On this page
- Summary
- Ratings Breakdown
- Links International in Asia: Key Facts
- What Links International Does Well
- Where Links International Falls Short
- Pricing Breakdown
- Links International Asia: Country-by-Country
- Pros and Cons
- How Links International Compares
- Case Studies
- Real User Feedback
- Final Verdict
- Further Reading
- Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Links International is the most established local EOR in this set: Hong Kong–headquartered since 1999, 2,500+ professionals under Ascentium Group, and Everest Group “Star Performer” for multi-country payroll. It covers 19–30+ locations across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East — including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia, which almost no Asia-focused EOR offers. EOR onboarding is quoted at under 48 hours across Asia and the Middle East; payroll setup runs 1–4 weeks. The trade-off: pricing is custom and not published, so you can’t compare headline numbers to Deel ($599) or Multiplier ($400), and there’s no meaningful G2 or Trustpilot footprint to validate support. If you want a 25-year regional operator with 100% in-country delivery and Middle East in the same stack as Hong Kong and Singapore, Links is a credible option. If you want self-service UX and transparent per-head pricing, Deel or Remote fit better.
Ratings Breakdown
Links International in Asia: Key Facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| HQ | Hong Kong |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Employees | 2,500+ (Ascentium Group) |
| Asian countries covered | 12+ (Asia-Pacific and Middle East) |
| Total countries | 19–30+ |
| Time to first payroll (Singapore) | EOR <48 hours; payroll setup 1–4 weeks |
| Time to first payroll (India) | EOR <48 hours; payroll setup 1–4 weeks |
| EOR pricing | Custom / calculator-based — not publicly disclosed |
| Payroll setup | 1–4 weeks |
| Deposit required | Confirm per country |
| Local entities / delivery | 100% in-country services (not outsourced to third parties) |
| Integrations | Workday, Oracle |
| Platform | Links One HR |
| Service tiers | Links Compliance, Links Assurance, Links Complete HR |
| Client size | 1 to 20,000 employees |
| Dedicated support | 3 dedicated payroll specialists per client |
| Certifications / recognition | Everest Group Star Performer (Multi-Country Payroll); Best Payroll Outsourcing Partner — HK and Singapore HR Vendors of the Year (11 consecutive years since 2015) |
What Links International Does Well
25+ years and Everest Group Star Performer
Links has been in HR and payroll since 1999 — longer than Deel, Remote, and Multiplier combined. Everest Group rates it a “Star Performer” for Multi-Country Payroll Solutions. That’s a third-party signal that the delivery model holds up at scale. For buyers who care about tenure and analyst recognition over brand buzz, Links delivers.
Middle East in the same stack as Asia
Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, China, India — plus Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia. Almost no Asia-focused EOR offers Gulf coverage. If you’re hiring in both APAC and the Middle East, Links lets you use one vendor instead of stitching together an Asia EOR and a separate Gulf provider.
Sub-48-hour EOR onboarding across Asia and Middle East
Links quotes under 48 hours to onboard EOR hires across Asia and the Middle East. That’s in the same ballpark as Deel (1–2 days in Singapore) and faster than many regional specialists. Payroll setup is a separate track at 1–4 weeks; for EOR-only speed, the claim is competitive.
100% in-country delivery and three dedicated payroll specialists
Services are delivered in-country, not subcontracted to third parties. Each client gets three dedicated payroll specialists. That’s a high-touch, service-first model — useful when you have complex statutory setups (e.g. Indonesia BPJS, Philippines 13th-month, Japan Shakai Hoken) and want a fixed team that learns your book.
Scale from 1 to 20,000 employees and 11 consecutive awards
Links serves from single-employee clients to 20,000. It has won Best Payroll Outsourcing Partner at the Hong Kong and Singapore HR Vendors of the Year Awards for 11 consecutive years (since 2015). That suggests durability in the core Hong Kong–Singapore corridor and a model that works for both SMBs and large enterprises.
Where Links International Falls Short
Custom pricing with no public benchmark
EOR pricing is custom and calculator-based; nothing is published. You can’t compare a per-employee number to Deel ($599), Multiplier ($400), or AYP Group ($488). Custom usually means premium for mid-market and enterprise; expect to push for a written quote and compare it to fixed-fee alternatives before committing.
No meaningful G2 or Trustpilot presence
There’s no material public review footprint on G2 or Trustpilot. You can’t sanity-check support quality or onboarding consistency from third-party reviews. Deel, Remote, and Multiplier have thousands of reviews; with Links you rely on references and your own due diligence.
Links One doesn’t match Deel or Remote for self-service UX
The Links One HR platform supports payroll, compliance, and integrations (Workday, Oracle), but it’s not built around the same self-serve, product-led experience as Deel or Remote. If you want your hiring managers to onboard contractors or run reports without going through a dedicated team, Links is the wrong fit.
