Even small companies are now looking to take advantage of global markets and workforces, and international payroll services can help businesses process payroll for workers located in other countries. Using these services, you can be assured that your company complies with local tax and hiring laws. Most also provide or connect companies looking to hire abroad with professional employment organizations (PEO) to hire, onboard, and manage foreign employees onsite.
We reviewed eight global payroll services and chose the top six based on pricing, HR tools, reporting, payment features, and ease of use. If you need only stateside payroll support, check out our best payroll services guide.
6 Top International Payroll Services
Payroll Provider | Best for |
|---|---|
(Best overall) Growing companies planning to expand their global workforce | |
International companies needing the services provided by an experienced PEO | |
Mid- to large- sized businesses wanting to test out a new market with contractors vs employees | |
SAP customers looking to grow their global workforce | |
Small businesses that are expanding globally and need payroll software that integrates with their existing software | |
Companies looking for complete end-to-end support for their international workforce, including legal |
How We Chose the Best International Payroll Services
We started our research by comparing eight reputable international payroll services. We then evaluated their features based on criteria such as transparency in pricing, PEO services, HR support, customer support, and payment options. After exploring the service offerings thoroughly, we scored and ranked the services to narrow the list to six top international payroll services.
Overall, Papaya Global scored the highest, barely outscoring the well-known payroll company ADP, as Papaya Global provides payroll and PEO services in over 140 countries. It supports all types of workers, including contract workers, and workers are paid in their local currency, featuring pay slips in their language. This international payroll service is associated with numerous partners that can help employers provide benefits to foreign employees.
RUBRIC SCORECARD CRITERIA:
20% of Overall Score
We gave credit to those who respond quickly to inquiries with straightforward pricing.
20% of Overall Score
We considered HR features such as onboarding support, compliance and employment law support, PEO services, and benefit and deduction assistance.
5% of Overall Score
Providers were awarded points if they had a large volume of positive reviews.
10% of Overall Score
We considered basic and advanced reporting options, including paid reporting tools, when rating this criterion.
25% of Overall Score
To score this section, we considered payment types available, employee types, the number of countries supported, and tax options.
20% of Overall Score
This rating section ranked the support options offered—such as setup, direct support, and training options—and how simple the software is to use.
Papaya Global
PROS
- Transparent pricing
- Local support
- Consolidated payroll reports
CONS
- No 24/7 support
- No check mailing support
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
| HR Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Popularity | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Payroll Features | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
Papaya Global is a fast-growing, well-funded international payroll service that touts a 99% customer retention rate. It offers complete payroll services in over 140 countries and handles companies such as Microsoft, Toyota, Intel, and Wix. Papaya Global is the only SaaS payroll service that publishes its pricing. Services start at $20 per employee, per month and go as high as $1,000 per employee, per month, depending on the services you require.
This multi-country payroll service scored 4.55 out of 5 stars using our testing method. It provides nearly any type of foreign payroll services your business may need, including in-country HR and onboarding support. It can help with challenging tasks, like paying taxes and complying with local tax and employment laws. Papaya Global also offers numerous automation tools and advanced reporting options.
Papaya Global Pricing
Most services require you to reach out to them by telephone or email to discuss pricing. Papaya Global is the only service we reviewed that publishes pricing on its website. Price per employee varies by the services required.
The Payroll Plan runs from $20 to $100 per employee, per month and includes nearly all payroll features. The Global EOR Plan, which provides worker classification and compliance checks, costs anywhere from $770 to $1,000 per month, per employee. Its contractor and IC Compliance plan is $25 per person, per pay cycle. If you’d like to add the Payroll Intelligence Suite, it is $250 per year, per location.
Papaya Global Features
- HR tools: Integrates with popular HRIS and ERP solutions, hiring, onboarding, and management support, employment compliance support, benefits management, HR reporting, GEO and EoR services, immigration services
- Reporting: Extensive human resources, payroll, and statutory reports, customized reporting, general ledger, Payroll Intelligence Suite available with BI reporting
- Payment features: Payroll payments are made in the local currency and language, if possible, payments are made using bank transfers or direct deposits
- Ease of use: Simple to use software, 24/7 support, telephone and email support, online training documentation, set up assistance, dedicated support representative available
ADP
PROS
- Automated compliant payroll
- Advanced reporting and management features
- Local HR support available
- Integrates with popular business solutions
CONS
- Not suitable for small companies (less than 50)
- Advanced features and services cost more
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| HR Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Popularity | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Payroll Features | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 4.88 | OUT OF | 5 |
ADP provides payroll services in over 140 countries and is most suitable for large companies with over 1,000 global employees. As you’d expect, ADP is compatible with other ADP solutions, such as its human capital management (HCM) solution and its payroll software, which your company may already be using. It has nearly every feature we were looking for and earned 4.49 out of 5 stars in our evaluation. If your company is already an ADP customer, it may be simple to add a global payroll service to your existing payroll processes.
