Rise review – Services, prices and features explained

Businesses are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing distributed teams across multiple countries. Whether you’re a tech startup with contractors in various jurisdictions or a decentralised organisation (DAO) paying employees in both fiat and cryptocurrency, Rise offers a modern solution to these complexities. Here’s a detailed review to help business leaders determine whether Rise is the right fit for their needs.

Overview of Rise

Rise is an international payroll platform that distinguishes itself by offering payments in both fiat and cryptocurrency. This dual capability makes it a unique proposition for businesses that operate across borders and work with remote, globally distributed teams. With support for over 190 countries, the platform aims to automate payroll, tax compliance, and onboarding processes, while providing flexibility in payments.

For businesses with international staff or contractors who prefer crypto payments, this service addresses some of the core pain points associated with multi-currency payroll, regulatory compliance, and financial transparency.

Read on for our full Rise review.

Key services

1. Hybrid payroll

Rise’s standout feature is its ability to process payroll in both traditional (fiat) currencies and cryptocurrencies. This is especially valuable for businesses in the blockchain or Web3 space that are accustomed to handling crypto transactions, but also need to pay employees who may not be crypto-native.

The platform supports seamless switching between different payment types, which is particularly useful when treasury management involves a blend of both fiat and digital assets.

2. Global compliance automation

Compliance is often a major hurdle for businesses managing teams across multiple jurisdictions. Rise helps navigate local tax laws and employment regulations for over 190 countries, automatically ensuring that the necessary requirements are met for each contractor or employee. This feature significantly reduces the administrative burden of staying compliant with varying tax obligations, legal stipulations, and reporting requirements.

3. Mass payouts and flexibility

Rise supports mass payouts, enabling businesses to send funds to large teams simultaneously. This feature is crucial for growing companies or DAOs that have many employees or contractors across the globe. Payments can be scheduled and processed in multiple currencies, making it easy to manage multi-country payroll cycles without needing multiple tools or financial intermediaries.

4. Onboarding and KYC

Hiring and onboarding global talent comes with challenges, particularly around Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements and verifying a contractor’s legal status. Rise automates the onboarding process, ensuring that new contractors or employees are verified and legally compliant before payments begin. This reduces the risk of employing someone who may inadvertently violate local or international regulations.

Rise pricing review

Plan	Cost	Key Features
Contractor	Free	– Instant payments, fiat & crypto payouts, high-yield DeFi accounts, invoice sending, individuals or businesses
Company Model 1	$50/contractor per month	– Fiat & crypto payments, compliance checks, tax reporting, global contracts, 2 months free, startup discounts
Company Model 2	3% of payment volume	– Same as Model 1, suitable for micropayments, 2 months free, startup discounts

Rise offers three pricing models designed to meet the diverse needs of contractors and businesses:

Contractor (Free)

• Ideal for individuals or small businesses sending invoices.
• Includes instant payments, both fiat and crypto payouts, and access to high-yield DeFi accounts.

Company (Model 1 – $50/contractor per month)

• Suited for companies scaling global teams.
• Includes automated payments, compliance checks, annual tax reporting, and global contracts.

Company (Model 2 – 3% of payment volume)

• Designed for businesses handling micropayments.
• Includes the same features as Model 1, but with volume-based pricing.

Both company plans come with two months free and discounts for startups and non-profits.

Rise offers a flexible pricing structure, which varies based on factors such as the number of team members and the volume of payments processed. This makes the service accessible to both small startups and larger organisations.

Pricing typically follows a per-user model or commission based on payment volume, allowing companies to scale usage in line with their growth. This flexibility means that businesses can control their costs while still benefiting from the platform’s full suite of features.

For companies with smaller teams, the entry-level pricing may be an appealing alternative to traditional payroll services, as it offers greater payment flexibility and enhanced automation features.

Advantages for business leaders

1. Efficiency and automation

For organisations managing teams across multiple countries, the ability to automate both payroll and compliance is a game-changer. The reduction in manual administrative work not only saves time but reduces the risk of human error, which can be costly in payroll processes.

2. Supporting a decentralised workforce

As more businesses shift to remote and hybrid work models, paying international contractors and employees has become more complex. Rise offers a solution that integrates with both traditional banking systems and crypto wallets, allowing for seamless payments regardless of location or payment preference.

3. Enhanced financial flexibility

For businesses operating with crypto treasuries, Rise provides the advantage of direct crypto payments without the need for conversions or third-party services. This can be crucial for companies wanting to maximise the utility of their crypto holdings while avoiding the complexities of converting funds into fiat currencies.

Potential challenges

While Rise offers a comprehensive suite of features, businesses should evaluate their specific needs before committing. For companies not engaged in the Web3 space or with limited use of cryptocurrencies, the hybrid payroll system might be underutilised. Additionally, while Rise provides excellent support for compliance in over 190 countries, highly regulated sectors or regions with complex labour laws may require additional legal consultation to ensure full compliance.

Alternatives and comparisons

• Rise vs Deel

Review – Is Rise right for your business?

For business leaders managing globally distributed teams or decentralised organisations, Rise can be a valuable asset. Its hybrid payroll system, global compliance features, and automation capabilities make it well-suited to companies looking to streamline international payroll and reduce the administrative overhead of managing compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

On the other hand, businesses that primarily operate in one or two countries or have a more traditional workforce may not fully benefit from the platform’s unique crypto capabilities. However, for any company looking to bridge the gap between fiat and crypto payments in a compliant and efficient way, Rise is an attractive solution.

In conclusion of our review, Rise offers a compelling blend of payroll flexibility, global compliance, and automation, making it a strong contender for businesses in the Web3 space or those looking to optimise the management of remote, international teams. The platform’s ability to reduce administrative burdens while offering scalable pricing ensures it remains a viable option for businesses of all sizes.

FAQ – Rise review