Alternatives to Revolut GlobalHire: What Businesses Should Consider

International hiring is no longer limited to large businesses but that’s not to say it doesn’t come without its challenges for small to medium sized enterprises.

A popular tool when it comes to hiring abroad is Revolut GlobalHire but there are plenty of other options that may suit your business needs better.

Here, we break them down and reveal when a payment-focused solution like Wise Business may be the smarter route.

Learn about Wise Business 🔍

Why businesses look for alternatives to Revolut GlobalHire

Revolut GlobalHire is designed as an Employer of Record (EOR),¹ meaning it hires employees on your behalf in countries where you don’t have a legal entity. It comes with many benefits but some businesses find they need something more flexible and cost-efficient.

Exploring alternatives means understanding the different ways businesses can manage their global hiring and payroll - from full service EOR platforms to payroll providers and payment infrastructure solutions.

This matters because choosing the wrong one could lead to limited flexibility and unnecessary costs. For many UK businesses, the real need isn’t employment outsourcing but rather a better way to execute global payroll.

But whatever the initial issue, it’s important that businesses match the solution to their actual challenge.

Cost and pricing considerations

EOR systems typically offer multiple services including compliance, HR, contracts and payroll. But this can come with higher fees and your company might not even need the full package.

For example, if you’re happy doing your own payroll processing you might just want a payroll payment provider to reduce the costs.

This is where Wise Business comes in. Instead of paying a percentage of employee salaries through an EOR, you can use Wise to execute payroll payments globally - and with transparent fees.

Need for flexibility vs bundled solutions

GlobalHire offers an all-in-one solution with bundled services, but for some businesses this means less flexibility. If you want to use your existing HR system and work with local accountants, while having control over your employee contracts, a fully bundled EOR system could restrict this.

Instead, payment infrastructure tools like Wise Business can integrate with your existing workflows and allow your finance teams to use what’s already there instead of replacing everything.

Different business requirements and scaling needs

No two businesses are the same and the way in which they scale also varies. Some need quick hiring in new markets, others require better payroll automation across countries. Then, there will be another business that’s looking for faster or cheaper international payments.

If your primary challenge is cross-border payments, not hiring compliance, exploring alternatives becomes essential.

Types of alternatives to Revolut GlobalHire

Before comparing Wise Business alternatives, it’s important to understand the types of solutions available.

Employer of Record platforms

EOR platforms employ workers on your behalf in foreign countries. Popular choices include Deel and Papaya² and they handle a range of areas such as employment contracts, compliance and payroll processing. This can be useful for companies entering new markets without legal entities.

Global payroll providers

Global payroll providers manage payroll across multiple countries but they don’t act as the legal employer. They typically calculate salaries, taxes and deductions and ensure compliance with local laws. However, they don’t always handle the actual payment execution efficiently, especially across multiple currencies.

Payroll payment infrastructure solutions

Payroll payment infrastructure is a financial tool that allows businesses to send salaries internationally without managing employment or payroll calculations. Instead, they focus on fast and cost-effective cross-border payments and are often able to support multiple currencies and bulk transactions - just like Wise Business.

Key factors to consider when choosing an alternative

Choosing between EOR platforms, payroll providers and payment infrastructure depends on your business model and needs.

Level of control vs outsourcing

Do you want to fully outsource your hiring and compliance processes? If so, EOR may suit your business needs. However, if you’re looking to keep control but simplify your payroll, a payroll provider and payments solution may work better.

What’s more, Wise Business fits in here, enabling payroll execution without outsourcing your workforce. In other words, you maintain control, especially when you operate internationally.

Cost structure and scalability

The cost of EOR platforms can vary but usually it’s either a monthly fee per employee or a percentage of salary.³ As you scale, this can become expensive. With Wise, however, you know exactly what to expect thanks to transparent and transaction-based pricing.

There’s just a one-time fee of £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essential plan) to access all features making it ideal for growing teams.

Payment speed, FX and transparency

International payroll often involves currency conversion, bank intermediaries and hidden fees which is where many traditional providers fall short.

