Top EOR Providers in India (2026 Guide)

Top EOR Providers in India
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Husys India EOR Payroll & Compliance Experts

Husys India EOR Payroll & Compliance Experts is the in-house team supporting Employer of Record (EOR) payroll operations and statutory compliance for US companies hiring in India. With 250+ years of collective compliance experience, the team has supported 50,000+ contractors to date and helps 5,000+ clients run compliant workforce operations across India.

Editorial note: This content is reviewed internally by payroll and compliance specialists and reflects standard statutory practices in India. For case-specific guidance, consult a qualified professional.

Table of Contents

Thinking of hiring in India? India’s new labor codes just changed how wages are calculated, increased mandatory provident fund contributions, and introduced stricter termination procedures. 

Unlike US at-will employment, India requires 30-90 day notice periods, severance calculations, and extensive payroll compliance. That’s why most US companies start with an Employer of Record, a company that legally employs your India-based team on your behalf while you retain day-to-day control over their work.

In this guide, we break down what an Employer of Record actually does in India, why US companies use them, and compare the top 10 providers operating in the country.

TL;DR

What is an Employer of Record (EOR) in India?

An Employer of Record is a company that becomes the legal employer of your workers in India. You source the talent, run interviews, and make the hiring decisions. The EOR hires the employee on its payroll, issues an Indian-compliant employment contract, and takes responsibility for all statutory paperwork.

You continue to manage the employee’s day-to-day work, performance, promotions, and compensation decisions. The EOR handles compliance, including monthly payroll processing, tax deductions, and mandatory contributions under Indian labor laws.

For US companies, this means you can hire in India without setting up a local entity, opening an Indian bank account, or building an in-house HR and payroll function.

Why US Companies Are Hiring in India in 2026

India offers access to a large, English-speaking talent pool at a fraction of US hiring costs. Combined with workable time zone overlap and a fast-maturing startup ecosystem, it has become a practical expansion market for US companies.

Key reasons driving hiring in India:

EOR vs Entity Setup vs Contractors:

Cost and Risk Comparison

US companies expanding into India typically choose between three models: Employer of Record, local entity setup, or independent contractors. Each option differs significantly in cost, speed, compliance risk, and long-term scalability.

Factor Employer of Record (EOR) Local Entity Setup Independent Contractors
Time to hire
1-2 days
3–6 months
1–2 weeks
Upfront cost
Low
High (legal, tax, setup)
Very low
Ongoing cost
Per-employee EOR fee
Payroll, compliance, admin
Lower, but unstable
Compliance risk
Low (EOR assumes liability)
High (company liable)
High (misclassification risk)
Payroll & tax handling
Fully managed
Company-managed
Contractor-managed
Indian labor law coverage
Yes
Yes
No
Termination complexity
Managed by EOR
High
Legally risky
Permanent establishment risk
Low
High
High
Best suited for
Fast, compliant entry
Large, long-term teams
Short-term, non-core work

Is Using an EOR Legal in India

Yes. Using an Employer of Record in India is legal when the EOR is a registered Indian entity and acts as the formal employer under Indian labor laws. The EOR issues compliant employment contracts, runs payroll, and fulfills statutory obligations such as PF, ESI, TDS, gratuity, and labor law filings.

However, an EOR does not eliminate all risk by default. US companies must ensure the EOR has real on-ground operations in India, properly structures employment relationships, and avoids arrangements that resemble labor-only contracting. When implemented correctly, an EOR is a legally accepted way for foreign companies to hire in India without setting up a local entity.

How to Evaluate EOR Providers: 7 Decision Criteria

Here’s what actually matters when choosing an Top EOR providers in India:

  • Compliance isn’t negotiable. Ask how they handle local labor law changes. If the answer is vague, walk away.
  • Speed kills deals. Top talent won’t wait 3 weeks for onboarding. If they can’t move fast, you’ll lose people to competitors.
  • Own entities or partnerships? Companies with their own local entities take accountability. Third-party networks play pass-the-blame when things break.
  • Your team deals with them, not you. Slow payroll support or terrible HR experience? People quit. Test their employee-facing service before signing anything.
  • Transparent pricing or surprise fees? Get every cost in writing. “Administrative fees” that appear later aren’t administrative, they’re profit.
  • Contract flexibility matters. Markets change. Can you scale down without penalties? What are the actual exit terms?
  • Support responsiveness. Email them a question before you buy. If they’re slow now, imagine during a crisis.

 

Book a 15-minute consultation to review your India hiring plan, cost structure, and compliance risks before you issue offers.

