Deel Review: How & why we use it (Is it right for you?)

Helpful summary

Overview: We at Embarque have reviewed how Deel, a payroll management tool, is beneficial for SEO agencies, startups, and businesses. Deel streamlines HR processes and payroll management, crucial for businesses with a global and diverse workforce.

Why you can trust us: Our review is based on our experience using Deel to manage our distributed team's payroll. We've seen firsthand how it makes complex payment processes, onboarding new employees, and managing an international team from various locations much easier.

Why this is important: Efficient payroll management, like that offered by Deel, is essential for businesses aiming to enhance their online presence organically. It allows them to focus resources and attention on SEO strategies rather than administrative tasks, driving more traffic and generating revenue.

Action points: We recommend businesses, especially those with international teams, to consider Deel for their payroll needs. Its automation, compliance features, and multi-currency support make it an ideal choice for efficient HR and payroll management.

Further research: Businesses should evaluate their specific payroll and HR needs and compare various tools like Deel to find the best fit. Understanding features and benefits relevant to your operations is key to making the best decision for your business.

A Deel review based on our own experience

Navigating the complexities of payroll is a challenge many businesses face, especially with the rise of remote workforces that span multiple countries and time zones. The headaches of dealing with multiple tax laws, currency exchanges, and regulatory compliance can be overwhelming. This is a challenge we at Embarque know all too well. As an SEO agency with a global reach, catering to diverse businesses including B2B SaaS, marketplaces, job boards, and various online businesses, we require a payroll solution that can easily handle the complexity of managing payments and contracts for all these different areas.

With our hands-on expertise in managing a distributed team, we have found a powerful tool in Deel for our payroll management needs. Our experience with Deel has given us a unique perspective on its efficiency and how it can revolutionize payroll operations for SEO agencies like ours.

In this article, we'll share our experience with Deel and provide an in-depth review of how and why we use it to keep our payroll processes seamless and efficient. Join us as we explore the various use cases of Deel, offering insights that could help you streamline your own payroll system.

Why you should trust us? Well, we’ve used Deel.

Our experience with Deel shows its effectiveness in streamlining payroll and HR processes. Deel has been instrumental in managing our diverse international team, ensuring compliance with various global workforce and tax regulations. 

The platform's robust features have significantly simplified complex payroll tasks, allowing us to onboard professionals from different countries easily. Our firsthand experience confirms Deel's effectiveness in enhancing payroll operations, contributing positively to our financial management and overall business success.

What is Deel?

Established in 2018, Deel set out to modernize the way companies manage payroll for their international teams.

As a cloud-based platform, Deel facilitates the hiring, onboarding, and payment process for both contractors and full-time employees. It has become a crucial tool for businesses that operate on a global scale, offering the ability to process payroll in over 150 different currencies and adhere to local compliance requirements in over 150 countries.

The magic of Deel lies in its attention to the intricacies of international payroll. It navigates the complex web of global tax laws and employment regulations, ensuring that businesses remain compliant without having to become experts in international labor law. Deel's platform is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, so companies can set up and manage their payroll systems with ease, even when dealing with multiple countries and legal frameworks.

From generating localized contracts to handling necessary tax documentation, Deel automates many of the processes that would otherwise consume hours of work. Doing so, not only simplifies the payroll process but also helps businesses avoid costly mistakes that could arise from non-compliance.

Deel has become an invaluable asset for companies looking to expand their talent pool beyond borders without getting entangled in the complexities of international payroll management.

Deel's key features

Automated global payroll management

Deel's payroll features offer a comprehensive global solution, supporting payroll in over 150 countries with multiple payment options, including various currencies and methods like bank transfers and cryptocurrencies. 

The platform automates end-to-end payroll processing, ensuring compliance with local tax and employment laws, and integrates seamlessly with popular HRIS and accounting systems. Detailed payroll reports provide insights into salaries, taxes, benefits, and deductions, while managed treasury services handle direct payments to employees and authorities. 

Employees benefit from a self-service portal for easy access to payslips and payroll history. Additionally, Deel's platform allows customization of payroll, including bonuses and allowances, catering to diverse employee needs and local statutory requirements.

