For most startups making their first Asia hire, Multiplier at $400/mo is the right answer. Deel if you need the person onboarded by Thursday. That’s the short version. Here’s how we got there.
What Startups Need from an EOR
Startups have different priorities than enterprises:
- Low minimum commitment — no annual contract lock-in, month-to-month preferred
- Fast onboarding — productive in days, not weeks
- Equity/ESOP support — managing share options globally is complex without the right tooling
- Transparent pricing — no surprise invoices at month-end
- Self-service platform — operable by a founder or ops manager, not a dedicated HR team
The Rankings
1. Multiplier — Best Overall Value for Asia
At $400/mo with no setup fees, Multiplier is the strongest value-for-money option for startups hiring in Asia. Singapore HQ means deep ASEAN expertise — particularly strong in Singapore, India, Philippines, and Vietnam. Same-day onboarding is a genuine differentiator when you need to move fast. G2 rating: 4.7/5 from 1,300+ reviews.
Best for: Seed to Series B startups making their first 1–10 Asia hires.
2. Payoneer WFM — Most Affordable
Starting at $199/mo per employee, Payoneer WFM is the cheapest full-service EOR in the market. Acquired by Payoneer in 2024, it now runs on Payoneer’s payments infrastructure. Operational depth is strongest in India, Philippines, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia — thinner in Japan and South Korea.
Best for: Pre-seed and bootstrapped startups where cost is the primary constraint.
3. Deel — Best for Speed and Scale
At $599/mo, Deel costs more than Multiplier or Payoneer WFM. If getting someone hired and productive within 48 hours is the constraint, Deel is unmatched. Owned entities in 100+ countries, 4.8/5 on G2 with 7,400+ reviews. Particularly strong in Singapore and India.
Best for: Series A+ startups scaling across multiple Asian markets simultaneously.
4. Oyster HR — Best for Distributed Teams Issuing Equity
Oyster’s $699/mo price tag is the highest among startup-friendly options. The equity management module — for managing share options globally — is a genuine differentiator for funded startups issuing ESOPs. The self-service platform is clean and requires minimal HR expertise. 120+ countries.
Best for: Remote-first startups issuing equity to global employees.
5. Remote — Best for Developer Hiring
Remote’s IP protection clauses and free contractor tier make it the default pick for tech startups hiring engineers in India or the Philippines. Start contractors on the free tier, convert to full employment when you’re confident in the relationship. Remote owns all its entities globally — no third-party partners.
Best for: Tech startups hiring engineers who need strong IP assignment clauses.
6. Remote People — Budget Asia Specialist
At $199/mo, Remote People matches Payoneer WFM on price and specialises in Asia-Pacific markets. Coverage in 150+ countries but operational depth is strongest in Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Best for: Budget-conscious startups focused exclusively on APAC hiring.
Quick Comparison
| Provider | Price | Best For | Onboarding | G2 Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multiplier | $400/mo | ASEAN value | Same-day | 4.7 |
| Payoneer WFM | From $199/mo | Budget | Standard | 4.3 |
| Deel | $599/mo | Speed & scale | 24-48 hours | 4.8 |
| Oyster HR | $699/mo | Equity/ESOP | Standard | 4.5 |
| Remote | $599/mo | IP protection | Standard | 4.7 |
| Remote People | From $199/mo | APAC budget | Standard | 4.2 |
Enterprise Options Worth Knowing
Past Series B and scaling fast, three enterprise-grade providers are worth evaluating:
- Rippling ($599/mo) — unifies HR, IT, and payroll in one platform. Best if you already use Rippling for US employees and want to extend globally. 4.8/5 on G2 with 8,000+ reviews.
- Papaya Global ($599/mo) — enterprise workforce intelligence with advanced analytics. ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II certified.
- G-P (from $699/mo) — the compliance gold standard with the longest track record in the industry. Best for highly regulated markets like Japan and China.
Start Modelling the EOR-to-Entity Transition on Day One
The biggest mistake startups make with Asia EOR is treating it as a permanent solution. If you plan to scale a market to 20+ employees, the entity setup process should already be running — because it takes 3–6 months in most Asian markets, and you want it done before you hit the cost break-even, not after. EOR is the right starting point. It’s not the destination.
