Remote vs Workday: Which HR & Payroll Tool Is Better in 2026?
Remote
From $29Workday
From $100Quick verdict
Overall pick: Remote
Remote is the better fit for companies that need to hire internationally through an Employer of Record, since Workday does not offer global EOR. Remote is also cheaper on a per-seat basis, starting at $29 versus $100 for Workday. Workday is positioned for large enterprises and Fortune 500 workforce planning, so buyers prioritizing enterprise-scale HCM and financials may prefer it despite the higher starting price and the absence of EOR.
- Remote's entry plan ($29) is 71% cheaper than Workday's ($100).
- Only Remote offers: global employer of record (eor) hiring.
Cost calculator
| Tool | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Remote · per user | $145.00 | $1740 |
| Workday · per user | $500.00 | $6000 |
Based on entry-level paid plans. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.
Which one should you choose?
| If you need… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hiring employees in countries where you have no legal entity | Remote | Remote offers global EOR hiring with owned legal entities; Workday lists no global EOR feature. |
| Minimizing per-seat software cost | Remote | Remote starts at $29 per seat versus $100 per seat for Workday. |
| Large enterprise workforce planning | Workday | Workday is explicitly positioned for large enterprises and Fortune 500 workforce planning. |
| Protecting intellectual property through owned entities | Remote | Remote lists IP protection via owned entities among its strengths. |
| Running automated multi-currency payroll | Tie | Both Remote and Workday list automated multi-currency global payroll as a feature. |
Feature comparison: Remote vs Workday
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Starting price | $29 /user/mo | $100 /user/mo |
| Global Employer of Record (EOR) hiring | ✅ | — |
| Automated multi-currency global payroll | ✅ | ✅ |
| Contractor onboarding & contracts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Local healthcare, pensions & equity | ✅ | ✅ |
| Compliance shield & local labor laws | ✅ | ✅ |
| Leave, holiday & PTO tracking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Employee expense management | ✅ | ✅ |
| HRIS integrations & developer API | ✅ | ✅ |
Highlighted rows are where the tools differ.
Pros and cons
Remote
- Includes global EOR hiring with owned legal entities, which Workday does not list
- Lower starting price at $29 per seat versus $100 per seat
- Covers all eight defined features, including contractor management, compliance, and API
- Transparent per-seat pricing and IP protection via owned entities are stated strengths
- No free plan is offered
- Billing is per seat, so cost scales with headcount
- Positioned around international hiring rather than enterprise workforce planning
Workday
- Positioned for large enterprises and Fortune 500 workforce planning
- Covers payroll automation, contractor management, benefits, compliance, time off, expenses, and API
- Longer operating history, founded in 2005 versus 2019 for Remote
- No global EOR hiring feature
- Higher starting price at $100 per seat versus $29 for Remote
- No free plan is offered
Which tool would you pick for your stack?
Cast your vote to see real-time peer recommendations from other software buyers.
At a glance
Global HR platform with owned legal entities for international hiring.
Founded 2019 · From $29 · 8/8 tracked features
Best for: transparent flat pricing, IP protection via owned entities
See Remote alternatives →Enterprise cloud platform for human capital management, payroll, and financials.
Founded 2005 · From $100 · 7/8 tracked features
Best for: large enterprises, Fortune 500 workforce planning
See Workday alternatives →FAQ
Is Remote cheaper than Workday?
Yes. Remote starts at $29 per seat, while Workday starts at $100 per seat. Both bill per seat and neither offers a free plan.
Does Workday offer global EOR hiring?
No. Workday's listed features do not include global EOR. Remote does offer global EOR hiring through owned legal entities.
Which tool covers more of the defined features?
Remote covers all eight defined features. Workday covers seven, missing only global EOR hiring.
Which tool is better for large enterprises?
Workday is positioned for large enterprises and Fortune 500 workforce planning. Remote is positioned around transparent pricing and IP protection via owned entities.
Do both tools offer payroll automation and an API?
Yes. Both list automated multi-currency global payroll and HRIS integrations with a developer API.
Related comparisons
Data last reviewed: pending verification. All HR & Payroll tools →