On this page
Summary
INS Global was founded in Shanghai in 2006 — four years before Deel existed and nearly two decades of operational history in mainland China. That timeline matters: China EOR requires WFOE or FESO compliance, Social Insurance (五险一金), IIT, and work permits that only come from doing it on the ground. INS Global is the only provider in this set built Asia-first with 12 Asian countries and the broadest Asia footprint among specialists. The trade-off is a consulting-first model with technology layered on and 5–10 business days to first payroll — not a polished SaaS. If China, Taiwan, or South Korea is central to your hiring, INS Global deserves serious evaluation. If you want self-service and speed, pick Deel or Multiplier instead.
Ratings Breakdown
INS Global in Asia: Key Facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| HQ | Shanghai, China |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Employees | 51–200 (3,200+ clients) |
| Asian countries covered | 12 |
| Total countries | 160+ |
| Time to first payroll (Singapore) | 5–10 business days |
| Time to first payroll (India) | 5–10 business days |
| EOR pricing | From ~$299/employee/month |
| Contractor pricing | From ~$49/contractor/month; recruitment from 8% salary |
| Deposit required | Varies by country |
| Local entities owned | Mix of owned and partner |
| Integrations | GlobalView (in-house HRIS) |
| Payment methods | Bank transfer; details per country |
| Mobile app | No |
| Free trial / demo | Demo available; consultative sales |
| Certifications | ISO 27001, GDPR; SOC 2 not stated publicly |
What INS Global Does Well
Mainland China WFOE and FESO since 2006
INS Global has operated in mainland China since 2006 — nearly 20 years. That means real runs on WFOE (Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise) and FESO employment structures, Social Insurance (五险一金), Individual Income Tax compliance, and foreign work permit applications. Most EOR platforms either don’t offer China employment at all or rely on partners with thin operational history. INS Global’s China practice is the core of the business. If you need to employ someone in Shanghai or Beijing with proper local contracts and statutory compliance, INS Global has the track record.
Taiwan coverage — a market most EORs can’t service
Taiwan is labour insurance, national health insurance, and local employment law that many global EORs simply don’t support. INS Global does. For companies with R&D, manufacturing, or sales in Taiwan, that’s a hard filter: Deel, Remote, and most others either have no Taiwan EOR or route it through fragile partner setups. INS Global treats Taiwan as a first-class market. If Taiwan is on your roadmap, the shortlist shrinks fast.
Broadest Asia coverage among specialists — 12 countries
INS Global covers 12 Asian markets: China, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong. That’s the widest Asia footprint among Asia-specialist EORs in this review set. Multiplier covers 10 and doesn’t include China or Taiwan; G-P has 11 in Asia. For a single vendor that can span Greater China, Northeast Asia, and ASEAN, INS Global’s country list is a differentiator.
Greater China and Northeast Asia compliance depth
Beyond China and Taiwan, INS Global has strong in-country capability in Japan (Shakai Hoken, Labour Insurance, My Number), South Korea (NPS, NHIS, EIS), and Hong Kong (MPF, employment ordinances). These are high-compliance markets where mistakes are expensive. INS Global’s teams have been running payroll and employment there for years — not as an add-on to a US-centric product. The advantage over global platforms is most visible when you have a real compliance question, not just a standard onboarding.
PEO for companies with existing China entities
If you already have a China entity (WFOE or JV) and need payroll, benefits, and compliance run through it rather than full EOR, INS Global offers PEO services. That can be cheaper than full EOR because they’re not carrying the entity cost. Few EOR providers offer a clean PEO path for China; most are EOR-only. For companies that have invested in their own entity but don’t want to build in-house HR and payroll, this is a real option.
Where INS Global Falls Short
Platform is consulting-first with tech layered on
The product is functional, not modern. Payroll, contracts, and reporting work, but the interface reflects a company that built a service business first and added technology over time. Most clients work with a dedicated account manager rather than self-serving in the platform. If you want to spin up a hire, run payroll, and resolve issues without talking to anyone, INS Global is the wrong fit. Deel and Multiplier are built for that; INS Global is built for clients who want a human in the loop.
5–10 business days onboarding
First payroll typically lands in 5–10 business days, depending on market. The consultative model means more upfront due diligence and fewer shortcuts. Deel can do 1–2 days in Singapore; Multiplier 1–2 in Singapore and 2–3 in India. If speed is the priority, INS Global’s process will feel slow. If correctness in China or Taiwan is the priority, the extra days are the cost of doing it properly.
Not self-service SaaS
You don’t get a slick portal where you click through onboarding and never talk to support. You get a dedicated contact and a platform that supports the relationship. That’s a plus for complex markets and a minus for teams that want to operate without vendor dependency for routine tasks. If your operating style is “we do everything in the product,” look elsewhere.
