The top 10 global contractor management software solutions [2024]

If you work with international contractors, having a global contractor management system can be a game changer. Imagine having a software solution that can help you manage contractor compliance around the world, streamline the process of onboarding contractors in different jurisdictions, and even handle your document management—from localizing contractor agreements to storing and updating them when necessary. The best global contractor management software can help you pay contractors in their local currencies, send you notifications when you might be misclassifying workers, and more—all to make engaging with global contractors easier.

Different platforms have different capabilities, so it’s essential to do your research and find the software that’s the right fit for you and your team. To help you get started, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best contractor management software solutions for companies that work with global freelancers. Read on to learn more about what each one has to offer.

What are the top global contractor management software solutions?

What should you look for in a contractor management software solution? At the very least, it should help streamline your global contractor management processes. Look for a platform that includes compliance features—especially if it can automate any part of staying compliant with international labor laws, since that can reduce both headache and administrative burden for your team. You’ll also want a platform that’s intuitive and user-friendly. Cloud-based platforms tend to be the most feature-rich and versatile. Beyond that, it’s really up to what you need for your business and team. Below, find 10 of the best options on the market right now.

1. Rippling

Rippling offers more visibility, more automation, and more customization than alternative options, saving time and creating more efficiency for both contractors and their employers.

With Rippling, it’s easy to onboard contractors in 185+ countries within minutes. Contractors can sign agreements, complete KYC verification, enter payroll details, and get a company email address, all in one flow—and that ease of use is one of the reasons Rippling customers rate the platform so highly.

You can also automate contractor invoices and approvals so payment processing always happens on time. Send payments in 50+ currencies without worrying about the complexities of moving money internationally yourself, including currency conversions. 

And Rippling centralizes all the contractor management features you need—from time off to time tracking to license provisioning and more—all in one system, where all stakeholders can access them as needed.

When you need to manage a global workforce, Rippling has all the tools you need to do it effortlessly.

Key features:

• Onboard international independent contractors across 185+ countries and 50+ currencies in 90 seconds.
• Pay contractors in their local currency in days, without handling transfers or currency conversions yourself.
• Streamline and sync all HR data with payroll including expenses, time sheets, and more.
• Use one GL integration for global spend, saving hours of reconciliation work each month with payroll and expense metrics that's automatically categorized and synced to your general ledger.
• Automate nearly any international payroll process with custom workflows to notify people of important changes and automated administrative tasks—like triggering a reminder to pay a bonus.
• Report on all your contractor data across the world in one place.
• Manage Human Resources, IT, and Finance in one unified system for global workforce management.

2. Remote

Remote can be a good fit for buyers seeking a self-service-oriented, global contractor solution, but buyers should be prepared for manual processes during payroll runs. Buyers should also be prepared to manage IT provisioning for contractors separately, as Remote cannot currently provide this functionality on their platform.

Key features:

• Self-service onboarding: contractor can add their own worker info and complete their own identity verification
• Pre-filled 1099-NEC tax forms
• Ability to assign signatories to contractor agreements
• Ability to create, manage, and sign country-specific contractor agreements
• Contractor payments can be automated for weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly schedules

3. Deel

Deel may provide the most options for contractor payout methods, but it lacks core functionality like an in-house applicant tracking system (ATS) and a mobile app, creating a less streamlined experience compared to alternatives. Global contractors supported by Deel also cite high fees for many payment method methods offered by Deel.

Key features:

• Localized contractor agreement templates
• Contractor classification tool for worker classification
• Bulk contractor payment options available
• 15 contractor payout methods (depending on the country)
• Deel Shield available as an add-on for contractor misclassification protection

4. Multiplier

Multiplier provides a good point solution for global contractor payments, but lacks the HCM functionality that alternatives can provide. This lack of broader HRIS/HCM functionality prevents the efficiency gains that come from consolidation of HR, IT, and Finance tools.

Key features:

• Real-time visibility on contractor onboarding status
• Bulk contractor payments via single click available 
• 120+ available currencies for contractor payments
• In-app expense management & reimbursements
• Project management software integrations available: ClickUp, Trello, Asana

5. OysterHR

OysterHR provides a low-cost point solution for global contractor management, but lacks important in-house functionality that you would expect from a global workforce management platform like time & attendance tracking, applicant tracking (ATS), and equipment provisioning.

Key features:

• 180+ countries and 140+ currencies available
• Country-specific contractor agreement templates simplify onboarding process
• Centralized dashboard for invoice and expense management
• Virtual hiring assistant for self-service compliance
• Oyster Shell available as add-on purchase for contractor misclassification protection

6. Papaya Global

Papaya Global offers a good point solution for paying global contractors but lacks the HCM/HRIS functionality that several marketplace alternatives can provide. In order to get value out of Papaya Global’s platform, customers must also purchase and manage other global workforce management tools like HRIS and ERP solutions, leading to higher overall spend on tech stack.

Key features:

• Global payroll funded in 14 currencies and paid out in 160+ local countries
• Automated journal entries for clients
• Mobile app for supported contractors means better mobile device UX
• Global immigration support available if converting contractors to employees
• Global workforce wallet for contractor direct deposits

7. Plane

Plane offers an easy-to-use contractor payments platform in 70+ currencies but is missing some features that buyers may expect to find in a global contractors solution like alternative payout methods and a mobile application. Plane may work well as a point solution, but buyers will need to be prepared to maintain a full stack of HRIS, ERP, and IT management tools in order to achieve full functionality.

Key features:

• Localized contract generator for cross-border hiring
• Expense management with reimbursements in 1-2 business days
• Contractor payments in 70+ currencies
• Contractor classification guidance
• Global compensation benchmarking for contractors

8. Globalization Partners (G-P)

As a tenured global employer of record (EOR) provider, G-P has developed a network of cross-border infrastructure and partnerships, but still lacks the HCM/HRIS functionality that many global contractor solutions can deliver. G-P also admits that its payroll is not 100% accurate, raising concerns for buyers depending on consistent accuracy with contractor payments.

Key features:

• Contractor payments in 180+ countries, enabled via partnership with Wise
• Batch payments available using multiple invoices
• Real-time payment status tracking
• Digital wallet available for a variety of contractor withdrawal methods

9. Skuad

Skuad delivers a low-cost option for global contractor management, but as a relative newcomer (founded in 2019) has received mixed reviews from its customers. As a point solution, Skuad also lacks HRIS and HCM functionality, so Skuad buyers should be prepared to maintain a full stack of other workforce management tools in order to achieve full functionality.

Key features:

• Contractor payments available in 160+ countries
• Agent of record (AOR) solution available as add-on
• Real-time expense management & tracking
• 100+ global currencies available for contractor payments
• Global immigration & visa support

 10. Remofirst

Another relative newcomer to the global contractor management space, Remofirst delivers on scale with 180+ countries available, but lacks some key features compared to marketplace alternatives like invoicing in more than 5 currencies, HRIS/HCM functions, and an applicant tracking solution.

Key features:

• Contractor payments available in 180+ countries
• Automated KYC checks
• Contractor classification support available
• Talent marketplace available for sourcing global contractor talent
• Fully managed onboarding experience

Compliantly pay contractors anywhere in the world with Rippling

All these contractor management solutions bring different pros and cons to the table. But there’s only one that offers global contractor management integrated with all the other workforce management tools you need in a single platform: Rippling. With Rippling, you can pair EOR with HRIS, recruiting, performance management, and more—and manage all your global contractors and employees in a single system.

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.