In the not-so-distant past, hiring was a relatively simple affair: you’d identify the need to fill a vacancy, post a job ad, and local candidates would submit their applications for your perusal.
But it was also quite restrictive. Before remote work became commonplace, companies were generally forced to recruit in their local areas — or at least, they were limited to hiring candidates willing to commute to the company office five days a week.
This has all changed. While some businesses have returned to a 9-to-5 in-office model, of course, many others have continued to embrace a location-agnostic approach, where geography has little bearing on collaboration and hiring isn’t limited to a finite region.
The result is that companies can theoretically hire anywhere — why restrict your talent search to such a tiny pool when you have a world of possibilities? What’s stopping a company based in the United States or Canada, for example, hiring in the United Kingdom?
The UK’s strong education system (with some of the world’s most renowned universities) means the country has a highly skilled workforce — particularly in sectors like tech, finance and engineering — and many UK professionals are well adjusted to working remotely, since lots of companies now operate this way in Britain.
Looking to hire remotely in the United Kingdom? You need an EOR platform. These global hiring solutions help you recruit from virtually anywhere no matter where you’re based, and here we rank the top 5 options.
1. Remote
When it comes to EOR platforms, Remote is the dependable all-rounder. In truth, it’s probably the only truly end-to-end global hiring solution, since it includes an integrated job board for sourcing international talent as well as everything you need to hire and manage a global team.
If you’re looking for an EOR service in the UK, Remote is a go-to because it just makes things so easy, handling everything from payroll and taxes to compliance and benefits. The setup is smooth, the dashboard is intuitive, and the platform supports more than 190 countries — ideal if you’re hiring in multiple locations as well as the UK.
What really sets Remote apart is how transparent and flexible it is. Their flat-rate pricing is a breath of fresh air in an industry where surprise fees can sneak up on you, and you’re not tied down to long-term contracts if your hiring needs change.
Another major plus is the fact Remote owns its local entities in every country, which gives them greater control and allows for faster onboarding and fewer third-party handoffs. Overall, Remote combines reliability and ease of use in a platform that’s pretty hard to beat.
2. Papaya Global
Papaya Global takes a slightly different approach by offering a blend of EOR, payroll and workforce analytics — with the latter being a particularly strong addition to your global recruitment toolbox.
Their UK coverage is solid, and the platform is designed to handle both employees and contractors, which makes it a great choice if you employ a mix of both or just want to keep things flexible. For UK hires specifically, they offer compliance support tailored to local employment laws and even assist with pension contributions and statutory benefits.
One of Papaya’s biggest strengths is automation. It centralizes everything from time tracking to payslip generation, and their unified dashboard gives you a bird’s-eye view of your global workforce.
Unlike Remote, Papaya uses third-party entities in some countries, so you’re occasionally dependent on their partners which can lead to some inconsistency. Some users have reported a slightly drawn-out onboarding process too.
That said, if you’re looking for an all-in-one platform with solid data insights, Papaya is definitely worth considering.
3. Remote People
Remote People offers a streamlined and cost-effective way to hire employees in the UK — all without establishing a legal entity. With transparent, flexible Employer of Record (EOR) pricing models starting at just $199 per employee per month, it’s one of the most budget-friendly platforms on the market.
What sets Remote People apart is that they don’t just manage employment — they also actively help with recruitment, which makes the platform ideal if you’re starting from scratch and need assistance finding qualified candidates in the UK. Their team handles everything from compliant contract generation to payroll, benefits, taxes, and even optional add-ons like private health coverage or equity plans.
Remote People is especially attractive for businesses planning future expansion, since they also support entity setup for companies transitioning from EOR to direct employment models. If you’re looking for a hands-on partner who can both find talent and ensure compliance, Remote People is an excellent pick.
4. Velocity Global
Velocity Global is a venerable veteran of the EOR landscape, putting some of its younger competitors in the shade when it comes to years of experience.
Over that time it’s built a strong reputation, particularly with mid-market and enterprise companies. Velocity covers around 185+ countries and offers solid support for UK hiring, covering healthcare options and ensuring full compliance with British employment law.
The platform’s biggest advantage is its consultative approach. You get access to real HR experts who help you navigate more complex hiring challenges, like negotiating employment contracts or managing redundancies in the UK. If your business is in a regulated industry like finance or healthcare, that kind of white-glove support can be invaluable.
Where Velocity Global falls slightly short is in its user interface, which feels a bit dated compared to more modern platforms like Remote or Deel.. Still, if you want a seasoned partner with a deep understanding of international labor laws — especially in the UK — Velocity Global is a safe bet.
5. Deel
Deel is especially popular with startups, mainly because it prioritizes simplicity and speed when it comes to global hiring. With coverage in over 150 countries, including a robust infrastructure in the UK, Deel lets you hire full-time employees or contractors with just a few clicks.
The UI is slick, onboarding is fast, and their legal templates (reviewed by local experts) make compliance feel less intimidating, but one of Deel’s standout features is its built-in contractor classification tool, which helps you avoid misclassifying UK contractors as employees — a common (and costly) mistake.
You also get localized benefits, automated tax filings, and integration with essential HR tools like Workday and BambooHR.
So, what’s the catch? Deel relies on third-party partners in some locations, which isn’t a dealbreaker, but it can lead to slower response times for region-specific issues. But don’t let that put you off: it’s a powerful, modern platform that makes international hiring feel like a breeze.
Whether you’re a scrappy startup or a scaling enterprise, these platforms make it possible to tap into the UK’s world-class talent without opening a legal entity or risking compliance mistakes. Remote leads the way with its transparent pricing and native infrastructure, but the other platforms all offer something unique depending on your specific hiring needs.