Multiple payment options

Deel offers over 15 different payment options in more than 200 local currencies. This includes standard bank transfers, credit cards, debit cards, Brex, and even cryptocurrency transfers. The flexibility allows employees and contractors to receive payments in a variety of ways, such as bank transfers, PayPal, Wise, and Coinbase​​​​.

Deel card

The Deel Card is part of Deel's broader effort to simplify the payment process for companies with a global workforce and their employees. It functions as a prepaid debit card which allows employees and contractors to receive their salary or payments directly onto the card. 

Once the funds are deposited onto the Deel Card, the cardholder can use it like any other debit card for purchases, online transactions, or ATM withdrawals.

Deel HR

This feature allows businesses to onboard various types of workers (EOR employees, independent contractors, Global Payroll employees, and HRIS employees) and manage them on a single dashboard. It includes functionalities for onboarding/offboarding, equipment ordering, Google Workspace account creation, document management, and reporting tools for monitoring data about productivity and attrition​​​​.

• Onboarding and offboarding: Facilitates contract processing using employee’s personal information.

• Equipment ordering: Allows ordering of work equipment and IT peripherals for employees.

• Workforce management: Edit data, add, and request documents from employees.

• PTO and expense management: Workers can book PTO and manage expenses in the app​​​​ or through the cloud-based platform.

More importantly, Deel HR offers free services for companies with less than 200 employees and integrates with Slack through Deel Engage. 

Contract management

Deel's contract management feature enables independent contractors to efficiently create and manage various contract types, including:

• Fixed rate contract: An agreement with a predetermined base rate for work, recurring each pay cycle. Payment cycles can be weekly, bi-weekly, every other week, or monthly.
• Pay-as-you-go contract: Payment varies based on factors like hours worked or tasks. Invoices can be adjusted for bonuses, expenses, overtime, etc., and clients can approve hours or update them via CSV upload.
• Milestone contract: Payment is made when specific milestones are reached in a project timeline. The project is broken down into milestones with assigned payment amounts.
• Contractors paid outside Deel: For managing individuals hired through external agencies or providers. These contractors do not have Deel-compliant contracts and are not paid through Deel​​.

Contractors can also view contract details like start and end dates, and payment information on the Contract Details tab. Additionally, Deel offers the unique option for clients to grant equity to independent contractors, which can be managed directly through the contractor's Deel account.

Employer of record (EOR) services

Deel offers EOR services in over 150 countries. This vast geographic coverage allows businesses to quickly onboard global employees and contractors almost anywhere in the world without needing to establish a legal entity in each country. This is beneficial for businesses that need to start paying professionals in multiple countries at once, rather than establishing a presence in new nations one at a time​​.

Through this feature, Deel also ensures compliance with local labor laws and regulations in each country. This includes adherence to local employment standards, tax laws, and benefits requirements.

Benefits management for US employees

Clients can set up their own benefits packages for US employees, which include health, dental, vision, life insurance, pension/401k, worker’s compensation, and other corporate insurances. The feature allows adding dependents and making per-benefit choices.

The process involves contacting Deel with plan details, reviewing and confirming plan details, adding workers, and completing worker enrollment.

Software integrations

Deel has over 20 integrations with popular software, enhancing its functionality. This includes integrations with accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite; human resources software like BambooHR and factorHR; and hiring software such as Ashby, Greenhouse, and Bob​​.

What is Deel mainly used for? 

For startups

1. Global payroll management for freelancers and contractors

Companies employing a mix of local and international employees, as well as contractors, can use Deel to streamline payroll processes across different countries. Deel automates calculations, ensures compliance with local tax laws, and handles currency conversions, making it easier for businesses to manage global payroll efficiently.

Moreover, Deel offers various payment methods, including bank transfers and the Deel Card, making it convenient for contractors to receive payments in their preferred currency and method.

2. Compliance with international labor laws and taxation

Businesses expanding into new international markets often face challenges in navigating local employment laws and tax regulations. Deel provides expertise in local compliance, reducing the risk of legal issues and fines, and ensuring that employment contracts and payroll are in line with local regulations.

