Scored impartially by Claude Opus 5.5 against the same seven public criteria used for every provider.
Verdict
Plane (formerly Pilot) is a developer-friendly, highly cost-transparent global HR and payroll platform tailored for US startups. Offering global EOR at $499/mo alongside free core HRIS tools, active-only contractor billing, and open API capabilities, it provides exceptional value for teams needing simple, unified domestic and international workforce administration.
Global EOR pricing is published at $499/mo per employee. Active contractor management starts at $39/mo (inactive contractors cost $0), US W2 payroll starts at $19/mo, and core HRIS features are included at $0.
What is not included
FX markup: disclosed in the contract
Deposit: none reported
Off-boarding fee: none reported
Minimum term: no minimum term reported
Employer contributions and statutory benefits, which sit on top of salary
Capabilities
Contractors
Yes
Visa support
Yes
Equity support
Not reported
Local benefits
Yes
IP assignment
Yes
SOC 2
Yes
ISO 27001
Yes
GDPR posture
Yes
Dedicated manager
Yes
Integrations: QuickBooks Online. Support model: 24/5 dedicated multi-channel support for both employers and international workers. Typical onboarding: 5 days.
Pros
Unified platform executing US payroll ($19/mo), international contractors ($39/mo), and EOR hires ($499/mo) under one run
Active-only billing for contractors ($0 fee in months without payouts) and transparent local currency conversion rails
API-first architecture with native open API, CLI, MCP support, and QuickBooks journal entry automation
Cons
Smaller EOR country footprint (~100 countries) compared to enterprise platforms covering 150+ regions
Relies primarily on partner entity networks in international markets outside its native US infrastructure
Fewer complex enterprise HRIS integrations compared to legacy global workforce suites
Best for
US-headquartered startups looking to combine US W2 payroll, international contractors, and global EOR hires on a single platform
Teams seeking transparent, flat-rate pricing ($499/mo EOR) without upfront security deposits or hidden FX markups
Developer and ops teams looking for an API-first payroll platform supporting CLI, MCP, and accounting workflow automations
Entity model by country
Country-specific entity ownership data is not available. Confirm the legal employer before signing.
Remote employs your staff through entities it owns in every country where it offers EOR, and its terms leave indemnities for EOR services uncapped, so it ranks well on compliance. The cost is a list fee of USD 699 per employee per month, and the margin in its monthly FX rate is not published. Standard terms can be cancelled on 30 days' notice, but an order form with a minimum contract value commits you for its full term and renews at a higher price. Shortlist it if owned entities in every country matter most to you, and get the FX margin and any order form terms in writing before you sign.
Deel says it owns entities in more than 130 countries, which puts it among the largest owned networks of any EOR provider. Its published EOR fee of USD 599 per employee per month is in line with the other large platforms, and contracts run month to month. It suits companies hiring both contractors and employees across several countries. Before signing, get the deposit amount and FX markup in writing, confirm that no offboarding fee applies, and check which of your countries run through a partner rather than a Deel entity.