Executive Summary
Bottom Line: If you're expanding internationally or hiring UK talent without a local entity, choosing the right UK Employer of Record software can save thousands in setup costs and months of compliance headaches. Deel leads for comprehensive features, Multiplier wins on affordability, and Velocity Global excels for enterprise-scale operations.
What Is a UK Employer of Record?
A UK Employer of Record (EOR) acts as the legal employer for your international workforce, handling everything from payroll and tax compliance to benefits administration. Instead of spending £15,000-£50,000 and waiting 3-6 months to establish a UK entity, you can hire employees in as little as 48 hours through an EOR service.
The EOR becomes the official employer on paper, managing PAYE tax, National Insurance contributions, pension auto-enrollment, and statutory benefits. Meanwhile, you retain complete control over day-to-day management, work assignments, and performance reviews. This co-employment model has become increasingly popular as companies embrace remote work and global talent pools.
For UK businesses expanding abroad or international companies hiring British talent, EOR services eliminate the complexity of navigating post-Brexit immigration rules, IR35 compliance, and HMRC requirements. The market has grown substantially, with demand for EOR services increasing by 67% since 2022.
Why UK Businesses Need EOR Services
The UK employment landscape presents unique challenges that make EOR services invaluable. Following Brexit, immigration requirements have become more complex, requiring sponsorship licenses and right-to-work documentation for many international hires. IR35 legislation adds another layer of complexity, with strict rules around contractor classification that can result in significant penalties if mismanaged.
UK employers must provide pension auto-enrollment with a minimum 3% employer contribution, 28 days of paid holiday including bank holidays, statutory sick pay, and maternity and paternity leave. The national minimum wage stands at £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over as of April 2025, with employers paying 13.8% National Insurance on wages above £758 monthly.
Managing these requirements across multiple jurisdictions becomes exponentially more difficult. An EOR service ensures automatic compliance with all statutory obligations while providing the flexibility to scale your workforce up or down based on business needs. Companies save an average of 2-3 days per month in administration time by consolidating these responsibilities with a single provider.
Top 3 UK Employer of Record Platforms
After extensive research and analysis of the UK EOR market, three platforms consistently emerge as leaders: Deel, Multiplier, and Velocity Global. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your company size, budget, and expansion goals.
These platforms handle the complete employment lifecycle, from generating locally compliant contracts to processing final payments during offboarding. All three maintain established entities in the UK, ensuring direct service delivery rather than relying on third-party providers. They provide 24/7 support and comprehensive compliance monitoring to protect your business from costly violations.
The key differentiators lie in pricing structure, geographic strength, feature depth, and target market positioning. Deel dominates with 21.6% market mindshare, while Multiplier appeals to budget-conscious startups and SMBs. Velocity Global targets enterprise clients requiring premium support and immigration services.
Deel: Best All-in-One Solution
Deel stands as the market leader in UK Employer of Record services, offering the most comprehensive platform for international hiring. With operations in 150+ countries and over $1 billion in annual recurring revenue, Deel has proven its ability to scale with growing businesses.
Pricing: £599 per employee per month for EOR services, with contractor management starting at £49 monthly. Global payroll options begin at £29 per employee monthly for companies with existing entities.
Key Features:
- Native payroll engine operating in 100+ countries with real-time gross-to-net calculations
- Built-in HRIS at no additional cost, including people analytics and workflow automation
- 24/7 multilingual support with in-app human assistance
- AI-powered Workforce agents for automated compliance tasks
- Immigration support and visa sponsorship
- Stock option management and equity administration
Deel excels in UK-specific compliance, automatically calculating National Insurance contributions and workplace pension requirements. The platform handles PAYE registration, ensures proper tax deductions, and maintains compliance with HMRC regulations. Onboarding typically takes just 48 hours, significantly faster than competitors.
The platform's strength lies in its all-in-one approach. Rather than patching together multiple vendors for payroll, HR, compliance, and benefits, Deel consolidates everything into a single system. This integration reduces total cost of ownership, especially as your team scales across regions. Companies report saving approximately £10,000 annually per employee compared to traditional entity setup.
Multiplier: Best Budget-Friendly Option
Multiplier positions itself as the cost-effective EOR solution without sacrificing essential features. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, this platform has gained particular strength in Asia-Pacific markets while maintaining robust UK capabilities.
Pricing: £400-450 per employee per month for EOR services, with contractor management from £29 monthly. Multiplier maintains flat, transparent pricing with no hidden onboarding or exit fees.