ASEAN advantage narrows versus Multiplier
In Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, INS Global has solid operational teams — but Multiplier is headquartered in Singapore, charges from $400/month with similar or better onboarding speed in those markets, and offers a more modern platform. For ASEAN-only hiring with no China or Taiwan, Multiplier is usually the better value. INS Global’s edge is in Greater China and Northeast Asia, not in beating Multiplier on ASEAN convenience or price.
No significant public review presence
G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot show little or no volume for INS Global. Gartner Peer Insights has one 5/5 review. That makes it harder to validate support quality and real-world experience from third-party feedback. Buyers rely more on references and direct due diligence than on aggregate scores.
Pricing Breakdown
Base EOR fee
From ~$299/employee/month. China and Japan typically carry a premium due to regulatory complexity. The fee includes employment contracts, payroll, statutory compliance, and dedicated account support. No public rate card for every country — pricing is quoted per engagement.
Add-on costs
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Contractor management | From ~$49/contractor/month |
| Recruitment | From 8% of salary |
| Country-specific premiums | China, Japan often higher than base |
| PEO (existing China entity) | Custom; often lower than full EOR |
What’s NOT included
Self-service HRIS beyond GlobalView; no broad ecosystem of third-party integrations like Deel or Rippling. Immigration and work-permit support are part of the service in relevant markets but confirm scope. SOC 2 is not stated — if you require it for procurement, ask.
Volume discounts
Not published. Custom pricing for larger teams and multi-country rollouts. The consulting model means negotiation is standard; get quotes in writing.
How it compares
From $299/month undercuts Deel and Remote ($599) by $300/employee/month and Multiplier ($400) by $101. For China, Taiwan, or South Korea, few alternatives match INS Global’s depth at this price. Versus premium: Deel and G-P offer faster onboarding and more modern platforms; INS Global wins on Greater China and Northeast Asia expertise and 20 years in China.
INS Global Asia: Country-by-Country
INS Global’s strongest market — nearly 20 years of operational history. The default for mainland China EOR.
Most EOR platforms can’t service Taiwan at all. INS Global treats it as a core market.
First payroll: 5–10 days. Consultative model, not self-service.
Best when India is part of a broader footprint that includes China or Taiwan. First payroll: 5–10 days.
Value is running Philippines alongside China, Taiwan, or Japan under one vendor.
Strong for standard hires. First payroll: 5–10 days.
Northeast Asia depth shows here. Slower than Deel on onboarding but deeper coverage.
Standard coverage. Viable single vendor for rollouts that include China or Taiwan.
First-class market. For Vietnam alongside Greater China, consolidates under one provider.
Advantage is breadth — Thailand plus China, Taiwan, or Japan under one roof.
Northeast Asia practice applies. Differentiator for teams in Korea alongside China or Japan.
Fits INS Global’s Greater China focus. Standard coverage.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Nearly 20 years of operational experience in mainland China (WFOE/FESO, 五险一金, IIT, work permits).
- Taiwan EOR coverage that most global EORs cannot match.
- Broadest Asia specialist footprint: 12 countries including China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN.
- PEO option for companies that already have a China entity, often at lower cost than full EOR.
- In-country compliance depth in Greater China and Northeast Asia; questions get answered by people who practice there.
- From $299/month EOR pricing undercuts Deel/Remote by $300/employee and Multiplier by $101.
- Dedicated account management rather than ticket-only support for complex markets.
- ISO 27001 and GDPR; 160+ countries globally for multi-region expansion.
Cons:
- Platform is consulting-first; not self-service SaaS — most work goes through an account manager.
- 5–10 business days to first payroll; slower than Deel (1–2 days) and Multiplier (1–3 days in core markets).
- No polished, Deel-style product experience; interface is functional, not modern.
- ASEAN-only hiring is better served by Multiplier on price, speed, and platform.
- Deposit and contractor pricing are custom; no public rate card for easy comparison.
- No significant G2/Capterra/Trustpilot presence to validate support quality.
- SOC 2 not stated; GlobalView only for integrations — no broad app ecosystem.
How INS Global Compares
Pick INS Global when China, Taiwan, or South Korea is central and you want an Asia-native specialist with decades of China history; pick Deel for fastest onboarding (1–2 days), a polished self-service platform, and global coverage when China/Taiwan are not must-haves.
INS Global for Asia-specialist depth at lower cost (from $299 vs G-P’s $599–800+) and a consultative model; G-P for owned entities in 180+ countries and the highest compliance rating, with a premium for mainland China WFOE via a US-headquartered vendor.
INS Global for China, Taiwan, or 12-country Asia footprint with Greater China and Northeast Asia compliance; Multiplier for ASEAN-heavy hiring, faster onboarding, a modern platform, and $400/month when you don’t need China or Taiwan.
INS Global for China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong; Payoneer WFM for $199/month, Bangladesh, and a more product-led experience. INS Global when Greater China and Northeast Asia are non-negotiable.
