Remote vs Sterling Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Remote

0.0 (0 reviews)

Remote is a global HR platform providing international payroll, benefits, taxes, and compliance services to help you hire and manage employees and contractors in any country worldwide.

Starting at $29/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

Sterling

0.0 (0 reviews)

Sterling provides comprehensive background screening and identity verification services to help you build a foundation of trust and safety for your global workforce and customers.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Remote Sterling
Website remote.com sterlingcheck.com
Pricing Model Subscription Custom
Starting Price $29/month Custom Pricing
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud mobile saas mobile
Integrations Greenhouse BambooHR Lever Humaans Slack Zapier Okta HiBob Workday Oracle SAP SuccessFactors iCIMS Greenhouse Lever SmartRecruiters Jobvite Bullhorn UKG
Target Users small-business mid-market enterprise small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries healthcare retail financial-services
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2019 1975
Headquarters San Francisco, USA New York, USA

Overview

R

Remote

Remote simplifies the complexities of international hiring by acting as your global employer of record. You can hire full-time employees or contractors in minutes without setting up local legal entities in every country. The platform handles everything from localized payroll and tax filings to statutory benefits and mandatory insurance, ensuring you stay compliant with ever-changing local labor laws.

You can manage your entire distributed workforce through a single, intuitive dashboard. Whether you are a startup hiring your first international engineer or an enterprise expanding into new markets, Remote provides the infrastructure to scale your team globally. The platform also offers specialized tools for equity management and intellectual property protection, giving you peace of mind that your company assets remain secure while you grow your international presence.

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Sterling

Sterling helps you hire with confidence by providing fast and reliable background screening and identity verification. You can streamline your entire hiring process, from criminal record checks and employment verification to drug and health screening. The platform is designed to integrate directly into your existing HR tech stack, allowing you to manage candidates globally while maintaining compliance with local regulations.

You can reduce manual paperwork and speed up your time-to-hire using their mobile-first candidate experience. Whether you are a small business making your first hire or a global enterprise managing thousands of employees, the software provides the tools you need to verify identities and maintain a safe workplace. By automating the collection of candidate data, you can focus on making better hiring decisions rather than chasing documentation.

Overview

R

Remote Features

  • Employer of Record Hire full-time employees in countries where you don't have a local entity and let Remote handle the legal employment.
  • Contractor Management Onboard and pay international contractors in their local currency with automated invoicing and localized tax form collection.
  • Global Payroll Run payroll for your entire global team with one click and ensure every worker is paid accurately and on time.
  • Localized Benefits Offer competitive, country-specific benefit packages including health insurance, pensions, and life insurance to attract top global talent.
  • IP & Invention Protection Secure your company's intellectual property and invention rights with industry-leading legal frameworks tailored to each specific country.
  • Remote Talent Access a curated marketplace of pre-vetted international candidates to fill your open roles faster with high-quality global talent.
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Sterling Features

  • Criminal Background Checks. Access automated searches of national and local criminal databases to identify potential risks before you extend a job offer.
  • Identity Verification. Verify candidate identities in real-time using biometric technology and government-issued ID scanning to prevent sophisticated identity fraud.
  • Employment Verification. Confirm your candidate's professional history and education credentials automatically to ensure they have the experience they claim.
  • Drug and Health Screening. Manage employee drug testing and occupational health screenings through a massive network of collection sites with digital results.
  • Mobile Candidate Hub. Give your candidates a mobile-friendly way to submit information and track their screening status from any device.
  • Global Compliance Tools. Stay compliant with built-in tools that adapt to local privacy laws and industry-specific regulations across different countries.

Pricing Comparison

R

Remote Pricing

Contractor Management
$29
  • Onboard contractors in 180+ countries
  • Automated localized contracts
  • One-click global payments
  • Automated tax form collection
  • Document management and storage
S

Sterling Pricing

Pros & Cons

M

Remote

Pros

  • Fast onboarding process for international employees
  • Transparent flat-fee pricing with no hidden costs
  • Excellent customer support with deep local expertise
  • User-friendly dashboard for managing multiple currencies
  • Strong focus on intellectual property protection

Cons

  • Higher price point for Employer of Record services
  • Limited automation for some specific country workflows
  • Reporting tools could be more customizable
A

Sterling

Pros

  • Extensive global reach for international background checks
  • Seamless integration with popular applicant tracking systems
  • User-friendly interface for both recruiters and candidates
  • Comprehensive reporting that simplifies compliance audits

Cons

  • Turnaround times can vary by jurisdiction
  • Customer support response times can be slow
  • Pricing structure is complex for smaller organizations
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