Hire with Columbus vs Horizons
Hire with Columbus vs Horizons: Better Value for Pure EOR Needs
Same $179/month for employees, but we charge $25/month for contractors vs their $199. Save thousands if you work with contractors.
How we compare
We deliver the same core EOR services at a fraction of the cost. Here's what you get with Columbus.
Columbus
Our advantage: Same quality service, 70% lower cost with transparent pricing
Horizons
Their advantage: Extensive HR tech integrations and contractor management platform
Save $20 per employee/month
That's 10% less than Horizons - same quality, smarter pricing
Get started from $179/month →Where Horizons falls short for startups
Why pure-play EOR makes more sense for growing companies
Expensive contractor management
Horizons charges $199/month per contractor—same as employees despite less complexity
How we solve this
Columbus charges just $25/month for contractor management with a free tier
Feature bloat for simple EOR needs
Recruitment, performance tracking, and benefits admin you may not need but pay for
How we solve this
Focused EOR platform—pay only for what you need without bundled services
Built for enterprise, not startups
Platform complexity and features designed for larger organizations
How we solve this
Streamlined for startups and scale-ups with simple, fast workflows
Fewer countries covered
How we solve this
Broader global coverage for harder-to-reach markets
Switching from Horizons? We'll help you avoid these common issues.
Is Columbus right for you?
We're not for everyone. Here's how to decide if Columbus or Horizons is the better fit.
Columbus is great for you if...
Cost efficiency is a priority
You want enterprise-grade service without the enterprise price tag
You need transparent pricing
No hidden fees, no surprises—just straightforward costs from day one
Speed matters
Get employees onboarded in 2-3 days with dedicated support
You're a growing startup or mid-market company
Scale globally without breaking your budget
You value personalized support
Work with a dedicated team that knows your business
Horizons might be better if...
You need extensive HR tech integrations
Connects with hundreds of HR tools and platforms
Brand recognition matters
Well-established name in the EOR space
You're a large enterprise
Managing 500+ global employees with complex requirements
Budget isn't a concern
Premium pricing for comprehensive platform features
You need contractor + EOR management
Unified platform for mixed workforce types
Calculate your savings
See how much you could save by charting your course with Columbus
Columbus
Horizons
No hidden fees, ever
What you see is what you pay. The $179/employee/month price includes compliance, payroll, benefits administration, local tax filing, and 24/7 support. No surprise charges.
Feature comparison
Both platforms handle EOR well. The difference is in contractor costs and focus.
Pricing & Costs
| Feature | 🧭Columbus | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| EOR monthly cost per employeeKey difference | $179 | $199 |
| Contractor monthly costKey difference | $25 | $199.00 |
| Setup fees | $0 | $0 |
| Contract minimums | None - month to month | Varies by plan |
Global Coverage
| Feature | 🧭Columbus | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| Countries availableKey difference | 185+ | 180 |
| Local compliance experts | ✓ In every country | ✓ In every country |
| Visa & work permit support | ✓ 85+ countries | ✓ Available |
Service & Support
| Feature | 🧭Columbus | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| Response time guaranteeKey difference | 15 minutes | 24-48 hours |
| Support availability | 24/7 live support | Business hours |
| Dedicated account manager | ✓ From day one | ✓ Available |
| Onboarding time | 2-3 days | 3-5 days |
Features & Platform
| Feature | 🧭Columbus | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll processing | ✓ Multi-currency | ✓ Multi-currency |
| Benefits administration | ✓ Local benefits | ✓ Local benefits |
| Background checks | ✓ 185+ countries | ✓ Available |
| Equipment management | ✓ Global shipping | ✓ Available |
Switch from Horizons? We'll handle everything
Moving from Horizons to Hire with Columbus is simple and completely free. Our migration team handles all the heavy lifting.
Quick setup review
New or switching? We analyze your needs and create a tailored onboarding plan
Smooth transition
We handle employee data, contracts, and compliance—whether migrating or starting fresh
Ready to go
Your team is up and running on Columbus—typically within 2-3 days for new setups
What's included in your free migration
Already using Horizons?
Chat with our team to see how much you could save by switching. No commitment required.
The numbers speak for themselves
Horizons vs Columbus FAQ
Common questions about switching from Horizons to Columbus
Columbus charges $179/month per employee while Horizons charges $199/month. That's a savings of $20/month per employee, or 10% less than Horizons.
Yes. Columbus delivers the same core EOR services—compliance, payroll, benefits administration—through trusted local partners with 20+ years of experience. You get the same reliability and legal protection, just with smarter economics that eliminate enterprise overhead.
Most migrations from Horizons complete in 2-3 weeks with zero disruption to your team. We offer free migration support including employee data transfer, contract setup, and parallel running periods to ensure a smooth transition.
No. Unlike some providers with 12-month minimums, Columbus offers month-to-month pricing. You can cancel anytime with no penalties or questions asked. We earn your business every month through quality service, not contractual lock-in.
Columbus covers 185+ countries worldwide. Our extensive network of local partners means we can support your global team wherever they are, with the same compliance quality and faster onboarding than most competitors.
Need EOR without recruitment overhead?
If you're not using Horizons' recruitment services, you're paying for features you don't need. Get pure-play EOR at the right price.
Get started with Columbus — Starting from $179/month →No credit card required • Cancel anytime • 2-3 day onboarding