Lano.io Review | Podcastbricks

Lano.io is a cloud-based software solution designed to simplify the complexities of managing a global workforce. It enables businesses to hire, onboard, manage, and pay full-time employees and contractors in over 170 countries without the need to establish local legal entities. The platform’s core offerings include:

Global Employer of Record (EOR) Services: Lano acts as the legal employer on behalf of businesses, handling compliance, taxes, benefits, and HR administration in various countries.
Global Payroll Consolidation: It unifies payroll data from multiple countries into a single platform, automating payroll processes and ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Contractor Management: Businesses can manage freelancers and contractors, streamline invoicing, and make payments in multiple currencies.
Multi-Currency Payments: Lano supports payments in 28+ currencies, offering local payment options and competitive exchange rates.
Integrations: The platform integrates with popular HR, payroll, and finance tools like BambooHR, Xero, QuickBooks, and Workday, enhancing workflow efficiency.

Lano’s mission is to empower businesses to build global teams seamlessly, reducing the administrative burden and time required to enter new markets. With a network of vetted in-country partners and a focus on compliance, Lano positions itself as a one-stop shop for global HR and payroll needs.

Key Features of Lano.io

1. Global Employer of Record (EOR) Services

Lano’s EOR services allow companies to hire employees in countries where they don’t have a legal entity. This is particularly valuable for startups and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to test new markets without the cost and complexity of setting up local subsidiaries. Lano handles:

Compliance: Ensures adherence to local labor laws, tax regulations, and employment standards.
Onboarding: Streamlines the onboarding process, including contract creation and employee integration.
Payroll and Taxes: Manages payroll, withholdings, and tax filings in compliance with local requirements.
Benefits Administration: Offers access to local benefits packages, such as health insurance and pensions, tailored to each country.

Lano claims it can onboard employees in under two weeks, significantly faster than traditional methods, which can take months.

2. Global Payroll Consolidation

One of Lano’s standout features is its payroll consolidation tool, which unifies payroll data from multiple countries into a single dashboard. This provides businesses with a centralized view of payroll expenses, employment types, and compliance status. Key benefits include:

Automation: Automates payroll calculations, deductions, and payments, reducing manual errors.
Data Unification: Integrates data from various payroll systems, creating a single source of truth.
Scalability: Supports businesses as they expand, handling payroll for both employees and contractors across 170+ countries.

This feature is particularly useful for enterprises with distributed teams, as it simplifies reporting and analytics.

3. Contractor Management

Lano’s contractor management tools allow businesses to engage freelancers and independent contractors globally. The platform streamlines:

Invoicing: Contractors can create and submit invoices directly through Lano, which can be converted from timesheets or tasks.
Payments: Supports one-click bulk payments in over 50 currencies via the Lano Wallet or connected bank accounts.
Compliance: Ensures contractor agreements comply with local regulations, reducing misclassification risks.

This flexibility makes Lano appealing to companies with mixed workforces of employees and freelancers.

4. Multi-Currency Payments

Lano’s payment infrastructure supports transactions in 28+ currencies, with options for local payments or SWIFT transfers. The Lano Wallet, a multi-currency digital wallet, allows businesses to:

Top up funds in preferred currencies.
Make bulk payments to employees and contractors.
Benefit from competitive exchange rates and low transaction fees.

This feature is a significant advantage for companies paying international teams, as it minimizes currency conversion costs.

5. Integrations and API

Lano integrates with a wide range of HR, payroll, and finance tools, including:

HRIS: BambooHR, Workday, Bob.
Accounting: Xero, QuickBooks, DATEV.
Other Tools: DocuSign, Salesforce, Google Drive, and more.

The platform also offers an API, allowing businesses to customize integrations and automate workflows. This ecosystem of integrations ensures Lano can fit into existing tech stacks, enhancing its usability for tech-savvy companies.

6. Security and Compliance

Lano prioritizes data security and compliance, utilizing ISO 27001-compliant infrastructure and GDPR-compliant processes. Its network of local partners ensures that employment and payroll practices align with country-specific regulations, reducing legal risks for businesses.

Pricing

Lano offers a tiered pricing structure, with costs varying based on services used (EOR, payroll, contractor management) and the number of employees or contractors. Key pricing details include:

Global Payroll: Starts at €30 per employee per month.
EOR Services: Starts at €600 per employee per month, which is on the higher end compared to some competitors.
Contractor Management: Pricing starts at $15 per month for basic global payroll, with additional fees for advanced features.
Free Trial: Lano offers a free trial, and some plans include up to three months free.

Lano provides transparent pricing, with no hidden fees, and offers discounts for annual subscriptions (up to 25% off). However, the premium pricing for EOR services may be a barrier for smaller businesses with limited budgets.

Pros of Lano.io

Extensive Global Coverage: Operates in 170+ countries, making it one of the most comprehensive EOR and payroll platforms available.
All-in-One Solution: Combines EOR, payroll, and contractor management in a single platform, reducing the need for multiple tools.
Strong Integrations: Seamlessly connects with leading HR and finance tools, enhancing workflow efficiency.
User-Friendly Interface: Users praise the platform’s intuitive design and ease of use, particularly for invoicing and payroll management.
Responsive Customer Support: Lano’s support team is noted for being proactive and flexible, especially for early-stage businesses.
Compliance Assurance: Robust compliance measures and local partner networks minimize legal risks.
Time Efficiency: Reduces onboarding and market entry time from months to days, ideal for fast-growing companies.

