
Global Workforce Management
10 Best Contractor Management Software: 2025 Guide
Compare the top 10 contractor management software in 2025, highlighting Rivermate’s compliance-driven solutions for seamless global hiring. Request a demo.
Lucas Botzen
International Recruitment
19 mins read



Our Employer of Record (EOR) solution makes it easy to hire, pay, and manage global employees.
Book a demoTL;DR
Deel EOR service: Deel charges $599/month per employee for their employer of record service, covering full employee management, from contracts to taxes and benefits, in over 100 countries. Additional costs may apply for benefits and country-specific labor obligations.
Deel global payroll: At $29/month per employee, Deel’s global payroll service is available for companies with established entities, helping manage payroll processing, tax filings, and currency conversion across multiple countries.
Deel contractor management: Deel offers contractor management at $49/month per contractor, handling compliant onboarding, payments, and invoicing, while ensuring compliance with local laws.
Deel U.S. Payroll & PEO: For U.S. teams, Deel offers payroll management at $19/month per employee and a co-employment model via U.S. PEO services at $95/month per employee.
Deel pricing add-ons: Additional services like visa support and IT provisioning are available at varying costs.
Deel’s pricing comparison with Rivermate: While Deel’s platform is robust, it can be inflexible with rigid workflows. Rivermate’s pricing model offers transparency with flexible support, including legal expertise, local partners, and tailored solutions for mid-sized teams.
You’ve already made the call to hire internationally. Now you’re figuring out how to pay that employee the right way, compliantly, efficiently, and without blowing your budget on hidden fees or rigid platforms.
That’s where things get murky.
Global employer of record (EOR) platforms like Deel offer slick interfaces and end-to-end services, but understanding what you’re paying for and what’s extra can get confusing fast. Is $599/month all-inclusive? How do contractor fees work? What about payroll if you already have an entity?
Some dissatisfied Deel customers highlighted the challenges of working with the platform on G2:

Caption: User review of Deel on G2

Caption: Negative user review of Deel on G2
This guide breaks down Deel EOR’s pricing. We look at what’s included in their fees, where the add-ons come in, and how costs scale as your team grows. We also compare Deel’s structure to other global EOR platforms like Rivermate, Remote, and Oyster, so you can make a clear, informed decision.
DeeL's pricing is designed to let you pay only for what you need. Here’s a breakdown of each service: what it costs, what’s included, when to use it, and what to watch for.
| Service | Price | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| EOR | $599/mo/employee | Hire full-time employees in 100+ countries without setting up a local entity. |
| Global Payroll | $29/mo/employee | Run compliant payroll for international teams you directly employ. |
| Contractor Management | $49/mo/contractor | Onboard, pay, and manage global contractors with localized contracts and invoices. |
| U.S. Payroll | $19/mo/employee | Pay U.S.-based employees with automated tax filings and direct deposit. |
| U.S. PEO | $95/mo/employee | Access benefits and HR support through a co-employment model for U.S. teams. |
| Add-ons (visas, IT, etc.) | Varies | Optional services like visa support, equipment provisioning, and equity advisory. |
| Caption: Deel EOR pricing breakdown |

Caption: Deel EOR pricing plan
If you need to hire a full-time employee in a country where you don’t have a legal entity, Deel’s EOR service lets you do it quickly and compliantly.
Deel becomes the legal employer on your behalf, handling everything from contracts to payroll, taxes, and benefits. This means you can expand into 150+ countries without setting up local infrastructure.
| 💡 It’s worth knowing that the $599/month fee is flat, but benefits, costs, and country-specific labor obligations (like severance) are charged separately. |
|---|
Price: $599/month per employee
Includes:
Local employment contracts
Statutory benefits administration
Payroll processing and tax filings
Compliance with local labor laws
HR support and employee onboarding
Ideal for:** U.S. startups hiring 1–10 employees abroad compliantly without opening an entity.

Caption: Deel global payroll pricing plan
If you've already set up your foreign entity, Deel can handle compliant payroll processing, so you don’t have to manage local tax calculations, payslips, or filing deadlines yourself. You stay the legal employer, and Deel runs your multi-country payroll from a single dashboard.
Deel Global Payroll pricing is one of its more affordable services at $29/month per employee, but it's only available if you already own local entities.
Price: $29/month per employee
Includes:
Automates monthly payslip generation across countries
Handles local tax calculations, filings, and compliance reporting
Supports multi-currency payments with built-in exchange rate management
Gives employees self-service access to their payroll data
Offers integrated reporting and analytics for HR and finance teams
Ideal for: Companies that want to centralize global payroll while keeping full legal control over employment.

