Kontrable vs Pebl: Contractor management vs employer of record

Pebl (formerly Velocity Global) is built for companies hiring full-time remote employees globally with comprehensive EOR services: payroll, benefits, tax compliance, and local labor law management. Kontrable is built for teams managing independent contractors who handle their own taxes and already have payment accounts.

These are fundamentally different services. Understanding which one you actually need determines whether you're paying for employee management or contractor management.

The core difference

Pebl is an Employer of Record platform. When you use Pebl, they become the legal employer. They handle payroll, benefits, tax withholding, and local employment compliance for your full-time employees. Your money flows through Pebl. They manage the entire employment relationship.

Kontrable is a contractor management platform. You manage contractors directly. You pay them through your own Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer account. Kontrable organizes contracts, tracks milestones, stores documents, and creates an audit trail. Your contractors handle their own taxes.

These solve completely different problems. Pebl is for hiring employees. Kontrable is for managing contractors.

When you need Pebl

You need Pebl if:

• You're hiring full-time remote employees (not contractors)
• You want Pebl to be the legal employer and handle all employment compliance
• You want integrated payroll, benefits, and tax withholding
• You're hiring in multiple countries and want centralized employment management
• You want someone else to bear the risk of employment law compliance
• You're building a traditional employee base, even if remote

Cost: $399/month per employee for EOR services.

Example: 10 employees on Pebl = $3,990/month minimum.

When Kontrable works better

You're better served by Kontrable if:

• You're working with independent contractors (not employees)
• Your contractors already have their own payment accounts
• Your contractors handle their own taxes in their jurisdiction
• You want to pay contractors directly and maintain full control
• You need simple, organized contractor record-keeping
• You want to avoid per-person monthly fees
• You're managing a contractor workforce, not employees

Cost: $99/month for up to 25 contractors. Flat rate. No per-contractor charges.

The financial reality

Pebl cost for 10 employees: $3,990/month. This is for actual full-time employees with benefits and full employment compliance.

Your money flow: You → Pebl → Employee (processing delay + fees).

Kontrable cost for 10 contractors: $99/month. Flat rate.

Your money flow: You → Contractor directly via Wise/PayPal/Payoneer (no middleman).

The financial difference is enormous, but only if you're comparing apples to apples. If you're hiring employees, Pebl handles a service Kontrable doesn't provide. If you're managing contractors, Kontrable is all you need.

The fundamental distinction

This isn't a pricing comparison. It's a category difference.

Pebl manages employees. You hire someone as an employee. Pebl becomes their legal employer. They get benefits, payroll, tax compliance, and employment protections. Pebl charges $399/month because they're bearing legal and compliance responsibility.

Kontrable manages contractors. You work with independent contractors. They manage their own taxes and benefits. You organize the relationship, track milestones, and maintain records. Kontrable charges $99/month because you're managing the relationship, not outsourcing it.

You don't choose between Pebl and Kontrable based on price. You choose based on whether you're hiring employees or working with contractors.

What Kontrable actually does

Contractor database: Store contractor information, payment details, and business information in one organized place.

Contract and document management: Upload and organize contracts, statements of work, and compliance documents. Track signatures and status.

Project and milestone tracking: Create projects with specific milestones, deliverables, and payment amounts. Track progress and deadlines.

Payment management: Approve payments, record transaction IDs and proofs, track contractor confirmations. Complete audit trail.

Compliance organization: Centralize tax forms (W-9, W-8BEN), contractor status documentation, and other records for audits.

Alerts and notifications: Get reminded of approaching deadlines, pending approvals, and contractor confirmations.

Monthly reporting: Export contractor lists, payment records, and status summaries.

Who uses Kontrable

Small agencies, remote-first startups, and businesses working with 2-15 independent contractors who:

• Already use Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer for payments
• Have contractors managing their own taxes
• Need organized record-keeping for independent contractors
• Value direct control over contractor relationships
• Don't need employee benefits or payroll services

Who needs Pebl instead

Companies that:

• Are hiring full-time remote employees (not contractors)
• Want centralized employee management across multiple countries
• Need integrated payroll, benefits, and tax withholding
• Want a vendor bearing employment compliance responsibility
• Are building a traditional employee base

The honest distinction

Pebl is expensive compared to Kontrable because they're solving a completely different problem. Pebl manages employment relationships. They're legally responsible. That costs $399/month.

Kontrable manages contractor relationships. You're responsible. It costs $99/month.

The price difference reflects the service difference, not one being better than the other. It's like comparing the cost of hiring an employee versus contracting freelancers. They're different approaches with different costs.

What you give up with Kontrable

Kontrable doesn't handle payroll, benefits, or employment compliance. This is fine if you're working with contractors. Contractors handle all of that themselves.

But if you're hiring employees, Kontrable doesn't solve your problem. You need an employment solution.

What you give up with Pebl

Pebl is built for employees. If you're working with contractors, you're paying for employee management infrastructure you don't need.

The choice

Choose Pebl if: You're hiring full-time remote employees and want centralized employment management with payroll, benefits, and compliance.

Choose Kontrable if: You're managing independent contractors and need organized record-keeping, milestone tracking, and audit trails.

These aren't competitors. They solve different problems for different hiring models.

Get started

If you're managing independent contractors and need simple, organized contractor management, Kontrable is built for you.

Start organizing your contractor relationships today.