Top EOR Providers in India for 2026

Below are Employer of Record providers with active operations in India. Each profile focuses on how the provider operates on the ground, who they are best suited for, and what US companies should evaluate before choosing them.

1. Husys - a People2.0 Company

Husys is an India-specialist Employer of Record operating since 2001, focused exclusively on helping US and global companies hire and manage employees in India. With over two decades of operating history and more than 3,000 active employees on its payroll, Husys runs end-to-end employment, payroll, and statutory compliance under Indian labor law.

What US employers get

Why do US companies use Husys as their EOR

Husys’s India operational footprint

Note: Most global EORs entered India post-2020 using partner networks. Husys built its payroll, compliance, and labor law operations during multiple regulatory cycles, inspections, and state-level changes. That operating history reduces risk when issues arise around audits, terminations, or state-specific compliance.

  • $99 per employee per month
  • No setup fees
  • No long-term contractual lock-ins
  • No termination fees

Best for: US companies planning serious India scale-up who need long-term compliance certainty, not just fast hiring. 

Trusted by US businesses building teams in India

53% of companies using Husys come from the US. Scale your India team with the same confidence.

2. Deel

Deel is a global payroll and Employer of Record platform that supports hiring across multiple countries, including India. Its EOR offering in India is part of a broader international model designed for companies managing distributed teams across several regions rather than operating in a single country.

What US employers get

What US employers do not get

Best for: Companies hiring across many countries at once, where India is one of several locations.

Pricing: EOR services start at $599 per employee per month.

G2 reviews flag: Slower India-specific support responses, compliance guidance that remains high-level rather than state-specific, and longer escalation timelines when payroll issues arise in single-country setups.

Community discussions (Reddit):

Here is what employers and contractors have shared in independent Reddit discussions about Deel:

3. Remunance

Remunance is an India-focused Employer of Record provider that helps foreign companies hire employees in India without establishing a local entity. Its services are centered on Indian payroll execution, statutory compliance, and employee lifecycle management under Indian labor laws.

What US employers get

What US employers do not get

Best for: Companies looking for a traditional India EOR with basic compliance coverage.

Pricing: Remuneration has not shared pricing details publicly. 

G2 reviews flag: Manual-heavy processes that can extend exit timelines, and limited proactive guidance during regulatory or labor law changes.

4. Remote

Remote provides Employer of Record and payroll services across multiple countries, including India, as part of its global workforce management platform. Its India offering is integrated into a broader system designed to centralize employment operations for distributed teams.

What US employers get

  • Employer of Record support across a wide range of countries, including India
  • Centralized management of employment contracts and payroll
  • Handling of statutory benefits and compliance processes
  • Payroll reporting and documentation through a unified platform
  • Employee self-service tools for payroll and employment records
  • Integration with other HR and workforce management systems

 

What US employers do not get

  • Guaranteed fast onboarding timelines for India hires
  • One-pass contract finalization without review or iteration
  • High-touch local support during India-specific employment edge cases
  • End-to-end in-house execution of India payroll, tax, and PF processing, as these functions are typically handled through local processing partners rather than directly by the platform

 

Best for: Startups hiring their first 3–5 international employees across multiple regions

Pricing: EOR services start at $699 per employee per month.

Trustpilot reviews note: India onboarding timelines can extend to 2–3 weeks during peak periods, and employment contracts may require multiple revision cycles before finalization.

5. Multiplier

Multiplier is a global employment platform that offers Employer of Record services across multiple countries, including India. Its India EOR capability is part of a broader international hiring model designed for companies managing employees in several jurisdictions.

What US employers get

  • Employer of Record hiring support in India as part of a multi-country platform
  • Centralized onboarding and employment documentation
  • Payroll processing aligned with local statutory requirements
  • Management of mandatory benefits and tax-related deductions
  • Employment lifecycle support through a single dashboard
  • Employee self-service access for payroll and documents

 

What US employers do not get

  • Deep advisory support on India labor code changes or wage restructuring
  • Fully hands-off payroll operations without occasional follow-up
  • Country-specific compliance strategy beyond core statutory execution

 

Best for: Mid-sized companies (20–100 employees) hiring across Asia-Pacific with centralized billing

Pricing: EOR services start at $400 per employee per month.

 

Capterra feedback highlights: Occasional payroll adjustments requiring follow-up, and limited depth of advisory support on India labor code changes beyond core statutory compliance.

