12 Velocity Global Alternatives For MENA & Global HR Support

12 Velocity Global Alternatives For MENA & Global HR Support

Finding the right global HR system can feel overwhelming. For instance, if your company is expanding into new international markets, you’ll want a solution that can help you manage local compliance, payroll, and employment laws for new hires. And if you’re considering a platform like Velocity Global, you may be feeling the pressure to make a decision quickly to avoid costly delays in your global expansion. This blog will help you understand your options. In particular, you’ll learn about Velocity Global alternatives for MENA and global HR support. 

Cercli’s solution can help make your global expansion go smoothly by helping you quickly learn about and manage local employment standards. This global HR system provides a wealth of resources to help you onboard international employees with confidence, while streamlining compliance to avoid costly penalties.

What is Velocity Global?

Velocity Global offers a broad solution for businesses managing international teams. Some organisations require features tailored to specific industries or employment types. If your organisation operates in a highly regulated or specialised sector, a more customisable platform might offer better alignment with your internal workflows and compliance obligations.

Flexible Pricing Structures: Avoiding Surprises as You Scale

As your business grows or shifts priorities, pricing flexibility becomes more important. Some teams may benefit from a platform that offers a more precise breakdown of services, modular pricing, or plans that cater to both small businesses and scaling enterprises.

Regional Availability and Localisation: The Importance of Local Support

If you’re operating in markets where specific platforms have limited support or presence, it may be practical to consider alternatives with more extensive regional coverage. For example, companies based in the MENA region, particularly those in business-friendly environments like the UAE, often seek tools with built-in alignment to local employment laws, multi-currency payroll capabilities, and support for the Arabic language where necessary.

Support Expectations: Responsiveness is Critical

Global expansion can bring complexities that require responsive, knowledgeable support, especially during onboarding or when addressing region-specific queries. Businesses seeking more immediate or locally relevant customer service may consider platforms that offer dedicated account managers or regional support hubs.

Scalability for Smaller or Growing Teams: Simplicity is Key

Some platforms are geared primarily towards large, established companies. If your team is still growing or operates on a smaller scale, it’s essential to find a solution that’s user-friendly, cost-effective, and free from unnecessary complexity. Simpler onboarding processes, clear workflows, and straightforward compliance support can make a significant difference for smaller teams.

Enhanced Compliance Capabilities: Local Expertise Matters

Managing compliance across multiple jurisdictions, particularly in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt, requires detailed local knowledge. Businesses that require platform features aligned with specific labour laws, payroll systems (e.g., WPS), and reporting requirements may prefer a provider with regional specialisation and deeper localisation.

Related Reading

• Global HR Systems
• Deel Alternatives
• HRM Tools

Key Features to Consider in a Velocity Global Alternative

An essential feature of any alternative is the ability to stay aligned with local labour regulations. Each country has its requirements for employment contracts, statutory entitlements, end-of-service benefits, and termination procedures.

In the UAE, for example, this includes accurate calculation of gratuity, adherence to Emiratisation policies that support local talent development, and proper management of regional public holidays. A platform that provides for region-specific workflows and compliance support will reduce risk and ensure operational continuity.

Multi-Currency Payroll and Cross-Border Payments

Handling payroll across multiple countries involves more than just currency conversion. Businesses should seek systems that support payroll calculations in local currencies while also factoring in exchange rate accuracy, local tax obligations, and statutory deductions.

This is particularly relevant for businesses operating in both MENA and global markets, where maintaining transparency and consistency in payroll is critical to retaining employee trust and meeting local obligations.

Flexible Onboarding, Contracts, and Offboarding Processes

A flexible approach to managing employee lifecycle events is particularly important for cross-border teams. From contract generation that reflects local legal standards to probation tracking and end-of-employment documentation, your system should support custom workflows tailored to each jurisdiction. This reduces administrative burden and ensures HR teams can respond appropriately to varying country requirements without creating extra manual work.

Leave and Time-Off Policies Aligned with National Standards

Annual leave entitlements, sick leave policies, maternity and paternity leave, and country-specific provisions such as Hajj leave in the UAE must all be supported natively within the platform. A practical alternative is to automate leave balances and approval workflows while respecting regional public holidays and labour regulations to prevent compliance gaps.

