Expanding into new markets brings enormous opportunity—but it also raises challenging questions about cost and compliance. That's where an Employer of Record (EOR) comes in, taking on the legal, payroll, tax, and HR responsibilities so your business can focus on growth instead of navigating complex regulations.
One of the first things global businesses ask is how Employer of Record pricing really works. With so many providers offering vague ranges or hidden markups, it's easy to feel uncertain about what you'll actually pay. Understanding different pricing models is crucial to picking the right global expansion partner for your business.
What Is an Employer of Record?
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a legal partner that employs staff on your behalf in countries where you don't have an entity. The EOR becomes the official employer, while you manage the employee's day-to-day work.
Key responsibilities of an EOR include:
Running payroll in compliance with local laws
Handling statutory taxes and benefits
Navigating country-specific HR regulations
Managing onboarding, contracts, and termination processes
By partnering with EOR companies like Atlas HXM, businesses avoid the time and cost of setting up legal entities.
Employer of Record Pricing Explained
EOR pricing generally falls between $199 - $800 per employee per month, though some EORs offer pricing as a percentage of salary (typically 10-25%). The cost varies based on factors such as:
Location of employees: Costs vary by country based on social contributions and benefits.
Salary levels: Higher salaries typically increase statutory contributions in percentage-based models.
EOR service fees: Some providers charge a flat monthly fee, while others take a percentage of gross salary.
Compliance scope: Providers that include legal and HR support may cost more upfront, but prevent long-term risks.
Want to see how salaries vary worldwide? Try our Global Salary Calculator to compare pay scales by country and role.
Common EOR Pricing Models
To understand the cost of EOR, you need to examine the different pricing structures used. These include:
Flat-Fee Platform Model (Atlas HXM)
Transparent monthly cost per employee
Covers payroll, compliance, HR support, and benefits administration
Scales predictably across job levels and geographies
Percentage-of-Salary Model
Charges 10–15% of gross salary per employee
Can appear affordable at first
Costs climb dramatically for senior or technical hires
Hybrid Models
Blend flat fees with percentage markups or “add-on” costs
Risk of hidden charges in areas like benefits enrollment or compliance checks
Other Factors That Impact the Cost of EOR
Additional elements that can influence the cost of an EOR across providers include:
Country regulations: Social taxes in France are higher than in Singapore, for example.
Benefits packages: Providers that administer both statutory and supplemental benefits may charge more.
Number of employees: Some providers offer discounts at scale; Atlas HXM includes volume-based pricing.
Service scope: Payroll-only vs. full HR, legal, and compliance services.
Entity Setup vs. Employer of Record
When expanding globally, businesses often face two choices: setting up their own legal entity or working with an EOR.
Employer of Record (Atlas HXM)
No upfront entity costs; expansion can start immediately
Atlas directly owns entities in 160+ countries, removing third-party reliance
Compliance-first approach with local legal experts built in
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
Entity Setup
Requires significant upfront investment—often $20,000–$50,000+
Takes months to establish and register with local authorities
Demands ongoing administrative costs and in-house compliance expertise
Creates exposure to local legal and financial risks
Worried about hidden compliance risks? Use our Global Compliance Risk Calculator to see where your business may be exposed.
Atlas HXM EOR Pricing
At Atlas HXM, we believe that pricing should be simple, transparent, and built for scale. While many providers bury fees in complex contracts, Atlas HXM delivers straightforward pricing for our services so you can budget with confidence.
Starting at just $599 per employee per month, our model is designed to provide cost certainty without compromising compliance. For companies with larger teams, Atlas offers volume-based discounts, unlocking even greater EOR cost savings as you scale.
Pricing and Service Comparison
Provider | Monthly Fee (per employee/month) | Countries Covered | EOR Model |
|---|---|---|---|
Atlas HXM | From $599 | 160+ | Direct |
Deel EOR Pricing | From $599 | 150+ | Indirect/Hybrid |
Remote EOR Pricing | From $599 | 100+ | Direct |
Multiplier EOR Pricing | From $400 | 150+ | Indirect/Hybrid |
Rippling EOR Pricing | Quote Only | 80+ | Indirect/Hybrid |
Switch with confidence: Unlike Deel, Remote, or Rippling, Atlas HXM owns the compliance process end-to-end. That means faster onboarding and support you can trust.
Estimate your exact costs before you expand. Try our Global Employee Cost Calculator for a personalized breakdown.
Benefits of Using an EOR like Atlas HXM
As the largest direct EOR network, Atlas combines transparent costs with efficiency. Our global hiring platform provides:
Faster Market Entry: By bypassing complex local entity setup, Atlas enables companies to onboard employees in new countries in days instead of months, accelerating time-to-market and growth.
Reduced Costs: The EOR model shifts from fixed infrastructure costs to a flexible, pay-as-you-grow model, often saving companies up to 82% compared to setting up their own local entities.
Local Compliance Expertise: Atlas provides access to local expertise and in-country specialists to ensure all hiring processes, contracts, and payroll meet local labor laws and regulations.
Streamlined Onboarding & Management: With a single platform, Atlas manages the entire hiring process from onboarding and payroll to benefits, all with expert support and multilingual teams.
Integrated Human Experience Management (HXM): Atlas offers a holistic approach, focusing on providing positive experiences for employees, which enhances productivity and retention.
