In-Depth Deel Review

Introducing the Deel Company

Deel is top of mind for many businesses considering EOR services, largely due to its disruptive growth early on. The Deel company surged from $1M ARR to $100M in 20 months, earning the title of the fastest-growing startup ever. By now, it has achieved a global presence in over 150 countries and received multiple accolades, including recognition in the Forbes Cloud 100, Y Combinator, G2 Awards, and others.

But what about real-world business scenarios — does the platform shine as bright as it appears? Is Deel legit at all? Is it truly a good fit for every business case — or are there unforeseen pitfalls to consider? Let’s delve into the details.

In this expert Deel review, we’ve consolidated expert evaluations, over 300 Deel payroll reviews, and user ratings to provide a well-rounded assessment of its strengths, weaknesses, and use cases – helping you determine if Deel’s offerings align with your business needs.

What Is the Deel Platform?

Deel is an international workforce management platform that incorporates hiring, payroll, compliance, tax and invoices management, HRIS, and other HR outsourcing services.

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Core Deel values incorporate trust, transparency, and a commitment to simplifying global workforce management. With its automation and localization capabilities, the Deel HR platform provides solutions for businesses to compliantly manage the complexities of a global workforce, including both full-time employees and independent contractors.

In doing so, Deel’s value proposition includes:

• All-in-one solution for multinational teams or businesses planning to go global.
• End-to-end HR management for remote employees no matter where they are.
• Centralized workforce data and insights all in one platform.

With versatility at the core of the platform, Deel incorporates a range of capabilities and use case scenarios. Let’s review them.

Deel EOR: Who Uses It and What It Offers

Starting with an analysis of the Deel EOR platform, nothing speaks more to the platform’s capabilities than real-life applications. Explore the most common use cases and real results by businesses that utilize the platform:

Automating payroll administration

Deel allows for setting up recurring payments that consider varying payment cycles, tax regulations, and other country-specific requirements. This, along with the one-click payroll feature, streamlines global payroll operations and ensures timely payments — an aspect that is particularly beneficial for independent contractors and remote teams.

Examples:

• Paperform saves 104 days of annual HR costs.
• Divbrands now saves more than 8 hours every week on payroll and compliance tasks.

Expanding into new markets

One of the platform’s key features is Deel global payroll, which enables companies to pay cross-border employees and contractors following local tax regulations without needing to establish a local entity. Additionally, localized payment options, automated compliance checks, and employee onboarding capabilities facilitate seamless expansion.

Examples:

• Flagship Founders hired in 20+ countries with Deel.
• Leya saved over $120K in entity setup costs and more than 450 hours on the setup process.

Streamlining Global Hiring and Compliance

Through an integrated platform with built-in automated compliance checks, the Deel Employer of Record services simplifies the complexities of recruiting across different jurisdictions. Additionally, Deel’s onboarding capabilities help companies to onboard employees quickly and efficiently, regardless of their location. Moreover, the platform’s contract management system enables easy generation, management, and storage of employment contracts that comply with regional requirements.

Examples:

• Senders reduced hiring costs by up to 60% by leveraging global talent with Deel.
• Cake saved over $3,000 per hire in compliance costs using the Deel platform.

Consolidating HR operations

With its multifaceted capabilities, Deel HR solutions empower the consolidation of HR-related operations into a single platform. This leads to simplified payroll, strengthened compliance, and HR transparency across regions and teams.

Examples:

• Petvisor consolidated 5 payroll systems into a single Deel international payroll system.
• Outreach unified 4 separate vendors into a single platform for global payroll.

Accelerating HR tasks

Deel’s features, such as one-click payroll, automated onboarding, contract management, and integrated tax reporting, help companies significantly reduce the administrative burdens on HR teams.

Examples:

• SafetyWing streamlined its HR processes, saving around 30 hours monthly.
• Deel helped Finder minimize HR administrative tasks by 20% and reduce onboarding time by 50%

Assessing the Deel Platform with the 4Ps Score

To provide a comprehensive perspective on the Deel platform, we developed a proprietary assessment framework based on four key criteria: performance, processes, platform experience, and pricing. See how Deel scores in each category below:

Deel Performance (Features and Functionality)

Score: 4.7/5

From a user perspective, Deel offers a comprehensive suite of Employer of Record (EOR) services, including payroll management, benefits administration, tax compliance, and onboarding processes. The platform also boasts automation features that streamline payroll and invoicing, which adds to the platform’s overall versatility. However, the platform’s current customization options have limitations: the ability to adjust operational workflows or custom reporting formats are some of them. Also, depending on the country, Deel may offer only a few health insurance options. Besides, features like offboarding, calendar management, and applicant tracking are missing.

Deel Process Efficiency and Compliance

Score: 4.8/5

Judging by the platform’s intuitive experience, Deel has proven to simplify and streamline HR management tasks like onboarding and payroll. Most workflows are automated and do not require much manual input: for example, integrated tools for contract management and compliance checks ensure that all necessary legalities are adhered to, which is very convenient for HR teams. Besides, Deel’s tutorials and resources provide extra insights into managing processes efficiently within the platform.

