Compare · Comparison
Employer of record vs offshore staffing agency: which is better for hiring in the Philippines?
Hire through an offshore staffing agency when you still need the person found and vetted. Rekruuto places that full-time hire in the Philippines. Most roles are $1,800 a month, and you start in 14 days with a 1-week trial. Software developers and AI Implementation Specialists start at $2,500. An employer of record fits when you already chose the person.
Start in 14 days.
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Compared | Rekruuto | Employer of record | Freelance marketplace |
|---|---|---|---|
| What you are buying | A dedicated full-time hire we find and vet. You manage the day-to-day work. | Local employment for a person you already chose. The employer of record does not recruit. | A freelancer you find, usually for a project. |
| Who finds the person | We do. You meet a shortlist. | You do. | You do, from marketplace profiles. |
| What you pay | Most roles $1,800 a month. Software developers from $2,500 a month. AI Implementation Specialists from $2,500 a month. | The person's pay plus the employer of record's fee. We do not quote another firm's fee. | Each freelancer sets a rate, plus marketplace fees. |
| Start | 14 days for hiring and onboarding. | Once you have a person and the employer of record can contract them. | When a freelancer you choose can start. |
| If it is not a fit | 1-week trial. We find a replacement or refund your money. | You recruit again. The employer of record can employ the next person. | You hire again. |
| Where | The Philippines, working in your time zone. | The country where that employer of record employs them. This page is about the Philippines. | Wherever the freelancer is based. |
| After the first month | The person stays on the work. You can pause or cancel with 2 weeks' notice. | The employment continues under that country's rules until you end it. | The engagement ends when the project ends, unless you hire them again. |
Employer-of-record fees and freelancer rates change. This table does not quote them. Our prices are the ones in the Rekruuto column.
What is the difference between a virtual assistant agency and an employer of record?
A virtual assistant agency finds and vets the person, then bills a monthly fee while you manage the work. An employer of record does not recruit. It employs someone you already chose and runs payroll and local filings. Rekruuto places full-time hires in the Philippines, most roles $1,800 a month, with a 14-day start and a 1-week trial. The same split, with Upwork in the mix, is in offshore staffing agency vs employer of record vs Upwork. The glossary definition is employer of record.
When might an employer of record be the better option?
An employer of record is built for a different job than finding the person:
- You have already chosen the person and only need a local employer, payroll, and statutory filings.
- You will recruit yourself and do not want a staffing partner to source candidates.
- Your counsel wants an employment contract in the Philippines held by a local employer of record, and you will direct the work.
Most Rekruuto roles are $1,800 a month. Software developers are from $2,500 a month, and an AI Implementation Specialist starts at $2,500 a month. Hiring can start in 14 days. There is a 1-week trial: if you are not satisfied, we find a replacement or refund your money. You can pause or cancel with 2 weeks' notice.
We hire in the Philippines only. The trial terms are on the 1-week trial page. See Rekruuto vs a staffing agency and Rekruuto vs Upwork, or browse roles.
Frequently asked questions
Employer of record vs offshore staffing agency: which is better for hiring in the Philippines?
Hire through an offshore staffing agency when you still need the person found and vetted. Rekruuto places that full-time hire in the Philippines. Most roles are $1,800 a month, and you start in 14 days with a 1-week trial. Software developers and AI Implementation Specialists start at $2,500. An employer of record fits when you already chose the person.
What is the difference between a virtual assistant agency and an employer of record?
A virtual assistant agency finds and vets the person, then bills a monthly fee while you manage the work. An employer of record does not recruit. It employs someone you already chose and runs payroll and local filings. Rekruuto places full-time hires in the Philippines, most roles $1,800 a month, with a 14-day start and a 1-week trial.
Does Rekruuto quote employer-of-record fees?
No. Those fees belong to the employer of record, and they change. We publish our own monthly price: $1,800 for most roles, and from $2,500 for software developers and AI Implementation Specialists.
When is a freelance marketplace the right model?
When the work has a clear finish, such as a one-time build or a data cleanup. A full-time seat you expect to keep belongs with a staffing placement, not a marketplace contract.
More comparisons
Check the numbers yourself
Free tools with sourced U.S. and offshore cost data.
Salary calculator
See what a U.S. hire costs with employer costs included, next to a full-time Rekruuto hire.
Offshore Hiring Costs 2026
Wages, employer costs, and 2026 minimum wages for the U.S., the Philippines, and Latin America, all sourced.