Cons of Lano.io

Premium Pricing: EOR services are expensive, starting at €600 per employee per month, which may be prohibitive for small businesses.
Limited Track Record: Founded in 2018, Lano is relatively new compared to established competitors like Deel or Remote.
Currency Limitations: Supports 28 currencies, fewer than some competitors like Deel, which may limit flexibility for certain markets.
Third-Party Partner Issues: Some users report communication challenges with Lano’s third-party partners, leading to delays or inconsistent support.
Invoicing Errors: Occasional issues with erroneous invoices have been noted, causing frustration for some users.
Limited Mobile Functionality: The platform lacks robust mobile features, which may inconvenience users managing teams on the go.
Small Review Sample: With only 12 reviews on Capterra (4.6/5 stars), the sample size is limited, making it harder to gauge widespread user sentiment.

User Experiences and Reviews

User reviews of Lano.io are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.6/5 stars on Capterra based on 12 reviews. Here’s a summary of common feedback:

Positive Feedback:
- Users appreciate the platform’s ability to simplify global payroll and compliance, particularly for remote teams. One user with 350 employees across 17 countries praised Lano’s payroll consolidation feature for providing a single view of payroll data.
- The customer support team is frequently highlighted for being responsive and flexible, especially for startups.
- Freelancers find the invoicing and payment features intuitive, with one user describing Lano as “super easy to use” for creating invoices from timesheets.
Negative Feedback:
- Some users report issues with third-party intermediaries, such as delays in resolving queries about parental leave or compliance.
- Erroneous invoices and slow customer support response times have been cited as pain points, particularly for EOR services.
- A few users expressed a desire for more customization in project management features, comparing Lano to tools like Salesforce or Asana.

Overall, Lano’s reviews suggest it excels in simplifying global HR processes but may face challenges with third-party coordination and occasional operational hiccups.

Comparison to Competitors

Lano competes with platforms like Deel, Remote, Rippling, and Justworks in the global EOR and payroll space. Here’s how it stacks up:

Lano vs. Deel:
- Coverage: Both cover 170+ countries, but Deel supports more currencies (50+ vs. Lano’s 28).
- Pricing: Deel’s EOR services start at $500 per employee per month, lower than Lano’s $600.
- Features: Deel offers more advanced contractor compliance tools, while Lano’s payroll consolidation is a unique strength.
Lano vs. Remote:
- Coverage: Remote operates in fewer countries (100+), giving Lano an edge in global reach.
- Pricing: Remote’s pricing is more competitive, with EOR services starting at $400 per employee per month.
- Features: Remote focuses on simplicity and employee self-service, while Lano offers broader integrations.
Lano vs. Rippling:
- Coverage: Rippling operates in fewer countries (50+), making Lano better for extensive global expansion.
- Pricing: Rippling’s pricing is lower for payroll but higher for EOR services.
- Features: Rippling excels in automation and analytics, while Lano’s EOR and contractor management are more comprehensive.

Lano’s key differentiator is its all-in-one approach, combining EOR, payroll, and contractor management with strong integrations. However, its higher pricing and newer market presence may make competitors like Deel or Remote more appealing for cost-conscious businesses.

Who Should Use Lano.io?

Lano.io is ideal for:

Medium to Large Enterprises: Companies with distributed teams across multiple countries benefit from Lano’s payroll consolidation and EOR services.
Fast-Growing Startups: Startups looking to enter new markets quickly without setting up legal entities will find Lano’s speed and compliance features valuable.
Businesses with Mixed Workforces: Companies employing both full-time employees and contractors can leverage Lano’s unified platform for streamlined management.
Tech-Savvy Companies: Lano’s API and integrations make it a good fit for businesses with existing HR and finance tech stacks.

However, Lano may not be suitable for:

Very Small Businesses: The high cost of EOR services and extensive features may be overkill for businesses with limited international operations.
Single-Location Companies: Businesses operating in one country won’t need Lano’s global capabilities.
Budget-Constrained Startups: Smaller companies may find competitors like Deel or Remote more cost-effective.

Conclusion

Lano.io is a robust and comprehensive platform that simplifies the complexities of global employment and payroll management. Its ability to operate in 170+ countries, combined with features like EOR services, payroll consolidation, and contractor management, makes it a powerful tool for businesses looking to scale internationally. The platform’s user-friendly interface, strong integrations, and commitment to compliance further enhance its appeal, particularly for medium to large enterprises and fast-growing startups.

However, Lano’s premium pricing, especially for EOR services, and occasional issues with third-party partners may deter smaller businesses or those with tight budgets. While user reviews are largely positive, the limited number of reviews and Lano’s relatively short track record suggest it’s still building its reputation compared to established competitors like Deel or Remote.

For companies prioritizing a unified, scalable solution for global workforce management, Lano.io is a strong contender. Businesses should weigh its costs against their needs and consider trialing the platform to assess its fit. With a free trial and transparent pricing, Lano offers an accessible way to explore its capabilities. For more details, visit Lano.io.