Payroll setup 1–4 weeks adds lead time
EOR onboarding is under 48 hours; payroll setup is 1–4 weeks. If your definition of “ready” is first correct payroll and full statutory registration, total time to productivity can be closer to the long end of that range. Deel and Multiplier quote 1–2 business days to first payroll in Singapore — clarify what “under 48 hours” includes (contract only vs. first pay run).
Asia-only comparison is crowded
For pure Asia hiring, AYP Group (14 APAC countries, owned entities, $488) and Multiplier (150+ countries including strong Asia, $400) offer transparent pricing and more review visibility. Links’ edge is tenure, Middle East coverage, and high-touch delivery — not the lowest Asia-only price or the slickest platform.
Pricing Breakdown
Base EOR fee
Custom; not publicly disclosed. Pricing is calculator-based and quoted per engagement. You need to request a quote to get a per-employee or per-country number. High-touch service (three dedicated payroll specialists, 100% in-country delivery) typically comes at a premium versus published-tier EORs.
Add-on costs
Visa and work permit services, insurance top-ups, company incorporation, and outplacement are offered; confirm whether they’re included in the EOR quote or billed separately. One-time onboarding or offboarding fees — confirm with sales. No public add-on matrix.
What’s NOT included
Clarify in writing: benefits administration beyond statutory minimums, equity or stock option administration, contractor management, and FX margins on cross-border payments. Links One is focused on payroll and HR operations; advanced workforce modules may be separate.
Volume discounts
Not published. With a 1–20,000 employee range, volume pricing is likely available; ask for tiers at 10, 25, 50+ employees.
How it compares
Without public EOR rates, direct comparison is guesswork. Multiplier ($400) and Remofirst ($199) are the low-end benchmarks for Asia-capable EOR; Deel and Remote ($599) are the premium product-led options. Links sits in a different category: established regional operator, custom pricing, Middle East + Asia, high-touch. Expect to receive a quote and compare it to those fixed fees; if it comes in above $500/employee/month for straightforward Asia hiring, push back or use Multiplier/Deel for transparency.
Links International Asia: Country-by-Country
Core market. In-country team. EOR onboarding under 48 hours.
In-country delivery; three dedicated payroll specialists. Confirm state-level variations with your team.
In-country delivery; no third-party partner layer.
In-country delivery; get calculation ownership and timelines in writing.
In-country delivery; Japan often carries a premium — confirm quote.
In-country team; standard ASEAN coverage for Links.
In-country services; no partner layer.
In-country delivery.
Strong market for Links; in-country delivery.
Home market. 100% in-country delivery.
Complex registration; confirm entity and timeline.
In-country delivery; confirm contribution handling.
Links also covers Australia, New Zealand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Macau, and the Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia). For those countries, request coverage and pricing separately.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 25+ years in HR and payroll; Hong Kong–headquartered and part of Ascentium Group with 2,500+ professionals
- Everest Group “Star Performer” for Multi-Country Payroll Solutions — third-party validation
- Best Payroll Outsourcing Partner at HK and Singapore HR Vendors of the Year for 11 consecutive years (since 2015)
- Middle East (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia) in the same vendor as Asia — rare among Asia-focused EORs
- EOR onboarding under 48 hours across Asia and Middle East
- 100% in-country services; no outsourcing to third parties
- Three dedicated payroll specialists per client — high-touch, consistent contact
- Serves 1 to 20,000 employees; scale and enterprise experience
- Workday and Oracle integrations; Links One HR platform
- Payroll outsourcing, visa services, HR analytics, company incorporation, and outplacement available
Cons:
- Custom pricing with no public EOR rate — can’t compare to Deel ($599), Multiplier ($400), or AYP ($488) without a quote
- No meaningful G2 or Trustpilot presence — hard to validate support and consistency from public reviews
- Links One platform doesn’t match Deel or Remote for self-service UX and product-led workflows
- Payroll setup 1–4 weeks; total time to first full payroll can be longer than “under 48 hours” suggests
- In a crowded Asia-only field, AYP and Multiplier offer transparent pricing and more review visibility
How Links International Compares
Pick Links for a 25-year regional operator, Middle East + Asia in one stack, and high-touch delivery. Pick Deel for $599 published pricing, 1–2 day onboarding, and a self-service platform; Deel doesn’t cover the Gulf.
Links for Asia–Middle East coverage and in-country-only delivery. Remote for global coverage, strong IP clauses, and $599 transparent pricing; Remote is product-led, Links is service-led.
Links for Asia–Middle East focus, Hong Kong HQ, and likely lower cost than G-P’s $699+ tier. G-P for owned entities in 180+ countries and in-country legal teams in Japan, India, Indonesia, and China including mainland WFOE.
Links for Middle East coverage, 25-year tenure, and Everest/HR award recognition. AYP for fixed $488/month, 14 APAC countries with owned entities, and Asia-only focus; AYP is more price-transparent, Links has broader geography including Gulf.
