Alternatives to Revolut GlobalHire: What Businesses Should Consider
Explore alternatives to Revolut GlobalHire and learn how different solutions compare for managing global payroll and payments.
Hiring global talent is no longer a niche strategy. It's quickly becoming the default for modern businesses.
Still, there's a messy side to it. Paperwork, compliance, and international tax rules can slow everything down. Besides this, setting up legal entities in other regions takes time, costs money, and often makes scaling feel more complicated than it should be.
Revolut GlobalHire is an integrated Employer of Record (EOR) solution that simplifies international hiring and payroll. Businesses scaling globally must first understand its pricing structure to manage both cost and compliance risks effectively. It offers a streamlined, fintech-style approach to hiring. However, it's still worth comparing fixed subscription fees with options like local entities or contractor hiring to find the most cost-efficient path.
This guide sheds light on its pricing and core features to help you decide whether it's the right fit for your scaling business.
Quick tip: If you're managing international payments alongside hiring, Wise Business offers multi-currency accounts and transparent exchange rates. They can help keep cross-border payroll services pricing and contractor payments more cost-efficient.
In April 2026, Revolut launched GlobalHire and integrated its Employer of Record (EOR) solution into the Revolut Business ecosystem.1
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service that legally employs workers on your behalf in another country, handling contracts, payroll, taxes, and compliance. This allows businesses to hire internationally without setting up a local entity while still complying with all local labor laws.
GlobalHire is designed to bridge the gap between ambitious companies and international talent by removing the traditional entry barrier. This means there is no longer any need to set up a local legal entity in every country in which they operate.
Below is a clear breakdown of Revolut GlobalHire pricing and the extra costs you should factor in:
| Cost Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Monthly Fee | Starts from approximately £499 ($599) per employee, per month.2 |
| Regional Variations | Costs can reach around $1,199/month in regions with complex regulations, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar.2 |
| No Proration | The full monthly fee is charged even if the employee starts mid-month.2 |
| Employer Taxes and Contributions | Mandatory local costs (e.g., National Insurance in the UK or Social Security in the US) are added to the monthly invoice.3 |
| Onboarding/Offboarding Fees | One-time setup or termination charges, early termination fees may apply within the first three months.3 |
| Visa and Work Permits | Separate one-off fees for sponsorship and legal right-to-work documentation.2 |
| FX Conversion Savings | Uses Revolut's internal FX system with near-interbank rates, avoiding markups (typically up to 5%) charged by many EOR providers.4 |
| Security Deposit Advantage | Security deposits (usually 1–3 months of salary) may be waived for eligible Revolut Business customers, improving cash flow. |
Most EOR platforms in 2026 use a fairly simple pricing model.
You'll usually see a flat fee model ranging from $300 to $1,000 per employee per month, which makes costs easier to predict, particularly for higher-salary roles. Some providers also use a percentage-based model instead, charging around 8% to 15% of the employee's gross salary.6 This can work out cheaper when hiring lower-paid talent, particularly in emerging markets.
Beyond the core Revolut Business pricing in the UK, invoices include gross salary and mandatory employer contributions, such as social security or pension contributions. You may also pay one-off costs, such as onboarding, visa fees, and security deposits, which are usually equal to 1–2 months of total compensation.
Pricing can vary depending on location, with "Tier 1" countries typically costing more due to complex labor laws. As teams scale, many providers also offer volume discounts, lowering the per-employee fee once you pass thresholds like 5 or 10 hires.
To keep these costs in check, many businesses pair EOR solutions with tools like Wise Business, which help reduce FX fees and simplify multi-currency payroll. This way, you handle compliance through EOR while keeping payments transparent and cost-efficient.
Revolut GlobalHire bundles the complexities of international employment into a single monthly fee. Below is everything that the service covers for your business:
GlobalHire takes care of creating employment contracts that are fully compliant with local laws, so you don't have to worry about legal details. It also runs right-to-work checks and guides new hires through a smooth, digital onboarding process that lets them submit all their tax and ID documents, often within just 1 business day.2
Payroll pricing is automated in accordance with local rules, including income tax, social security, and pension deductions. Revolut acts as the legal Employer of Record. It handles compliance, statutory filings, and keeps you aligned with changing labour laws so you stay on the safe side.
Using Revolut's fintech system, you can pay employees in multiple currencies at interbank rates directly from your business account. You also get a simple dashboard to manage expenses, time-off requests, and local benefits all in one place.
The base subscription fee is just where things start. Your true total cost of employment (TCO) includes a range of variable expenses that go on behind the scenes. So, it's important to factor in these often-overlooked layers for accurate global budgeting.
Currency conversion is one of the highest hidden costs in global hiring. Although Revolut offers competitive interbank rates, you may still face a 0.6%–1% fee if you exceed your monthly allowance.7 8
Plus, there's an extra 1% markup on weekend payroll runs.8
This is why many businesses pair their setup with Wise Business, which offers mid-market exchange rates without hidden markups.
Even with a subscription, cross-border payments may incur additional fees. Beyond the SEPA zone, you'll typically pay a flat £5 (€5/$5) per transfer once you exceed your plan's allowance. The SWIFT payments may include additional "OUR" fees to ensure the recipient gets the full amount without deductions.9
As your team grows, costs can vary by location and admin complexity. While the standard fee starts at £499 ($599) per employee, it can rise to £999 ($1,199) in more complex regions.2 Businesses should be prepared to scale this fee based on the complexity and risk profile of the hiring country.
