Deel review – Services, prices and features explained

As businesses continue to globalise, the ability to hire talent from across the globe has become an essential competitive advantage. However, international hiring comes with numerous challenges, especially for UK-based companies that need to navigate complex legal frameworks, tax regulations, and employment contracts in various jurisdictions. Deel, a fast-growing player in the international payroll and compliance space, offers a solution to these challenges. In this review, we will break down Deel’s services, pricing model, and features to help UK businesses determine whether this platform is right for their global hiring needs.

Overview of Deel services

Deel provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to make international hiring easier, focusing on compliance, payroll, and contractor management. Here are the core services offered by Deel:

1. International hiring and compliance: Deel helps businesses hire full-time employees and contractors in over 150 countries. It ensures compliance with local employment laws and regulations, which is a significant concern for companies hiring across borders. Deel’s local legal experts provide guidance and create contracts that adhere to the laws of the employee’s country.
2. Payroll management: Deel simplifies payroll by managing multi-currency payments, tax deductions, and benefits. Businesses can pay employees in their local currency, and Deel handles tax filings and deductions according to the respective countries’ laws. This takes a significant administrative burden off businesses that want to pay international staff quickly and securely.
3. Contractor management: For businesses hiring contractors, Deel offers a solution to manage contracts, payments, and tax obligations. It allows contractors to create invoices directly through the platform, with automatic payments once the work is approved.
4. Employer of Record (EOR): Deel can act as the Employer of Record for businesses that do not have a legal entity in the country they want to hire in. The EOR service allows companies to legally hire employees while Deel handles compliance, payroll, taxes, and other HR-related functions.
5. Onboarding and employee management: Deel streamlines the onboarding process by enabling employees to complete necessary paperwork digitally. This includes signing contracts, submitting required documentation, and selecting benefits packages. It also provides businesses with an easy-to-use dashboard for managing employee records.

Deel pricing

Deel’s pricing model is transparent and straightforward, which is a key selling point for UK businesses looking to avoid hidden costs. The pricing is largely based on the type of employee you are hiring and the services you require.

Service	Pricing	Description
Contractor management	£42 per contractor per month	Includes invoicing, tax compliance, and secure payments.
Full-time employees (EOR)	£450 – £600 per employee per month	Employer of Record (EOR) service for full-time employees. Covers payroll, taxes, and compliance.
Custom pricing (Enterprise)	Customised based on company size and needs	Tailored pricing for large businesses or those with complex requirements.

1. Contractor management: Businesses can hire and pay contractors for £42 per contractor per month. This price includes invoicing, tax compliance, and secure payments. For businesses with a large number of contractors, this flat rate can simplify budgeting and administrative costs.
2. Full-time employees (via EOR): Hiring full-time employees through Deel’s Employer of Record service costs approximately £450-£600 per employee per month, depending on the country of employment. While this may seem steep, it covers all legal, payroll, and tax compliance needs, which would be far more costly and time-consuming to handle independently.
3. Custom pricing for enterprise clients: For larger companies with more complex needs, Deel offers bespoke pricing. This is typically for organisations that require additional features, such as custom integrations or specialised legal support.

Key features of Deel – Review

Deel has built a platform designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, while offering powerful tools to manage global hiring needs. Here are some of the standout features:

1. Global payroll infrastructure: Deel’s ability to manage payroll in multiple currencies, handle taxes, and ensure compliance with local regulations in over 150 countries is one of its strongest features. This infrastructure significantly reduces the complexity of paying employees and contractors internationally.
2. Compliance and legal support: Deel’s local experts ensure that businesses remain compliant with employment laws in each country they hire from. This is especially valuable for UK businesses expanding into unfamiliar markets, where employment laws can differ significantly.
3. Automation of tax and benefits: Deel automates tax calculations, deductions, and filings for each country, reducing the risk of errors and fines. It also offers localised benefits packages for full-time employees, which is critical for attracting top talent.
4. Simple onboarding process: Deel’s platform enables businesses to onboard employees and contractors in a few clicks. Digital contracts, easy-to-use employee dashboards, and automated compliance checks streamline what can otherwise be a cumbersome process.
5. Custom integrations: Deel integrates with other HR and payroll software, allowing businesses to connect their existing systems with Deel’s platform. This is particularly useful for larger companies looking to streamline their HR functions without overhauling their current infrastructure.
6. Security and data protection: Deel prioritises data security, offering robust encryption and GDPR compliance. This is crucial for UK businesses, which must adhere to strict data protection regulations when managing employee information.

Pros and cons of Deel for businesses

Pros:

• Ease of use: Deel’s platform is intuitive and straightforward, making it easy for businesses to manage international hiring and payroll.
• Comprehensive compliance support: Deel’s local legal and tax experts help businesses navigate complex regulations, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
• Scalability: Whether hiring a single contractor or building an international team, Deel’s platform is scalable to meet the needs of small businesses and large enterprises alike.
• All-in-one solution: From payroll and taxes to benefits and onboarding, Deel provides an end-to-end solution for managing global teams.

Cons:

• Cost for small businesses: While Deel’s services are highly valuable, the cost of using the Employer of Record service can be high for smaller businesses or start-ups with tight budgets.
• Limited in-country presence: Although Deel operates in over 150 countries, it may not have a physical presence in every region, which could limit its ability to address highly localised issues quickly.

Alternatives and comparisons

• Deel vs ADP
• Deel vs Globalization Partners
• Deel vs Multiplier
• Deel vs Omnipresent
• Deel vs Oyster
• Deel vs Papaya Global
• Deel vs Remofirst
• Deel vs Remote
• Deel vs Rippling
• Deel vs Rise

Review conclusion – Is Deel right for your business?

For UK businesses looking to expand globally, Deel offers a powerful platform that simplifies the complexities of international hiring, payroll, and compliance.

Its transparent pricing model and user-friendly interface make it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

The key advantages lie in its comprehensive compliance services and payroll automation, which significantly reduce the administrative burden of managing a global workforce.

However, the cost may be prohibitive for smaller companies or start-ups, especially when using the EOR service for full-time employees.

For businesses primarily hiring contractors, Deel’s flat-rate pricing for contractor management offers excellent value.

Overall, Deel is a robust, scalable solution that can help UK businesses navigate the challenges of global expansion with ease.

FAQ – Deel review