Deel vs Papaya Global: Which Is Better for Contractors in 2025?
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Deel | Papaya Global | Kontrable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (10 contractors) | $490/mo | $450/mo | $99/mo |
| Payment flow | Through platform | Through platform | Direct (you control) |
| Best for | Employees + contractors | Employees + payroll | Contractors only |
| Setup time | 2-3 weeks | 3-4 weeks | Same day |
Deel Overview
Deel is a comprehensive global employment platform that offers EOR services, contractor management, and payroll solutions. With operations in 150+ countries, Deel helps companies hire both employees and contractors internationally.
Strengths: Strong compliance infrastructure, extensive country coverage, integrated payroll and benefits administration, and robust legal support for employment relationships.
Pricing: $49/month per contractor, with additional fees for EOR services ($599/month per employee). Payment processing and currency conversion fees apply.
Papaya Global Overview
Papaya Global is a global payroll and workforce management platform focused on enterprise clients. They offer EOR services, contractor payments, and automated payroll processing across 160+ countries.
Strengths: Enterprise-grade payroll automation, strong compliance and tax handling, dedicated account management, and comprehensive reporting for finance teams.
Pricing: Custom pricing starting around $45/month per contractor. Enterprise features and EOR services require higher-tier plans with annual commitments.
The Problem Both Platforms Share
Both Deel and Papaya Global are built primarily for Employer of Record (EOR) services—hiring full-time employees internationally. This makes sense if you need:
- Local payroll compliance and tax withholding
- Benefits administration and employment contracts
- Employment law coverage and HR support
- Visa sponsorship and immigration assistance
But if you're working with independent contractors who handle their own taxes and already have Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer accounts? You're paying $450-$490/month for infrastructure you don't need.
The contractor features in both platforms are add-ons to their core EOR business—which means you're subsidizing employee infrastructure even when you only work with contractors.
A Different Approach: Kontrable
We built Kontrable specifically for businesses working with contractors (not employees):
- Direct payments: Pay contractors via your existing Wise, PayPal, or Payoneer accounts—no middleman, no custody of funds
- $99/month flat: Manage up to 25 contractors for one predictable price (vs $450-$490+ on EOR platforms)
- Contractor-focused: Contracts, scopes of work, milestones, invoices, payment tracking, and audit trails
- No EOR fees: Because you're hiring true independent contractors who handle their own taxes and compliance
Instead of forcing contractor workflows into employee infrastructure, Kontrable gives you purpose-built tools for the way you actually work with independent talent.
Who Should Choose What
Choose Deel if:
- You need to hire full-time employees in countries where you don't have entities
- You require comprehensive benefits administration and HR support
- You want an all-in-one platform for both employees and contractors
- You have budget for $49+/month per contractor plus payment processing fees
Choose Papaya Global if:
- You're an enterprise with complex global payroll needs across multiple entities
- You need dedicated account management and white-glove service
- You require advanced reporting and finance system integrations
- You can commit to annual contracts and custom pricing
Choose Kontrable if:
- You work with 5-25 independent contractors who handle their own taxes
- You want to pay contractors directly via Wise/PayPal/Payoneer (no middleman)
- You need clean contracts, milestones, and audit trails without EOR overhead
- You want predictable $99/month pricing instead of per-contractor fees