Industry Insights and Trends
12 mins read
Author
Published on:
Apr 16, 2025
Updated on:
Feb 16, 2026
Our Employer of Record (EOR) solution makes it easy to hire, pay, and manage global employees.
Book a demoEditor’s note (2026): Velocity Global rebranded to Pebl in September 2025.
Global hiring is easier than it used to be, but choosing the right Employer of Record still matters. As companies scale across borders in 2026, many are discovering that broad, enterprise-focused platforms are not always the best fit for fast-moving teams that need speed, pricing clarity, and hands-on support.
Formerly known as Velocity Global and now operating as Pebl, the platform has expanded its scope beyond traditional EOR services. While this evolution works well for some organizations, others find the experience heavier than expected for day-to-day hiring and workforce management.
If that sounds familiar, this guide breaks down the top Velocity Global (Pebl) alternatives built to reduce friction, simplify global employment, and help teams hire internationally with more confidence and less complexity.
In this section, we look at eight standout options that help businesses hire internationally with ease.
Rivermate is one of the most reliable global employment solutions for companies looking to grow across borders without unnecessary complexity. With services available in more than 180 countries, it allows businesses to onboard talent quickly, often within just two business days, while managing everything from payroll and benefits to tax compliance and local employment laws.
What sets Rivermate apart is its ability to combine global scale with local expertise. The platform supports both employees and contractors, offers flexible payment options in local currencies or USD, and provides dedicated account managers alongside in-country specialists to ensure hands-on support throughout the employment lifecycle.
Its flat pricing structure removes surprises, offering clear costs with no setup fees or long-term commitments. For businesses that value speed, compliance, and transparency, Rivermate is a smart choice for managing international teams with confidence.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Faster onboarding, transparent flat pricing, and hands-on local execution without enterprise-heavy workflows.
| Category | Pebl | Rivermate |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Large, complex organizations with structured global operations | Fast-growing teams that want speed, clarity, and hands-on customer support |
| Onboarding speed | Structured, process-led timelines | Very fast onboarding (often days) |
| Pricing model | Custom, quote-based pricing | Flat, transparent monthly pricing |
| Pricing predictability | Varies by scope and services | High predictability, fewer add-ons, no hidden fees |
| Account management | Enterprise-style support model | Dedicated account managers as standard |
| Local execution | Centralized workflows with local coverage | Strong in-country execution and direct local support |
| Employee & contractor support | Supports multiple worker types | Supports both employees and contractors seamlessly |
| Platform complexity | Advanced, enterprise-grade | Simple, focused, and easy to use |
| Ideal hiring mindset | “Plan, orchestrate, and scale globally.” | “Hire quickly and stay complian.t” |
Deel is a well known name in the global employment space, especially popular among startups and fast scaling tech companies. With coverage in over 150 countries, it allows businesses to hire employees and contractors quickly while managing payroll, compliance, and localized contracts through a user-friendly platform.
One of Deel’s strongest points is its automation. The platform makes it easy to generate compliant contracts, issue payments, and stay on top of local labor regulations with minimal manual effort. Deel also integrates with popular HR and finance tools, which helps teams streamline operations. Curious to see Deel Alternatives, read them here.
While Deel is especially efficient for managing contractors and freelance workers, it may feel more transactional for companies looking for tailored support or deeper local insight. Still, for businesses that prioritize speed and automation, Deel remains a solid option.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Stronger contractor management, automated onboarding, and easier transitions between contractors and full-time employees.
Remote offers a stable solution for international hiring by owning and operating its legal entities around the world. This reduces thirdparty involvement and ensures companies can employ talent compliantly and confidently across borders.
Its platform is wellsuited for businesses that value data privacy, benefits customization, and equity management. Remote integrates seamlessly with popular HR systems and simplifies global payroll and contract generation in accordance with local labor laws.
One of its biggest strengths is control. Companies retain visibility over the entire employment process while ensuring compliance with regional labor laws. However, the platform’s more structured setup may not provide the speed or hands-on service that growing teams often prefer.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Direct ownership of legal entities and a tighter focus on compliance, IP protection, and employment control.
Papaya Global focuses on helping HR and finance teams gain better control over their international workforce. Its platform combines automation with detailed analytics, offering real-time visibility into payroll, contractor payments, and global employment costs.
This solution is ideal for companies looking to centralize their payroll operations while managing compliance across many countries. With support for multiple currencies and built-in tax handling, Papaya helps reduce complexity and ensures accurate reporting.
While the platform excels in data driven efficiency, it may not provide the personalized service that some businesses expect. However, for organizations that prioritize structure, speed, and transparency in global payroll management, Papaya Global is a strong and scalable choice.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Deeper global payroll visibility and finance-first reporting across multiple countries.
Rippling is a comprehensive workforce management platform that combines global HR tools with IT management. It allows companies to not only hire internationally but also manage devices, apps, and employee access all in one place.
This all-in-one setup is especially appealing to tech-driven businesses that want tight control over both their workforce and the tools they use. Rippling makes it easy to onboard employees, set up international payroll, and stay aligned with local compliance requirements.
While it may be more complex than other platforms, its deep customization and integration capabilities make it a powerful option for midsized companies and growing global teams looking for operational efficiency at scale.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: A unified platform with an HR, IT, and EOR stack that reduces tool sprawl and centralizes employee lifecycle management.
