7 alternatives to Remote for borderless HR management
Managing remote teams and handling international payroll has never been more strategic for businesses. With teleworking on the rise, SMEs and start-ups alike are turning to global platforms to simplify international recruitment, legal compliance and employee management.
Remote has rapidly established itself as a benchmark among them. This HR and payroll software makes it possible to recruit and pay talent anywhere in the world, while complying with local obligations. But despite its strengths, Remote is not always the best solution: costs can be high, options limited depending on the country, or lack of flexibility for some companies.
As a result, more and more managers are looking for an alternative to Remote. Whether it's to find a more affordable platform, one that's better integrated with their existing tools, or one that's better suited to their specific HR needs, there's no shortage of solutions.
In this article, we've compared the 7 best alternatives to Remote: software capable of supporting your global teams, securing your HR operations, and offering a better employee experience, whatever the country.
What is Remote?
Remote is an international HR platform that helps companies hire, manage and pay their employees anywhere in the world. Its aim is to simplify the management of remote teams, while guaranteeing legal compliance in every country.
In practical terms, Remote acts as an Employer of Record (EOR): companies can recruit an employee in a foreign country without needing to set up a local entity. Remote then takes care of administrative management, payroll, contracts and compliance with local regulations.
🛠️Parmi key features include
- international payroll with calculation of salaries, contributions and taxes ;
- management of contracts in compliance with local laws
- full monitoring of employee benefits (health insurance, holidays, etc.);
- tools for managing distributed teams in complete security;
- a collaborative space for centralising HR, payroll and compliance.
Remote is aimed primarily at start-ups, SMEs and international companies looking to expand their talent pool on a global scale without getting bogged down in administrative complexities.
Remote
Why consider an alternative to Remote?
Remote has become a benchmark for teleworking companies wishing to hire abroad without setting up a local subsidiary. But like all software, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Depending on your priorities (budget, international coverage, integration, reporting or support) it may be worth exploring the best alternatives to Remote.
Fast-rising costs
Remote operates on a pay-per-month, per-employee model. In concrete terms, for a full Employer of Record (EOR) service, the rate is €645 per month per employee. This may seem reasonable for a small team... but it becomes very onerous as soon as the company grows and recruits several dozen employees.
📌 Another point to note is that certain advanced features (benefits management, local compliance options, advanced integrations) are only available with the more expensive paid versions. Conversely, alternatives such as Papaya Global sometimes offer more flexible packages, or free trials to test before committing.
Incomplete geographical coverage
Remote covers around 70 countries, which is already solid. But the global job market is vast, and certain strategic areas, notably in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, are not yet covered.
For an international company that really wants to recruit without borders, this can become a hindrance. Platforms such as Lano or Paylocity offer a broader presence, covering more than 150 countries, and can therefore be better alternatives for organisations that want to deploy their workforce in several regions simultaneously.
Integration sometimes limited
Remote has been designed as a modern, intuitive software package, but it is still younger than competitors such as ADP. As a result, its catalogue of software integrations (CRM, management tools, accounting applications, collaboration platforms) is still limited.
This can be a problem for companies already operating with a complex ecosystem of HR, financial and collaborative tools. In these cases, a remote alternative with more advanced native integrations is often more practical.
Reporting with room for improvement
Remote provides HR and financial reports, but these are still general in nature. For an SME, this is sufficient. On the other hand, a fast-growing company or a structure that needs detailed reports in real time may find this limiting.
HR and finance teams often ask for more detailed indicators: breakdown of costs by country, monitoring of local compliance, forecasting of social security charges, etc. These are all areas where alternatives such as ADP (the historic leader in payroll) or Gusto (much appreciated by small businesses) offer greater depth.
Support that lacks responsiveness
A final point often raised by users is Remote's customer support. While the platform is easy to use, some professionals complain that response times are too long, particularly for urgent questions relating to payroll or local compliance.
In this type of service, a delay in processing can have a direct impact: delayed salary, incorrect declaration, contractual problems. Alternatives such as Papaya Global offer dedicated support, with multilingual support available 24/7, a real asset for teams spread across several time zones.