3. Onboarding and offboarding processes

Deel aids in simplifying the onboarding and offboarding of employees globally. Its platform enables businesses to manage these processes efficiently, ensuring that necessary documentation, equipment provisioning, and legal requirements are met for each employee, regardless of their location.

4. Centralized employee information management

The Employee Dashboard allows HR managers and team leaders to access and manage all employee information in one place. This includes personal details, employment contracts, payment information, and work documentation. It streamlines HR processes, making employee management more efficient.

5. Real-time document access and management

Startups and small businesses often require quick access to employee documents for compliance, audits, or internal processes. Deel's platform allows for the storage, updating, and retrieval of important documents like contracts, tax forms, and identification papers, ensuring that everything is accessible in real time and kept up-to-date.

6. Employee benefits and compensation management

Organizations looking to offer competitive and compliant benefits packages to their global workforce can utilize Deel's platform to manage these elements. Deel helps in customizing benefits and compensation according to local standards and employee preferences, enhancing job satisfaction and retention.

For enterprises

1. Entering new markets without opening an entity

Enterprises looking to expand into new countries can use Deel's Employer of Record (EOR) services. This means they can hire employees in new markets without the hassle and expense of setting up a local entity. Deel handles legal compliance, payroll, and HR, making international expansion quicker and simpler.

2. Support for all hiring needs

Deel supports various hiring formats, including full-time employees, contractors, and temporary staff. This is ideal for enterprises with diverse and evolving workforce needs. The platform streamlines hiring processes, manages contracts, and ensures each type of worker is paid correctly and on time.

3. Fast-tracking mergers and acquisitions

During mergers or acquisitions, Deel can quickly onboard new employees from the acquired company. This includes integrating payroll, aligning benefits, and ensuring compliance across different regions. Deel’s services simplify the complex HR and legal processes typically involved in such transitions.

Why should you use Deel?

Deel stands out as a comprehensive platform that offers a range of advantages tailored for modern, forward-thinking companies. Below we explore the key reasons and benefits that make Deel an essential tool for businesses looking to optimize their payroll processes and manage a global team with confidence:

Streamlined international payments

One of the core benefits of using Deel is the ability to streamline the process of making international payments. Deel supports payments in over 150 currencies, which means you can easily pay your team members in their preferred currency without navigating the complexities of foreign exchange rates and banking regulations yourself. 

For example, if you have a developer in Poland and a designer in Brazil, Deel allows you to pay them in PLN and BRL, respectively, without any hassle.

Compliance made easy

Deel takes the weight of legal compliance off your shoulders. The platform constantly updates its system with the latest labor laws and tax regulations for each country it operates. This means that when you onboard an employee or contractor from a different country, Deel automatically provides the appropriate legal framework, such as contracts that comply with local labor laws, and manages tax document collection. This significantly reduces the risk of non-compliance and legal issues.

Time-saving automation

Deel automates various payroll tasks, saving you a significant amount of time. From auto-generating invoices to scheduling recurring payments, Deel handles the repetitive and time-consuming aspects of payroll management. 

This automation allows you to focus on growing your business rather than getting bogged down in administrative tasks. For instance, once you set up the payment schedule for your team, Deel will ensure everyone gets paid on time, every time, with minimal input from you.

Transparent record-keeping

With Deel, you get a clear and transparent record of all your payroll activities in one place. The platform's dashboard provides an overview of payments, invoices, and necessary documents, making it easy to track your payroll history and financial records. This clear record-keeping is invaluable, especially during tax season or financial audits, as you can quickly produce any needed documentation without sifting through piles of paperwork.

Access to a global talent pool

Deel opens up the possibility of hiring the best talent from around the world, without being limited by geographical boundaries. The platform allows companies to quickly hire an employee anywhere in the world without setting up a legal entity through its EOR services. Essentially, Deel has a local foothold in a country the business wants to hire in, so they can seamlessly hire an employee on a business's behalf. 