Community discussions (Reddit):

An employee working via Multiplier EOR in Brazil posted about serious benefit administration issues, including life insurance coverage lapsing for an extended period and slow, email-only support during resolution attempts. 

While this experience relates to Brazil, it highlights risks around benefit handling and support responsiveness that employers often consider when evaluating EOR partners in other markets, including India.

6. Rippling

Rippling is a workforce management platform that combines HR, payroll, IT, and finance tools, with Employer of Record services available for international hiring, including in India. Its EOR functionality is integrated into a broader system used to manage global employees.

What US employers get

  • Employer of Record support for hiring employees in India
  • Centralized management of payroll, employment records, and compliance tasks
  • Handling of statutory benefits and tax deductions
  • Integration with HR, IT provisioning, and finance workflows
  • Employee self-service tools for payroll and documentation

 

What US employers do not get

  • India-dedicated EOR teams with local decision-making authority
  • Immediate resolution for payroll exceptions requiring manual intervention
  • Hands-on advisory support for complex India labor law scenarios

 

Best for: Companies already using Rippling for HR and IT who want EOR as an add-on.

Pricing: EOR per employee per month averages $499 to $599 based on publicly available sources.

G2 reviews flag: India EOR support is routed through global queues, resulting in slower resolution for payroll exceptions and limited hands-on guidance for complex local labor law scenarios.

Community discussions (Reddit):

An employer posted about their experience with Rippling on Reddit, saying the payroll implementation fell apart early due to repeated system issues and workarounds that failed in live runs. They also flagged delays in account closure, missing quarterly tax filings, and slow support responses, which blocked their move to a new payroll provider and raised compliance concerns.

7. Skuad

Skuad provides Employer of Record services across multiple countries, including India, supporting companies that hire internationally without setting up local entities. Its India offering operates within a global platform designed for distributed workforce management.

What US employers get
  • Employer of Record hiring capability in India
  • Support for employment contracts and payroll execution
  • Handling of statutory benefits and compliance requirements
  • Centralized workforce management through an online platform
  • Employee access to payroll and employment documentation

 

What US employers do not get
  • Predictable payroll timelines during high-volume processing periods
  • High-touch support outside standard ticket-based workflows
  • Guided handling of complex exits or statutory change management

 

Best for: Cost-sensitive teams hiring in multiple emerging markets simultaneously.

Pricing: EOR services start at $199 per employee per month.

G2 reviews flag: India payroll timelines can vary during peak cycles, with support primarily managed through ticketing systems and less clarity during statutory changes or employee exits.

8. Asanify

Asanify is an India-based HR and payroll platform that also supports Employer of Record-style hiring for foreign companies. Its services are centered on Indian payroll execution, statutory compliance, and employee documentation, with EOR capabilities layered onto its core HR infrastructure.

What US employers get
  • Support for hiring employees in India without setting up a local entity
  • Payroll processing aligned with Indian statutory requirements
  • Management of mandatory contributions such as PF, ESI, and tax deductions
  • Employment documentation and record-keeping under Indian labor laws
  • HR tools for leave management and employee records
  • Employee self-service access for payslips and documents

 

What US employers do not get
  • Fully mature EOR workflows for complex terminations or disputes
  • Deep experience managing compliance-heavy employment scenarios
  • Fast escalation when payroll and labor law issues intersect

Best for: India-based teams that want payroll tooling with light EOR support.

Pricing: EOR services start at $199 per employee per month.

Capterra reviews flag: EOR workflows are less mature than the core payroll offering, with limited experience handling complex terminations and slower escalation during compliance-heavy cases.

9. Papaya Global

Papaya Global is a global payroll and workforce management platform that provides Employer of Record services across multiple countries, including India. Its India EOR offering is part of a centralized model focused on payroll visibility and compliance reporting across regions.

 

What US employers get
  • Employer of Record support in India within a multi-country payroll platform
  • Centralized payroll processing and reporting across jurisdictions
  • Handling of statutory benefits and tax-related compliance requirements
  • Workforce data consolidation for global teams
  • Employee access to payroll records and documentation

 

What US employers do not get
  • Direct, in-house execution of India payroll and compliance activities
  • Rapid onboarding for India hires requiring extensive local documentation
  • Immediate local escalation during payroll discrepancies

 

Best for: Finance-led organizations prioritizing global payroll visibility and reporting.

Pricing: EOR services start at $599 per employee per month.

G2 reviews flag: India onboarding can take longer than expected, payroll discrepancy resolution may involve extended response cycles, and local compliance execution often relies on partner networks.