However, Deel users have to keep in mind this: while Deel provides robust compliance tools tailored to different jurisdictions, navigating international compliance and global payroll with Deel still needs some oversight and verification, especially for less common countries of expansion or the ones with highly specific tax regulations like India or others.

Also, our investigation found that some Deel customers have reported occasional delays or other inefficiencies related to payroll processing and visa approvals — occasionally coupled with poor customer support, these issues may result in unforeseen challenges. Considering this, businesses should handle their processes in advance.

Deel Platform Experience (Technology & User Experience)

Score: 4.8/5

Deel’s intuitive design makes navigation straightforward for both employers and employees. The user onboarding process, along with tutorials and other resources, eases adoption, while extensive integrations simplify processes and support smoother workflows.

In the meantime, Deel users should pay attention to platform pricing, currency exchange rates, and commissions, as navigating these details can be challenging at first. Besides, for employees using EOR for the first time, understanding the relationship between the company they work for and Deel can be confusing. Therefore, employers should address this aspect to ensure clarity whenever needed.

Deel Pricing (Transparency & Value)

Score: 4.6/5

Deel’s pricing model feels clear and straightforward at first. However, be aware that the cost may not be final, and additional Deel charges may be incurred during transactions as well. Additionally, since Deel operates globally, currency conversion can lead to additional costs than expected. 

Overall, Deel’s pricing is considered relatively high — however, when factoring in its extensive capabilities and the potential time and cost savings it offers, it can represent good value for money for businesses.

To sum up, Deel performs strongly across most assessment criteria: functionality, process efficiency, and user experience. For pricing transparency, we recommend that potential users conduct a thorough review of Deel’s cost structure to gain a clear understanding of all potential expenses and avoid unexpected fees. 

Overall, despite minor areas for improvement, the platform’s robust EOR features and user-friendly experience provide high value for businesses looking to scale.

What Users Think: Deel Pros and Cons

The Deel user community is diverse, spanning various regions and business needs. No wonder this diversity leads to a wide range of experiences. And, while many users report positive outcomes and Deel benefits, some challenges do exist. 

We’ve gathered key user rating highlights so you don’t have to scour through the reviews — so let’s explore the aspects that Deel users focus on the most.

Insights from various Deel reviews by real users reveal both the platform’s strengths and weaknesses, helping to paint a comprehensive picture of its functionality. Consider these aspects when evaluating Deel.

Deel’s Positive Feedback

Efficiency for global HR operations

Versatility

Extra perks

Deel’s Weak Spots and Things to Consider

Customer support challenges

Limited support

Flexibility limitations and delays

What Does Deel Do? Key Features Revealed

Contract Management

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Deel supports various contract types, including fixed-rate, pay-as-you-go, and milestone contracts. Each contract type has a dedicated video walkthrough that details the setup process. Besides, the platform enables users to perform various contract-related operations:

• Create contracts based on pre-set templates and sign them.
• Automatically manage payment schedules with recurring payments.
• Store and access compliance documents.

Compliance Management

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Based on your country of tax residence, local laws, and legal structure, Deel generates a list of specific compliance documents that need to be uploaded. This allows businesses to:

• Ensure all contracts adhere to relevant legal standards.
• Mitigate risks for both the company and the client.
• Store and access compliance documents directly within the platform for streamlined management.

Invoice Management

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Each time a client submits a payment, Deel automatically generates an invoice for the contractor. In the dedicated Invoices section, you can view complete payment history, filter invoices by month, see detailed breakdowns of individual invoices, and export files as needed. 

Additionally, Deel allows you to:

• Add adjustments to invoices based on type and date.
• Automate invoicing for recurring payments.
• Attach relevant files to invoices, such as receipts.

Withdrawal Options

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Deel includes allows for seamless withdrawals with the following features:

• Support for several withdrawal methods (bank transfer, Deel Instant Card Transfer, Deel Card);
• An automatic withdrawal option for instant fund transfers;

The possibility of early withdrawals of up to 5 days before your payment due date.

Deel Card

Deel Card is available for the platform users as a viable withdrawal option and an alternative corporate debit card. It allows its cardholders to fund the card directly from their Deel account balance and offers several advantages:

• Getting a paycheck in a stable currency (USD).
• Accessing funds quickly and spending earnings securely online or in-store.
• Using the card anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted.

Deel Advance

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Deel Advance is a built-in functionality that provides access to short-term cash advances at no interest rate for eligible independent contractors. This unlocks the following advantages:

• Avoidance of traditional bank loans.
• Elimination of lengthy application processes.
• Repayment, structured around upcoming payments to alleviate the added financial strain.

Insurance Options

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Deel lists several supported insurance options based on your region. To get started with an insurance provider, users can request a quote within the Deel platform. Then, the insurer will follow up by email with instructions to complete setup on their website.

Deel’s insurance functionality enables users to:

• Access insurance options directly within the platform.
• Manage insurance policies for employees or contractors.
• Simplify compliance with insurance requirements for contract workers.