Multiplier focuses on making global hiring simple and accessible, especially in fast-growing regions across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. It stands out for its strong local presence and quick onboarding timelines, which help businesses enter new markets with minimal delays.
The platform offers localized employment support, country specific benefits, and easy contract generation. Its interface is clean and intuitive, making it a good match for startups and small businesses that want to expand without heavy overhead.
While it may not offer as many advanced features as some enterprise platforms, Multiplier is a costeffective choice for companies looking to scale in emerging markets with speed and clarity.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Faster market entry and stronger execution in emerging regions like Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Oyster is a popular choice for startups and remote-first teams that want a straightforward way to hire globally. The platform focuses on self-serve functionality, giving HR teams the ability to onboard and manage international employees without a steep learning curve.
It covers more than 130 countries and provides access to compliant contracts, localized benefits, and payroll support through a simple, user-friendly dashboard. Oyster is especially appealing to lean teams that need reliable tools without unnecessary complexity.
While it may not be as customizable as other platforms, Oyster delivers strong value for businesses that prioritize ease of use and global reach.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Simpler, self-serve global hiring with a lower learning curve for startups and lean HR teams.
Lano offers a flexible solution for companies that want to manage employees, contractors, and payroll in one place. Its modular platform allows you to customize features based on your business needs, whether you are hiring one freelancer or building a global team.
The dashboard gives you full visibility into workforce data, including contract approvals, cost tracking, and payment management. Lano also integrates with key finance and HR tools to streamline processes and reduce manual work.
While it is not as widely adopted as some competitors, Lano stands out for its adaptability and centralized approach, making it a practical option for businesses with evolving global hiring strategies.
Why teams choose this over Pebl: Modular workforce management that lets teams mix EOR, contractors, and payroll without committing to a full enterprise platform.
Each of these Velocity Global alternatives brings something unique to the table. Whether you are looking for faster onboarding, more flexible contractor support, or deeper visibility into your global payroll, there is a platform that fits your business needs. The right Employer of Record can help you expand compliantly, manage international teams with confidence, and focus on growth instead of paperwork.
Not every Employer of Record is built for the same type of company. The right choice depends less on brand recognition and more on how your team hires, scales, and operates day to day.
If speed and hands-on support matter most:
Prioritize providers that offer fast onboarding, transparent pricing, and dedicated account managers who stay involved beyond setup, an approach used by execution-first EORs like Rivermate.
If you manage a mix of employees and contractors:
Look for platforms that support both worker types in one system and allow flexibility as roles evolve, without forcing complex workflows.
If payroll visibility and cost control are key:
Finance-led teams may benefit from tools that centralize global payroll data and make it easier to track employment costs across countries.
If you want fewer tools, not more:
Some companies prefer focused EOR platforms over broad enterprise systems, especially when the goal is to hire compliantly without the hassle of juggling multiple platforms or adding unnecessary operational overhead.
If you’re expanding into new or emerging markets:
Strong in-country execution and local expertise can significantly reduce delays and compliance risks when entering new regions.
Ultimately, the best Velocity Global (Pebl) alternative is the one that removes friction from global hiring and aligns with how your team actually works, whether that means speed, simplicity, or hands-on execution.
Expanding into new markets should feel exciting and not overwhelming. With the right Employer of Record partner, you can hire, manage, and pay talent around the world without losing time to legal complexity or operational bottlenecks.
Rivermate helps you simplify international hiring from day one. Whether you are building a remote-first team or entering new regions for the first time, its platform brings everything together: contracts, payroll, compliance, and local expertise in one clear, reliable space.
Ready to make global hiring easier? Explore Rivemate and discover how to grow your team without borders, delays, or surprises.
An Employer of Record (EOR) enables companies to legally hire employees in countries where they do not have a registered business. The EOR becomes the legal employer on paper and takes care of payroll, taxes, compliant employment contracts, and benefits administration. This helps companies expand internationally without having to set up local entities or navigate unfamiliar labor laws.
A great Velocity Global alternative offers faster onboarding, transparent pricing, and reliable local expertise. Many businesses look for platforms that are easier to use, better integrated with internal HR tools, or more flexible for managing both fulltime employees and contractors.
Compliance goes beyond contracts and payroll. Each country has specific requirements around taxes, statutory leave, social security, and employee benefits management, all of which must be handled correctly to avoid penalties. Working with an experienced Employer of Record ensures these obligations are managed locally and accurately, so you can hire internationally without taking on unnecessary legal risk.
Yes. Rivermate helps companies manage both employees and independent contractors from a single platform. With expert legal support and localized knowledge in more than 160 countries, it’s a flexible option for businesses building remote or hybrid teams around the world.
It may make sense to explore alternatives if your team is experiencing slow onboarding, customer support challenges, inconsistent service quality or processes that feel heavier than necessary for day-to-day hiring. Companies scaling quickly, entering new markets, or managing mixed workforces often benefit from EOR providers that prioritize speed, simplicity, and direct local execution.
Many EOR providers offer immigration support as part of their global expansion services, helping companies move talent into priority international markets. This can include guidance on visa eligibility, coordination with local immigration authorities, and ongoing compliance management to ensure work permits remain valid. For companies without local legal entities, this support simplifies cross-border hiring and reduces the risk of regulatory compliance issues.
Founder & Managing Director
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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