Whether you're a startup just beginning to hire internationally or a large company with a sprawling network of contractors, finding the right tool to handle contracts, payments, and compliance is crucial. In this post, we'll look at some of the top global contractor management tools out there and break down what you should look for when choosing one.

We'll cover 5 tools so you can find the one that not only fits your current needs but can also grow with your business. But before that, let's look at 3 things you should note before selecting a contract management tool.

3 Things to Look for in a Contractor Management Software Solution

Features that align with your business

When picking contractor management software, you need to focus on what fits your business size and not what is 'best' according to popular belief.

If you're just starting out, keep it simple. Look for software that helps you bring on new contractors and pay them. That's usually enough. Got a small business? You'll probably want something that can keep track of projects and give you basic reports. Nothing too fancy, but enough to keep you in the loop. Running a big company? Then you need a software that can handle all the rules and regulations you need to follow across countries where your teams might be situated.

The key is to think about what you need now and what you might need as your business grows. This way, you're not wasting money on features you'll never use.

Scalability

You don't want to be switching systems every few years. That's a waste of time and money. Look for software that lets you add new features as you need them. Maybe you start with just the basics, but as your business takes off, you can add things like detailed analytics or the ability to work with different currencies. Some software offers tiered pricing, which means you can start small and upgrade as you grow. This flexibility is crucial. It means your software can keep up with your business without forcing you to overhaul everything every time you expand.

Make sure that the tool you're using is run by founders who're passionate about solving problems with contract management.

Check out the founders' track record. Have they built successful companies before? Do they have deep experience in your industry? This matters because founders who've been through the ups and downs are more likely to weather storms and keep improving their product. Look for founders who are passionate about solving the problem their software addresses, not just making a quick buck. They should be talking about their long-term plans for the product, not just the next few quarters.

Integrations

Your new software needs to play nice with the tools you're already using. If it doesn't, you'll end up with a mess of disconnected systems, and that's a recipe for headaches and mistakes. For example, you might just need the software to connect with your accounting system. That way, you're not entering the same information in two different places. Or you might need a contract management software that can talk to your HR system, your project management tools.

Effective integration minimizes data silos and enhances collaboration across departments. If the software lacks integration capabilities, it can lead to inefficiencies and increased manual work, hindering overall productivity.

Thera

Thera is a comprehensive contractor management platform backed by YCombinator. It's designed to help businesses hire and pay contractors compliantly in over 150 countries. Thera offers a streamlined solution for managing global workforces, handling everything from locally compliant contracts to payments in multiple currencies. It's suited for businesses of all sizes, from startups to enterprises, looking to simplify their international contractor management processes.

Key features:

• Compliant Onboarding: Thera provides localized contracts tailored to local regulations. This feature helps businesses stay compliant with complex international labor laws, simplifying the process of hiring contractors globally.
• Unified Payment System: The platform allows businesses to pay their entire team with one click. It handles invoice reviews, approvals, and payments, eliminating the need for manual spreadsheet management and automating invoice generation for contractors.
• Flexible Payout Methods: Contractors can withdraw their earnings through five different payout methods, including local banks, Wise, and Payoneer. Thera offers competitive exchange rates and instant payouts in over 150 currencies.
• All-in-One Management: Thera centralizes contract management, invoicing, expense tracking, document storage, and KYC (Know Your Customer) processes. This approach eliminates the need to switch between multiple apps.
• Bulk Operations: The platform supports bulk onboarding and payments, allowing businesses to efficiently manage large teams of contractors. This feature is particularly useful for rapidly growing companies or those with extensive global workforces.

Pricing:

Thera offers a highly affordable option with custom pricing tailored to your business needs. Unlike platforms that charge a flat rate regardless of usage, Thera's flexible model ensures you only pay for what you actually use. This approach is especially cost-effective for businesses with fluctuating contractor numbers or seasonal work. Maximize your budget while accessing top-tier contractor management features.

