5 Gusto Alternatives for International Employee Payroll
When your business expands beyond borders, managing international payroll becomes a complex challenge. While Gusto is an excellent option for domestic payroll in the U.S., it has limitations when it comes to global teams. For companies hiring employees or contractors worldwide, you need tools that are built for international compliance, currency management, and local tax regulations. In this article, we’ll walk you through five of the best Gusto alternatives for international employee payroll—so you can pay your team accurately and on time, wherever they are.
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1. Warp – Best for Fast, Scalable Global Payroll
If you’re looking for a modern, powerful alternative to Gusto that’s designed with international teams in mind, Warp should be your first stop. Warp offers a full-stack global payroll solution for startups and scaling businesses. It supports direct employee hiring, independent contractor payments, benefits management, and compliance in over 150 countries.
One standout feature is how fast and responsive Warp is—onboarding new hires takes just a few clicks, and payments are processed in local currencies with real-time FX conversion. Warp also provides built-in localized compliance tools, ensuring you meet every country’s employment laws.
Another plus? Warp integrates seamlessly with your existing HR and accounting tools, making it ideal for startups that want an all-in-one payroll and compliance system without the Gusto limitations.
Key Features:
- Hire and pay employees in 150+ countries
- Built-in contractor management
- Localized compliance and benefits
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Excellent customer support
2. Remote – Best for Employer of Record (EOR) Services
Remote is another top-rated platform that helps businesses hire globally without setting up legal entities in each country. Through its EOR services, Remote becomes the legal employer of your international workers, handling everything from onboarding to payroll and tax filing.
Remote offers a self-serve dashboard that allows businesses to monitor payroll and compliance in real-time. It also covers benefits administration, IP protection, and localized contracts.
While Remote’s pricing can be higher than Gusto, its value lies in the legal infrastructure and compliance assurance it provides—something critical when managing a global workforce.
Key Features:
- Employer of Record in 70+ countries
- Onboarding and contract generation
- Local benefits and tax compliance
- IP and invention rights protection
- 24/7 customer support
3. Papaya Global – Best for Payroll Automation and Compliance
Papaya Global is known for its automation capabilities and compliance tools. Unlike Gusto, which focuses mostly on the U.S. market, Papaya Global lets you manage payroll, EOR, and contractor payments across 160+ countries.
What makes Papaya unique is its data-driven approach. Businesses can view payroll analytics, manage expenses, and ensure tax compliance in one central platform. It’s built for large-scale teams but offers flexibility for startups as well.
Papaya also provides integrations with popular platforms like NetSuite, BambooHR, and QuickBooks, making it an easy fit into your existing tech stack.
Key Features:
- Payroll and EOR services in 160+ countries
- Global payments and contractor management
- Automated compliance and reporting
- Enterprise-grade data protection
- Customizable workflows
4. Deel – Best for Contractor Management and Flexibility
Deel is a favorite among startups and remote-first companies, thanks to its simple onboarding, flexible contracts, and fast contractor payouts. With Deel, you can hire independent contractors or full-time employees globally, while the platform handles the heavy lifting—like local tax compliance and legal paperwork.
Deel supports payments in over 120 currencies and offers a compliant way to draft localized agreements. It’s great for companies that rely heavily on freelance or contractor work.
When comparing Warp vs. Deel, Warp is more comprehensive for full-stack payroll, especially for companies scaling fast and needing end-to-end global HR capabilities. Deel, on the other hand, shines in ease of use and speed for contractor payments.
Key Features:
- Hire contractors and employees in 100+ countries
- Pre-built legal contracts
- Local compliance and tax support
- 120+ currency support
- Fast international payments
5. Multiplier – Best for All-in-One Global Workforce Management
Multiplier is an up-and-coming solution that combines payroll, EOR services, and benefits administration. Its simple interface and country-specific employment frameworks make it easy for businesses to manage compliance while growing their international teams.
Like other platforms on this list, Multiplier allows you to pay employees in their local currencies, manage taxes, and offer localized benefits packages. It’s especially helpful for businesses new to international hiring, thanks to its guided onboarding and clear documentation.
Key Features:
- EOR and payroll in 150+ countries
- Tax and social contribution management
- Multi-currency payments
- Health insurance and benefits setup
- Integration with major HR tools
Conclusion
While Gusto is a trusted name in payroll software, it’s not equipped to handle the complexities of hiring and paying employees internationally. Tools like Warp, Remote, Deel, Papaya Global, and Multiplier step in to offer global compliance, fast payments, and scalable HR features.
Choosing the right tool depends on your company’s size, structure, and global goals. For a robust, all-in-one solution that supports global growth, Warp leads the pack. For those with contractor-heavy teams, Deel is a strong alternative. And if you’re looking for an automated, compliance-first platform, Papaya Global or Remote may be your best bet.