Comparison table of the 7 best alternatives to Remote
1 of 7
| Remote |  ADP |  Gusto |  Lano.io |  Papaya Global |  Paylocity |  Splashtop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For companies with 2 to 5000 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with -1 to -1 employees | For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about Remote | Learn more about ADP | Learn more about Gusto | Learn more about Lano.io | Learn more about Papaya Global | Learn more about Paylocity | Learn more about Splashtop |
Our top 7 alternatives to Remote
ADP
ADP is one of the world leaders in payroll management and HR services.
Unlike Remote, which focuses on start-ups and growing SMEs, ADP targets both large international companies and local structures with complex needs.
With over 70 years' experience, ADP offers impressive global coverage and recognised expertise in legal compliance and employee management. The tool is particularly popular with companies that want to secure their operations with a long-established and reliable player.
💰 The rates are tailor-made, with offers adapted to small structures as well as multinationals.
Here's why ADP remains one of the best alternatives to Remote:
- full international payroll with guaranteed legal compliance ;
- very broad coverage (over 140 countries) ;
- advanced HR and financial reporting;
- centralised management of employee benefits (health, pensions, etc.);
- powerful integrations with a wide range of accounting and ERP software;
- recognised expertise and solid customer support;
- a solution tailored to companies of all sizes.
ADP
Gusto
Gusto is a US-based HR and payroll solution ideal for local SMEs and startups. Where Remote focuses on international hiring, Gusto concentrates on domestic payroll management, tax compliance, and employee management in the US market.
✅ Its big advantage: a clear and intuitive interface, designed to simplify life for small businesses that don't necessarily have a dedicated HR department. It's a turnkey solution that includes payroll, benefits and even working time management.
💰 Gusto offers packages starting from €42.03 per month, making it an affordable option for small organisations.
Here's what makes Gusto an attractive alternative to Remote for SMEs:
- complete payroll management;
- employee benefits monitoring (health, pension, insurance, etc.);
- a simple, intuitive interface suited to small teams;
- clear, automated HR reports;
- integrated management of working time and holidays;
- accessible customer support for small organisations;
- transparent pricing tailored to SMEs.
Gusto
Lano
Lano is an international HR platform specialising in multi-country payroll and freelance management.
🎯 Its aim: to help SMEs and scale-ups manage a global workforce simply, while guaranteeing security and legal compliance in over 150 countries.
Unlike Remote, which focuses mainly on salaried employment via EOR, Lano covers both traditional employment contracts and freelance contracts, making it highly flexible for hybrid businesses.
💰 On the price side, Lano offers competitive pricing, with an entry-level plan at €3 per month per employee.
Here's why Lano is an alternative to consider:
- extensive global coverage (150+ countries) ;
- management of both employees and freelancers;
- real-time reporting to track costs and compliance;
- easy integration with financial and accounting tools;
- a secure platform with a focus on data confidentiality;
- flexible options for growing businesses.
Lano.io
Papaya Global
Papaya Global is a cloud HR solution that simplifies international payroll management.
🎯 Its key strength is its strong focus on security and speed of payment, with a single payroll engine capable of managing multi-currency financial flows. It is aimed at ambitious SMEs and large corporations alike.
Unlike Remote, which offers a centralised approach but sometimes limited integrations, Papaya relies on an open and highly automated platform, covering more than 160 countries.
💰 Papaya Global offers paid plans from €21.44 per employee per month, with variable costs depending on coverage and options.
Here's why Papaya Global is considered one of the best alternatives to Remote:
- extensive global coverage (160+ countries) ;
- an automated platform to reduce human error;
- fast and secure multi-currency payments;
- robust compliance management in each country;
- customisable HR and financial reports;
- advanced integrations with ERP and management software.
Papaya Global
Paylocity
Paylocity is a comprehensive HR and payroll platform that covers both domestic needs (particularly in the US) and international payroll thanks to the integration of Blue Marble Payroll technology, acquired in 2021.
🎯 It's a solution that's particularly popular with SMEs and growing businesses that want a centralised tool to manage their employees, while also having a solid international extension. Its strength lies in its balance between modern HR functionality and the security of multi-country payroll operations.
Unlike Remote, which focuses on global employment via EOR, Paylocity offers a broader approach with comprehensive HR modules: talent management, payroll, benefits, time tracking and compliance.
💰 Rates are available on a quote basis, with costs adjusted according to the modules chosen (HR, domestic payroll, international payroll).
