As businesses continue to expand their global teams, it’s more important than ever to have an efficient and reliable global payroll service. In 2024, even more businesses will seek streamlined payroll solutions to navigate the complexities of managing international payroll. 

This article serves as a comprehensive guide, evaluating and ranking the best international payroll processing options. Small business owners will come away feeling empowered to make informed decisions in managing their international workforce.

The Rise of Global Payroll Providers

If you run a business that’s part of the 16% of global companies that are fully remote, you’ll need to be able to pay your employees all over the world — quickly and accurately. Paying global employees means maintaining local payroll that’s compliant with laws and tax withholdings of the location, which becomes complicated easily. 

That’s where global payroll software comes in. 

Full-service international payroll services can offer human resources management tools, workforce management, and compliance with local tax regulations. You can pay employees around the world in their local currency with local taxes calculated for you. Small business payroll providers may or may not provide global payroll services of their own — but many sync with other global software options to fill your global payroll needs.

Why Your Small Business Would Need a Global Payroll Provider

Not all small businesses need a global payroll or global employment service — these are meant for businesses that currently or will employ people outside of the United States.

If your business fits the bill, there are several ways a small business can benefit from using a global payroll solution:

• Compliance with local regulations: Different countries have their own payroll regulations, tax requirements, and employment laws. A global payroll provider can help ensure that your business complies with these regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and financial penalties by acting as the local entity that understands local laws. 
• Efficiency and accuracy: Managing payroll across multiple countries can be complex and time consuming. Global payroll providers often have automated systems in place that can streamline the process, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving overall efficiency.
• Currency management: Dealing with multiple currencies is a common challenge for businesses operating globally. A global payroll provider can handle currency conversions and make sure that employees are paid accurately, taking into account fluctuations in exchange rates.
• Data security: Payroll involves sensitive information, and handling private employee data securely is crucial. Global payroll providers often have robust security measures in place to protect confidential employee information and comply with data protection laws.
• Scalability: As your business grows and expands globally, managing payroll in-house may become increasingly complex. A global payroll provider can offer scalable solutions that can adapt to your business’s changing needs.
• Access to expertise: These providers typically give you access to payroll experts in international payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements. This expertise can be invaluable for a small business navigating the complexities of operating in multiple countries.
• Reduced risk of errors and penalties: The complexity of global payroll increases the risk of errors, which can result in fines or damage to your business’s reputation. Outsourcing to a global payroll provider can help minimize these risks.
• Employee satisfaction: Every employee loves when that direct deposit hits their bank account — timely and accurate payroll processing contributes to employee satisfaction. Using a global payroll provider ensures that employees in different countries are paid on time and in compliance with local regulations, fostering a positive work environment. 

A global payroll provider can offer your small business the expertise, efficiency, and compliance necessary to manage payroll effectively across different countries, allowing you to focus on what matters.

How to Choose a Payroll Provider

Picking the right payroll provider is a critical decision for any business. It helps to look at several factors to make sure that the provider lines up well with your specific needs and goals.

Reviews

Look at the provider’s expertise and experience in handling payroll services. Find a provider with a proven track record in serving businesses of similar size and industry. Consider their understanding of local and international payroll regulations, tax laws, and compliance requirements. A reputable payroll provider should have a history of accuracy, reliability, and a commitment to staying updated on changing regulations.

Services offered

It’s important to evaluate the technology and services offered by the payroll provider. A modern payroll system should be user-friendly, intuitive, scalable, and capable of accommodating the unique needs of your business, especially if it operates in multiple countries. 

Check for services like:

• Professional employer organization (PEO)
• Employer of record (EOR)
• Automated payroll processing
• Tax filing
• Employee self-service portals (time off requests, pay stub access, etc.)
• Mobile app
• Time tracking capabilities
• Benefits administration
• Integration capabilities with other human resources information systems (HRIS) or financial systems

You should be able to pay international contractors as well as full-time employees. The technology should not only meet your current requirements but also be flexible enough to adapt as your business grows and evolves with add-on or built-in features. 