Once you onboard with Deel, they’ll take care of everything from hiring, onboarding, and Collage HR admin, so you are fully compliant to hire everywhere. With Deel, expanding your team internationally becomes a viable option, enabling you to find the perfect fit for your business needs, regardless of where they are located.

How do we use Deel?

Payments for our team members

Managing payments across borders traditionally involves navigating currency exchange, transfer fees, and timing issues. With Deel, we were able to automate this entire process. 

Once we set up the payment details for an Embarque team member, Deel takes care of the rest. Payments are sent out on the scheduled date, and Embarque employees and writers receive their wages in their local currency, directly into their bank account or via their preferred payment method. This ensures a smooth payroll process and a positive experience for our team.

Compliance with international laws and regulations

Staying compliant with international labor laws is a task that can quickly become overwhelming. Deel's compliance database is constantly updated, allowing us to manage our workforce in different countries without having to worry about the legal intricacies. 

The platform automatically applies the necessary compliance checks for contracts and tax forms, keeping our operations legitimate in every country we operate. This means we can focus on our core business activities, secure in the knowledge that our payroll practices meet all legal requirements.

Tax documentation

With our expert SEO content writers, editors, and link builders scattered around the globe, managing tax documentation is a complex task for our HR Department. However, Deel simplifies this by collecting and organizing all necessary tax documents through its platform. 

It automatically provides the right tax forms according to each country's regulations and ensures that employees and contractors fill them out correctly. This not only streamlines the tax filing process for us but also helps our team members stay compliant with their local tax obligations.

Reporting and analytics

Deel's robust reporting tools give us valuable insights into our payroll expenses. With just a few clicks, we can generate detailed reports that break down payments by individual, team, or region. 

This helps us to analyze our spending, make informed financial decisions, and plan for future growth. The platform's analytics also assist in identifying trends and potential areas for cost optimization.

Contract management

Deel doesn't just handle the payment aspect of employment–it also streamlines contract management. The platform offers customizable contract templates that are compliant with local laws, which we can use to formalize our agreements with new hires. Once the contract is signed through Deel's secure e-signature feature, it's stored on the platform, making it easy to access and manage all our contracts in one place.

By utilizing Deel for these functions, we’ve been able to maintain a smooth and efficient payroll management system that supports our business as it grows and evolves. Whether we're bringing on a new team member, managing monthly payments, or staying on top of compliance and benefits, Deel provides the tools we need to handle it all confidently and effectively.

Pros and cons

The Good

• Simplifies international payments and currency conversion.
• Automates tax form collection and compliance checks.
• Provides a clear interface for managing payroll.
• Integration with popular accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite.
• Offers various payment methods, catering to the preferences of both employers and employees.
• Responsive customer service team.
• User-friendly interface.

The Bad

• Deel requires a stable internet connection, which could be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
• While Deel supports many countries, there might be language limitations for certain regions, impacting the ability to use the platform effectively in those areas.
• It may offer more features than needed for businesses only operating in a single country.

Is Deel right for you?

Determining whether Deel is the right payroll management solution for your business depends on several factors, particularly the nature of your workforce. If your business employs individuals from various countries, Deel offers a tailored solution that addresses the challenges of international payroll. 

The platform's ability to manage multiple currencies, navigate diverse tax regulations, and ensure legal compliance across borders can save your business considerable time and resources. It streamlines processes that might otherwise require multiple systems or extensive manual effort.

In contrast, if your business operates solely within a single country with no plans to expand internationally, Deel's extensive global capabilities may exceed your current needs. While still a robust and secure platform for payroll management, the features that shine for international teams may not be as impactful for a localized workforce. In this case, it's worth considering whether the cost aligns with the value it would bring to your specific payroll operations.

Ultimately, Deel is designed to cater to the demands of modern businesses like Embarque that have remote teams worldwide. It's a platform that grew with us, accommodating our payroll needs as we tap into the global talent pool. So if you want to make your payroll and HR processes smoother, we suggest evaluating your business goals and workforce structure to decide if Deel aligns with your specific requirements.

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