
In an increasingly interconnected world, expanding your business into new markets has become essential for growth. India, with its vast talent pool, cost efficiency, and skilled workforce, stands out as one of the most attractive destinations for international hiring. However, navigating India’s complex employment laws, tax regulations, and statutory compliance requirements can be daunting for foreign companies.
This is where Employer of Record (EOR) service providers come into play. EOR companies act as your legal employer in India, handling everything from payroll and compliance to benefits administrationโall without requiring you to establish a local entity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top EOR service providers in India and help you make an informed decision for your business expansion.
Contents
- 1 What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
- 2 Why Hire Employees in India?
- 3 Top 10 EOR Service Providers in India
- 4 Benefits of Using an EOR in India
- 5 Key Considerations for Hiring in India
- 6 How to Choose an EOR Service Provider in India
- 6.1 Step 1: Assess Your Needs
- 6.2 Step 2: Verify Compliance Expertise
- 6.3 Step 3: Review Reputation and Client Feedback
- 6.4 Step 4: Evaluate Payroll and Tax Management
- 6.5 Step 5: Assess Customer Support Quality
- 6.6 Step 6: Compare Pricing Models
- 6.7 Step 7: Evaluate Technology Platform
- 6.8 Step 8: Check Data Security
- 7 Comparison Table: EOR Providers at a Glance
- 8 Common Questions About EOR Services in India
- 9 Conclusion
What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a third-party organization that legally employs workers on behalf of foreign or domestic companies. In India, an EOR manages payroll, statutory contributions (PF, ESI, TDS), and compliance with the country’s complex multi-state employment laws.
How Does an EOR Work?
When you partner with an EOR in India:
- The EOR becomes the legal employer of your workers
- Your company maintains operational control and day-to-day management
- The EOR handles all HR, payroll, and compliance responsibilities
- You avoid the complexity and cost of setting up a local legal entity
- Your employees receive all statutory benefits as required by Indian law
Key Services Provided by EORs in India
- Payroll & Statutory Deductions: Processing salaries in INR with accurate PF, ESI, and TDS calculations
- Statutory Benefits Administration: Managing mandatory PF contributions and ESI insurance
- Multi-State Compliance: Handling varying compliance requirements across different Indian states
- Legal Compliance: Ensuring adherence to Indian labor codes and employment contracts
- HR Support: Employee management, documentation, and regulatory filings
- Recruitment Assistance: Sourcing, screening, and candidate verification
Why Hire Employees in India?
Before diving into EOR providers, let’s understand why India is such an attractive destination for international hiring:
Skilled Workforce
India boasts a large, highly skilled workforce, particularly in IT, engineering, customer support, marketing, and pharmaceutical sectors. The country produces millions of graduates annually across diverse fields, providing access to top-tier talent at competitive costs.
Cost Efficiency
One of India’s most compelling advantages is cost efficiency. You get global-quality talent at significantly lower labor costs compared to Western countries. This cost advantage doesn’t compromise qualityโIndian professionals are known for their expertise and work ethic.
Cultural Compatibility
India’s workforce is cosmopolitan and accustomed to working with global clients. Employees are adaptable to different workplace cultures, making integration with international teams seamless.
Time Zone Benefits
India’s time zone offers round-the-clock productivity for international teams. While your home office sleeps, your Indian team can continue working, significantly accelerating project timelines.
English-Speaking Population
With English as a widely spoken language, communication barriers are minimal, making collaboration with global teams straightforward.
Top 10 EOR Service Providers in India
1. Asanify
Pricing: โน199 per employee per month (starting from)
Asanify stands out as a user-friendly, India-native EOR solution rated #1 globally for ease of use. The platform offers deep expertise in Indian laws and compliance with pricing up to 4x lower than competitors.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive compliance expertise with localized knowledge
- Best-in-class FX rates for international payments
- Quick, same-day onboarding process
- Built-in HRMS with automation capabilities
- 24/7 customer support
- Multi-currency and multi-language support
- One-click automated payroll generation
Best For: Startups, SMEs, and enterprises looking for cost-effective, user-friendly EOR services with exceptional customer support.
Pros: Extremely affordable pricing, intuitive interface, rapid onboarding, excellent support, comprehensive HR tools included.
Cons: Limited to India and USA legal entities at present, though expanding rapidly.
2. Papaya Global
Pricing: โน599 per employee per month
Papaya Global offers high-quality EOR services across 160+ countries with tech-driven solutions covering hiring, onboarding, payroll, benefits, and workforce management.