Integration with Local Banking and WPS Frameworks

For businesses operating in Saudi Arabia, integration with the Wage Protection System (WPS) through platforms such as Mudad is mandatory. Any solution under consideration must enable timely and accurate payroll submissions to meet these requirements.

Compatibility with local banking networks for direct deposit of salaries is equally essential, streamlining payments and minimising delays. For added accuracy, alignment with Saudi GOSI requirements is also necessary.

Broad International Coverage and Adaptability

If your team spans multiple countries, your HR and payroll platform must accommodate a range of regulatory, cultural, and financial norms. This includes being able to manage varying types of employment contracts, statutory benefits, and languages, all while maintaining data security and compliance standards. A platform with broad global support is essential to managing a dispersed workforce effectively.

12 Velocity Global Alternatives for Global Payroll & Distributed Teams

1. Cercli

For businesses in the Middle East and North Africa seeking the best Velocity Global alternative, Cercli offers a platform built specifically with the region’s needs in mind. Rather than retrofitting global solutions to suit MENA requirements, Cercli starts with local compliance at its core, making it a strong fit for businesses operating in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and beyond.

Localised HR and Payroll Platform for MENA Businesses

Cercli provides a single source of truth for HR, payroll, and compliance across the region. The platform supports multi-currency payroll and cross-border payments in over 150 countries, while offering in-depth support for local frameworks, such as Saudi Arabia’s Wage Protection System (WPS) and the UAE's labour law.

One of Cercli’s defining features is its localisation: it supports workflows that match the employment conditions, documentation requirements, and cultural expectations unique to the MENA region. This includes leave management configured to regional norms and contract templates that reflect local labour regulations.

Streamlined HR for Growing Teams in the Middle East

For businesses managing growing teams, whether 25 or 500+ employees, Cercli helps consolidate workforce operations, removing the complexity of juggling multiple platforms. HR teams benefit from consistent data, adaptable workflows for onboarding and offboarding, and easy compliance tracking, all within a single system.

Cercli offers not just a platform, but regional expertise to support businesses scaling across borders while maintaining compliance and operational clarity. To see how Cercli can help your team, book a demo and speak with our team about our global HR system designed for the way you do business in the Middle East.

Please book a demo with our team to learn more about our platform.

2. ZenHR

ZenHR is a leading HR software in the UAE, designed with a deep understanding of the unique HR needs of the market. ZenHR offers customisable features from recruitment to retirement. The platform's agility and comprehensive suite of tools make it ideal for businesses looking to enhance their HR operations with technology that understands local complexities and regulatory requirements.

3. Paylite HRMS

Paylite HRMS is specifically designed to meet the intricate and evolving HR needs of the UAE. It provides a comprehensive and scalable HR software in the UAE that helps businesses navigate the complexities of local labour laws and streamline their HR processes. Paylite HRMS provides features that improve HR efficiency in the region.

4. GulfHR

GulfHR is renowned for its in-depth expertise in providing HR software solutions tailored specifically to the UAE market. It offers a robust set of tools designed to ensure compliance with local regulations and streamline HR operations. GulfHR supports companies seeking to optimise their HR practices in a region known for its dynamic business landscape.

5. Bayzat

Bayzat is a leading HR and payroll automation company in the UAE, offering a comprehensive platform for HR management, seamless payroll processing, and employee benefits administration.

Founded in 2012, Bayzat helps businesses streamline administrative tasks, ensure compliance, and enhance employee experiences with automated workflows and AI-powered insights. With seamless health insurance integration and finance automation, Bayzat is transforming how companies manage their workforce.  

6. Remote: The Well-Established Global Payroll Solution

Remote is a well-established platform for global payroll, hiring, and compliance. With operations in 60+ countries, Remote offers a comprehensive solution for businesses expanding internationally. It is well-suited for companies looking to streamline payroll while ensuring local compliance. Remote stands out with its comprehensive employee benefits offerings and a focus on user experience.

Key features of Remote:

• Global Workforce Management: Easily manage remote teams in over 50 countries.
• Compliant Hiring: Seamless contract creation and compliance with local employment laws.
• Employee Benefits: Offer localised benefits and perks to employees based on their country of residence.
• In-depth Reporting: Get detailed reports on payroll, taxes, and compliance.