Further, keep an eye out for the following charges:
| Cost Category | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Operational and Setup Costs | One-off expenses may include onboarding fees and mandatory security deposits, often equal to one month's total compensation, to cover local compliance obligations. |
| Offboarding and Early Exit Fees (also mentioned in the table above) | Expect an offboarding fee equal to one month's service fee, plus possible penalties if an employee is terminated within the first three months.3 |
Choosing the right international hiring setup really comes down to balancing speed, cost, and the level of control you want. Even though Revolut GlobalHire keeps things simple with an "EOR-as-a-feature" approach, it is helpful to see how it stacks up against more traditional or infrastructure-heavy alternatives.
Some options you can explore are:
If you're only paying international contractors (not full-time employees), a global payroll provider can be a much cheaper option.
The trade-off is that you skip the higher EOR pricing but also lose legal protection. You're responsible for avoiding worker misclassification, which can result in tax and penalty liabilities if they're treated as employees by local authorities.
If you're hiring 10 or more people in one country, setting up a local entity, such as a GmbH in Germany or a BV in the Netherlands, is often the most cost-efficient long-term option. You may have to pay:
- Initial setup costs: The setup fee varies by country, plus there's a monthly maintenance fee for local accounting and registered office addresses.
- Crossover point: 2026 data shows the breakeven point (where a local entity becomes cheaper than an EOR) is typically around 15-25 employees per country.10 Below that, the costs of running an entity typically exceed an EOR subscription like GlobalHire.
"Payment-only" or "Infrastructure-as-a-Service" (IaaS) solutions focus strictly on the movement of money and tax reporting without the HR layer. These solutions often use stablecoins or local rail networks to lower transaction costs.
- Fee Structure: These providers usually charge a flat platform fee plus a small transaction percentage.
- Comparison: Some tools may have lower transaction fees, but you'll need to manage contracts and local compliance yourself.
Many businesses combine these models with Wise Business to more efficiently handle the payment layer. It cuts FX costs and streamlines multi-currency payroll, particularly when you're not relying fully on an EOR.
| Model | Best for | Key trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| EOR (GlobalHire) | Fast global hiring with full compliance | Higher ongoing costs |
| Global Payroll (No EOR) | Paying international contractors | No legal protection (misclassification risk) |
| Local Entity Setup | 15–25+ employees in one country | High upfront time and cost |
| Payment Infrastructure (IaaS) | Cost-efficient global payments | No HR/compliance support |
An EOR offers full support and protection, but the high per-employee monthly cost isn't always the most cost-efficient option. Knowing when to step down from a full EOR pricing setup can help your business save thousands each year.
| 💡 Read More About Payroll Software vs Outsourcing: |
|---|
If you already have a legal entity in a country, an EOR isn't really needed. In this case, global payroll software is more cost-effective, usually £30–£80 per employee per month, compared with ~£499 with GlobalHire.11 It's a simpler payroll services pricing setup where you handle compliance, and the software manages tax filings and salary payments.
If your hiring is already legally covered (e.g., compliant contractor agreements), a full EOR can be overkill. A payment infrastructure tool works better here. It removes flat fees and charges a minimal percentage per transaction or a small monthly fee, keeping payroll services pricing much lighter.
An EOR may not be worth the overhead for startups or short-term projects in low-risk countries. Since it's built for long-term compliance setups, onboarding and offboarding costs can outweigh the benefits for engagements of 3–6 months or less. This makes direct contractor management flexible and cost-efficient.
Below is a step-by-step decision wedge you can use to guide the choice clearly:
Step 1: Do you already have a legal entity in the country?
- Yes → Go for global payroll software
- No → Move to Step 2
Step 2: How many people are you hiring in that country?
- 1–8 employees → EOR is usually the simplest option
- 8–12+ employees → Move to Step 3
Step 3: Is this a long-term setup (12+ months)?
- Yes → Setting up a local entity is more cost-effective
- No/short-term → Stick with an EOR
Step 4: What's your priority?
- Speed and simplicity → EOR
- Lowest ongoing cost → Payroll software or entity setup
- Maximum control → Local entity
When an EOR handles compliance, currency markups and transfer fees can quietly eat into your margins. Wise Business offers a more transparent, cost-efficient way to manage international payroll, particularly if you want direct control.
Below are some features that make it stand out:
- No hidden FX markups: Uses the mid-market exchange rate(what you see on Google), avoiding the typical 3%–5% bank markup
- Lower transfer costs: Often significantly cheaperthan traditional banks for international payments
- Multi-currency accounts: Hold and manage funds in multiple currencies from one account, with local details for major currencies
- Bulk payroll payments: Pay up to 1,000 employees in one go using batch uploads
- Built for scale: Covers 140+ countries without high per-employee subscription fees
- Easy integration: API connects with tools like Xero or QuickBooks for smoother workflows
These features make Wise a strong fit for businesses that don't need full EOR support and want simpler, more transparent payroll services pricing.
With Wise Business, you can:
Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.
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*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.
EOR pricing varies by country based on labor laws, taxes, and compliance complexity. Regions with stricter regulations or higher administrative requirements (like parts of the Middle East or Western Europe) usually cost more than simpler jurisdictions.
FX costs are usually charged separately or embedded in exchange rates as hidden markups. Some providers include near-interbank rates, but many still apply conversion fees or weekend surcharges.
Yes, pricing can often be negotiated, especially for larger teams or long-term contracts. Many providers also offer volume discounts once you reach certain hiring thresholds.
Costs typically increase with each new hire and country due to compliance and regional differences. However, per-employee fees may decrease as providers offer bulk or enterprise pricing.
EOR is more cost-effective for small teams or early-stage expansion because of its low setup effort. Local entities usually become cheaper once a company hires around 10–25 employees in a single country.
Sources used:
Sources last checked on: 07/05/2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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