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Plane HR & Recruiting

from $0/mo

Plane (HR & Recruiting): Plane is an API-first global payroll and HR platform with transparent pricing starting at $0/mo. Pricing: from $0/mo. (data verified August 2026)

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About Plane

What is Plane?

Plane is a payroll and HR platform designed for the agentic era. It offers an open API, CLI, and MCP support so that AI agents and software can connect directly to payroll and HR functions. Plane handles payroll calculations, tax registrations, contractor onboarding, and compliance across multiple countries, reducing manual HR work.

Problem it solves

Traditional payroll platforms require manual data entry, error troubleshooting, and compliance management. Plane automates these processes—auto-approving payroll, automatically registering for state taxes, and resolving payment issues before they reach your team. It also provides a production-grade sandbox for testing automations without affecting live payroll.

Who it's for

Plane is ideal for fast-growing companies, startups, and tech-forward businesses that want to streamline global payroll and HR. It's particularly suited for companies using AI agents or automation and needing API-based integrations. It is not for organizations requiring on-premise deployment or those that prefer fully manual HR processes without automation.

Use cases

Examples include paying contractors in 240+ countries, hiring full-time employees in the US with multi-state W2 payroll, managing international employees via EOR services, and automating expense reimbursements. With its API, you can connect Plane to your existing stack and let agents handle payroll runs, employee onboarding, and compliance tasks.

Key features

  • Open API & CLI — Connect any agent or software to read/write payroll data, trigger runs, and automate processes without partner programs or extra fees.
  • MCP Support — Integrate with Claude, ChatGPT, or any other agent you've built to execute payroll tasks directly from your existing workflows.
  • Production-grade sandbox — Test automations, send payments, and onboard contractors in a safe environment without touching live payroll.
  • Compliance automation — Handle state payroll tax registrations, locally compliant contracts, and employer tax calculations automatically when hiring in new jurisdictions.
  • Payment issue resolution — Plane proactively works through payment errors, retries transactions, and follows up to resolve issues before they affect your team.
  • Accounting integration — Automatically prepares journal entries for QuickBooks after every payroll run, streamlining month-end close.
  • Expense management — Employees and contractors can submit expenses for quick approval, with automatic processing.

SaaSpartout Score

7.6 /10
Ease of use 7.5
Features depth 8.5
Value for money 7.0
Support quality 6.5
Integrations 9.0
Scalability 8.0
Documentation 7.0
Onboarding speed 7.5

Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.

Plane Pricing

Plane pricing: from $0/mo.

HRIS Platform – $0/mo per person

Manage all team members on a single platform. Includes guided hiring & onboarding, contractor & employee directory, custom reports, holidays, and time tracking.

Contractors – $39/mo per person

Onboard and pay contractors worldwide. Payments in 240+ countries, 70+ local currencies, no e-wallet needed, W-8 & W-9 collection, 1099 filing, and health insurance available.

Employees US – $19/mo per person

Hire and pay US employees. Includes comprehensive multi-state W2 payroll, automated tax filing and payments, flexible earning types, built-in Form I-9 and W-4 support, and multiple pay schedules.

EOR – $499/mo per person

Hire and pay international employees in 100+ countries without local entities. Includes locally compliant contracts, immigration and visa assistance, health insurance, and other benefits.

All plans include API, CLI, MCP, and sandbox access. No minimum charges, setup fees, or hidden costs. Cancel anytime.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Plane free to use?
Yes, Plane offers a free HRIS plan at $0/mo per person, which includes core HR features like hiring, onboarding, and time tracking. Paid plans start at $19/mo for US employees.
How much does Plane cost?
Plane's pricing varies by plan: HRIS is $0/mo per person, US employees are $19/mo per person, contractors are $39/mo per person, and EOR is $499/mo per person.
What is Plane best for?
Plane is best for companies needing global payroll and HR with a strong API-first design that allows AI agents and software to automate payroll tasks, compliance, and payments.
What are the top alternatives to Plane?
Common alternatives include Gusto, Rippling, Deel, and Remote. These platforms offer similar global payroll and HR features, but Plane differentiates with its open API and MCP support for agents.
Does Plane offer a free trial?
Plane offers a free plan (HRIS) that you can start with, and you can book a demo to explore paid plans. There is no mention of a time-limited free trial on the website.
What are the key limitations of Plane?
Plane does not support on-premise deployment and requires internet connectivity for its API and agent integrations. Its EOR plan is relatively expensive at $499/mo per person compared to some competitors.
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