A local hire is the default for good reasons: same office, same culture, same labour market. But it's slow, and the total cost goes well beyond salary. In the US, benefits made up 30% of private employers' compensation costs in June 2026. Here's how a Countbird hire compares.
At a glance
| Hiring locally | Countbird | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first candidates | Often weeks of posting, screening and interviewing | Within 15 days of our kick-off call |
| Your time spent hiring | Job ads, CV screening, first rounds, references | One kick-off call and one final interview |
| Cost structure | Salary plus benefits, payroll taxes, recruiting and equipment | One flat monthly fee per person |
| Location | In your office or your country | Remote from India, working your hours |
| If it doesn't work out | Notice periods and a new search | We replace them at no extra cost |
| Best for | Roles that need to be in person | Roles that can be done well remotely |
Which to choose
Hiring locally is better when
- The role needs physical presence
- You need deep local knowledge, licences or language
- Your customers expect someone in their country
Countbird fits when
- The work happens on a laptop
- You want to grow the team without growing fixed costs as fast
- You need someone to start soon
Questions
Will a remote hire fit our culture?+
We test communication and working style, and they join your rituals in your hours. Most of culture is how you work together.
Can I mix local and remote hires?+
Yes. A common setup is local leadership with remote specialists around them.