 
Community discussions (Reddit):

A user shared concerns about Papaya Global, saying the platform does not take direct payroll liability and relies heavily on local partners for payroll processing. They noted that when payroll accuracy issues arise, Papaya pushes responsibility to its partners instead of owning the issue end to end, which can create accountability gaps for customers.

10. Wisemonk

Wisemonk is an India-focused Employer of Record provider that supports foreign companies hiring employees in India without establishing a local entity. Its services focus on employment contracts, payroll processing, and statutory compliance under Indian labor laws.

What US employers get
  • Employment of India-based workers through an Indian entity
  • Payroll processing and statutory compliance management
  • Handling of mandatory contributions and labor law documentation
  • Support for onboarding and employee lifecycle processes
  • Coordination for payroll and compliance-related queries

 

What US employers do not get
  • Proven scalability for large or rapidly growing India teams
  • Consistent processing speed during peak payroll cycles
  • Deep support infrastructure as headcount increases

 

Best for: Early-stage companies hiring their first few employees in India.

Pricing: EOR per employee, per month (range): $99 – $500.

G2 reviews flag: Processes are well-suited for small teams but can slow down during peak payroll cycles, with reduced support depth as headcount scales.

What US Employers Get Wrong About Indian Labour Laws

Hiring in India isn’t just “find talent, send an offer, start work.” The legal framework is fundamentally different from the US, and mistakes get expensive fast.

Here’s what catches most US companies off guard:

  • Notice periods are real and enforced: In India, notice periods are typically 60–90 days and actively enforced. Immediate start dates are rare, so plan for a 2–3 month gap between offer acceptance and start date.
  • At-will employment doesn’t exist: Terminations require documented performance issues, formal notice, and severance calculations based on years of service. Fire someone wrong, and you’re facing legal disputes.
  • Statutory benefits aren’t optional: Provident Fund, Employees’ State Insurance, gratuity, and paid leave are mandated by law with fixed contribution rules. Get them wrong, and you’re liable for penalties plus back payments.
  • Contracts must be in local format: US employment agreements are not enforceable in India. Contracts must include India-specific clauses covering probation, notice periods, and termination.
  • Payroll follows different timelines: Salary is paid monthly, not bi-weekly. Statutory deductions go to government portals with strict deadlines. Miss a PF filing deadline, and penalties start immediately.
  • Leave policies are mandated: Most Indian states require 15–30 days of earned leave, 7–12 sick leave days, and 7–10 casual leave days annually. These are statutory minimums, not optional benefits.
  • Compliance varies by state: India has central labor laws, but states add their own rules. What’s compliant in Karnataka might not work in Maharashtra.
  • The true cost exceeds base salary: Between statutory contributions, benefits, and compliance overhead, budget an additional 20–30% on top of base salary for the true cost per employee.

Let’s take an example of an employee with a base annual salary of ₹25,00,000 in India.

ComponentAmount (INR)Amount (USD, approx.)
Base salary₹25,00,000$27,250
Provident Fund (12%)₹3,00,000$3,270
ESI (3.25%)₹81,250$887
Gratuity provision (4.81%)₹1,20,250$1,311
Professional Tax₹2,400$26
Total employer cost₹30,03,900$32,744

This represents an actual cost increase of almost 20% over the base salary. This calculation excludes bonuses, leave encashment, and any state-specific labor cess.

The 2025 Labour Code Reforms Explained for US Companies

The table below summarizes the key shifts for US companies. It shows how the 2025 Labour Codes (being implemented in 2026) differ from the old 2024–25 regime on wages, contracts, gig workers, and compliance.

Area

India Labour Law (2024–25)

India Labour Codes (2025–26)

Governing framework

29 separate central labour laws with overlapping provisions and state-specific variations

Four consolidated Labour Codes covering Wages, Industrial Relations, Social Security, and Occupational Safety and Working Conditions

Definition of wages

Different wage definitions across laws with many allowances excluded from statutory calculations

Single wage definition across all codes with excess allowances added back for statutory purposes

Minimum wage coverage

Minimum wages applied only to scheduled employments so large sections of the workforce were excluded

Minimum wages apply to all workers with a national floor wage and state-level flexibility

Gratuity eligibility

Fixed-term employees required five years of service for gratuity eligibility

Fixed-term employees become eligible for gratuity after one year on a pro-rata basis

Gig and platform workers

No formal statutory recognition and limited clarity on social security obligations

Formal recognition under the Social Security Code with potential welfare fund contributions by aggregators

Layoff and retrenchment approval

Government approval required for layoffs in establishments with 100 or more employees

