8 Ways to Pay Your International Team

8 Ways to Pay Your International Team

Finding the right talent is hard enough; making sure they actually get paid shouldn't be. Not all payment methods are created equal, and the right choice for your crew depends on your resources, your payroll process, and your team's preferences.

Most international payments fall into four categories: Banks, Money Transfer Apps, Payroll Platforms, and Recruiting Sites.

While banks and apps often skip the monthly "per-head" fee, the hidden currency conversion costs and manual admin work can be a headache. On the flip side, specialized payroll platforms offer automation and compliance—keeping your data in one place so you can track labor costs without the spreadsheet nightmare.

Comparison at a Glance

1. International Bank Transfers (Wire)

A classic choice, but often the most expensive. You’ll likely pay $15–$30 per wire, plus a markup on the exchange rate. It can take several days to clear, and your crew members might be hit with "incoming" fees by their local banks.

• Best for: One-off payments where you don't want to sign up for new software.

• What you need: SWIFT code, account number, bank address, and full legal name.

2. PayPal

The most "famous" digital wallet. It’s convenient because you only need an email address, but the fees are notorious—up to 5% for international commercial transactions once you factor in the currency spread.

• Pros: Everyone has it; no bank details required.

• Cons: Crew members have to manually "withdraw" funds to their bank, adding delays.

3. Wise (formerly TransferWise)

Wise uses the "real" mid-market exchange rate, making it significantly cheaper than banks or PayPal. You can hold 50+ currencies in a single business account.

• Pros: Low, transparent fees; money goes directly to the crew's bank account.

• Cons: Only works in about 70 countries; no automated tax form collection.

4. Revolut Business

Revolut offers a sleek app experience with "interbank" exchange rates. Their Basic plan is free, but if your crew members don't also have Revolut accounts, you'll pay $5 per transfer plus percentage fees on large amounts.

• Pros: Very low cost if both parties use the app.

• Cons: Complex fee structure; limited to specific countries like the US, UK, and parts of Europe.

5. Payoneer

Think of Payoneer as a global digital bank account. You can send money to a crew member's Payoneer account for a roughly 1% fee. If they don't have an account, you pay via local bank transfer for up to 3%.

• Pros: Huge global reach (190+ countries).

• Cons: No HR tools or recurring payment automation.

6. Gusto

If you already use Gusto for your domestic team, adding international contractors is a no-brainer. Unlike competitors that charge $50/month per person, Gusto integrates global payments into your existing workflow with transparent transaction fees.

• Pros: Automated recurring payments; handles Form W-8 BEN collection; one dashboard for your entire workforce.

• Cons: Requires you to have your payroll hosted on the platform.

7. Deel

Deel is built specifically for the "remote-first" world. It handles onboarding and local labor law compliance in over 200 countries.

• Pros: Massive global coverage; very strong compliance features.

• Cons: Starts at $49 per contractor per month—this gets pricey quickly if your crew is large.

8. Upwork & Fiverr

If you found your crew on a marketplace, it’s easiest to pay them there. However, these platforms take a significant "cut" of the project cost.

• Pros: Integrated communication and payment.

• Cons: No tax support; high platform fees for both you and the contractor.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I withhold taxes? Generally, no. International contractors are responsible for their own local taxes. However, you must keep a signed Form W-8 BEN on file to prove to the IRS why you didn't withhold taxes.

• USD or Local Currency? It’s best to decide this in the contract. Paying in USD protects your budget but puts the currency risk on the contractor; paying in local currency protects the contractor but means your costs might fluctuate.

• How long does it take? Expect 1–3 business days for most apps and up to 5 days for traditional bank wires.

Pro Tip: If you have a steady crew, a payroll platform like Gusto is usually the most efficient way to ensure everyone gets paid on time without you having to manually input bank details every month.