7. Oyster: The Platform for Smooth International Team Growth

Oyster is a popular global hiring and payroll platform tailored for businesses looking to scale remote teams quickly and efficiently. It stands out with a focus on smooth employee onboarding and transparent, fully compliant payroll management across more than 180 countries.

Key features of Oyster:

• Global Hiring: Hire employees in over 180 countries with full legal compliance.
• Payroll Integration: Integrate with existing payroll systems for smoother operations.
• Tax Handling: Automatically calculate and manage taxes for remote employees.
• Employee Benefits: Offer customised benefits packages to employees worldwide.

8. Plane: The Cost-Effective Global Payroll Option

Plane is a global payroll and HR management platform that excels in providing quick and cost-effective solutions for international teams. It simplifies hiring and payroll processes, allowing companies to scale without the overhead of managing local entities. The platform's flexible pricing makes it an attractive option for startups and fast-growing businesses.

Key features of Plane:

• Scalable Global Payroll: Easily adjust payroll for growing teams.
• Comprehensive Compliance: Ensure compliance with labour laws across multiple countries.
• Flexible Benefits: Customise employee benefits packages based on location.

9. Globalization Partners: The Premium Global Payroll Provider

Globalization Partners is a premium employer of record (EOR) service, known for helping enterprises hire and manage employees in over 180 countries without the need to establish foreign entities. G-P offers expert legal support and a seamless platform for managing international payroll and compliance.

Key features of Globalization Partners:

• Global Entity Infrastructure: Hire in 180+ countries without setting up legal entities.
• Local Legal & Tax Expertise: In-house compliance teams help manage region-specific employment laws.
• Automated Onboarding: Streamlined hiring workflows for fast, compliant expansion.
• Custom Benefits Packages: Offer country-specific perks and benefits with expert guidance. 
• Dedicated Support Teams: Enterprise clients receive high-touch account management and implementation services tailored to their specific needs.

10. Multiplier: The Global Employment Platform for Fast-Growing Companies

Multiplier is a global employment platform designed for fast-growing companies looking to hire international contractors and employees without the hassle of setting up local entities. It offers a streamlined experience for managing payroll and compliance across borders, with transparent pricing and scalable solutions.

Key features of Multiplier:

• Contractor & Employee Support: Manage both worker types from one dashboard.
• Multi-Currency Payroll: Pay teams in local currencies with built-in FX support.
• One-Click Compliance: Auto-generate compliant contracts for 150+ countries.
• Benefits Administration: Offer insurance and retirement plans tailored to each location.
• Team Management Tools: Basic HR tools to track time-off, contracts, and payments.

7. Papaya Global: The AI-Driven Payroll Solution

Papaya Global is a comprehensive workforce management platform that enables global businesses to manage payroll, compliance, and HR operations across more than 160 countries. The platform specialises in global payroll processing, EOR services, and contractor management through an AI-powered system.

Key features of Papaya Global:

• Global Payroll: AI-powered payroll processing across 160+ countries with automated compliance.
• Virtual Wallet: Single bank account solution for multi-currency payments.
• Employee Self-Service: A Mobile app for employees to access payroll information.
• Analytics Dashboard: Comprehensive reporting and payroll insights.
• Compliance Management: Automated tax and regulatory compliance across regions.
• Benefits Administration: Centralised management of global benefits packages.

11. Rippling: The Unified Global Workforce Management Platform

Rippling is a comprehensive global workforce management platform that combines HR, IT, and finance functions into a single, unified platform. It offers solutions for global payroll, employee management, and compliance services across more than 185 countries.

Key features of Rippling:

• Global Payroll: Seamless international payroll processing with compliance support for multiple countries, ensuring adherence to local labour laws and tax regulations.
• HRIS: Centralised employee data management and streamlined HR operations, facilitating efficient performance management and employee onboarding.
• IT Management: Device and app access control for enhanced security, supporting remote teams and international employees.
• Expense Management: Automated spend control and reporting, simplifying administrative tasks for global teams.
• Recruiting: Integrated applicant tracking and onboarding, aiding in global hiring and talent acquisition.

