Plane Review: Simplified HR and Payroll Solution for Startups

As remote work becomes mainstream, especially for startups, managing human resources and payroll can be an intricate and time-consuming task. 

Which is why it’s important to have in place the right documentation, resources, and tools to help your team make sense of global hiring.

This is where Plane comes in. What is it, what are its features, and why you should consider using it.

 

What is Plane?

Plane emerges as a promising solution that aims to simplify and streamline these essential processes. 

Built as an all-in-one people platform, Plane caters to the specific needs of startups and fast-growing companies, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to manage payroll, benefits, compliance, and contracts on a global scale.

 

Features of Plane

Here, we delve into Plane’s features and highlight how it provides a unified solution that scales with businesses from their inception to the stage of IPO.

1. International Payroll for Remote Teams

One of Plane’s standout features is its ability to handle payroll intricacies for teams scattered across the globe. 

Whether managing domestic W2 employees, international team members, or global contractors, Plane’s platform brings together all these aspects into a single, powerful solution. The platform’s key features include:

• Unified Experience: In over 240 countries, Plane creates a consistent HR and payroll experience, including the US.
• Global Hiring Made Easy: Plane operates as an Employer of Record (EOR), allowing businesses to hire and pay employees in over 100 countries without the need to set up local entities.
• Domestic Employee Management: In the US, businesses can effortlessly onboard and manage W2 employees across all 50 states.
• Fair Contractor Payments: Plane ensures that contractors across 240+ countries are paid fairly and equitably, mirroring the standards of US payroll.

2. Employer of Record (EOR) Services

Navigating global expansion can be daunting due to legal complexities and compliance issues. Plane offers an innovative solution through its EOR services, simplifying international hiring and payroll management:

• Global Hiring Support: Plane’s local HR experts provide guidance on global hiring, ensuring businesses stay compliant without needing in-depth knowledge of each country’s laws.
• Comprehensive Assistance: With Plane as the EOR, businesses can rely on localized contracts, tax handling, and compliance without the need for additional legal or HR resources.
• Flat Monthly Fee: Plane’s transparent pricing structure eliminates setup fees, providing cost predictability for startups venturing into global markets.

 

 

3. Comprehensive Benefits

In the pursuit of attracting and retaining top talent, offering competitive benefits is crucial. Plane facilitates this process through a range of features:

• Statutory Compliance: Plane’s platform is designed to align with local benefits regulations, ensuring that benefits offerings are compliant in each jurisdiction.
• Guided Onboarding: The platform’s intuitive onboarding process guides both employers and employees through statutory benefits and localized plan options.
• Cost-Effective Benefits: Plane enables businesses to provide premium benefits, competitive with larger group plans, fostering employee satisfaction and loyalty.
• Inclusive Coverage: Plane ensures that pre-existing conditions do not hinder access to benefits, promoting inclusivity and support for all team members.

4. Globally Legal Contracts

Navigating local contract laws and ensuring compliance across different jurisdictions can be a challenge. Plane’s solution addresses these concerns through its contract management features:

• Localized Contract Creation: Businesses can use Plane’s localized templates or create their own contracts, ensuring legal and cultural alignment.
• Automated Updates: As local laws evolve, Plane’s platform automatically suggests contract changes, simplifying the process of staying compliant.
• Secure Storage: Plane’s secure platform ensures that contracts for employees, contractors, and international team members are stored safely, adhering to SOC 2 compliance standards.
• Efficient Signature Process: Plane’s e-signature feature streamlines contract signing, facilitating quick and secure agreements between parties.

5. International Expense Management

Managing expenses across a global team can be complex. Plane addresses this challenge by centralizing expense management and streamlining the reimbursement process:

• Unified Expense Processing: Plane’s platform allows businesses to review and process expenses from all team members in a single location, reducing the need to switch between tools.
• Consistent Experience: Contractors benefit from the same expense management features as employees, fostering an equitable and efficient process.
• Multi-Level Permissions: Plane’s platform offers multi-level permissions, enabling managers to approve expenses and process payments for their direct reports.
• Automatic Payments: Approved expenses are seamlessly integrated into the next payroll cycle, providing timely reimbursements in the preferred currency.

 

Key Reasons to Choose Plane

Plane offers a set of compelling reasons for startups to opt for its platform, including:

• Localized HR Expertise: With a team of local HR experts, Plane simplifies global hiring and compliance, allowing businesses to navigate new markets with confidence.
• Guided Onboarding: Plane’s step-by-step onboarding process supports both employers and employees, ensuring a smooth transition into the company.
• Intuitive Platform and Support: Businesses benefit from a user-friendly platform that offers self-serve options while providing responsive customer support when needed.
• Unified HR Data: By storing all HR data in one location, Plane offers businesses insights into their entire team, facilitating better decision-making.
• Smart Contract Workflows: Plane’s platform ensures that contracts are efficiently managed, providing a seamless experience for employers, employees, and contractors.

 

Additional Plane Features

In addition to its core features, Plane provides further functionalities to enhance the HR and payroll experience:

• Hire Calculator: Plane’s hire calculator offers insights into the costs associated with employing new team members, aiding in budgeting and planning.
• Remote Compensation Data: The platform provides access to compensation benchmarks for remote employees, making it easier to make informed decisions on salaries.
• Work Resources: Businesses can access a range of articles on remote work and hiring from Plane’s blog, offering valuable insights and guidance.

 

 

Pricing and Plans

Plane’s pricing structure offers transparent options for different categories:

• US Employees: At a flat rate of $19 per employee per month, businesses gain access to comprehensive payroll, onboarding, and reimbursement features.
• International Contractors: Priced at $39 per contractor per month, this plan covers payments, compliant contracts, tax form collection, and even health insurance availability.
• International Employees: For $499 per employee per month, businesses can hire and onboard in over 100 countries without the need to set up local entities. This plan also includes health insurance and other benefits.

 

Final verdict

From offering competitive benefits to ensuring compliant contracts, Plane’s comprehensive approach simplifies the complexities of HR and payroll on a global scale. 

Whether businesses are at the startup phase or gearing up for IPO, Plane’s adaptable platform promises to scale with them, making it an appealing choice for those navigating the challenges of modern workforce management.