Approval required only for establishments with 300 or more employees with obligations on notice and severance continuing

Work from home

No explicit statutory recognition and reliance on internal policies

Explicitly permitted for service-sector roles with continued compliance obligations

Equal pay

Equal pay rules applied mainly across genders in scheduled employments with uneven enforcement

Equal pay extended across genders including transgender employees with stronger enforceability

Overtime pay

Overtime rates varied by state and sector

Overtime payable at a minimum of twice the normal wage rate across sectors

Leave entitlement

Annual leave eligibility typically required 240 days of work with state-level variation

Annual paid leave eligibility after 180 days of work with standardized rules

Women working night shifts

Generally restricted except in select sectors with permissions

Permitted across sectors with employee consent and safety measures

Compliance regime

Multiple registrations and returns with heavy paperwork and inspections

One registration, one license, and one return supported by digital compliance systems

Here’s what each of these statutory contributions (EPF, ESI, gratuity, etc.) actually means for employers in India.

  • Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF): A mandatory retirement contribution where employers contribute a fixed percentage of wages each month for eligible employees.
  • Employees’ State Insurance (ESI): A statutory health insurance scheme applicable to employees below a defined wage threshold, funded through employer and employee contributions.
  • Gratuity: A statutory severance payment calculated based on tenure. Under the new labour codes, fixed-term employees become eligible after one year of service.
  • Professional Tax (PT): A state-level tax deducted from employee salaries, with rates varying by location.
  • Statutory Bonus: Mandatory bonus payments applicable to eligible employers and employees based on salary limits and company size under Payment of Bonus Act.

Check out the frequently asked questions on the new labour codes as answered by the Government. 

Common Mistakes US Companies Make When Hiring in India

rom what we’ve seen over the last 23 years working with US employers hiring in India, most issues come from applying US hiring assumptions to Indian labour law and payroll execution.

Common mistakes include:

  • Issuing offer letters without accounting for 60–90 day notice periods, pushing start dates out by months.
  • Terminating employees without documented cause, notice, or severance can quickly escalate into labor disputes.
  • Structuring compensation with low base pay and high allowances, increasing PF and gratuity exposure under the new wage definition.
  • Engaging long-term contractors who operate like employees creates misclassification and social security liability.
  • Missing monthly PF or ESI filing deadlines, triggering penalties, and retrospective interest.
  • Applying a single compliance approach across states despite state-level labor law differences.
  • Budgeting only for base salary and underestimating total employment costs by 20–30%.

Not sure if your India hiring plan accounts for these risks?

Book a 15-minute compliance review with Husys. We’ll flag the gaps in your contracts, payroll structure, and termination clauses before they become expensive problems.

Conclusion

Hiring in India works well for US companies when payroll, compliance, and employment structure are treated as first-order decisions, not afterthoughts. The 2025 labour reforms have raised the cost of mistakes by tightening wage definitions, expanding statutory coverage, and reducing flexibility around contracts and exits.

This is where an Employer of Record can help. They employ your team locally in India, run payroll and statutory compliance, and let you hire without setting up an Indian entity upfront. 

Husys enables US companies to hire employees in India while managing Indian payroll, statutory contributions, employment contracts, and labour law compliance end-to-end. 

Cut India Expansion costs by 80%. Speak to an Expert.

 

Run monthly payroll, deposit PF, ESI, and TDS, and meet statutory deadlines from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. How much does an EOR cost in India?

Most EOR providers in India charge a per-employee monthly fee, typically ranging from $80 to $300 per employee, depending on service scope. This is in addition to the employee’s salary and statutory contributions, which usually add 20–30% to base pay.

2. Can I convert EOR employees to my own entity later?

Yes. Many US companies start with an EOR and later transition employees to their own Indian entity once headcount justifies it. The transition involves issuing new employment contracts and transferring payroll registrations, which the EOR usually supports.

3. What happens if the EOR shuts down?

Legally, employees remain employed by the EOR. If an EOR ceases operations, employees must be transitioned to another EOR or your own entity to avoid payroll disruption. This is why evaluating the provider’s operating history and financial stability matters.

4. How long does termination take in India?

Termination timelines depend on contract terms and state laws, but 30–90 days of notice is standard. Immediate termination is rare and usually requires documented misconduct. Severance and statutory payouts may also apply.

5. Do I need a business license to use an EOR?

No. You do not need to register an Indian entity, obtain local licenses, or open an Indian bank account to hire through an EOR. The EOR acts as the legal employer and fulfills all local compliance requirements.

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