables compliant hiring without setting up a local entity by managing payroll, taxes, contracts, and benefits. Rivermate stands out for its strong compliance foundation, transparent pricing, and hands-on support, making it a leading option for companies expanding into the UK.
FAQs
What does an Employer of Record (EOR) do in the UK?
An EOR becomes the legal employer for compliance, payroll, taxes, contracts, statutory benefits, and HR administration while you manage the employee’s daily work.
How long does hiring through a UK EOR take?
Most providers can onboard a new employee within 48 to 72 hours once right-to-work documents and personal details are confirmed.
Do I still manage my employees with an EOR?
Yes. You direct all tasks and performance. The EOR handles legal and administrative responsibilities.
How much does an EOR service cost in the UK?
Most EOR services range from £199 to £599 per employee per month, depending on the level of support.
What’s the difference between using an EOR and setting up my own UK entity?
An Employer of Record lets you hire through its existing legal entities, so you don’t need to establish your own UK entity while still staying fully compliant with UK employment laws.
Why is the UK market attractive for international hiring?
The UK gives employers access to a highly skilled talent pool with strong experience in regulated industries like tech, finance, and life sciences. The UK also offers clear labor regulations, reliable infrastructure, and a large number of professionals experienced in global and remote work environments.