Caption: Deel contractor of record pricing plan
If you're hiring international contractors and want to reduce legal risk, Deel’s Contractor of Record service helps you stay compliant across 130+ countries. Deel becomes the official contractor employer of record, handling local compliance, invoicing, and payments, while giving you flexibility to scale and convert top talent to full-time later if needed.
This service starts at $325/month per contractor and is designed for companies who want hands-off, compliant contractor management at scale.
Price: $325/month per contractor
Includes:
Ensures contractor classification and worker status compliance
Handles tax and labor law requirements in each country
Reduces misclassification risk and legal exposure
Automates contractor payments and invoicing
Manages contracts with local legal expertise
Supports smooth transitions from contractor to full-time employee
Ideal for: Companies managing global contractor teams who want to avoid legal pitfalls and simplify international payouts.

Caption: Deel contractor management pricing plan
Deel lets you onboard and pay international contractors in minutes, with compliant, country-specific contracts, invoice management, and local currency payouts. You can also opt into Deel Shield for added protection against misclassification risk.
The $49/month fee is per active contractor, even if they submit just one invoice, so plan volume accordingly.
Price: $49/month per contractor
Includes:
Auto-generates contracts based on local laws
Sends payments in your contractors’ local currencies (150+ supported)
Handles tax documents like 1099s or equivalents
Speeds up onboarding with built-in workflows
Runs compliance checks to verify contractor status
Lets you approve invoices and track expenses in one place.
Ideal for: Startups with distributed freelance teams who need a compliant, scalable way to pay globally.

Caption: Deel U.S. Payroll pricing plan
You can use Deel to pay your U.S.-based employees just like your global team, handling W-2s, 1099s, tax withholdings, and direct deposits in one place. This is especially useful if you want a single source of truth for payroll across all locations.
Deel’s U.S. payroll offering is lean, ideal for basic pay and compliance, but not as robust as traditional domestic-first platforms.
Price: Not publicly disclosed
Includes:
Helps register your business for payroll in all 50 states
Calculates and submits all federal, state, and local taxes
Automates W-2s, 1099s, and other mandatory filings
Gives you access to expert guidance on U.S. payroll compliance
Connects with your existing HR and accounting tools
Lets employees view pay info and tax docs through self-service portals.
Ideal for: Teams already using Deel for international hires and want to unify payroll across their entire team.

Caption: Deel PEO pricing plan
Deel acts as a co-employer for your U.S. team, handling payroll, compliance, and benefits administration under a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) model. This is a plug-and-play HR solution for U.S. companies that want enterprise-level support without building internal HR.
Deel cost per employee is $95/month. Benefits, costs, and add-ons may increase the total cost depending on what you choose.
Price: $95/month per employee
Includes:
Shares legal and payroll responsibilities with Deel through a co-employment model
Manages employee benefits and enrollment
Provides access to localized healthcare plans and perks
Ensures payroll, taxes, and labor laws are handled compliantly
Processes payroll in multiple currencies across states
Supports your team with HR guidance from onboarding to daily questions.
Ideal for: Mid-sized U.S. teams that want to outsource HR compliance and benefits without building an internal HR department.
Deel HR functions as a global HRIS, enabling you to manage onboarding, time tracking, documents, reporting, and workforce data in one place. It integrates with Deel’s payroll, compliance, benefits, and hiring services, and can be extended with specialized add-ons for performance management, compensation, workforce planning, and more.
Performance, feedback, learning, and career tools
Price: $20 per worker/month
Includes:
Global compensation structure and insights
Price: Starting at $15 per employee/month
Includes:
Strategic workforce and headcount modeling
Price: Starting at $18 per employee/month
Includes:
Org chart modeling
Headcount and scenario planning
Budget and cost analysis
AI-driven team distribution suggestions
ATS and Deel Compensation integration
Custom approval and request flows
Plan attainment tracking
Localized benefits setup and administration
Price: Contact for pricing
Includes:
Ideal for: Companies that need a unified HR system with modular tools for performance, compensation, planning, and benefits that are built for distributed, international teams.
As your team scales, you can bolt on services like visa sponsorship, device management, and compensation planning without switching tools. These are priced individually and help round out Deel’s all-in-one platform.
These costs add up quickly at scale, so activate them only when they solve a real pain point.
Price: Varies (usually per user/month)
Includes (optional):
Immigration & visa support (custom pricing)
Device management ($9–$18 per device)
Compensation & workforce planning tools ($15–$20 per employee)
Ideal for: Scaling teams that want everything from work visas to IT devices in one place.
| Tip: If you’re building large teams in a single country, it may be worth comparing Deel’s flat-fee model to providers that offer negotiated pricing or entity setup options beyond a certain headcount. |
|---|
Choosing a global payroll provider involves understanding what you’re paying for, the level of transparency on the platform, and the support you’ll receive when issues arise.
Here’s how Deel stacks up against other top providers in 2025:
| EOR Provider | EOR Fee | Contractor of Record Fee | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deel | $599/employee/month | $325/contractor/month | Modular pricing, strong platform, no contracts required |
| Rivermate | €299/employee/month | €199/contractor/month | Transparent pricing, real legal experts, high-touch support |
| Remote | $599/employee/month | $325/contractor/month | All-in-one platform, annual discounts, good UX |
| Oyster | $699/employee/month | Not available | Free HRIS, purpose-driven brand, flat-rate model |
| Papaya | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Enterprise analytics, may charge offboarding fees |
| Multiplier | $400/month | Not available | Most cost-effective, especially for APAC-based hires |
| Caption: Deel’s pricing comparison with Rivermate and other competitors |
Now let’s take a closer look at what each of these providers offers, beyond the headline pricing.
Best for mid-sized companies (500–5,000 employees) hiring 10–15 employees per new market