Wise Business offers real exchange rates at the mid-market rate, transparent fees and payments to 140+ countries, making it a suitable choice for any business dealing with cross-border payments.

Learn about Wise Business 🔍

When a full-stack global hiring solution may not be necessary

Many businesses sign up to EOR platforms and find they don’t use all the features resulting in dormant services and overpayments.

Businesses with existing entities

If your company already operates in multiple countries, you might not need an EOR. Instead, you may want to focus on paying employees efficiently, managing currencies and reducing admin overheads.

If this sounds interesting, Wise Business could be the solution as it allows businesses to hold 40+ currencies and pay employees directly, without additional intermediaries.

Companies focused on payroll payments only

Some businesses already handle payroll calculations internally or use local payroll providers. In this instance, an EOR platform probably isn’t required but a solution like Wise Business can help improve your processes with bulk payments and multi-currency accounts.

What’s more, Wise gives you local bank details in multiple regions further improving the overall international payment experience.

Managing international payments without EOR

If your main business challenge is sending salaries abroad and managing FX exposure, then a payment-first solution might be more efficient. This is because EOR platforms are designed for employment complexities not payment optimisation.

How Wise Business compares as an alternative for payroll payments

Wise Business isn’t an EOR. It’s designed for businesses that already have entities and already run payroll but are searching for a better way to move money globally.

Paying employees globally without full-stack platforms

With Wise Business, you can send bulk payroll payments and pay employees in their local currency. This not only removes intermediary banking fees but speeds up the overall process.

Multi-currency accounts for payroll

Wise Business allows you to hold 40+ currencies and get local account details in 8+ currencies. This makes it easier to receive global revenue and pay salaries without repeated conversions.

Transparent FX and cost control

Unlike many providers, Wise uses clearly stated fees and the mid-market exchange rate. This means your finance teams can forecast payroll costs more accurately.

EOR vs payroll provider vs payment infrastructure

Which alternative is right for your business?

Not every business needs the same global hiring set-up. And choosing the wrong type is one of the biggest reasons that companies overspend or overcomplicate their operations.

Here’s how you might want to approach alternatives to Revolut GlobalHire based on your business model.

UK start-ups hiring their first international employees

If you’re a UK-based start-up expanding into a new market without a legal entity, an EOR is often the most practical starting point. It means you can hire quickly without setting up a local company and stay compliant with local employment laws. Ultimately, this allows you to test new markets with a much lower upfront risk.

However, as your business grows and establishes abroad, EOR systems can become expensive which is why many companies begin to explore more flexible options, including separating payroll and payments.

Scale ups with existing entities across Europe

Those businesses operating abroad likely already have legal entities in place and manage compliance internally. It may be that you also already work with local payroll providers or accountants. In this case, the main challenge often becomes payroll execution, not employment.

This is because traditional banking set-ups can create friction due to slow cross-border transfers and unclear FX fees. Not to mention, complex reconciliation.

By using Wise, finance teams can centralise their payroll payments and pay employees in local currencies. This avoids unnecessary conversion costs without replacing existing payroll systems.

Remote-first companies paying global contractors

Remote businesses often rely heavily on international contractors meaning their priorities tend to be fast and reliable payments and low transfer fees. Using an EOR in these scenarios can be unnecessary and costly.

Instead, payment infrastructure like Wise Business supports bulk payments and lets you send funds to 140+ countries, making it easier to pay distributed teams efficiently.

Enterprises optimising payroll costs

Occasionally, a hybrid approach may be best. This can be useful for larger organisations that use EOR platforms for smaller or newer markets and work with global payroll providers. However, at this scale, even small inefficiencies in FX payments can add up.

This is why many enterprises are moving towards a modular set-up by combining payroll providers with specialised payment solutions like Wise Business to reduce costs and improve overall visibility.

The hidden costs of global payroll

When searching for Revolut business alternatives, it’s easy to focus on the headline pricing. But there are several hidden costs that can impact your bottom line. Understanding these costs is essential to making a smarter decision for your business.