Key Features:
- Same-day global hiring capabilities with 24-72 hour onboarding
- Automated payroll in 120+ currencies
- Comprehensive compliance management across 150+ countries
- Multi-country payroll consolidation
- Mobile-first experience with dedicated apps
- ISO 27001, 27017, and 27018 security certifications
For UK businesses, Multiplier handles all statutory requirements including pension contributions, holiday pay calculations, and tax filings. The platform's strength lies in its straightforward approach and predictable costs. Unlike some competitors that adjust pricing based on employee location or seniority, Multiplier maintains consistent rates globally.
The trade-off for lower pricing comes in slightly fewer advanced features compared to Deel. Integration options are more limited, and customization capabilities don't match enterprise-focused competitors. However, for startups and SMBs prioritizing cost efficiency while maintaining full compliance, Multiplier delivers excellent value. Customer support operates during business hours rather than 24/7, which may affect companies in vastly different time zones.
Velocity Global: Best for Enterprise
Velocity Global (recently rebranded as Pebl) targets enterprise clients requiring premium support and comprehensive workforce solutions. Founded in 2014 with $500 million in funding, this platform emphasizes compliance expertise and white-glove service delivery.
Pricing: £599 per employee per month for EOR services, with custom pricing available for large deployments. Velocity Global uses a tailored quote system based on workforce size and complexity.
Key Features:
- Coverage across 185+ countries, the broadest geographic reach
- Dedicated account managers for personalized support
- Immigration and visa services with expert guidance
- Global mobility solutions for employee relocations
- AI-powered cost calculator for instant quotes
- Integration with major enterprise systems (Workday, Oracle, NetSuite)
Velocity Global differentiates through its deep compliance expertise and premium service model. The platform employs in-country legal experts with over a decade of experience navigating complex labor and payroll laws. For UK operations, this translates to proactive monitoring of regulatory changes and immediate implementation of compliance updates.
The platform particularly excels in immigration support, handling everything from Skilled Worker visas to Global Talent visas for UK hires. This makes Velocity Global ideal for companies relocating senior staff or bringing in specialized talent requiring visa sponsorship. Enterprise features include advanced analytics, custom reporting, and strategic workforce planning tools.
The premium positioning means higher costs for smaller deployments, making it less suitable for startups or companies with fewer than 20 international employees. However, for enterprises managing hundreds of employees across dozens of countries, Velocity Global's comprehensive support justifies the investment.
Top 3 UK Employer of Record Platforms Side By Side
| Feature | Deel | Multiplier | Velocity Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| EOR Pricing | £599/month per employee | £400-450/month per employee | £599/month per employee (custom) |
| Contractor Pricing | £49/month | £29/month | Not available |
| Countries Covered | 150+ | 150+ | 185+ |
| Founded | 2018 | 2020 | 2014 |
| Market Mindshare | 21.6% | Lower | 5.3% |
| Best For | Growing companies, all-in-one needs | Startups, budget-conscious SMBs | Enterprise, 100+ employees |
| Onboarding Speed | 48 hours | 24-72 hours | 2-5 business days |
| Support | 24/7 multilingual | Business hours | Dedicated account managers |
| Built-in HRIS | Yes (free) | Basic | Enterprise features |
| UK Compliance | Automated | Automated | Expert-guided |
| Immigration Support | Available | Available | Premium service |
| Integrations | Extensive (100+) | Limited (10-15) | Enterprise (Workday, Oracle) |
| Setup Fees | None | None | Custom |
| Global Payroll | £29/month (own entity) | Included in EOR | Custom pricing |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Key Strength | Comprehensive platform | Affordable pricing | Premium support |
| Key Weakness | Higher cost | Fewer integrations | Expensive for small teams |
| G2 Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| PAYE & NI Handling | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Pension Auto-enrollment | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| AI Features | Yes (Workforce agents) | No | Yes (cost calculator) |
| Contract Templates | 150+ countries | 150+ countries | 185+ countries |
| Payment Methods | Multiple (ACH, SEPA, local) | 120+ currencies | Multiple options |
| Visa Sponsorship | Available | Available | Comprehensive |
| Equity Management | Yes | Yes (ESOP) | Yes |
| Free Trial | Demo available | Demo available | Demo available |
| Ideal Company Size | 5-500 employees | 1-50 employees | 50-1000+ employees |
UK Compliance Requirements
Understanding UK employment compliance is crucial for any international employer. The UK Employer of Record you select must handle these mandatory requirements seamlessly to protect your business from penalties and legal disputes.
