Best EOR Providers in India for Startups (2025 List + Feature Comparison)

Expanding into India often starts with one decision: build your own entity or work with an Employer of Record (EOR) to employ talent compliantly from day one.

This guide compares the leading EOR providers operating in India in 2025. It focuses on practical factors that affect day‑to‑day execution: who owns compliance, how onboarding is handled, whether workspace and hardware are supported, how issues are resolved, what you actually pay each month, and how well each model fits different team sizes and stages.

Let’s begin.

What to look for in an EOR in India

The way EOR providers operate in India varies widely.

Some focus only on contracts and payroll. Others take responsibility for the operational details that determine whether someone actually joins on schedule and ramps up without delays.

Based on a review of the major platforms operating in India, here’s what to evaluate:

1. How compliance is handled

India requires monthly filings and state‑level registrations beyond simply issuing a contract.

These include mandatory retirement savings contributions, state taxes, and monthly withholding, all of which must be filed correctly and on time. Some providers (like Velocity Global or Remote) handle these directly through their own entity.

Others route them through local partners, which can affect how quickly discrepancies are resolved and how much visibility you have.

2. Onboarding and notice-period follow through

In India, notice periods stretch as long as two months, and without consistent follow‑through, new hires often drop off or move to other offers.

When comparing providers, look at whether they manage background checks end‑to‑end and keep candidates engaged through that entire period.

Global platforms like Oyster or Remote typically handle contracts well but stop short of active local coordination. India‑focused providers such as Wisemonk and TeemGenie tend to manage those steps more closely.

3. Workspace and equipment support

Laptops, coworking seats, and replacements are rarely bundled into an EOR service.

Most providers expect you to handle procurement separately. Some, like TeemGenie, coordinate workspace and procure hardware on your behalf, with GST absorbed into their model.

Others, like Velocity Global and Papaya Global, explicitly exclude this and leave logistics to you.

4. Local support and escalation paths

Most global platforms rely on centralized ticket queues outside India. Response times can vary, and operational issues sometimes bounce back to your team. Providers with local points of contact tend to resolve problems faster and with less founder involvement.

5. What’s included in the price

Monthly EOR costs in India range from around $199 on the low end to about $599 for high‑touch models. Make sure to check what is included in the base price – background checks, hardware coordination, or additional filings can add to your monthly spend.

Always ask what’s included in the monthly fee and what triggers additional charges.

6. Fit for team size and stage

Some EORs are built for large, multi‑country teams with mature internal HR processes. Others are designed for smaller teams that need hands‑on execution in one market.

If you’re hiring 5–50 people in India quickly, providers with local follow‑through (like TeemGenie or Wisemonk) often reduce internal overhead. If you already operate across several countries, a global dashboard like Velocity Global or Papaya Global may be more useful.

2025 EOR Comparison at a Glance

Provider	Startup Fit	Compliance Ownership	Offer → Day 1 Support	Workspace / Equipment	Local Support	Pricing (per employee/month)
TeemGenie	Up to ~100 hires; US‑startup focus	✅ Own entity, direct PF/PT/TDS & multi‑state filings	✅ Background checks + engagement through notice period	✅ Included; hardware/workspace at cost; 18% GST absorbed	✅ India‑based contact	$499 fixed scope; no hidden add‑ons
Velocity Global	Mid‑size / scaleups across countries	✅ Own entity, direct filings	⚠️ Contracts only; background checks add‑on; no notice‑period engagement	❌ Not included	⚠️ Global ticketing; no India ops layer	$600–$700; add‑ons billed separately
Oyster HR	Distributed teams	✅ Own entity, filings managed centrally	⚠️ Contracts only; background checks add‑on; no notice‑period engagement	❌ Not included	⚠️ Platform queues; no India ops layer	$499–$599; add‑ons billed separately
RemoFirst	Budget‑focused early hires	⚠️ Through local partners (compliant but less visibility)	⚠️ Contracts only; background checks add‑on; no notice‑period engagement	❌ Not included	⚠️ Global ticketing only	$199 base; add‑ons increase total
Remote	Global scaling	✅ Own entity, direct filings & Form 16	⚠️ Contracts only; background checks add‑on; no notice‑period engagement	❌ Not included	⚠️ Global queues; no India ops layer	~$599; add‑ons billed separately
Papaya Global	Enterprise setups & integrations	✅ Own entity, detailed audit trails	❌ Limited India onboarding; background checks add‑on	❌ Not included	⚠️ Global service desks	$650–$700; custom quotes; add‑ons extra
Wisemonk	India‑specialist; cost‑focused	✅ Own entity, state‑level compliance	✅ Close onboarding follow‑through during notice period	⚠️ Hardware/workspace optional; billed separately	✅ Local contact in India	$250–$350 depending on scope
Deel	Global brand, multi‑country hiring	✅ Own entity, audit‑ready filings	⚠️ Contracts only; background checks add‑on; no notice‑period engagement	❌ Not included	⚠️ Global queues; no India ops layer	$599–$699; add‑ons billed separately