Key Features:
- Presence in 160+ countries with local expertise
- Multi-currency payment support including cryptocurrency
- In-house expert teams for client support
- All-in-one platform for workforce control
- Dedicated EOR wallet for global payments
- WhatsApp customer support
Best For: Large enterprises and multinational corporations with global operations.
Pros: Extensive global reach, comprehensive feature set, dedicated support team.
Cons: Premium pricing unsuitable for SMEs, high FX rates, better suited for enterprise-level clients.
3. Deel
Pricing: Starting from โน599 per employee per month
Deel is a global HRMS platform operating in 100+ countries that helps businesses build remote teams while ensuring full compliance with local labor laws.
Key Features:
- EOR services in 100+ countries
- Quick onboarding (5-10 minutes)
- 24/7 in-app customer support
- GDPR, SOC2, and ISO 27001 compliant
- Integration with Xero, Netsuite, Azure, and Ashby
- Intensive employee training sessions
- Legal partners in 50+ countries
Best For: Tech-driven companies seeking rapid global expansion with strong security standards.
Pros: Fast onboarding, high security standards, comprehensive compliance, extensive integrations.
Cons: Higher pricing for enterprise clients, high FX rates, occasional system errors.
4. Rippling
Pricing: Custom quotes available
Rippling is a leading global EOR platform headquartered in California, offering extensive HRIS-driven features alongside EOR services.
Key Features:
- Quick employee onboarding in seconds
- Fast payroll processing and automated tax filing
- Access to HRIS suite with complete HR functionality
- Integration with 500+ third-party apps
- Workflow customization settings
- Detailed HR analytics and reporting
Best For: Growing companies wanting integrated HR and IT management alongside EOR services.
Pros: Comprehensive HRIS integration, extensive app ecosystem, automation features.
Cons: Lower ease-of-use ratings, high FX rates, no 24/7 customer support, EOR cannot be purchased separately.
5. Oyster
Pricing: โน599 per employee per month
Oyster provides comprehensive global hiring solutions covering compliance, benefits, payroll, and tax support with assistance from country experts.
Key Features:
- Employee onboarding within 48 hours
- Local expert assistance for compliance navigation
- End-to-end HRMS for attendance, time-off, and expense management
- Free plan with Oyster Academy access
- Employee Cost Calculator Tool
- Hiring support for first employee (free for non-profits)
Best For: Companies seeking transparent pricing and quick onboarding.
Pros: Quick onboarding, transparent pricing, free plan available, local expert support.
Cons: Poor customer service, limited integration compatibility, high add-on costs for benefits (โน80/month).
6. Remote
Pricing: โน599 per employee per month
Remote is a global EOR provider active in 185+ countries, offering payroll management, global benefits, and workforce management through a user-friendly platform.
Key Features:
- Operations in 185+ countries
- Lightning-fast employee onboarding
- Employee self-service portal
- IP Guard protection for intellectual property
- Dedicated mobile app
- Customizable solutions for team management
- Local payroll expert assistance
Best For: Companies prioritizing employee benefits and global scalability.
Pros: Highest G2 ratings, best-in-class benefits, comprehensive compliance support, self-service capabilities.
Cons: Exorbitant pricing, email-only customer support, high FX rates.
7. Multiplier
Pricing: โน400 per employee per month
Multiplier is a leading EOR provider in India with services spanning 150 countries, built to simplify international hiring.
Key Features:
- Operations in 150+ countries
- Customized employee benefits packages
- Multi-country payroll support
- Protection against worker misclassification
- Fast onboarding (less than 24 hours)
- In-house team of 100+ local experts
- Instant employment contract generation
Best For: Companies seeking multi-country payroll support and rapid onboarding.
Pros: Fast onboarding, multi-currency support, strong compliance protection, detailed employee dashboards.
Cons: Higher pricing tier, limited HRMS included, 24/5 customer support (not 24/7), lacks some integrations.
8. Globalization Partners
Pricing: No transparent pricing (custom quotes required)
Globalization Partners (G-P) offers robust HR and global payroll solutions enabling companies to hire in 180+ countries without local entity setup.
Key Features:
- Global recruiting services
- Instant payment in crypto or Venmo
- 100% local compliance support
- Presence in 180+ countries
- 99% accurate payroll generation
- Complete tax and benefits administration
- Comprehensive payroll reporting
Best For: Enterprises seeking global expansion with strong payroll accuracy.
Pros: Excellent international payroll services, quick onboarding, country-specific expertise.