Caption: Rivermate’s home page
Rivermate distinguishes itself in the crowded EOR market by prioritizing genuine partnership over software automation. While many platforms focus on scaling through technology, Rivermate delivers a human-first approach that seamlessly integrates with your team.
From hands-on legal guidance to real-time payroll processing, Rivermate acts as an extension of your HR department, providing personalized support tailored to your unique needs.
Transparent and tailored pricing
Rivermate offers transparent pricing based on your hiring volume and regions, ensuring that there are no hidden fees.
For full-time employees, the EOR fee is set at €299 per employee per month, which covers everything from payroll processing and compliance to contract management and onboarding.
For contractors, the COR fee is €199per contractor/month, which includes seamless payroll, tax, and compliance management.
Comprehensive global employment support
Rivermate’s core offerings include:
Employer of record (EOR): Rivermate allows businesses to hire employees in over 150 countries without the need for a local entity. Local payroll, statutory compliance, and tax filings are managed by local partners, ensuring every process is legally sound. Check out Rivermate’s Country Explorer - EOR country guides.
Contractor of record (COR): This service ensures compliance when hiring global contractors, mitigating the risk of misclassification. It includes custom contract generation and a contractor portal for seamless onboarding and payroll management.
Visa & immigration support: Rivermate facilitates visa and relocation processes through local partners, ensuring that your international hires are able to move without delays.
Global payroll management: Rivermate handles multi-country payroll with ease, ensuring timely and compliant payments across various currencies.
Comprehensive HR Support: From onboarding to offboarding, Rivermate provides expert HR support, managing everything from employee inquiries to resolving complex issues.
Boloo case study: global flexibility with Rivermate's EOR solutions
Industry: Software development
Region: Europe
Company Size: 20 employees
Rivermate products used: Employer of record (EOR)

Challenge:
Boloo, an e-commerce company, faced a significant issue when one of their top developers relocated to Hungary. Without the proper infrastructure or legal framework to employ internationally, Boloo needed a solution to retain this critical team member while ensuring compliance with Hungarian employment regulations.
Solution:
Boloo partnered with Rivermate to leverage its EOR services. Rivermate offered flexibility by accommodating Boloo's specific needs, providing a personalized service that helped the company retain its developer without incurring excessive costs. Rivermate handled all legal, payroll, and administrative processes, ensuring compliance with local labor laws.
Key factors in choosing Rivermate:
Implementation:
Rivermate facilitated the developer's transition to Hungary by:
Results:
Quantitative outcomes:
Testimonial:
"Rivermate's flexibility and proactive approach made them the perfect partner for our international employment needs. They not only met our expectations but exceeded them, providing seamless support throughout the process."
– Skah van Bijnen, Founder @ Boloo
Future plans:
Based on this success, Boloo plans to continue using Rivermate for future international hiring needs, anticipating further service enhancements, including new features like automated invoicing.
Best for companies that want an all-in-one platform and are comfortable with annual commitments

Caption: Remote’s home page
Remote offers clean UX, full HRIS access, and volume discounts if you sign on for a year. Their pricing is flat and highly transparent, and they offer some social impact programs like refugee hiring incentives.
EOR Fee: $699/month → $599/month with annual commitment
Contractor fee: $29/month
You’ll need to commit annually to unlock competitive rates, which may not suit leaner or earlier-stage teams.
Best for mission-driven companies looking for simplicity and built-in tools without complex pricing layers

