Best Remote Alternatives For Startups - 2025

Key Takeaways

• Every.io emerges as the superior all-in-one platform combining back-office operations with international payment capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple vendors
• Remote.com's $599-699 monthly EOR pricing makes it one of the most expensive options, while alternatives offer better value propositions
• Startups save an average of $4,000+ annually by choosing integrated platforms like Every over fragmented solutions
• The best Remote alternative depends on your startup's stage: early-stage companies benefit from Every's free incorporation and unified platform, while specialized needs may require dedicated EOR providers
• Modern alternatives to Remote offer transparent pricing without hidden fees, better integration capabilities, and stronger support for US-based startups
• Geographic coverage varies significantly: Remote covers 85 countries for EOR, while some alternatives reach 180+ countries

1. Every.io - Best Overall Remote Alternative for Startups

Every.io stands out as the premier Remote alternative by solving the fundamental problem that drives startups to consider Remote in the first place: managing a distributed team while handling complex back-office operations. Unlike Remote's narrow focus on international employment, Every provides a comprehensive solution that addresses every aspect of startup operations from incorporation to tax filing.

Why Every Outperforms Remote for Startups

Every's integrated platform approach means startups can manage their entire financial stack in one place. When you incorporate your C-corp through Every (which is free, unlike Remote's lack of incorporation services), you immediately gain access to FDIC-insured banking, corporate cards with 3% cash back, and seamless payroll processing. This integration eliminates the data silos and reconciliation headaches that plague startups using Remote alongside separate banking, payroll, and accounting tools.

The platform's bookkeeping service includes AI-powered categorization and a dedicated bookkeeper, ensuring your finances stay organized as you scale. Every's treasury management automatically sweeps idle cash into T-bills, generating yield on funds that would sit dormant in Remote's ecosystem. For startups that have gone through accelerators like Y Combinator or Techstars, Every offers specialized support and pricing that Remote doesn't match.

Pricing That Scales With Your Startup

Every's three-tier pricing structure provides exceptional value compared to Remote's rigid $599-699 per employee model:

• Launch ($25/month): Perfect for pre-seed startups, includes free incorporation, EIN, registered agent, and basic banking
• Build ($150/month): Ideal for seed-stage companies, adds full payroll, contractor payments, and bookkeeping
• Scale ($850/month): Comprehensive solution for Series A+ companies with corporate tax filing and dedicated support

This pricing means a 10-person startup paying contractors internationally would spend $290/month with Every (Build tier) versus $5,990/month with Remote for the same team as employees. Every's recent $22.5M Series A ensures the platform continues evolving to meet startup needs.

Superior Support for US Startups

While Remote focuses on international operations, Every excels at supporting US-based startups with international teams. The platform handles Delaware franchise taxes, 1099 filing for contractors, and R&D tax credits - critical compliance requirements that Remote doesn't address. Every's unified approach means your board-ready financials automatically reflect all transactions across banking, payroll, and contractor payments.

2. Deel - Best for Integration-Heavy Startups

Deel matches Remote's $599 monthly EOR pricing but delivers superior value through 90+ software integrations compared to Remote's limited connectivity. Operating in 150+ countries (versus Remote's 85), Deel provides unique features including the Deel Card for instant payments and AI-powered compliance tools. The platform's mobile app with offline functionality addresses common pain points for distributed teams.

At $49 per contractor monthly, Deel costs more than Remote's $29, but the enhanced feature set often justifies the premium. Free HR tools for companies under 200 employees and automated compliance assessments make Deel particularly attractive for fast-growing tech startups. However, companies seeking unified financial operations will find Every's integrated approach more comprehensive than Deel's employment-focused platform.

3. RemoFirst - Best Budget EOR Option

RemoFirst disrupts the market with $199 per employee monthly for EOR services - 67% less than Remote. Despite lower costs, RemoFirst maintains coverage in 170+ countries and includes dedicated account managers. The platform eliminates setup fees and long-term commitments, appealing to bootstrapped startups.