Cons: Non-transparent pricing, partnerships with third parties (ADP, Zoho), complex bulk uploads, customer support needs improvement.
9. Omnipresent
Pricing: โน499 per employee per month
Omnipresent is a leading EOR provider combining automation and human expertise for smart global employment solutions across 160+ countries.
Key Features:
- Operations in 160+ countries
- Quick employee onboarding
- Employee Cost Calculator Tool
- Seamless HRIS integration
- Customizable benefits packages
- Advanced IP protection
- 100% compliance guarantee
Best For: Companies prioritizing IP protection and transparent pricing.
Pros: Advanced IP protection, customizable services, comprehensive compliance, transparent pricing.
Cons: Not cost-effective compared to competitors, occasional payslip access delays, slower customer response times.
10. Skuad
Pricing: โน199 per employee per month
Skuad offers a plug-and-play digital employment infrastructure simplifying hiring in 160+ countries, with features like multi-currency payments and consolidated invoicing.
Key Features:
- Presence in 160+ countries
- Payments in 100+ currencies
- Local expert assistance for compliance
- Protection from worker misclassification
- Robust data protection for IP rights
- Consolidated invoicing
- 24/7 expert support
Best For: Companies seeking cost-effective solutions with strong compliance protection.
Pros: Affordable pricing, 24/7 expert support, strong compliance, cost-effective onboarding.
Cons: Lower ease-of-use ratings, limited integration options, occasional leave entitlement issues.
Benefits of Using an EOR in India
Rapid Market Entry
Start hiring in India within days without the months-long process of establishing a legal entity. EORs can onboard your first employee in 48 hours or less, enabling quick market testing and rapid scaling.
Regulatory Expertise
EOR providers bring deep knowledge of India’s complex multi-state employment laws, ensuring your business stays compliant with:
- Provident Fund (PF) regulations
- Employee State Insurance (ESI) requirements
- Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) compliance
- State-specific labor laws
- Statutory benefits administration
Cost Efficiency
Avoid expensive entity setup costs while maintaining full regulatory compliance. EOR services typically cost 4-5x less than setting up your own legal entity in India.
Flexible Scaling
Scale your workforce up or down as business needs change without long-term commitments or complex termination procedures. Add or remove employees with minimal administrative overhead.
Risk Mitigation
EORs shield your company from employment-related legal risks, disputes, and penalties. They handle:
- Employment contract disputes
- Compliance violations
- Statutory deductions errors
- Labor law violations
- Wrongful termination claims
Focus on Core Business
Outsource all HR, payroll, and compliance tasks so your team can focus on business growth, product development, and customer service.
Local HR Support
Benefit from local expertise and cultural understanding that ensures smooth employee relations and stronger retention.
Key Considerations for Hiring in India
Understanding Statutory Obligations
When hiring in India, familiarize yourself with these key requirements:
Provident Fund (PF): A mandatory retirement benefit scheme requiring contributions from both employer and employee.
Employee State Insurance (ESI): Health and disability insurance coverage for employees earning below a certain threshold.
Tax Deducted at Source (TDS): Income tax withholding requirements for employee salaries.
Labor Law Compliance: Working hour limits, leave entitlements, overtime provisions, and termination procedures vary by state.
Multi-State Variations
India’s employment laws vary significantly across states. An effective EOR must have expertise across multiple states and understand local regulations.
Payroll Accuracy
Accurate payroll processing is critical. Ensure your EOR provider has:
- Automated PF/ESI calculations
- Accurate TDS withholding
- Timely statutory filing
- Real-time payroll tracking
Employee Benefits
Competitive benefits packages help attract and retain talent. Consider providers offering:
- Health insurance
- Gratuity benefits
- Professional development
- Performance incentives
Contract Compliance
Employment contracts must comply with state-specific labor laws. Ensure your EOR provides legally compliant, state-specific contract templates.