12. Gusto: The Global Payroll Provider for Small Businesses

Gusto is a payroll and HR provider that helps companies manage their employees worldwide. It offers three levels of payroll and HR support (rolled together) for the differing needs of its clients. Gusto charges a subscription price for unlimited payroll runs each month, so weekly, bi-weekly, and off-cycle payroll runs are all possible.

The Gusto platform is user-friendly, allows for custom administration permissions, and features an employee portal that enables them to access their pay information and manage their leaves. It also integrates with nearly 200 apps for HR, accounting, time and attendance, and more.

Gusto's features:

• Hiring and fast, self-checklist onboarding tools
• An extensive employee portal and mobile app for self-service functions
• Automatically generated payroll and time-off reports
• Optional administration of health insurance and pension benefits

Related Reading

• Rippling Alternatives

Choosing the Right Fit for Your Business

Choosing the right HR or payroll system is not just about picking the most popular option on the market. To find the best fit for your business, you must consider your organisation’s size, structure, regional presence, and plans. If your organisation is based in the Middle East or North Africa, it’s not enough for a platform to simply offer generic global features.

Regional specificity matters. Look for a system with built-in support for local laws, such as UAE labour regulations, Saudi WPS submission, or Egypt’s statutory contract rules. Arabic language support and the ability to manage locally relevant documentation are also essential for day-to-day efficiency.

Consider Your Growth Plans

Companies with a global-first outlook should focus on platforms that scale effectively. This means multi-currency payroll, the ability to manage compliance across different jurisdictions, and tools that integrate with your current systems without significant disruption. If your team spans 10 or more countries, consistency becomes as important as flexibility.

Match Features to Team Size and Complexity

Small teams often benefit from straightforward, easy-to-use tools that don’t require weeks of onboarding. Larger or more distributed businesses, on the other hand, need more advanced capabilities, such as custom workflows, detailed audit logs, and granular access permissions. The right platform should allow you to configure processes to match your workflow, not the other way around.

Look Beyond Price Alone

Cost matters, but it shouldn’t be the only factor. Evaluate how well the platform aligns with your operational model. Does it handle regional payroll variations with minimal manual intervention? Is support accessible when you need it? Does the platform accommodate future growth or change without costly reimplementation? A solution that’s fit for purpose today and tomorrow will often bring more value than one that’s simply low-cost upfront.

https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/jobs/employment-in-the-private-sector/employment-laws-and-regulations-in-the-private-sector

Related Reading

• Global Payroll Compliance

Book a Demo to Speak to Our Team about Our Global HR System

When it comes to global HR systems, Cercli is genuinely in a class of its own. Cercli is built specifically for businesses operating in the MENA region, providing localised expertise that companies can trust. The platform is designed to help you transform your HR operations in the Middle East, enabling compliance with local regulations and effective workforce management, whether your employees are based in the UAE or elsewhere. 

With Cercli, you can say goodbye to fragmented HR tools that don’t meet the needs of your business and hello to a comprehensive solution that will transform the way you manage your employees.

Support for Local and Global Teams

One of the biggest challenges companies face as they grow is managing the complexities of local and global workforces. As businesses expand, they often need to hire employees outside of their home country to fill talent gaps. This can introduce several HR challenges, primarily if the new hires are based in a country with different laws and regulations.

Cercli supports both local and global teams, allowing you to manage your entire workforce from a single solution. Whether you have 25 employees or 500, Cercli can help you eliminate compliance risks and streamline your HR processes.

Streamline Payroll with Multi-Currency Support

Payroll is often cited as the most challenging aspect of managing a remote workforce. This is especially true when employees are located in different countries and paid in other currencies. Cercli simplifies international payroll with multi-currency support for 150+ countries. Our platform makes it easy to manage both local and global payroll, ensuring your employees are paid accurately and on time, every time.

Simplify Compliance With Local Regulations

Cercli helps businesses simplify compliance with local regulations in the MENA region and beyond. Our platform provides localised expertise to help you understand the unique employment laws that impact your business operations in a specific country or region. This allows you to avoid costly penalties and fines while enabling you to focus on what matters, growing your business.  

‍