FX mark-ups and exchange rate spreads

One of the biggest hidden costs in global payroll is currency conversion. Even a small percentage can quickly become a major expense when businesses are paying dozens or hundreds of employees internationally. That’s why Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees to help you reduce unnecessary costs.

Intermediary banking fees

International payments often pass through multiple banks before reaching the recipient. Each intermediary may deduct feesand introduce delays. Not only can this impact employee satisfaction but it may mean they receive less than expected. By using local payment rails, Wise Business helps minimise these fees and improve payment predictability.

Payment delays and employee experience

As mentioned above, payment issues can affect employee satisfaction as well as employee retention and even your reputation as an employer. These delays are often caused by banking cut-off times and cross-border processing but can often be reduced with a smart payment infrastructure solution.

Administrative overhead

Managing global payroll can create more work for finance teams. This includes reconciliation, tracking fees and exchange rates and managing multiple banking relationships. Not to mention, replying to emails regarding pay. Solutions that centralise payments, like Wise Business, and offer real-time tracking, can streamline these processes.

Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a GlobalHire alternative

Choosing the right solution isn’t just about features. You also need to avoid some costly mistakes. This includes:

• Choosing an EOR when it’s not needed
• Ignoring FX costs
• Overlooking payment execution
• Locking into inflexible platforms
• Not planning for scale

Step-by-step: choosing the right alternative for your business

1. Assess your structure. Do you already have legal entities abroad?
2. Identify your biggest challenge. Is it hiring, payroll calculations or payments?
3. Calculate costs. Compare EOR fees vs transaction-based solutions.
4. Evaluate the platform flexibility. Do you need full outsourcing or modular tools?
5. Choose a scalable solution. Look for one that grows with your business not against it.

Revolut GlobalHire vs Wise Business

Revolut Business is a financial platform that offers accounts, payments and additional services with GlobalHire as its EOR extension. Wise Business, on the other hand, focuses specifically on global payments. It doesn’t act as an employer or manage compliance.

This makes it a strong choice for any business that already has entities abroad, already runs payroll or is looking for a better way to execute cross-border payments.

What’s more, rather than replacing EOR platforms, Wise Business complements payroll providers and helps businesses to build a more efficient global payroll stack.

Finding an alternative to Revolut GlobalHire is less about replacing one tool and more about choosing the right category of solution for your business. For example:

• EOR platforms are ideal for hiring without entities
• Payroll providers handle calculations and compliance
• Payment infrastructure like Wise Business focuses on executing global payroll efficiently.

But, if your goal is to pay teams globally with transparency and control, Wise Business is a strong alternative worth considering.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://payout-surge.live/gb/interest/%3C/a%3E to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

FAQs

Do businesses always need an EOR platform?

No. EOR platforms are only necessary if you don’t have a legal entity in the country where you want to hire. If you already operate locally, alternatives like payroll providers or payment solutions can be more cost-effective.

What is the difference between EOR and payroll providers?

An EOR acts as the legal employer and handles compliance, while payroll providers only manage salary calculations and tax filings. They don’t employ staff on your behalf.

What are other ways to manage global payroll?

Many businesses combine local payroll providers and infrastructure like Wise Business to manage their global payroll. In doing so, they reduce costs and gain more control.

When should companies use payroll payment infrastructure instead?

Payroll payment infrastructure can be useful if you already manage payroll calculations or if you need to pay employees internationally and are looking for better FX rates and transparency.

What is Revolut business and how does it differ?

Revolut Business is a financial platform that offers business accounts, payments and expense management. GlobalHire is its EOR extension. Businesses looking for payroll payments often compare it with tools like Wise Business due to FX transparency and cost efficiency.

What’s the biggest global payroll challenge for businesses?

The most common challenge faced by businesses is complex international payments. This is why many search for solutions to reduce costs and simplify the process.

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

---

Sources used:

1. Revolut - GlobalHire
2. Gartner - Best EOR
3. Deel - EOR Costs

Sources last checked on date: 07-May-2027