How to Choose an EOR Service Provider in India
Selecting the right EOR partner is crucial for successful India expansion. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Assess Your Needs
Define your hiring requirements:
- Team size and growth projections
- Industry and specific compliance needs
- Geographic locations within India
- Timeline for market entry
- Budget constraints
Step 2: Verify Compliance Expertise
Check the provider’s knowledge of:
- India’s labor laws and regulations
- Multi-state compliance requirements
- PF, ESI, and TDS management
- Statutory benefits administration
- Industry-specific requirements
Step 3: Review Reputation and Client Feedback
Research the provider through:
- G2 and Capterra reviews
- Case studies and testimonials
- Client references from similar industries
- Social media presence and engagement
- Industry awards and recognition
Step 4: Evaluate Payroll and Tax Management
Confirm the provider can accurately:
- Process payroll in INR
- Calculate statutory deductions
- File statutory contributions timely
- Manage multi-state tax compliance
- Generate accurate payslips and reports
Step 5: Assess Customer Support Quality
Test support responsiveness:
- Availability (24/7 vs. business hours)
- Response time for queries
- Support channels (phone, chat, email)
- Knowledge of India-specific regulations
- Willingness to assist during issues
Step 6: Compare Pricing Models
Analyze transparent pricing:
- Per-employee monthly costs
- Hidden fees or additional charges
- Setup fees
- Integration costs
- FX rates and currency conversion fees
- Scalability of pricing as team grows
Step 7: Evaluate Technology Platform
Assess the platform for:
- User-friendliness and intuitive design
- Automation capabilities
- Real-time reporting and dashboards
- Integration with your existing tools
- Data security and compliance certifications
- Mobile accessibility
Step 8: Check Data Security
Verify security measures:
- GDPR and data protection compliance
- SOC2 and ISO 27001 certifications
- Encryption standards
- Data backup and disaster recovery
- Compliance with Indian data protection laws
Comparison Table: EOR Providers at a Glance
| Provider | Pricing | Countries | Onboarding | Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asanify | โน199/mo | India, USA | Same-day | 24/7 | Cost-conscious SMEs |
| Papaya Global | โน599/mo | 160+ | 2-4 days | Large enterprises | |
| Deel | โน599/mo | 100+ | 5-10 min | 24/7 | Tech companies |
| Rippling | Custom | Global | Seconds | Business hours | Integrated HR needs |
| Oyster | โน599/mo | 140+ | 48 hours | Business hours | Quick onboarding |
| Remote | โน599/mo | 185+ | Fast | Email/chat | Global benefits focus |
| Multiplier | โน400/mo | 150+ | <24 hours | 24/5 | Multi-country payroll |
| G-P | Custom | 180+ | Days | Standard | Enterprise payroll |
| Omnipresent | โน499/mo | 160+ | Days | Standard | IP protection focus |
| Skuad | โน199/mo | 160+ | 1-3 days | 24/7 | Cost-effective scaling |
Common Questions About EOR Services in India
Q: How quickly can an EOR onboard my first employee?
A: Most EOR providers can onboard your first employee within 48 hours. Some, like Deel and Asanify, offer same-day or near-immediate onboarding.
Q: Do I need to establish a legal entity in India to use an EOR?
A: No. This is the primary advantage of using an EOR. The service provider acts as the legal employer, eliminating the need for entity setup.
Q: What happens to my employees if I switch EOR providers?
A: The transfer process is typically smooth. The new EOR takes over as the legal employer while maintaining employment continuity. Ensure your contracts include transfer provisions.
Q: Are there hidden costs I should be aware of?
A: Quality EOR providers maintain transparent pricing. However, watch out for:
- FX conversion fees (often 3-5%)
- Setup or onboarding fees
- Integration charges
- Add-on service costs
Q: How do EORs ensure statutory compliance?
A: Reputable EORs employ local compliance experts, use automated systems for calculations, maintain updated knowledge of law changes, and conduct regular compliance audits.
Q: Can an EOR help with recruitment?
A: Some providers like Gloroots offer recruitment support. Others focus purely on employment management. Check your provider’s capabilities.
Q: What if there’s a labor dispute?
A: As the legal employer, the EOR typically handles labor disputes, saving you time and legal expenses. However, you maintain operational control.
Q: How is employee data protected?
A: Top EOR providers maintain SOC2, GDPR, and ISO 27001 compliance. Always verify security certifications before signing contracts.
Conclusion
Hiring in India through an EOR service provider is an efficient, cost-effective way to expand your global workforce. With the right partner, you can tap into India’s vast talent pool while avoiding the complexity of legal entity setup and compliance management.
The top EOR providers in India each offer unique advantages. Asanify and Skuad excel in affordability, Deel and Rippling focus on automation and technology, while Papaya Global and Globalization Partners cater to enterprises. Your choice should align with your company’s size, budget, industry, and growth timeline.
By carefully evaluating your options using the criteria outlined in this guide, you’ll find an EOR partner that enables rapid, compliant, and cost-effective expansion into the Indian market. The investment in selecting the right EOR provider will pay dividends as you scale your operations and tap into one of the world’s most talented and cost-effective labor markets.
Start your India hiring journey today and unlock the potential of global talent expansion.