Provider-by-Provider Analysis

1. TeemGenie

Best for: Startups growing teams up to around 100 people; beyond that scale, many founders evaluate setting up their own entity for long‑term cost efficiency

Pricing: $499 per employee per month – fixed scope with no hidden add‑ons.

Compliance ownership: Employs through its own registered entity in India and directly manages all required statutory filings and state‑level registrations, without third‑party intermediaries. Issues compliant Form 16 and other statutory documents.

Offer and onboarding execution:

Drafts tax-optimized compensation structures (known locally as CTC, or Cost to Company), offers and issues them directly.
Runs full background verification (education, employment history, criminal checks).
Coordinates onboarding steps during long notice periods—tracks milestones, clears background checks, and keeps hires engaged through to Day 1.

Workspace and equipment: Hardware and workspace costs are billed at cost, and TeemGenie handles delivery and setup coordination. Unlike most EORs, the GST on those purchases is absorbed within TeemGenie’s model, removing hidden tax leakage and sparing your team from managing GST credits.

Ongoing support and escalation:

Local India‑based point of contact for employees and founders.
Day‑to‑day issues (tax ID setup, insurance claims, laptop warranty swaps) are handled locally without bouncing back to your US team.

Startup suitability: Purpose‑built for US startups building their first team in India without adding operational overhead. Combines compliant employment with on‑ground execution so founders can hire quickly without local infrastructure.

2. Wisemonk

Best for: Cost‑focused teams that want an India‑specialist EOR with hands‑on onboarding support and local follow‑through.

Pricing: Around $250–$350 per employee per month, depending on headcount and scope.

Background checks and additional perks are available as add‑ons and Wisemonk provides a clear itemized breakdown of these costs so founders can see exactly what’s included and what’s billed separately.

Compliance ownership: Wisemonk operates through its own locally registered entity in India and directly manages all statutory employment filings and state‑level registrations.

They are known for giving founders clear visibility on filings and being responsive to audits or statutory requests.

Offer and onboarding execution: A key differentiator is their hands‑on pre‑onboarding support – they help coordinate background checks and maintain contact with hires during their notice periods.

Workspace and equipment: Wisemonk can help scope hardware or workspace requirements if needed. These are optional services and billed separately. Most founders still arrange laptops or desks through their own procurement channels.

Ongoing support and escalation: Wisemonk provides a local point of contact who resolves most issues directly, reducing founder involvement compared to global platforms that rely on remote ticketing.

Startup suitability:

Well‑aligned with early‑stage or cost‑sensitive teams that need local hand‑holding but do not require a large multi‑country system.
Less ideal for teams looking for enterprise‑grade integrations or consolidated dashboards across multiple countries.

3. Deel

Best for: Founders who want a well‑known global EOR platform with polished software, standardized contracts, and a broad country network, including India.

Pricing: $599–$699 per employee per month in India, depending on scope and headcount.

The core fee covers compliant employment and payroll. Add‑ons such as background checks, custom benefits, or equipment procurement are clearly listed and billed separately. Transparent pricing makes it easier to plan costs upfront.

Compliance ownership:

Deel employs through its own entity in India and handles all required filings and registrations directly.
You receive audit‑ready records and regular documentation through the platform.

Offer and onboarding execution: Generates compliant offer letters but does not handle onboarding follow‑through during notice periods.

Workspace and equipment: Deel does not arrange laptops, coworking space, or home‑office setup in India, and GST handling on those purchases remains with you.

Ongoing support and escalation: Support runs through a ticketing system and account managers.

There is no dedicated local operations team for real‑time issue resolution.

Startup suitability: A good fit if you want a trusted global brand and unified dashboards for multi‑country hiring.

If your focus is only India and you need hands‑on onboarding or workspace coordination, additional local support will be needed.

4. Velocity Global

Best for: Mid‑size teams or scaleups that need a global EOR with mature compliance systems and support across multiple countries, including India.