While RemoFirst's feature set remains basic compared to premium providers, it delivers essential EOR functionality without compromising geographic coverage. Startups requiring comprehensive back-office support beyond employment will need additional tools, making Every's all-in-one platform more cost-effective when considering total vendor costs.

4. Oyster HR - Best for Maximum Geographic Coverage

Oyster HR operates in 180+ countries, surpassing Remote's 85-country EOR coverage. Matching Remote's $599 monthly pricing, Oyster differentiates through superior benefits administration and an AI compliance assistant. The platform charges $29 per contractor monthly, aligning with Remote while offering automated misclassification analysis.

Oyster's limited 15-app integration ecosystem may frustrate teams with extensive software stacks. Companies prioritizing seamless financial operations over geographic reach often choose Every's unified platform, which eliminates integration requirements by combining all back-office functions natively.

5. Rippling - Best for IT-Forward Companies

Rippling combines HR, IT, and finance management with 500+ integrations and 185+ country coverage. The platform's automation capabilities include device provisioning, app management, and workflow automation. Modular pricing starts at $8 per user monthly for basic HRIS, with EOR services requiring custom quotes typically exceeding Remote's rates.

While Rippling offers extensive features, the complexity can overwhelm early-stage startups. Every's streamlined approach provides essential automation without the steep learning curve, making it ideal for founders focused on building rather than configuring systems.

6. Multiplier - Best for APAC Expansion

Multiplier charges $400 monthly for EOR services with strong Asian market presence. The platform uniquely offers ESOP administration, addressing equity compensation needs. Coverage spans 150+ countries with dedicated account managers providing personalized support.

The $40 monthly contractor fee exceeds market averages, and the platform lacks integrated financial services. Startups expanding globally while maintaining US operations benefit more from Every's comprehensive platform that handles both domestic and international requirements seamlessly.

7. Papaya Global - Best for High-Volume Operations

Papaya Global targets enterprise-ready startups with AI-powered payroll, charging $650-800 monthly for EOR services. Volume pricing reduces costs to $15 per person for 1,000+ employee organizations. Advanced analytics and workforce wallet features appeal to well-funded companies planning rapid scaling.

However, reliance on third-party partners rather than owned entities may concern compliance-focused organizations. Early and growth-stage startups find Every's transparent pricing and integrated services more suitable than Papaya's enterprise-focused offerings.

8. Pilot - Best for Contractor-Only Operations

Pilot charges $21.75 per contractor monthly, supporting 240+ countries with no transaction fees or currency markups. The platform excels at contractor payments but lacks comprehensive EOR services and back-office integration.

While Pilot's contractor rates beat Remote's $29 monthly fee, companies need additional vendors for incorporation, banking, and bookkeeping. Every's Build tier at $150/month includes contractor payments plus complete financial operations, providing better overall value.

9. Gusto - Best for Minimal International Needs

Gusto International offers the most budget-friendly contractor payments at $6 monthly for US-first companies with limited international requirements. The platform extends Gusto's domestic payroll excellence to basic international payments but lacks local compliance expertise.

Companies serious about international expansion quickly outgrow Gusto International's limited capabilities. Every's comprehensive platform scales from first contractor to full international team while maintaining unified financial operations.

Why Startups Choose Every Over Remote

The fundamental difference between Every and Remote lies in their approach to startup operations. Remote views international employment as an isolated challenge, requiring startups to maintain separate solutions for banking, incorporation, bookkeeping, and taxes. Every recognizes that startups need unified financial operations, with international payments being just one component of a comprehensive back-office platform.

Consider a typical Series A startup with 20 US employees and 10 international contractors. With Remote, they'd need:

• Remote for international team: $5,990/month (as employees)
• Separate banking solution: $50-500/month
• Payroll provider for US team: $200-500/month
• Bookkeeping service: $500-2,000/month
• Tax preparation: $5,000-15,000/year

Total: $7,000-9,000+ monthly across multiple vendors

With Every's Scale tier: $850/month for everything, saving over $75,000 annually while eliminating vendor management overhead.