Case Studies
No Asia-specific case studies published at time of review. Check Links International for updates.
Real User Feedback
Links International does not have a material presence on G2 or Trustpilot. Independent review aggregation for payroll/HR vendors shows limited public reviews specifically for Links EOR. Prospective buyers should request client references in their target countries and confirm onboarding timelines, pricing, and support SLAs in writing.
| Platform | Rating | Review Count |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | Not listed | — |
| Trustpilot | Not listed | — |
| Other | Limited | — |
Total reviews across platforms: No meaningful public review footprint for EOR; payroll/outsourcing awards and Everest Group recognition are the main external signals.
What users praise:
Where feedback is available (payroll and HR outsourcing context), themes include long-standing client relationships, reliability in Hong Kong and Singapore, and satisfaction with dedicated account teams. EOR-specific attributed quotes are not available.
What users complain about:
With no G2/Trustpilot presence, complaint themes cannot be verified. Ask for references and clarify deposit terms, refund timelines, and escalation paths before signing.
Final Verdict
Who should use Links International:
- Startups (1–10 international hires): Only if you need Middle East and Asia in one vendor or specifically want a Hong Kong–based operator with 25 years’ tenure. Otherwise Multiplier ($400) or Deel ($599) offer transparent pricing and faster validation via reviews.
- Mid-market (10–50 hires): Fits teams with a mix of Asia and Gulf hiring who value dedicated payroll specialists and in-country delivery. Get a written quote and compare it to Deel and Multiplier before committing.
- Enterprise (50+): Viable for large APAC and Middle East footprints where custom pricing is negotiable and you want one regional vendor with 2,500+ staff and 11 years of HK/SG awards. Confirm Workday/Oracle integration depth and SLA structure.
Who should NOT use Links International: Buyers who want published per-employee pricing — use Multiplier, Deel, or AYP. Teams that rely on G2/Trustpilot to validate vendors — Links has no meaningful presence. Companies that want self-service platform UX — Deel or Remote fit better.
Bottom line: Links International is the most established local player in this set: 25+ years, Everest Star Performer, 11 consecutive HK/Singapore awards, 2,500+ staff, and Middle East coverage that Asia-focused EORs don’t match. The trade-offs are custom pricing (likely premium), no public review scores, and a platform that doesn’t match Deel/Remote for self-service. Use it when Asia–Gulf coverage and high-touch, in-country delivery matter more than headline price and product-led UX.
Best suited for: Companies hiring in both Asia-Pacific and the Middle East that want one established regional operator with 100% in-country delivery and dedicated payroll specialists, and that are willing to get a custom quote and forgo public review validation.
Visit Links International: linksinternational.com
Further Reading
- EOR Cost Guide — What Does an EOR Cost in Asia?
- How to Hire Your First Employee in Singapore
- EOR vs Setting Up a Company in Asia
- Best EOR Platforms for Startups Expanding to Asia
- Hong Kong EOR and Payroll Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Links International have its own entities in Asia?
Links states 100% in-country services and does not outsource to third parties. Confirm in your contract whether employment is through Links-owned entities or in-country partners in each market. Hong Kong and Singapore are core markets; entity ownership in every country should be clarified before you extend offers.
What does Links International EOR actually cost?
Pricing is custom and calculator-based; no public per-employee rate. You must request a quote. For comparison, Multiplier is $400/month, Deel and Remote $599, AYP Group $488. If Links comes in above $500/employee/month for straightforward Asia hiring, push for volume discounts or consider Multiplier/Deel for transparency.
How long does onboarding take with Links International?
EOR onboarding is quoted at under 48 hours across Asia and the Middle East. Payroll setup is 1–4 weeks. Clarify whether “under 48 hours” means contract issued and employee able to start, or first payroll run. For full payroll and statutory registration, plan for the longer end of the 1–4 week range.
Does Links International cover the Middle East?
Yes. Links covers Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia in addition to 19–30+ Asia-Pacific locations. That combination is rare among Asia-focused EORs; most cover either Asia or the Gulf, not both in one vendor.
How does Links International compare to Deel for Asia hiring?
Deel has published $599/month pricing, 1–2 day onboarding in Singapore, and thousands of G2/Trustpilot reviews. Links has custom pricing, under-48-hour EOR onboarding, 25 years’ tenure, and Middle East coverage. Choose Deel for transparent pricing and self-service platform; choose Links for Asia–Gulf in one stack and high-touch, in-country delivery.
Can I use Links International if I only need payroll, not full EOR?
Yes. Links offers payroll outsourcing, visa services, company incorporation, and multiple service tiers (Links Compliance, Links Assurance, Links Complete HR). If you already have entities and only need payroll, ask for a payroll-only quote and compare to AYP’s $28/employee/month payroll option and other payroll vendors.