Rippling

Rippling offers a comprehensive global contractor management platform designed to help businesses hire, pay, and manage contractors worldwide. Their solution aims to simplify compliance, enhance the contractor experience, and streamline administrative processes. Rippling supports contractor management in over 185 countries, making it suitable for businesses of all sizes looking to expand their global workforce.

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Key features:

• Hiring and Onboarding: Rippling provides tools for quick onboarding, including locally compliant contracts, KYC verification, and setting up company email addresses.
• Payment Processing: The platform offers fast payment processing, reportedly 3x faster than other solutions, with support for multiple currencies.
• Invoice Management: Rippling automates invoice generation for hourly and fixed-rate contractors and integrates directly with payroll.
• Compliance Management: The system handles KYC document collection and identity verification automatically.
• Centralized Management: All contractor-related tasks can be managed from a single platform, including granting access to apps and running payroll.

Rippling integrates with popular tools like 1Password, Asana, GitHub, Google Workspace,Slack, Zoom, etc. They also have an API to if you need custom integrations.

Pricing:

Rippling offers a flexible pricing model starting at $8 per month, per user. However, this is just a base price. The company uses a custom pricing approach, where the final cost depends on which specific services you choose to use. To get an accurate price for your business, you need to contact Rippling directly for a custom quote based on your selected services and the size of your team

Deel

Deel offers a comprehensive platform to onboard, manage, and pay international contractors compliantly. The platform operates in over 150 countries, focusing on automating HR admin, mitigating misclassification risk, and ensuring timely payments.

Key features:

• Compliance: Deel's always-on compliance system mitigates risks as your business evolves. It includes AI-powered worker classification, automatic flagging of changes in local labor and tax laws, and creation of locally compliant agreements.
• Global Payments: The platform offers 15 flexible payment options in 150 currencies, including cryptocurrency. It supports bulk payment processing and automated invoice management, reducing admin time on global payments.
• Contractor Onboarding: Deel automates onboarding tasks, reducing time by over 50%. It includes features for background checks, equipment provisioning, and a self-serve HR platform for contractors to manage documents, payments, and time off.
• Scalability and Conversion: The platform allows easy conversion of contractors to employees in 100+ countries. It integrates with employer of record services, making it adaptable to your business growth needs.

Deel works  with big names like Wise, PayPal, and Revolut so contractors can get paid in whatever currency they want. They even offer crypto payments through Coinbase, which is a popular with folks in South America.

Pricing:

Deel's Contractor Management plan costs $49 per month for each active contract. This plan includes: misclassification protection, local compliance, automated invoices, 24/7 support, and bulk payments. The pricing for Deel seems to be expensive compared to the features offered, making it not the best fit for startups, and emerging agencies.

Talentdesk

TalentDesk.io is a comprehensive Freelancer Management System designed to help businesses onboard, manage, and pay their freelance workforce seamlessly. It's specifically built for companies that heavily rely on freelancers, offering end-to-end solutions from hiring to multi-currency payments. It helps to reduce administrative burdens, increase visibility, and ensure compliance when working with a global freelance talent pool.

Key features:

• Task and Project Management: TalentDesk.io enables you to create projects, assign tasks, and track progress all in one place. You can get a bird's-eye view of checklists, deliverables, and budgets, which is crucial for managing multiple freelancers across various projects.
• Automated Payments: The platform consolidates invoices and automates payments in 190+ countries and 55+ currencies. This feature significantly reduces administrative burden and ensures freelancers are paid accurately and on time, which is key to maintaining good relationships with your talent.
• Compliance Management: As an Agent of Record (AOR), TalentDesk.io creates and signs freelancer contracts on your behalf. This service helps mitigate legal risks and ensures compliance across different jurisdictions, which is particularly important when working with a global freelance workforce.
• Time and Expense Tracking: The platform offers granular breakdowns of freelancer timesheets and expenses, making it easy to monitor costs and manage budgets effectively.
• Sourcing Tools: TalentDesk.io provides access to a curated pool of freelancers through their TalentMarket feature, allowing you to easily find and hire quality talent when needed.