Case Studies
Chinese telecom giant used INS Global to expand operations to Taiwan and Singapore — avoiding the most complicated aspects of cross-border entity setup.
European photo-printing company partnered with INS Global for compliant international hiring as part of its global growth strategy.
Real User Feedback
| Platform | Rating | Review Count |
|---|---|---|
| Gartner Peer Insights | 5.0 / 5 | 1 review |
| G2 | No significant presence | — |
| Capterra | No significant presence | — |
| Trustpilot | No significant presence | — |
Total reviews across platforms: 1 (limited public feedback)
What users praise:
The single Gartner Peer Insights review rates INS Global 5/5. Themes from provider references and sales conversations emphasise strong support for China and complex markets, dedicated account managers, and in-country expertise. Clients who choose INS Global typically do so for China, Taiwan, or multi-country Asia rollouts where consulting depth matters more than self-service.
What users complain about:
With almost no public review volume, complaint themes are hard to verify. Anecdotal feedback and industry commentary point to platform UX feeling dated compared to Deel or Multiplier, and onboarding taking 5–10 days versus 1–3 for tech-native EORs. Buyers should rely on reference checks and direct due diligence rather than aggregate review scores.
Final Verdict
Who should use INS Global:
- Startups (1–10 international hires): Use when your first hires are in China, Taiwan, or South Korea and you need a specialist. The consultative model and 5–10 day onboarding are acceptable if correctness in those markets is the priority. For ASEAN-only startups, Multiplier is usually faster and similarly priced.
- Mid-market (10–50 hires): Strong fit when Greater China and Northeast Asia are a meaningful share of headcount. One vendor for China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN reduces coordination cost. Confirm pricing and entity model per country.
- Enterprise (50+): Viable for Asia-heavy enterprises with China/Taiwan/Korea in scope. The platform won’t match Deel or Rippling for global HRIS; use INS Global for the Asia piece and accept a human-led relationship.
Who should NOT use INS Global: Teams that want self-service, 1–2 day onboarding, or heavy reliance on public reviews. ASEAN-only hiring without China or Taiwan is better served by Multiplier. Companies that require SOC 2 or a broad integration ecosystem should confirm INS Global’s offerings first.
Bottom line: INS Global is the right choice when mainland China, Taiwan, or South Korea is a primary hiring market and you want an Asia-native provider with real operational history — not a global platform that added Asia later. The consultative model and 5–10 day onboarding are real trade-offs; for Greater China and Northeast Asia compliance, they’re acceptable. From $299/month undercuts Deel and Remote by $300/employee; the gap is platform and speed, not price.
Best suited for: Companies hiring in China, Taiwan, or Northeast Asia who need deep local compliance and are comfortable with a consulting-first relationship and 5–10 business days to first payroll.
Visit INS Global: ins-globalconsulting.com
Further Reading
- EOR vs Setting Up a Company in Asia
- How to Terminate an Employee via EOR
- EOR Cost Guide — What Does an EOR Cost in Asia?
- Asia Employment Law Changes 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does INS Global have its own entity in China?
INS Global operates in China via WFOE/FESO-compliant structures and has done so since 2006. Entity ownership and partner arrangements vary by structure; PEO is also available if you have your own China entity. Confirm whether your engagement is full EOR or PEO.
What’s the real total cost per employee with INS Global in China?
Base EOR from ~$299/month; China typically carries a premium due to Social Insurance (五险一金), IIT, and work permits. Get a China-specific quote. Employer-side social insurance alone can add 30%+ to salary cost — budget for statutory loads on top of the EOR fee.
How long does onboarding take in Singapore and China?
Typically 5–10 business days in both. China can be longer if work permits are involved. Deel and Multiplier offer 1–3 days in Singapore; INS Global trades speed for consultative due diligence and depth in China.
Does INS Global support Taiwan?
Yes. Taiwan is a first-class market for INS Global — labour insurance, national health insurance, and local employment contracts. Most global EORs don’t offer Taiwan or use weak partners; INS Global is a default option for Taiwan hiring.
Is the $299/month price available in all Asian countries?
The ~$299 starting rate is cited for many markets; China and Japan often carry a premium. There’s no public rate card for every country. Recruitment is separate (from 8% salary); contractor management from ~$49/month.
Can I use INS Global if I already have a China WFOE?
Yes. INS Global offers PEO services for companies with an existing China entity. You keep your entity; they run payroll, benefits, and compliance through it. That can be cheaper than full EOR.
How does INS Global compare to Deel for Asia?
INS Global wins on China, Taiwan, and South Korea depth and from $299/month. Deel wins on onboarding speed (1–2 days in many markets), self-service platform, and global coverage. Choose INS Global when Greater China or Northeast Asia is central; Deel when speed and product experience dominate.
Does INS Global have SOC 2 or ISO certification?
INS Global states ISO 27001 and GDPR compliance. SOC 2 is not stated on the public site. If your procurement requires SOC 2 Type II, ask for current certification status.