Perks Management

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Deel provides a list of perks that can be redeemed through the Deel platform. The range of available perks depends on specific locations and may include the following categories:

• Fitness and well-being programs, digital health resources, mental health support, etc.
• Productivity and task management tools, financial solutions, workspace access, etc.
• Personal growth and development solutions — career guidance, language courses, and other learning resources.

Mobility Support

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As part of Deel’s EOR services, Deel can review a candidate’s visa eligibility and follow up with the client. The platform includes a dedicated Immigration tab where clients can select the country for the visa request and track case progress.

Deel Integrations

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Deel supports over 100 integrations with popular industry solutions, fostering seamless workflows without disruptions. Some of its most widely used integrations are:

• Collaboration and productivity solutions, including Slack, Google Calendar, Jira, Hubstaff, Microsoft Teams, etc.
• Hiring and HR tools, such as BambooHR, Hibob, Greenhouse, and others.
• Accounting and expense management like QuickBooks, NetSuite, Xero, Expensify, Brex, and Moss, to name a few.

Additional Deel’s Standout Features

Apart from the features mentioned above, Deel includes a range of built-in solutions that can help optimize HR and payroll-related operations. They cover the following areas:

• Risk management: Deel’s employment tools cover classification and compliance, or background checks for secure cross-border hiring and simplify regulatory adherence.
• Operational efficiency: from time tracking to automated payroll, Deel aims to deliver the tools to enhance productivity and reduce manual tasks.
• Data-driven insights: built-in Deel analytics empower companies to make informed decisions. For example, region-specific employment trend analysis helps businesses maintain competitive practices, growth trends pinpoint important business employment insights to scale further growth, while Deel Calculator can help estimate employee hiring costs in a specific country.

Deel Pricing Breakdown

While all these features may sound great, you might still ask: how much does Deel cost — and does the pricing justify the functionality? Well, we’ve got you covered with the cost breakdown, too.

Deel’s EOR services incorporate a suite of solutions for hiring and managing international employees, priced at $499 per month with an annual payment or $599 per month for a month-to-month subscription.

The platform’s EOR package incorporates local payroll, taxes, and benefits administration, employee compliance management, country-specific benefits packages, and centralized reporting. With the subscription, Deel users also receive supported integrations with dozens of HR and finance tools, access to over 200 local HR and legal experts, 24/7 support, and a dedicated Customer Success Manager.

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Meantime, note some extra fees that might be incurred based on the following factors:

• Foreign exchange fees: might range from 3% to 6%, depending on currency pairs,  market rates, and the Deel payment methods used​.
• Withdrawal fees: around $5 may apply for cross-border transactions, even when transferring in the same currency across different regions​.
• Calendar-month billing: the full month may be charged instead of prorated costs, even though users join late in a billing cycle​.
• Additional services: services such as Deel visa sponsorship, renewals, and administrative support incur separate fees beyond the standard EOR rate.

How Does Deel Work?

Before getting the Deel platform up and running, there are several steps to complete, from account setup to verifications and more. 

To ease the process and help users navigate the platform’s many features and unfamiliar interface, the platform supports its new users with the onboarding process tailored to the needs of either Deel contractors or employees.

While the basic setup steps are similar for both segments, there are differences in action steps and features that cater to the unique needs of each. Let’s review them in more detail.

Zooming out on contractor onboarding with Deel, the initial setup reflects that employers require tools to streamline administrative and regulatory tasks and enables them to efficiently manage a global workforce. Consequently, their Deel setup focuses on compliance, contract management, invoicing, and withdrawal setup. Besides, initial steps like invoice customization and health insurance options make sure the platform is tailored to their administrative needs.

In contrast, employees follow a simplified onboarding path that includes payroll setup, compliance data submission, and high-level platform discovery, along with access to additional features like payslips and perks. This ensures they’re equipped for their roles and payroll from day one without being overwhelmed by the platform.

Meantime, a seamless onboarding process for both contractors and employees cannot be complete without further exploration of additional resources.  Access to resources like video tutorials, FAQs, and a Help Center can significantly reduce the learning curve and enhance user confidence with the platform’s functionality — so don’t neglect them. 

Deel Evaluation: The Final Verdict

Deel excels as an Employer of Record (EOR) platform for businesses looking to expand globally while ensuring regulatory compliance and streamlined HR processes. 

With Deel global payroll support across over 150 countries and 100+ integrations for seamless hiring and HR operations, the platform offers good value for money when it comes to remote or international teams. Whether it’s automating payroll administration, expanding into new markets, streamlining global hiring and HR operations, simplifying compliance, or consolidating HR functions, Deel has a proven track record of delivering results.

Meantime, the platform’s pricing can be a significant expense for smaller businesses or startups, making it better suited for mid-sized to large businesses with substantial international needs. Ultimately, the choice depends on business priorities, including the desired level of control, the importance of customization options, and the need for responsive support.

Deel Review: FAQs

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