Statutory Benefits:
- Pension auto-enrollment with minimum 3% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution
- 28 days paid annual leave, including the eight UK bank holidays
- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for eligible employees earning above £123 weekly
- Maternity leave up to 52 weeks with Statutory Maternity Pay for 39 weeks
- Paternity leave and pay for eligible fathers and partners
- Employers' liability insurance coverage
Tax and Payment Obligations:
- PAYE (Pay As You Earn) income tax withholding and remittance
- National Insurance contributions: 13.8% on earnings above £758 monthly
- Real-time reporting to HMRC through RTI (Real Time Information)
- Accurate tax code application based on employee circumstances
- End-of-year P60 statements for all employees
Employment Law Compliance:
- Locally compliant employment contracts meeting UK standards
- Right-to-work documentation and verification
- Protection against unfair dismissal after two years of service
- Redundancy payment calculations based on age, service length, and weekly pay
- Proper notice periods ranging from one to 12 weeks based on tenure
A quality UK Employer of Record automates these processes, updating systems immediately when legislation changes. For instance, when the national minimum wage increased to £12.21 in April 2025, compliant EOR platforms automatically adjusted payroll calculations. This proactive approach prevents costly errors and ensures your business remains audit-ready.
How to Choose the Right EOR
Selecting the optimal UK Employer of Record requires careful evaluation of your specific business needs and growth trajectory. Consider these critical factors before making your decision.
Assess Your Budget and Scale: Calculate your total employment costs, not just the monthly EOR fee. Include benefits administration, tax filings, and potential add-on services. Multiplier offers the lowest entry point for smaller teams, while Deel provides the best value for rapidly scaling operations. Velocity Global justifies premium pricing for enterprises requiring dedicated support.
Evaluate Geographic Requirements: If you're hiring exclusively in the UK, ensure your EOR maintains direct UK entities rather than using third-party providers. However, if international expansion is likely, choose a platform with strong global coverage. Deel and Velocity Global offer the broadest reach, while Multiplier excels in Asia-Pacific markets.
Review Integration Capabilities: Your EOR should integrate seamlessly with existing systems. Deel offers the most extensive integration marketplace, connecting with major HRIS, ATS, and accounting platforms. Velocity Global provides strong enterprise system integration, while Multiplier offers basic but functional connectivity.
Consider Support Requirements: Evaluate when you'll need assistance. Deel's 24/7 multilingual support suits globally distributed teams working across time zones. Multiplier's business-hours support works well for regionally focused operations. Velocity Global's dedicated account managers appeal to enterprises requiring strategic partnership.
Examine Compliance Automation: Review how each platform handles regulatory updates. Deel's AI-powered compliance engine automates monitoring and implementation of legal changes. Velocity Global employs human experts for compliance guidance. Multiplier provides solid automated compliance for standard employment situations.
Request demos from your top choices and test their platforms with real hiring scenarios. Ask about onboarding timelines, offboarding processes, and how they handle edge cases like mid-year tax changes or complex benefit arrangements.
Final Verdict
The best UK Employer of Record for your business depends on your specific circumstances, but clear winners emerge in each category.
Choose Deel if: You want the most comprehensive platform with built-in HRIS, extensive automation, and 24/7 support. The £599 monthly cost delivers exceptional value through integrated features that eliminate the need for multiple vendors. Deel suits fast-growing startups through to mid-sized enterprises prioritizing scalability and feature depth.
Choose Multiplier if: Budget efficiency drives your decision and you're hiring fewer than 50 employees internationally. The £400-450 monthly pricing saves approximately 25% compared to premium competitors while maintaining essential compliance capabilities. Multiplier works best for startups and SMBs with straightforward employment needs.
Choose Velocity Global if: You're an enterprise managing 100+ employees across dozens of countries and require premium support. The dedicated account management, immigration expertise, and strategic workforce planning justify the investment for complex global operations. Velocity Global excels when compliance risk mitigation is paramount.
All three platforms successfully handle UK-specific requirements including PAYE tax, National Insurance, pension auto-enrollment, and statutory benefits. They maintain established UK entities, ensuring direct service delivery and local compliance expertise. Each provides legally compliant employment contracts, handles HMRC reporting, and manages the complete employment lifecycle.
The UK employment market in 2025 demands robust compliance infrastructure and global flexibility. Whether you're a London-based startup hiring in Berlin, a Manchester tech company expanding to Singapore, or an international corporation adding UK talent, these UK Employer of Record platforms enable compliant, efficient global hiring without the expense and complexity of entity establishment.
Start by requesting demos from your top two choices, testing their platforms with your specific hiring scenarios, and calculating total cost of ownership including potential add-ons. The right EOR partner transforms international expansion from a legal minefield into a strategic competitive advantage.
Ready to expand your global workforce? Compare detailed pricing, features, and customer reviews to find your ideal UK Employer of Record solution. The investment in the right platform pays dividends through reduced compliance risk, faster hiring, and streamlined international operations.