Top 5 EOR Platforms to Help Global Businesses Hire Employees in the UK

The UK is famous for many things: The Royal Family, Harry Potter, and the greatest sport in the world (football, in case you were wondering), to name but a few. The strings to this drizzly-but-patriotic island’s bow are numerous, but beyond the cups of tea, dragon-slaying kings and bagpipe-wielding Scotsmen, what does the UK have to offer from a business standpoint?

Well, quite a lot as it happens…

From the buzzing tech hubs of London to the financial strongholds of Edinburgh, the UK continues to be a magnet for top-tier professionals across industries. It boasts a deep talent pool, and skillsets nurtured via its world-renowned universities. And then there’s its reputation for R&D excellence: the UK produced 57% more academic publicationsper capita than the US, and six times more than China in 2020.

In other words, if you’re seeking business brilliance, the UK is a good place to start. But for businesses based overseas, hiring in the UK isn’t as simple as posting a job ad and signing a contract. Legal hurdles, tax regulations, and employment compliance can quickly turn into a costly maze.

That’s where employer of record (EOR) services come in. These platforms act as a bridge — enabling companies from anywhere in the world to hire UK-based employees without setting up a local entity or getting lost in a sea of legal paperwork.

Below, we’ve rounded up five of the best EOR platforms, so all you’ve got to do is pick the one that best suits your biz.

What is an Employer of Record (EOR)?

An employer of record (EOR) is a third-party organisation that legally employs workers on behalf of another company. While the business directs the employee’s day-to-day work, the EOR handles the legal side — think payroll, taxes, compliance, benefits, and employment contracts. It’s essentially a shortcut to hiring in countries where the company doesn’t have a legal entity.

For example, a U.S.-based startup can use an EOR to hire a digital marketing consultant in the UK without needing to register a local business or navigate the complexities of British employment law. Likewise, a British business could use one to hire legally in the U.S. The EOR assumes the legal responsibility of the hire, ensuring everything stays compliant while the company gains full access to their talent.

This model is especially useful for companies scaling internationally, testing new markets, or hiring remote-first teams. Got it? Right, well let’s continue with our rundown of the very best EORs for sourcing British business talent.

1. Remote

Remote is a heavyweight in the EOR space — and for good reason. This platform makes it incredibly easy for businesses hiring in the UK and beyond, handling everything from payroll and compliance to benefits and taxes. With a strong legal infrastructure in place across dozens of countries, Remote lets you tap into UK talent with zero headaches. Whether you’re onboarding a single contractor or scaling a full team, Remote is engineered to make cross-border hiring seamless and compliant.

What makes it great:

• Owns its legal entities (unlike many EORs that use third-party partners)
• Rock-solid UK compliance and IP protection
• Streamlined self-service dashboard for employers
• Excellent support and localised benefits packages

Pricing:

Starts at £479/month per employee, with discounts available for high-volume hiring or specific needs.

2. Remote People

Remote People is a fast-rising EOR provider offering transparent and flexible solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. With pricing starting at just $199 per employee per month, Remote People stands out for its affordability, without compromising on quality or compliance. Unlike many EOR platforms, Remote People also offers recruitment support — helping you not only hire compliantly in the UK but also source top talent. Their intuitive platform takes care of contracts, payroll, tax, benefits, and compliance, so you can focus on growing your team.

What makes it great:

• Transparent, flexible Employer of Record (EOR) pricing models, starting from $199 per employee per month
• Provides recruitment services alongside EOR
• Fast onboarding with compliance-first infrastructure
• Comprehensive benefits and HR support for UK hires

Pricing:

Starts at $199/month per employee, with recruitment assistance included as part of custom packages.

3. Oyster

Oyster positions itself as the people-first EOR, and it backs that up with strong ethical hiring principles and a mission to democratise global employment. Its UK operations are robust, offering companies full compliance and benefits support without the usual admin nightmare. Ideal for remote-first teams, Oyster is particularly attractive to businesses that want to do well and do good while expanding globally.

What makes it great:

• Focus on equitable global hiring and localised benefits
• Excellent employee experience and compliance in the UK
• Extensive knowledge base with hiring guides and salary insights
• Smooth, intuitive platform with high customer satisfaction

Pricing:

EOR services start at £599/month per employee, with custom pricing for larger teams or specific regions.

4. Papaya Global

Papaya Global brings an enterprise-grade edge to the EOR space, combining global payroll, workforce analytics, and compliance in one clean, centralised platform. It’s particularly suited to companies hiring at scale or operating in multiple jurisdictions, including the UK. Its real-time visibility and powerful automation tools make managing an international team far more strategic than stressful.

What makes it great:

• Unified dashboard covering EOR, payroll, and contractors
• Real-time analytics for headcount, costs, and risk exposure
• Strong UK compliance with full tax and benefit coverage
• Emphasis on security, transparency, and scalability

Pricing:

Tailored pricing.

5. Velocity Global

If you want concierge-style support and a proven track record, Velocity Global is worth a look. With deep roots in the EOR industry and solid infrastructure in the UK, this provider offers a white-glove experience — guiding you through every step of the hiring process with personalised care. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s a strong choice for companies that value premium service and long-term growth support.

What makes it great:

• High-touch onboarding and customer success management
• Trusted partner for complex UK compliance and employment needs
• Scalable solutions for startups, SMBs, and enterprise teams
• Strong reputation and longevity in the EOR space

Pricing:

Fully custom — quotes are tailored based on team size, region, and employment structure.