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How we research: We audit legal entity structures, analyze Intellectual Property transfer agreements, and review flat-fee pricing guarantees against Remote's published documentation.
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Last Verified: March 30, 2026

Remote.com Review 2026

Best EOR for IP Protection?

4.6 / 5.0 (Expert Rating)
The Bottom Line

While Deel competes on speed-to-hire, Remote.com competes on deep legal protection. Their Employer of Record (EOR) service is specifically built for tech companies and agencies that need watertight Intellectual Property (IP) transfer rights and the ability to issue equity (stock options) to international employees fully compliant with local tax laws. They charge a flat $599/month, but their actual coverage footprint is slightly smaller than their biggest rival. Source: Remote.com, verified March 30, 2026.

Explore Remote EOR

Key Facts at a Glance

Contractor Management$29/month per contractor
EOR (Full Employee)$599/month per employee (flat fee)
Countries Covered80+ (owned entities only)
IP ProtectionTwo-step transfer (Remote → You)
Equity OptionsFull tax compliance consulting included
Hidden FeesNone (no percentages taken from payroll)

The Core Differentiator: Bulletproof IP Protection

If you hire a software engineer in Germany through a standard EOR, who actually owns the code they write? In many jurisdictions, patent and copyright law dictates that the legal employer owns the IP — and if you're using an EOR, the EOR is the legal employer. If the EOR subcontracts to a local partner agency, the IP trail gets incredibly messy, which can derail a future acquisition or funding round.

Remote's Solution: Remote only operates in countries where they own the legal entity 100%. They use a proprietary two-step IP assignment process: the employee assigns IP rights to Remote's local entity under local law, and Remote immediately assigns those rights to your company under US/UK law. There are no third-party agencies in the middle breaking the chain of custody. (Source: Remote IP Protection)

Fair Pricing: The $599 Flat Guarantee

Historically, legacy EORs charged a percentage of an employee's salary (typically 15-20%). If you hired a senior executive making $150,000, you'd pay the EOR $25,000+ per year just for processing payroll.

Remote charges a single flat fee of $599/month, billed annually, regardless of how much the employee earns. They also guarantee they will never add hidden percentages, FX markups, or arbitrary minimums to your invoice. If you pay a $100,000 salary, you only pay the actual taxes required by the local government plus the flat $599 fee.

Note: If you choose monthly billing instead of annual, the EOR price is $699/month.

Equity Management: Issuing Stock Globally

Granting stock options to international employees is a legal minefield. In some countries, stock options are taxed when they vest; in others, they're taxed when exercised; in some, issuing foreign stock is heavily restricted.

Remote has an in-house team of international equity specialists who advise you on the most tax-efficient way to offer options, RSUs, or phantom stock in each supported country. They handle the local tax reporting requirements for equity grants directly through the employee's payroll. If your startup relies on equity to attract top talent, Remote provides the most comprehensive compliance support in the industry.

What We Like & What to Watch Out For

What We Like
  • True IP protection: Because they don't use third-party agencies, the chain of custody for intellectual property is clean and defensible.
  • Transparent flat pricing: No percentage-based fees, no hidden FX markups. You know exactly what you'll pay every month.
  • Equity expertise: The best platform for startups wanting to grant stock options or RSUs to remote global teams compliant with local tax laws.
  • Cheaper contractor tier: At just $29/mo, their contractor management software is cheaper than Deel ($49/mo).
What to Watch Out For
  • Fewer countries than Deel: Because Remote insists on opening its own entities rather than subcontracting, they cover ~80+ countries compared to Deel's 150+. Check if your desired country is supported.
  • Slower onboarding speeds: Deel focuses heavily on speed-to-hire (often 72 hours). Remote takes a more deliberate, legally rigorous approach, which can sometimes extend onboarding by a few extra days.

Our Bottom Line

If you run an agency hiring customer support reps quickly across 100 countries, use Deel. But if you are a tech startup hiring senior software engineers, issuing equity, and relying heavily on owning your Intellectual Property, Remote is the safer, more legally rigorous choice.

View Remote's Pricing Flat $599/mo · Full IP Rights · Global Equity

Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers to the questions people actually ask.

Does Remote take a percentage of my employee's salary?
No. Remote is explicitly opposed to percentage-based pricing. You pay the exact salary, the exact local taxes and statutory benefits required by law, and a flat $599/month Remote fee (if billed annually). (Source: Remote Pricing)
Why does Remote have fewer countries than competitors?
Many EORs falsely advertise "150+ countries" by secretly subcontracting your employee to a third-party local payroll agency. This breaks the chain of IP custody. Remote refuses to use third parties. They only offer EOR services in countries where they have gone through the lengthy process of registering their own physical legal entity. This guarantees IP protection but means slower country expansion.
Can Remote help provide laptops to international hires?
Yes. Remote integrates with equipment providers to procure, ship, and manage laptops and home office equipment for your global team, fully compliant with local tax laws regarding employee benefits.

Sources & Citations

We verify all claims against primary sources. Last checked: March 30, 2026.

Pricing and features are subject to change. Always verify terms on the provider's website before purchasing.