Every's partnership with Y Combinator and other leading accelerators validates the platform's value for portfolio companies. The recent Fast Company recognition validates Every's innovative approach to solving startup operational challenges.

Making the Right Choice for Your Startup

Selecting a Remote alternative requires evaluating your complete operational needs, not just international employment. While specialized EOR providers excel in their niche, modern startups benefit from integrated platforms that eliminate tool sprawl and data silos.

Every emerges as the clear winner for startups seeking comprehensive back-office automation. The platform's free incorporation, integrated banking, unified payroll, and automated compliance create a foundation for sustainable growth. As your startup scales from idea to IPO, Every scales with you, eliminating the painful migrations required when outgrowing point solutions.

For startups committed to Remote's EOR-only approach, Deel offers better features at the same price, while RemoFirst provides budget relief at $199 monthly. However, the hidden costs of maintaining separate financial operations often exceed any savings from choosing cheaper EOR providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Every.io better than Remote for US startups?

Every.io provides a complete back-office platform including incorporation, banking, payroll, bookkeeping, and taxes starting at just $25/month, while Remote only handles international employment at $599-699 per employee. Every's integrated approach eliminates the need for 5-7 separate vendors, saving startups thousands monthly while providing unified financial operations. The platform also handles critical US compliance requirements like Delaware franchise taxes and R&D tax credits that Remote doesn't address.

How much can startups save by choosing Every over Remote?

A typical 30-person startup (20 US, 10 international) saves approximately $75,000-100,000 annually with Every. Remote would cost $5,990/month for international employees alone, plus separate costs for banking ($50-500), US payroll ($200-500), bookkeeping ($500-2,000), and annual taxes ($5,000-15,000). Every's Scale tier at $850/month includes all these services, delivering immediate cost savings while eliminating vendor management complexity.

Can Every handle international contractor payments like Remote?

Yes, Every's Build and Scale tiers include comprehensive contractor payment capabilities. While Remote charges $29 per contractor monthly on top of platform fees, Every includes contractor payments within its tier pricing. The platform handles 1099 compliance, international payments, and contractor management alongside your complete financial operations, providing better value than Remote's standalone contractor services.

Which Remote alternative offers the best geographic coverage?

Oyster HR leads with 180+ countries for EOR services, followed by RemoFirst (170+ countries) and Deel (150+ countries), all exceeding Remote's 85-country coverage. However, geographic coverage alone shouldn't drive decisions - Every's integrated platform with strong US operations support plus international payment capabilities often provides better value than providers focused solely on maximum country coverage.

Is Every suitable for companies that only need international EOR services?

While Every excels as a comprehensive platform, companies seeking only international EOR without US operations might prefer specialized providers like RemoFirst ($199/month) or Deel ($599/month). However, even international-first startups typically need banking, bookkeeping, and tax services, making Every's integrated approach valuable. The Launch tier at $25/month provides exceptional value even for minimal US presence.

How does Every compare to Remote for venture-backed startups?

Every significantly outperforms Remote for venture-backed startups through partnerships with Y Combinator, Techstars, and other leading accelerators. The platform provides board-ready financials, automated compliance, and unified operations that VCs expect. Remote's employment-only focus requires additional tools for investor reporting, making Every's comprehensive platform the preferred choice for funded startups.

What hidden costs should startups consider when evaluating Remote alternatives?

Beyond advertised per-employee fees, consider setup costs, currency conversion markups, compliance consulting, and integration expenses. Remote's $599-699 monthly fees don't include the costs of separate banking, payroll, bookkeeping, and tax services. Every's transparent tier pricing includes all services with no hidden fees, while alternatives like Papaya Global and Rippling often require custom quotes with additional charges for premium features. Factor in the time cost of managing multiple vendors versus Every's single platform approach.