These days, talent is everywhere. And with remote work meaning that an employee’s location is no longer a dealbreaker when it comes to making a job offer, any company in the world theoretically has access to that talent.
Whether you’ve discovered the perfect mobile app developer in Mumbai or you’re looking to hire a copywriter in Copenhagen, the world is more or less your oyster — particularly now that employer of record (EOR) platforms are making global hiring less of an operational headache.
With an EOR, there’s nothing stopping you from taking on the finest tech talent in California, for example — one of the world’s renowned technology hubs — even if your company is based in another state or country altogether.
In this guide, we review 6 of the very best EOR solutions for hiring remote talent in the Golden State.
1. Remote
Remote stands out as the gold standard for EOR services in California, particularly when it comes to hiring in the competitive tech market. The platform has built a reputation for excellence with its comprehensive approach to global employment, earning a 4.6 rating on G2 from thousands of verified users.
What makes Remote exceptional for California hiring is its deep understanding of the state’s complex employment landscape. The platform handles everything from California’s strict labor laws to the nuances of equity compensation that are common in Silicon Valley startups.
Remote’s in-house legal team brings over 10 years of average experience to every hire, ensuring compliance with California’s worker classification laws, overtime regulations, and mandatory benefits requirements.
The platform’s pricing structure starts at $599 per employee per month for EOR services, which includes comprehensive benefits packages tailored to California’s requirements. Remote also excels in providing localized HR support, handling everything from California’s paid sick leave requirements to the state’s unique disability insurance programs.
The platform itself is intuitive and built for scalability — making it easy for companies to manage their California workforce alongside global teams — and provides real-time compliance updates alongside comprehensive reporting tools that help businesses stay ahead of the Golden State’s frequently changing employment regulations.
2. Deel
Deel has emerged as one of the most popular EOR platforms for California hiring, particularly among startups and scale-ups in the tech sector. The platform serves over 35,000 companies globally and has built a strong reputation for its user-friendly interface and efficient onboarding process.
Deel’s real strength lies in its comprehensive compliance framework, which is particularly valuable for California employers who must navigate the state’s complex regulatory environment. The platform handles everything from California’s AB5 contractor classification requirements to the state’s unique meal and rest break laws.
The platform’s pricing starts at $49 per month for contractors and $599 per month for full-time employees through their EOR service. Deel’s benefits packages for California employees are competitive and include health insurance, dental, vision, and retirement plans that meet or exceed state requirements.
While the platform generally provides excellent service, some users have reported longer wait times during peak periods, which can be challenging when dealing with time-sensitive employment issues. That said, their self-service resources and knowledge base are comprehensive and help address most common questions quickly.
3. Remote People
Remote People is a rising star in the EOR space, offering transparent and affordable solutions for businesses looking to hire in California. What sets Remote People apart is their combination of flexible EOR services and talent recruitment, making them a great option for businesses that want both compliance and candidate sourcing handled under one roof.
Their platform is designed to simplify the complexities of California’s strict labor laws, managing everything from onboarding and payroll to benefits and tax filings. With a starting price of just $199 per employee per month, Remote People offers one of the most cost-effective EOR models in the market — a compelling choice for startups, SMEs, and growing teams alike.
Remote People also provides hands-on recruitment services to help companies find qualified professionals across California’s tech, creative, and business sectors. This dual offering makes them especially appealing to companies looking to quickly build or scale remote teams without having to juggle multiple service providers.
While their platform may not have the brand maturity of some legacy EOR providers, Remote People is quickly earning recognition for its transparent pricing, reliable compliance support, and ability to recruit top local talent.
4. Papaya Global
Papaya Global has built a strong reputation as an enterprise-focused EOR platform that excels in handling large-scale California hiring operations. The platform serves 160+ countries and has developed sophisticated tools for managing complex, multi-state hiring scenarios that often involve California employees.
The platform’s strength in California hiring comes from its robust compliance engine that automatically updates to reflect changes in state employment law. Papaya’s system handles California’s complex overtime calculations, as well as the state’s unique approach to expense reimbursements. Their benefits administration is particularly strong, offering comprehensive packages that cover required benefits and competitive voluntary options.
Papaya Global’s pricing is tiered based on company size, with significant discounts for organizations with over 1,000 employees. This makes them particularly attractive for larger companies establishing or expanding California operations.
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The platform’s main limitation is that it’s primarily designed for large-scale organizations, which can make it less suitable for smaller companies or startups looking to hire their first California employees. The interface and feature set can be overwhelming for smaller teams, too, and the pricing structure may not be cost-effective for companies with fewer employees.
5. G-P (formerly Globalization Partners)
G-P has established itself as a reliable EOR provider with strong capabilities for California hiring, particularly for companies looking to establish their first U.S. presence in the Golden State. The platform offers comprehensive employment services across 180+ countries and has developed specific expertise in California’s regulatory environment.
G-P’s approach to California hiring emphasizes legal compliance and risk mitigation. Their legal team stays current with California’s frequently changing employment laws, from updates to minimum wage requirements to new regulations around workplace safety and employee rights.
The platform’s benefits packages for California employees are comprehensive and competitive, including California health insurance options that meet state-specific standards plus additional perks like professional development stipends and wellness programs.
G-P’s pricing is typically quoted based on specific needs, but their EOR services generally cost around $600-700 per employee per month.
One area where G-P could improve is in their technology platform, which some users find less intuitive than newer competitors. The interface can feel somewhat dated compared to more modern EOR platforms, and some administrative processes require more manual intervention than users might expect from a premium service.
6. Borderless AI
Borderless AI represents a new generation of EOR platforms that leverage artificial intelligence to streamline global hiring processes. Founded in 2023 and based in Toronto, this innovative platform has quickly gained attention for its technology-driven approach to global employment services.
The platform’s AI capabilities are particularly valuable for California hiring, where employment law complexity can slow down traditional processes. Borderless AI’s system can automatically generate California-compliant employment contracts, identify potential compliance issues before they become problems, and provide real-time guidance on California-specific employment requirements.
Borderless AI’s pricing is competitive, starting around $579 per employee per month for EOR services. Their benefits packages for California employees include all required state benefits plus AI-curated additional options based on employee preferences and industry standards.
As a newer platform, Borderless AI lacks the extensive track record of more established EOR providers, and some companies may prefer the proven human expertise of more traditional EOR platforms, but for those looking for a combination of efficiency and cost-effectiveness, an AI-powered platform may be the answer.
California’s dynamic job market offers incredible opportunities for companies looking to access top-tier remote talent, and the right EOR platform can make the difference between a smooth hiring process and a compliance nightmare.
While each platform has its strengths, Remote stands out for its comprehensive approach and proven track record in California’s complex employment landscape. But the best choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and hiring priorities.
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