Pricing: Typically $600–$700 per employee per month in India. Services like background checks or equipment procurement are not included and are separately billed.

Compliance ownership: Operates through its own registered entity in India and handles all required employment filings directly. Their reporting structure supports multi‑country operations, with clear records available for audits.

Offer and onboarding execution: Issues compliant contracts and manages statutory documentation. Does not provide local onboarding follow‑through during notice periods; you or your team would need to maintain contact and track pending documents.

Workspace and equipment: Does not supply laptops, coworking seats, or home‑office setups in India. Hardware delivery and GST management remain with your internal team or a separate vendor.

Ongoing support and escalation: Support is routed through global ticketing and account managers, with no India‑based team for on‑ground issues such as benefits claims or payroll clarifications.

Startup suitability:

Best for companies already managing teams across multiple countries and needing consolidated dashboards and enterprise‑grade processes.
For a small team hiring its first few employees in India, the model can feel heavier and local onboarding engagement would fall on your team

5. Oyster HR

Best for: Distributed teams that want a platform-led EOR with smooth contract management and clear country‑specific hiring guidance.

Pricing: $499–$599 per employee per month in India for full‑time hires through their EOR model. Optional services, such as background checks or enhanced benefits, are billed separately.

Compliance ownership: Operates through its own registered entity in India and manages all statutory filings and state‑level registrations directly. Multi‑state compliance is supported centrally through the platform without a dedicated on‑ground operations layer.

Offer and onboarding execution: Provides country‑specific offer templates and compliant CTC structures. Contract issuance is smooth, but they do not provide local onboarding follow‑through during notice periods – founders often step in to maintain engagement.

Background verification services are available as a separate add‑on.

Workspace and equipment: Does not provide laptops, coworking arrangements, or related logistics. These need to be arranged separately by your team or a third‑party vendor.

Ongoing support and escalation: Support is ticket‑based through the platform, with a regional team covering India but no dedicated local operations for real‑time issue resolution. Most escalations, including payroll discrepancies or benefits questions, are handled virtually.

Startup suitability:

Well‑suited for companies planning multi‑country hiring and looking for a widely used, standardized platform.
For small teams hiring in India that require active onboarding or hands‑on support, additional vendors or internal resources may still be needed.

6. RemoFirst

Best for: Early‑stage founders and lean teams looking for one of the most budget‑friendly EOR options in India with basic compliance coverage.

Pricing: $199 per employee per month – a flat per‑seat fee publicly listed and verified in recent customer reviews.

Background checks, hardware provisioning, and certain localized benefits are billed separately. There are no hidden setup fees, but add‑on costs can increase the total if you need services beyond core employment.

Compliance ownership:

RemoFirst operates in India through vetted local partners rather than its own entity. Statutory filings are handled through these partners and are compliant with Indian regulations.
Visibility into filings and audit trails can be limited compared to providers with a directly owned entity, so if you need granular compliance reporting, consider that trade‑off.

Offer and onboarding execution: The platform issues compliant India offer letters and contracts. Background verification—education, employment history, and criminal checks—is available as an add‑on but not actively managed unless purchased. RemoFirst does not handle candidate engagement during long notice periods; once a contract is signed, there is no dedicated local follow‑through until the start date.

Workspace and equipment: RemoFirst does not coordinate laptops, desks, or workspace arrangements. Any hardware or workspace logistics must be handled by your internal team or another vendor.

Ongoing support and escalation: Support runs through a global ticketing system. There is no India‑based escalation path or dedicated account manager by default; responses are generally prompt, but operational issues like equipment failures or benefits claims are handled remotely.

Startup suitability: A good entry point for founders focused on cost control and basic compliance. Less suited for teams that need India‑specific operational support, such as onboarding engagement, background checks managed end‑to‑end, or hardware setup, without additional internal resources.

7. Remote

Best for: Startups and mid‑sized companies looking for a well‑known global EOR in India with strong compliance processes and a polished user experience.

Pricing: Around $599 per employee per month for full‑time hires through Remote’s EOR model in India. Optional services—such as advanced background checks, enhanced benefits, or localized perks—are billed separately.

Compliance ownership: Remote employs through its own registered entity in India and manages all required statutory filings and state‑level registrations directly. Multi‑state compliance is handled centrally through its platform. Remote is noted for clear payroll reporting and providing statutory documents like Form 16.

Offer and onboarding execution: The platform generates compliant CTC‑structured offer letters and contracts for India hires. Contract generation is straightforward, but they provide minimal onboarding follow‑through during notice periods – internal teams typically track docs and maintain contact. Background verification services are available as an add‑on, not bundled by default.

