Hire in another country without setting up an entity.
Deel says it lets you hire, pay and manage teams in 150+ countries. Here is who it suits, who should skip it, what it costs, and how to avoid the common hiring mistakes.
Last checked 17 October 2026 against the vendor’s website. General information, not professional advice.
Use it if
- You want to hire one or a few people in another country without setting up a company there
- You work with contractors abroad and want contracts, payments and compliance in one place
- You need local payroll and benefits handled by someone who is the legal employer there
- You value having everything in one platform
Skip it if
- You are hiring only in your own country: a normal payroll tool is cheaper
- You plan a large team in one country, where your own entity may cost less over time
- You need to pay a contractor once, rarely, and a simple transfer will do
- You want to avoid a per-person monthly fee
We used Deel to hire contractors, and it solved the problem for us (a ThriveOnz team member, October 2026). We have not written about its other products from first-hand use, so the rest of this page comes from Deel’s own pages.
What Deel offers (per its site)
- Hiring, payroll and compliance in 150+ countries on one platform
- Employer of Record (EOR): Deel is the legal employer, you manage the work
- Contractor management and payments, with an option where Deel takes on contractor classification liability
- US PEO and other HR modules such as benefits and mobility
Starting prices from Deel’s pricing page
| Plan | Price | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor management | $49 per contractor per month | You pay contractors abroad and want contracts and compliance |
| Contractor of Record | $325 per contractor per month | You want Deel to take on classification liability |
| Employer of Record | $599 per employee per month | You hire a full-time employee abroad without an entity |
| US PEO | $125 per US employee per month | You employ people in the US through a PEO |
Prices are Deel’s starting prices, read from its pricing page on 17 October 2026 in US dollars; add-ons and local costs can apply. Check the page for current figures.
Deel runs demos and onboarding for companies. If you book and buy through our link we may receive a referral reward. Ask Deel about any current onboarding credits when you speak to them.
Can you trust it?
- It is the legal employer: with EOR, Deel employs your hire locally. Read the contract, and ask who handles disputes and termination in that country.
- Compare the total cost: an entity abroad costs set-up fees, accountants and local admin. Compare 12 months of both, not the monthly fee.
- Classification matters: a contractor who works like an employee can create legal risk. Ask about it before you choose contractor over EOR.
Before you hire abroad
- Decide whether it is a contractor (their own business) or an employee (your control and hours).
- Pick the country and check any local rules on notice periods and benefits.
- Request a demo and ask for a full price for 12 months, including fees and taxes.
- Compare it with the cost of your own entity if you will hire three or more people there.
- Agree a written role description and start date before you sign.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating an employee as a contractor to save money
- Comparing only the monthly fee, not the first-year total
- Forgetting local notice periods and statutory benefits
- Hiring before you have a written job description and probation terms
FAQs
What is an Employer of Record?
A company that becomes the legal employer of your hire in another country, handling payroll, tax and compliance, while you direct the work.
Is Deel cheaper than my own entity?
For one or two hires usually yes; for larger teams in one country an entity can be cheaper. Compare total first-year cost.
Does Deel work for the UK?
Deel lists 150+ countries. Check the UK terms and costs for your case directly.
Decide with the facts. Start small.
Affiliate disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may receive a referral reward. Facts come from the vendor’s website and may change. General information, not professional advice.