Caption: Oyster’s home page
Oyster positions itself as a values-driven company with a flat pricing model, a free HRIS, and compliance across 130+ countries. They don’t charge setup fees and include many services that are add-ons elsewhere.
EOR Fee: $699/month
Contractor Fee: $29/month
Slightly higher EOR fees and fewer customization options compared to Deel or Rivermate
Best for large companies with complex global operations that need robust analytics and controls

Caption: Papaya’s home page
Papaya focuses on payroll analytics and automation, making it a fit for enterprise or data-hungry teams. It offers centralized dashboards and integrations with financial systems.
EOR fee: Starts at $599+
Contractor fee: Lower than Deel (varies)
Some users report offboarding fees and additional charges that aren’t clearly stated upfront.
Best for cost-sensitive teams doing early-stage hiring in Asia or Latin America

Caption: Rivermate’s home page
One of the most affordable options in the market, especially in Asia-Pacific. Covers over 100 countries, with good baseline compliance coverage.
EOR Fee: Around $400/month
Contractor Fee: Varies (lower than Deel)
Limited customization, fewer platform integrations and premium features compared to Deel or Remote. This means you may have to pay more for the same level of customization that is native to other tools.
Choosing a global payroll partner isn’t just about the cheapest rate. You need someone who fits your hiring goals, can handle risk, and will help when something goes wrong.
Here are five things to look for in a global payroll provider, and why Rivermate is a strong choice if you're hiring a handful of people internationally.
If you're expanding into a new country, you want to get someone started without weeks of back-and-forth.
Deel and Remote are known for quick, automated onboarding, but Rivermate handles the setup for you and makes sure it’s done right. This is especially helpful if you're hiring just a few people in one or two countries and want to avoid mistakes.
It’s one thing to offer compliant contracts. It’s another to help you understand what’s happening when rules get complicated.
Rivermate gives you direct access to legal experts in each country, not just a help center article. That matters when you're trying to fire someone, sort out benefits, or avoid fines.
You shouldn’t have to copy data from one system to another. Rivermate makes it easy to run payroll across countries in one place and gives you clean reports that your finance team can actually use. It may not have as many integrations as Rippling, but it covers the basics well, and doesn’t make your job harder.
Support is often the biggest difference between platforms. Rivermate gives you a real person to talk to—someone who knows your account and your team. You don’t need to wait on tickets or repeat your story to five different people. That makes a big difference when something urgent comes up.
Some providers charge the same fee no matter how many people you hire. That’s simple—but not always cost-effective. Rivermate’s pricing adjusts based on your team size and country, which means you’re not stuck paying enterprise prices as a mid-sized company. You get what you need, nothing more, nothing hidden.
Deel offers speed and scale, but it’s not always the best choice for companies that want closer support or more flexibility on price.
If you’re a mid-sized U.S. business hiring in a few countries, focus less on flat fees and more on long-term fit, which gives you clarity, legal confidence, and room to grow without overpaying.
Rivermate is built for that middle ground. If that sounds like your team, it’s worth seeing how their approach compares.
Book a free 30-minute consultation with Rivermate.
Deel is best suited for businesses looking to expand internationally without setting up entities. It's particularly helpful for startups, mid-sized companies, and organizations seeking a global workforce solution without the legal complexity of operating in multiple countries.
Deel relies on a network of local legal experts to ensure compliance with each country’s labor laws, tax regulations, and statutory benefits, handling everything from employment contracts to payroll filings.
Unlike Deel, which focuses on software-driven automation, Rivermate prioritizes a human-first approach. Rivermate provides personalized, hands-on support with dedicated account managers and legal experts in each country to ensure compliance and simplify global hiring.
Rivermate works with local partners and legal experts to manage compliance, payroll, and taxes in over 150 countries. They offer real-time updates on regulatory changes and provide tailored legal advice, ensuring your business stays compliant globally.
Rivermate’s employer of record services allow companies to hire and onboard employees quickly, with setup often completed in as little as one week. This enables businesses to scale globally without the long delays of entity setup and complex legal processes.

Lucas Botzen is the founder of Rivermate, a global HR platform specializing in international payroll, compliance, and benefits management for remote companies. He previously co-founded and successfully exited Boloo, scaling it to over €2 million in annual revenue. Lucas is passionate about technology, automation, and remote work, advocating for innovative digital solutions that streamline global employment.


Our Employer of Record (EOR) solution makes it easy to hire, pay, and manage global employees.
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