Visa and Immigration Support: For companies expanding to countries where they don't have entities, Atlas provides direct sponsorship for visas and manages the complex immigration process.
Dedicated Support: Atlas provides a single point of contact and dedicated account managers to ensure personalized and responsive support for businesses and their global teams.
Request a demo with Atlas HXM today!
Industry Insights
Work has changed radically in recent years—and continues to evolve—which is why Atlas, as the pioneering EOR service provider, surveyed global HR leaders to uncover the top opportunities and challenges shaping how companies manage international teams today.
Key Findings from HR Leaders
According to The 2025 Global Atlas Report, based on responses from C-level and senior HR professionals:
55% of companies with an international presence cite access to specialized talent and skills as a top motivator for international hiring, and 26% for companies without an international presence.
Cost optimization and arbitrage are the primary motivations for 52% of internationally active companies, whereas only 39% of those without global operations list it as a priority.
For business expansion into new markets, 53% of global companies see international hiring as a driver, versus 38% for companies without an international presence.
More than 41% of organizations already use EOR services, with EOR adoption nearly double in Europe (46%) compared to North America (27%).
Regulatory complexity remains a paramount concern: 86–87% of HR leaders cite compliance as the most significant challenge when expanding internationally.
Despite the rise in AI tools—used by 95% of HR professionals for researching international laws or benefits—many still rely on external advisors, with 51% seeking expert guidance for market entry and compliance.
Why These Insights Matter—and How Atlas Leads the Way
These findings clearly highlight two truths:
A need for talent, expansion, and cost savings drives international hiring.
Success depends on trusted, compliance-first execution—not vague promises.
Why Companies Choose Atlas HXM Over Competitors
The competition promises low entry costs but hides the fine print. Atlas outperforms competitors by delivering more value, transparency, and compliance at every step:
Monthly Per-Employee Fee: Atlas offers a predictable flat fee starting at $599, which scales down with volume.
→ Competitors often use percentage-based pricing that skyrockets with higher salaries.
Countries Covered: As the largest direct EOR network, Atlas directly owns entities in 160+ countries.
→ Competitors cover fewer regions or rely on third-party partners that limit reliability.
EOR Model: Atlas operates a direct EOR model, meaning we own risk and compliance end-to-end.
→ Competitors use indirect or hybrid models that outsource compliance and create gaps in accountability.
Services Offered: Atlas provides payroll, benefits, HR support, and legal compliance expertise—all included.
→ Competitors may only process payroll or offer limited HR support, leaving compliance on your shoulders. Even when they claim to provide full service, hidden fees often appear, with extra charges for each “add-on” like benefits, legal guidance, or compliance support.
Onboarding Speed & Support: Atlas combines self-serve technology with real local HR and legal experts for fast, seamless onboarding.
→ Competitors rely heavily on software alone, leading to slower response times and gaps in support.
With Atlas, you don't just get an EOR provider—you get a partner who owns the process and ensures predictable costs, faster global expansion, and measurable EOR cost savings.
Why Businesses and Industry Leaders Choose Atlas HXM
Operational cost reductions and smoother HR processes: A recent client transitioning 56 employees across 10 countries achieved an average of 36% cost savings, streamlined HR operations, and improved compliance while gaining scalability and retention through better benefits.
Simplifies complex international hiring: Appvizer praised Atlas for simplifying international workforce management, enabling compliant onboarding—even across six European countries—within days rather than weeks.
Direct EOR infrastructure and global payroll excellence: Reviewers highlight Atlas’s full control over hiring with direct entities, robust payroll across 160+ countries, and centralized HR tools—without third-party dependencies.
“I recently had the pleasure of onboarding with Moniepoint through AtlasHXM, and I cannot emphasize enough how smooth and seamless the entire process was. From the very beginning, the efficiency and professionalism displayed by AtlasHXM were evident… Overall, AtlasHXM ensured a smooth transition with prompt email responses and excellent communication.” - Abhishek R (Senior Frontend Engineer)
Industry leadership recognized by analysts: NelsonHall and Everest Group both rank Atlas as a Leader in global EOR services, calling out its direct model, technology platform, compliance strength, and global reach. Atlas HXM was also named a winner at the Global Payroll Awards 2025, further underscoring our excellence in global payroll and workforce solutions.
Simplify Global Hiring with Atlas HXM
Global expansion doesn't have to be complex—or costly. With Atlas, you gain transparent pricing, compliance-first expertise, and the largest direct-owned network in 160+ countries. Unlike competitors that hide fees or rely on third parties, Atlas delivers speed, clarity, and measurable EOR cost savings.
Contact Atlas HXM and see how our direct EOR platform helps you hire anyone, anywhere—with confidence.
FAQs
How much does EOR cost?
An Employer of Record (EOR) typically costs $200 to $2,000+ per employee per month, or a percentage of salary (often 8-20%), plus a one-time setup fee ranging from $0 to over $2,000.
Are benefits included in EOR or extra?
Atlas HXM includes statutory benefits within the flat fee. Supplemental benefits (like private health or travel insurance) are optional, clearly itemized upfront—no surprises.
What is the difference between EOR and freelance?
EORs manage formal employees and their benefits, whereas freelancers are independent contractors, not formal employees.
What size business benefits most from an EOR?
Small to midsize companies expanding internationally—especially those without local entities—benefit most from an Employer of Record (EOR).