Pricing

Pay attention to the cost of the software. Keep in mind that while there may be initial costs associated with outsourcing payroll services, it can lead to cost savings in the long run. Managing payroll in-house across different countries can be expensive due to the need for specialized knowledge, software, and personnel. However, you’ll need to be able to afford whichever service you pick.

Customer service

Consider the level of customer support and service provided by the payroll provider. Payroll is a mission-critical function, and any issues or questions should be addressed promptly. Choose a provider that offers excellent customer support, whether through dedicated account managers, a responsive helpline, or an online support portal. Client references and testimonials can provide valuable insights into the provider’s reputation for customer service. 

Best Global Payroll Providers 2024

Let’s compare some of the top players in international payroll processing.

ADP Global Payroll

ADP is popular payroll platform in general, and ADP Global Payroll has two options for international payroll:

1. ADP GlobalView Payroll: Made for companies with over 500 employees in at least one country. Run payroll across 40+ countries.
2. ADP Celergo: Made for large global businesses with up to 1,000 employees per country (in at least three countries). Run payroll across 140+ countries.

ADP includes HR services with a global reach and compliance built in.

Paychex Flex 

Paychex Flex partners with FMP Global to offer international payroll solutions. FMP Global also has HR solutions from the start of employment to the finish. You can hire and pay employees in 135+ countries using Paychex Flex’s partner.

Rippling 

With Rippling, you can bring new hires on board in just a few minutes using Rippling’s platform. You can send payslips to your whole team in their local currency quickly, as well as file payroll taxes and have global compliance taken care of. 

Deel

Deel is a payroll platform built specifically for a global workforce and targets startups and enterprise businesses. It acts as the employer of record, which handles all employee onboarding for international employees, payroll management, employee benefits, and compliance. Read our full Deel review for more information. 

Gusto 

Gusto is known as an intuitive payroll service provider made for small businesses. You can run payroll internationally using Gusto Global, which is powered by Remote (a global payroll provider we discuss later in the list). Its services aren’t fully rolled out yet, but according to Gusto is coming: “Gusto Global is in Canada now and will be available in additional countries. Remote operates in 75+ countries around the world.”

Oyster

Oyster is a payroll company that can handle multi-country payroll. Its EOR services allow it to hire employees, pay workers in over 180 countries, handle compliance, and more. Reviews are overall positive: “Oyster is lauded for its highly user-friendly interface, emphasizing its ease of use for businesses engaging in global workforce management.”

Papaya Global

The smallest businesses that Papaya Global serves have between 250 and 1,000 employees. Businesses using Papaya Global can fund accounts in 12 currencies and pay employees in 160+ countries. The software uses AI to help with accuracy and compliance, and brings enterprise resource planning and HR tools together. 

Remote 

Remote stands out with outstanding user reviews and offers a comprehensive global HR and cloud-based payroll platform for businesses. Serving as an employer of record, overseeing contractor management, handling global payroll, and beyond, Remote also provides human resource information system software and user-friendly self-service features for employees. If you have global employees, you may benefit from working with the in-country compliance experts. 

Workday 

Providing global services through an AI-embedded platform, Workday is an ideal choice for enterprises seeking comprehensive solutions in areas such as finance, HR, payroll, and analytics. Although user reviews are positive, it’s important to note that Workday is tailored primarily for mid-size or large businesses, and may not be the right fit for smaller businesses.

Nav’s Verdict

The ideal international payroll provider for your business hinges on what your business needs. Considering the importance of real-time payroll data, it’s helpful to compare options to shed light on how these providers cater to diverse payroll operations.

Decide whether your business requires precision, scalability, or specific features tailored to your unique payroll needs. It’s important to choose the international payroll provider that lines up seamlessly with your requirements, which can help ensure efficient and customized payroll management in 2024.