Both Remofirst and Multiplier pitch themselves as the affordable EOR for Asia-first companies. The question is whether $201/mo per employee buys you anything meaningful. It does: owned entities in most markets, 1–3 day Singapore onboarding vs 5–7, and a compliance team headquartered in Singapore that handles ASEAN queries in the same timezone. For teams hiring 5+ people in ASEAN who plan to stay, Multiplier is the better investment. For 1–3 hires in low-complexity markets where cost is everything, Remofirst gets the job done.

At a Glance

Pricing — The $201 Difference

At 10 employees, Remofirst saves $24,120/year. That’s meaningful — roughly the annual cost of one junior hire in the Philippines.

Remofirst includes RemoHealth (standardised health insurance) in the base fee. Multiplier offers flexible health insurance options per country but they cost extra. For teams that want simple, predictable costs, Remofirst’s bundled approach is easier to budget.

Entity Model

This is where the $201 gap earns its keep.

Multiplier owns entities in core Asian markets — Singapore, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand. When a payroll question or compliance issue surfaces, Multiplier’s own team in Singapore handles it directly.

Remofirst uses partner entities in most or all Asian markets. Compliance questions go through a third-party partner. Response quality and speed depend on who that partner is.

For standard hires in Singapore and India, both models work. For Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia — where regulations are more complex and partner quality varies — Multiplier’s owned entities reduce risk.

Onboarding Speed

Multiplier is 2–4 days faster in most ASEAN markets. Its Singapore HQ and owned entities cut the coordination overhead that slows Remofirst’s partner-based onboarding.

For planned hires where start dates are flexible, the gap is less critical. For time-sensitive roles — a developer starting next Monday — Multiplier’s speed advantage matters.

Asia Coverage

Both cover 10 Asian markets. Multiplier adds Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to the core set. Remofirst also covers Bangladesh.

The difference isn’t the map — it’s what sits behind it. Multiplier owns entities in its core ASEAN markets and has compliance experts in-timezone. Remofirst’s coverage runs through partners whose depth varies by country.

For straightforward markets like Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, the difference is academic. For Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia, Multiplier’s owned-entity approach is the safer bet.

Platform and Support

Multiplier’s platform is more polished: ASEAN-specific HR workflows, better compliance documentation, and a cleaner interface. Its Singapore-based support team handles ASEAN queries in the same timezone — a genuine advantage for urgent compliance questions.

Remofirst’s platform is functional but basic. Onboarding, payroll, time off, and reporting. No HRIS integrations to speak of, no equity tools, limited automation. Support is adequate for routine queries but thinner for complex, market-specific questions.

Both platforms are a step below Deel or Remote in depth. The question is whether you need the extra depth or whether basic payroll processing is enough.

Which to Choose

Choose Remofirst if:

• Budget is the single biggest constraint — $199/mo is hard to beat
• You’re hiring 1–3 people in straightforward markets (Singapore, India, Philippines)
• Start dates are flexible and 5–7 day onboarding is acceptable
• Bundled health insurance simplifies your benefits administration
• You don’t need HRIS integrations or ASEAN-specific compliance support

Choose Multiplier if:

• You’re hiring 5+ people across ASEAN and plan to scale
• Vietnam, Thailand, or Indonesia are in your hiring plan
• Onboarding speed matters — 1–3 days in Singapore vs 5–7
• You want ASEAN-timezone compliance support from Singapore
• Owned entities and direct contract control matter to your legal team
• You might scale to 10–20 employees where compliance depth pays for itself

The decision rule: If you’re hiring fewer than 5 people in core markets and every dollar matters, Remofirst. Once you cross 5 employees or enter complex ASEAN markets, Multiplier’s $201 premium buys owned entities, faster onboarding, and a compliance team that knows the region. At that scale, the extra $24,120/year is insurance you’ll be glad you bought.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Remofirst or Multiplier better for Singapore? Multiplier. Owned entity, 1–3 day onboarding, Singapore-headquartered support team. Remofirst uses a partner entity and takes 5–7 days. If Singapore is your primary market, the $201 difference per employee is justified.

Does Multiplier own entities in all Asian markets? In most core markets — Singapore, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand — yes. Some markets use a mix of owned and partner entities. Confirm per country before signing. Remofirst uses partners in most or all markets.

How much does Remofirst actually save over Multiplier? $201/mo per employee. At 5 employees: $12,060/year. At 10 employees: $24,120/year. The saving is real but so is the trade-off in entity ownership and onboarding speed.

Can I start with Remofirst and move to Multiplier later? Yes, but switching EOR means terminating and re-hiring employees under the new entity. Budget 2–4 weeks of transition per employee. Some teams start with Remofirst for initial hires and migrate to Multiplier when complexity or headcount requires it.

Which is better for Vietnam? Multiplier. It owns its Vietnam entity and has ASEAN-native compliance staff. Remofirst covers Vietnam through a partner — workable for standard hires, but less reliable for complex situations.

AK Anchal Katyal Published January 1, 2026