Here's why Paylocity can be a relevant alternative to Remote:
- a complete HR and payroll solution (talent management, time tracking, benefits, reporting) ;
- a robust international payroll extension via Blue Marble Payroll integration;
- consolidated real-time reporting for HR and finance teams;
- a secure platform that complies with local and international regulations;
- expert support to help companies with multi-country payroll;
- a solution tailored to SMEs and large companies that want to combine domestic and global HR.
Paylocity
Splashtop
Splashtop is basically remote control and IT support software, but it is also emerging as a useful solution for teleworking companies. Unlike Remote, which focuses on payroll and HR, Splashtop meets the technical need: enabling employees to access their office remotely or technicians to provide fast, secure support.
🎯 It is therefore an interesting alternative for small organisations or freelancers who are primarily looking for a reliable solution for remote connection, file transfer and computer control in a professional setting.
💰 Splashtop offers paid versions from just €4.58 per month per user, making it one of the most affordable solutions on the market.
Here's what makes Splashtop a relevant alternative for technical needs:
- fast, secure remote control of computers and servers ;
- smooth file transfer and remote printing functionality;
- multi-device sessions (PC, Mac, iOS, Android);
- IT support for technicians and small teams;
- pay-as-you-go options with multi-user management and enhanced security;
- an excellent free/trial/pay ratio, so you can try before you buy.
Splashtop
Yeap
Yeap is an emerging HR platform that aims to simplify remote employee management for small and medium-sized businesses. Unlike Remote, which is geared towards large, global structures, Yeap focuses on simpler needs: digital contracts, administrative management, and remote payroll.
🎯 It's still a young solution, but an interesting one for companies looking for a more economical alternative that's suited to teams spread over just a few countries.
💰 Yeap offers rates based on quotations.
Here's why Yeap could be a credible alternative to Remote for some SMEs:
- simplified management of contracts and remote employees :
- basic but effective HR tools for distributed teams;
- a more flexible and cost-effective approach than Remote ;
- a light, easy-to-use interface;
- Pay-as-you-go options that are accessible even to small organisations;
- a good compromise for companies that want to try out international HR management without blowing their budget.
How do you choose the Remote alternative that's right for you?
Summary table of the best alternatives to Remote
| Software | Main positioning | Key strengths | Starting price |
| ADP | Large companies, multinationals | Global HR and payroll expertise, advanced compliance, ERP integrations | On quotation (pay/month) |
| Gusto | US SME | Domestic payroll, employee benefits, simple interface | From €42.03 / month |
| Lano | SMEs, international scale-ups | Multi-country payroll and freelancers, flexibility, integrations | From €3 / month |
| Papaya Global | SMEs & large enterprises | Automation, fast multi-currency payments, compliance | From €21.44 / month |
| Paylocity | Multi-country SMEs & large enterprises | Complete HR platform, international extension, consolidated reports | On quotation |
| Splashtop | Self-employed, IT support, SMEs | Remote control, file transfer, security | From €4.58 / month |
| Yeap | Distributed SMEs | Digital contracts, simplicity, cost-effective solution | On quotation |
Criteria for selecting an alternative to Remote
To find the best alternative to Remote, ask yourself these key questions:
- Do you prefer :
one solution per employee per month? 👉 Papaya Global.
or more flexible billing? 👉 ADP, Lano
- Are your remote teams concentrated in one region or scattered around the world?
ADP and Papaya Global cover over 150 countries;
- do you mainly hire freelancers, employees or a mix?
Lano is more suited to freelancers.
👉 Remote and ADP for employees.
- Does your HR team already use a CRM or ERP?
👉 ADP and Papaya Global offer better integrations.
- do you need :
24/7 multilingual support? 👉 Papaya Global.
or premium support? 👉ADP, Blue Marble.
- do you need :
international payroll only ? 👉 Gusto.
or also IT and applications management? 👉 Paylocity.
Good global management starts with the right HR software
Recruiting and managing teams remotely has never been easier... provided you choose the right solution. Remote has led the way in facilitating international payroll and HR compliance.
But as we've seen, it's not always the best alternative for all businesses: cost, limited coverage, incomplete integrations or perfectible support can quickly become obstacles.
The good news? There's no shortage of alternatives to Remote. And the best choice isn't necessarily the best known, but the one that fits your team, your budget, and your HR priorities.
💡 So compare, try out the free trial versions, and find the international HR solution that will make your business grow without borders.
Article translated from French