This international payroll service offers full PEO services and has compliance and HR professionals located in key countries. Beyond payroll and local tax and compliance assistance, it also offers talent management, workforce management, and analytics and reporting tools. To help large companies manage global workforces, it provides advanced admin features to help companies view worldwide payroll in a single record, in addition to per country or location.
ADP Pricing
ADP offers three payroll solutions: Global Payroll, Celergo, and Global View Payroll. Global Payroll is for managing payroll for over 1,000 payees; Celergo helps businesses manage payroll for 50–1,000 employees per country (140+ countries); Global View is intended for multinational companies (42 countries) with over 1,000 employees. Pricing is customized.
Other Provider Features
- HR tools: Full integration with ADP HR solutions, onsite HR outsourcing, PEO services available, full HR solution available, advanced HR reporting options, hiring and onboard support, compliance and tax support
- Reporting: ADP provides advanced business insights reporting across the entire company, as well as by country, location or team
- Payment features: ADP can pay employees in any manner the country supports
- Ease of use: One-on-one setup, training and customer services available, dedicated support contact available, employee onboard and training, numerous integrations available
Globalization Partners
PROS
- Full compliance and local tax support
- Processes payroll in 187 countries
- PEO and EoR services available
- GDPR Compliant
CONS
- Complex pricing structure
- Advanced support services cost more
- Requires two month advance payroll deposit
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| HR Features | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Popularity | 0.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Payroll Features | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 4.88 | OUT OF | 5 |
Globalization Partners provides services in 187 countries and is one of the best services for companies looking to test out a new market overseas. You can pay international contractors with ease and without having to set up a new entity. This international payroll service provides full PEO and Employment of Record (EoR) services, which means it can serve as your local employer in your chosen countries. It has local legal, HR, and tax experts located worldwide to help you satisfy local tax and employment laws.
We reviewed the payroll services offered by Globalization Partners and rated it a 4.3 out of 5 stars for the best international payroll services. While it offers a payroll platform with admin and features, its most valuable offer may be its local partners. The service can find local candidates, hire and interview applicants, onboard new workers, and manage payroll compliance issues.
Globalization Partners Pricing
Pricing is customized by the services you require; however, it reports costs monthly, so you know what to expect to help you manage your budgets more easily.
Other Provider Features
- HR tools: Globalization Partners provide complete localized HR, PEO, EoR services, tax and legal support
- Reporting: Provides a wide range of reporting options as well as exploratory tools
- Payment features: It can pay payroll in any way that is locally compliant
- Ease of use: Setup, hiring, onboarding, security, compliance, tax, training, and legal support is available
SAP
PROS
- SAP integrations
- Localization support in 45 countries
- Centralized global core HR platform
- Work visa and permits management
CONS
- Limited PEO services
- Dedicated support not automatic
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| HR Features | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Popularity | 2.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Payroll Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 4.75 | OUT OF | 5 |
SAP Success Factors HR and Payroll is a popular international payroll service, and it earned 4.14 of 5 stars in our comparisons. If your company already uses SAP, it may be simple to add global payroll services as your company expands into other countries, as SAP provides full localization services in more than 45 countries.
Over 1,300 localized product experts support SAP global payroll services to ensure that nearly 100 million people worldwide get paid. It helps companies with compliance and legal issues in other countries and provides HR support to hire, onboard, and manage employees. Insightful reporting options and automated payroll functions are available as well. SAP reports that it can help companies avoid the high costs (often millions) associated with non-compliance.
SAP Pricing
Like most HR and payroll software and services, pricing is customized. You will need to speak with a SAP Payroll representative to discuss your specific needs so that they can configure the pricing for you. Keep in mind that the price of global payroll processing will be in addition to the cost of the SAP HR products your company already uses.
Other Provider Features
- HR tools: SAP offers a full range of HR products that work with its payroll service
- Reporting: Extensive HR, payroll, compliance, visa and permanent, and legal reporting options are available
- Payment features: SAP can pay employee and contract workers in most ways that are supported within the applicable country
- Ease of use: Software is fully supported 24/7 year-round, training courses and learning hubs available online, on-site support, setup support provided
Rippling
PROS
- Integrates with over 400 business apps
- Onboarding and document management
- Supports small businesses
CONS
- Limited international payroll and HR features
- No 24/7 telephone support
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| HR Features | 3.75 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Popularity | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Reporting | 5.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Payroll Features | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 |
Rippling offers payroll services, as well as HR and IT support, for more than 100 countries. However, its international tools are somewhat limited, which explains why it earned 4.06 of 5 stars compared to the top international payroll services. Businesses that don’t have a full overseas workforce find it more useful, as they can usually hire and pay workers as contractors, which leaves the taxes up to each individual.