Workspace and equipment: Remote does not coordinate laptops or workspace in India, so hardware delivery, warranty handling, and GST credits remain with your team or another vendor.

Ongoing support and escalation: Support runs through Remote’s platform ticket queues, backed by a regional team familiar with India. There is no dedicated on‑ground India operations team, so real‑time issue resolution is handled virtually.

Startup suitability: A strong option if you want a recognized global platform with standardized compliance and plan to expand across multiple countries. For smaller teams in India needing active onboarding support, workspace coordination, or hands‑on local follow‑through, additional vendors or internal resources will still be required.

8. Papaya Global

Best for: Larger companies or scale‑ups that need enterprise‑grade analytics, consolidated reporting across multiple countries, and advanced integrations with internal HR and finance systems.

Pricing: Papaya Global uses custom quotes based on headcount and services. Benchmarked data places India EOR pricing in the $650–$700 per employee per month range. Services such as background checks, hardware procurement, and additional benefits are billed separately.

Compliance ownership: Papaya Global employs through its own registered entity in India and directly manages required statutory filings and state‑level registrations. It is known for detailed audit trails and compliance reporting, which benefit larger teams with internal legal or finance oversight.

Offer and onboarding execution: Issues contracts but does not handle local onboarding follow‑through during notice periods – internal HR or vendors typically manage this. Background verification is offered as an add‑on.

Workspace and equipment: Papaya Global does not coordinate laptops, coworking seats, or WFH setups in India. Hardware procurement and related GST handling remain with your team or a separate vendor.

Ongoing support and escalation: Support is provided through global service desks, and while thorough for enterprise needs, smaller teams may find the process slower for on‑ground issues in India.

Startup suitability: Papaya Global is built for mid‑sized and large companies with established HR teams that can handle local engagement and logistics. For smaller US startups hiring their first team in India, the model can feel heavier and less hands‑on than providers designed for early‑stage execution needs.

How to choose the right EOR partner for your team

Choosing the right EOR in India comes down to three things: how fast you need to hire, how much local execution you expect them to handle, and how you plan to scale over time.

If you need to hire a small team quickly

Without someone tracking documents, clearing background checks, and keeping hires engaged, offers often drop during long notice periods.

Providers that run end‑to‑end checks and maintain candidate engagement through the notice period (such as TeemGenie or Wisemonk) reduce this risk.

If you need day‑to‑day issues handled in India

Without a local team, tasks like tax ID creation, insurance claims, or GST paperwork end up with you or your internal staff. That back‑and‑forth adds up over time.

Providers with their own entity and on‑ground support (such as TeemGenie or Velocity Global) take ownership of these steps.

If you want workspace or hardware handled

Most providers don’t handle laptops, coworking seats, or replacements. If no one coordinates this locally, you’re responsible for procurement and GST credit management.

A few providers (notably TeemGenie) coordinate workspace and hardware at cost and absorb GST, removing that tax‑credit complexity.

If you need predictable monthly costs

Many EOR plans start with a flat fee but rise quickly once you add background checks, equipment handling, or extra filings. Check exactly what’s covered in the base price.

Check what’s included in the base price. Providers with fixed‑scope plans (like TeemGenie) give clearer cost visibility than partner‑based models.

If you plan to move to your own entity later

If you plan to set up your own entity later, make sure the provider maintains full statutory records and filings so your team transitions without gaps.

Providers with direct statutory filings and transparent documentation (such as TeemGenie and Velocity Global) make that transition smoother.

Conclusion

Most global EOR platforms cover legal employment and filings but do not include the on‑ground execution steps, like hardware coordination or hands‑on onboarding, within their standard scope. TeemGenie was built to cover those steps as part of the model.

Beyond compliant employment, we:

Release offers within a business day and manage engagement through long notice periods.
Handle workspace and laptop setup with 18% GST absorbed so you don’t manage credits or leakage.
Include ₹30 L insurance (medical, term, accident) by default and manage POSH policy and registers proactively.
All statutory compliance and filings handled; no third‑party delays.
Give you a single India‑based point of contact for on-ground support and escalations.
Offer employee engagement programs to ensure your remote team feels at ‘home’

If you’re a founder scaling a high‑skill team in India and want that execution handled locally without setting up an entity, TeemGenie was built for you.

Book a 15-minute call to see how we can help you grow.

Best EOR Providers in India for Startups (2025)