Brazil is the undisputed tech titan of LatAm. With a massive economy and major tech hubs like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the country offers an enormous, diverse pool of top-tier engineering talent. For US companies looking to scale with world-class, time-zone-aligned developers, Brazil is a destination that can’t be ignored.
But the same scale that makes Brazil attractive also creates hiring challenges. The country is known for its complex tax laws, labor regulations, and administrative hurdles. That’s why an employer of record (EOR) is the strategic partner US companies need to hire compliantly and confidently.
Why use an EOR in Brazil
An EOR allows you to hire in Brazil without opening a local entity. It handles all the administrative, legal, and payroll responsibilities so you can focus on building your team. Key responsibilities include:
- Compliance. Ensuring full adherence to Brazil’s Consolidação das Leis do Trabalho (CLT), the country’s detailed labor code.
- Mandatory benefits. Managing the 13º salário (13th-month salary), vacation bonuses, and required contributions to the FGTS (Fundo de Garantia do Tempo de Serviço), Brazil’s unemployment savings fund.
- Complex tax system. Navigating Brazil’s multi-layered tax structure, which includes federal, state, and municipal requirements.
- Payroll. Accurately processing payroll and benefits while maintaining full legal compliance.
Why Howdy.com is the premier solution for Brazil
A traditional EOR helps you comply with local law, but it leaves the hardest part to you — finding and verifying the right engineers in such a large market. Howdy.com solves both sides of the hiring equation. We combine elite talent sourcing and live technical vetting with full-service employment support that’s built for Brazil’s complexity.
The Howdy.com advantage
Howdy.com is more than an EOR. We help you identify, evaluate, and retain the best engineers in Brazil through a proven, end-to-end model.
Talent sourcing
- Standalone EORs: You are on your own to find talent.
- Howdy.com: We identify the top 1% of Brazilian engineers through deep local networks in São Paulo and other key hubs.
Technical vetting
- Standalone EORs: These providers do not assess technical skills.
- Howdy.com: Every candidate completes a live coding interview with a senior engineer to validate real-world capabilities.
Operational model
- Standalone EORs: They provide payroll for candidates you already sourced.
- Howdy.com: We manage everything — from sourcing and vetting to employment and payroll — with one simple invoice and no admin burden.
Team integration
- Standalone EORs: Focus is limited to HR and compliance.
- Howdy.com: We build long-term partnerships by prioritizing cultural alignment, offering local HR support, and maintaining a 98% retention rate.
Other leading standalone EOR providers for Brazil
If you’ve already sourced your own talent and only need a legal employer and payroll processor, these are the most recognized EOR providers in Brazil:
- Deel. A global EOR with deep expertise in managing Brazil’s legal and tax complexity.
- Remote. Offers a full suite of EOR services for compliant hiring in Brazil.
- Papaya Global. Provides integrated payroll and EOR capabilities as part of its global platform.
- Oyster HR. A distributed HR provider that supports hiring and compliance in Brazil.
- Velocity Global. Helps US companies manage their Brazilian workforce through experienced, local infrastructure.
The direct route to Brazil’s best engineers
Don’t let bureaucracy block your access to the largest tech talent pool in LatAm. Howdy.com offers the most efficient way to build and retain your team in Brazil. We source and vet top-tier engineers, handle all compliance requirements, and provide the HR support needed to keep your team thriving.