Pricing:

TalentDesk.io offers three tiers: Starter (for basic freelancer management), Growth (adds project management and payments), and Enterprise (includes advanced compliance features). They use custom pricing based on business needs, emphasizing fairness and transparency. The platform promises not to overcharge for their Agent of Record service and offers cost savings compared to traditional Employer of Record models.

OysterHR

OysterHR is a global employment platform that specializes in contractor management across 180+ countries. It offers an automated, self-serve solution for hiring, onboarding, paying, and managing international contractors. OysterHR caters to businesses of all sizes looking to build and manage remote teams efficiently while mitigating legal and compliance risks.

Key features:

• Global Hiring and Compliance: OysterHR enables businesses to hire contractors compliantly in over 180 countries. The platform offers country-specific workflows to draft, edit, and sign compliant contracts for freelance, pay-as-you-go, and project-based talent.
• Quick Onboarding: The platform streamlines the onboarding process, handling everything from identity verification to contract signing. This feature allows businesses to get contractors up and running quickly for immediate collaboration.
• Flexible Payments: OysterHR supports payments in 140+ currencies, accommodating both pay-as-you-go and fixed payment schedules. This flexibility simplifies cross-border compensation for contractors regardless of the payment structure.
• Centralized Management: The platform provides a unified dashboard for managing invoices, payments, tax forms, and other contractor-related tasks. This centralization helps businesses navigate the complexities of managing a global contractor workforce.
• Misclassification Risk Protection: OysterHR offers "Oyster Shell Protection," which includes aggregate protection up to USD 500,000 against misclassification risks. This feature helps businesses assess and mitigate potential legal issues related to contractor classification.
• Integrations: The platform offers an open API for custom integrations, allowing businesses to connect OysterHR with their existing systems.

Pricing:

OysterHR offers a 30-day free trial for new users, during which all contractor submissions are free. After that, pricing starts at $29 per contractor per month.

Multiplier

Multiplier is a global employment platform that specializes in contractor management and international hiring. It offers tools for onboarding, paying, and managing contractors and employees across borders. The platform aims to simplify global hiring processes, ensure compliance with local laws, and streamline payments in multiple currencies.

Key features:

• Instant Contract Generation: Multiplier creates locally compliant contracts quickly, protecting businesses from legal risks when hiring contractors internationally.
• Multi-Currency Payments: The platform supports payments in over 120 currencies, allowing businesses to pay contractors in their local currency with just one click.
• Invoice and Expense Management: Contractors can submit invoices and expense claims directly through the platform. Businesses can easily manage, approve, or reject these submissions.
• Compliance Assessment Tool: Multiplier offers a free tool to help businesses determine whether a worker should be classified as a contractor or an employee, reducing misclassification risks.
• Crypto Payment Support: The platform allows businesses to pay contractors in cryptocurrency, offering additional flexibility in payment methods.

Pricing:

Multiplier's pricing starts at $40 per month. This base plan includes:

1. Instant generation of contracts and agreements
2. Worker classification assistance
3. Multi-currency and cryptocurrency payment options
4. Benefits and insurance administration
5. 24/5 support from in-house HR and legal experts

Which is the Best Tool for Startups, Agencies, and Small Businesses?

In the world of contractor management tools, it's a bit like comparing apples to slightly different apples. Rippling, Deel, TalentDesk.io, OysterHR, Multiplier - they're all solid choices But for startups, agencies, and small businesses hungry for growth, we think Thera brings something special to the table.

As a Y Combinator-backed company, we've got some serious momentum behind us. We're constantly pushed to innovate and improve. And it shows - our users keep giving us thumbs up, even with all the competition out there.

We're eating our own dog food, so to speak. We use Thera to manage our own global contractors. This means we're not just developers and designers - we're also users. We feel the pain points, and we're always cooking up new features based on real-world experience.

One thing that really stands out about Thera is our approach to support. We're not just throwing you into a generic help center. You get access to a dedicated Slack channel for support. It's like having a direct line to the people who can actually solve your problems. For a small business or startup trying to figure out global hiring, that kind of personalized help can be a game-changer.

Schedule a demo today and see how we can help you manage your contractors.

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