Some of the other features Rippling offers centers around its integrations—and considering that it also offers automated IT tools, that makes sense. It works with popular business software such as Sage, QuickBooks, PayPal, and Expensify and popular 401(k), benefit, and investment services.
Rippling Pricing
Pricing starts at $8 per month, per employee. Additional modules or Rippling apps that work with global payroll tools are an additional cost. Rippling suggests that you contact its team for exact pricing.
Other Provider Features
- HR tools: Provides HR and IT tools for micro and large businesses, provides benefit support, files US payroll taxes, helps manage onboard and HR documents
- Reporting: Includes HR, payroll, and tax reporting
- Payment features: Makes payroll payments by check or direct deposit where available
- Ease of use: Large companies can deploy in weeks and small companies within an afternoon, 1:1 HR support available, Open API, hundreds of integrations
IRIS FMP Global
PROS
- Provides services in 135 countries
- Direct payments in local currency
- Dedicated point of contact
- Country-specific reporting
CONS
- Limited online support
- No 24/7 support
- FMP Global is new to IRIS’s offerings
| RATING CRITERIA | Pricing | 3.50 | OUT OF | 5 |
| HR Features | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Popularity | 0.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Reporting | 4.00 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Payroll Features | 4.50 | OUT OF | 5 | |
| Ease of Use | 4.25 | OUT OF | 5 |
IRIS FMP Global Payroll, which scored 3.98 out of 5 stars in our evaluation, operates in 135 countries and provides payroll support in multiple languages. It provides international payroll, global payments, and HR and employment support. IRIS FMP originated in the UK but now has an office in New York to support US customers. Its payment partners include Paychex and Western Union.
If you are looking to outsource your internal payroll processing, IRIS FMP can set your company up with outsourcing payroll in a choice of many countries. It can help with HR support to ensure you are complying with local tax and employment laws and assist you in starting international operations even if your company is small. Its services are scalable from one to 1,000 employees.
IRIS FMP Pricing
You have to contact IRIS FMP for customized pricing. Pricing will vary depending on the services required and the number of employees.
Other Provider Features
- HR tools: International HR tools available at an additional cost, compliance support, HRIS in over 65 countries, document management, recurring, benefits support, multiple language support
- Reporting: Advanced reporting options available, country-specific reporting, tax reporting, auditing reports
- Payment features: Wires, ACHs and drafts payment options, scheduled payments, money transfers, deduction and benefit support
- Ease of use: Automation tools, dedicated support, setup assistance available, online training resources, business hour technical support
Not sure how to choose the best international payroll service for your business? Check out our guide on finding the right payroll solution.
Alternatives to International Payroll Services
Your business may not need a full-service global payroll service if you only need to pay a few employees or contract workers who work within the same country. In this case, a simple payment service may suit your needs. Some also offer automated payments and reporting tools.
It should be noted that the amount the recipient will receive may vary depending on the current exchange rate.
Service | Transaction Cost | Countries | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0–$10 | 200+ | Fast electronic payments, fraud detection, payment scheduling | PayPal or Xoom app required to accept payment | |
0–1% ACH Bank Debit, 3% credit card, 0–1% local bank transfer | 200+ | Recurring payments, payment scheduling, integrates with Xero or QuickBooks | Available to US businesses only | |
$0 | 190+ | No fees, beneficial exchange rates | 1-2 days for delivery, $1,000 USD minimum transfer amount | |
$0+ | 159 | Bank and cash payments, 24/7 support, fraud monitoring | Transfer limits |
Please note: Xoom is now owned by PayPal.
Bottom Line
International payroll services can help businesses that are expanding their global workforce. Services also help keep companies out of legal trouble by ensuring that local tax and employment laws are followed. If needed, these services will also provide PEO and outsourced HR services locally.
If you are looking to grow outside your borders, consider partnering with Papaya Global. It is affordable and quickly expanding its international payroll services. If you would like to work with a large well-established company that can help you expand into new markets, consider ADP. Alternatively, if you need to pay only a few international workers, check out PayPal.
Submit Your Comment
You must be logged in to comment. Click a "Log in" button below to connect instantly and comment.
LOG IN