A product of HQ Simple
Engage them. From first hello to final offboard.
The contingent-workforce OS that starts free with an ATS, then grows into contractor management, self-managed VMS, and International EOR on the same database. No stacked SaaS fees. No setup charges. Just a flat markup when you need the services.
Engage is a single platform for every stage of a contingent-workforce relationship. You start with a free applicant tracking system for recruiting. When you hire someone as a contractor, their record flows into contractor management, compliance, time and expense tracking, no re-entry, no new system. When you need a vendor network, a self-managed VMS module turns on. When you hire internationally, Engage hands off to HQ Simple's Employer of Record service with a flat markup and zero per-seat SaaS fees.
One platform, four growth stages. Turn on the next layer when you need it.
Most teams do not need every capability on day one. Engage is built so you start where you are and add the next layer only when you need it.
Built for the way contingent workforces actually work
Purpose-built for US teams who are tired of being sold an enterprise suite when they need a self-serve tool.
One database, every stage
Recruits, contractors, employees, vendors, all one record. No CSV exports. No re-onboarding.
25+ AI features across the platform
Resume matching, interview question generation, 1099 classification, receipt OCR, duplicate-expense detection, invoice validation, onboarding document validation, a Hiring Decision Assistant chatbot, and more, all wired into the screens your team already uses.
Compliance built in
Classification risk scoring, audit trails on every action, state-by-state rule coverage. Not a separate module.
Flat markup, no stack of fees
Direct EOR markets run on a single markup rate. No per-seat SaaS, no setup, no onboarding, no offboarding charge.
Self-serve VMS
Run your own vendor program. RFQs, submissions, scorecards, payments, without hiring an MSP.
HR partner, not just software
Labor laws, regulations, and local norms are an active advisory relationship, not a static rules database. Deel and Rippling are software + payroll; HQ Simple is your HR team.
Global when you need it
Hire directly in US, Canada, UK, Australia. Anywhere else? Engage routes through the HQ Simple partner network.
25+ live AI features, not vaporware.
Every module in Engage ships with AI wired into the screens your team already uses, classification, matching, extraction, validation, detection, anomaly surfacing, and conversational assistants. These are live in the product today, not on a roadmap.
- Resume profile extraction
- Candidate-job matching
- Resume screening
- Job description writer + optimizer
- Job requirements generator
- Compensation suggestions
- Interview question generation
- Talent pool insights
- 1099 vs W-2 classification with rationale
- 1099 analysis summary (plain language)
- Job description compliance check
- Receipt OCR (multi-receipt)
- Duplicate-expense detection
- Category matcher
- Mileage validator
- Policy validator
- Expense report analyzer
- Timecard anomaly detection
- Document validation (completeness + authenticity)
- Invoice pre-send validation
- Hiring Decision Assistant chatbot
- In-app Platform Assistant
- Context-aware Support Assistant
- AI worker performance analysis
Every AI feature logs its input, output, and the human decision that followed. Admin users can tune assistant prompts in Settings. No black boxes, the AI surfaces signals; humans still make the call.
What the platform actually looks like
Global EOR with direct + partner coverage
- Direct employer in US, Canada, UK, Australia
- Partner network for 40+ other countries
- Same database as your contractor and candidate records
AI 1099 classification with written rationale
- GPT-4o scoring against IRS + state rules
- Audit trail on every decision
- One-click approve / convert-to-W-2 / route-to-legal
AI-native expense tracking, built for contractors and W-2s
- One-tap AI Receipt Scan, vendor, date, amount, and category extracted on upload
- Draft / Pending / Policy-violation badges surface issues before an approver sees them
- Expenses grouped by assignment with one-click Submit Expense Report
Pricing, side by side
| Feature | Engage by HQ Simple | Deel | Rippling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier for small teams | up to 20 workers | ||
| Platform pricing | Flat tier ($0 / $500 / $1,500) | Per-seat SaaS + ancillary fees | Gated |
| EOR published price | ~17% flat markup on wages | $599 Standard / $899 Enterprise per employee/mo | $499–$799+ per employee/mo (Global PEO) |
| EOR setup / onboarding / offboarding | $0 (included in markup) | Added on top | Added on top |
| Pre-funding requirement | No | Yes | Yes |
| Active HR partnership on labor laws | Yes, included | No, software + payroll | No, software + payroll |
| Direct-entity EOR markets | 4 direct + transparent 40+ partner | 110+ countries (mostly partner-routed) | 150+ countries (mixed direct + partner) |
| Partner markup passed to client | $0 SaaS in partner markets | Full SaaS + fees on top of partner cost | Full SaaS + fees on top of partner cost |
| Free ATS for internal recruiting | |||
| AI 1099 classification built-in | |||
| Published pricing | Starting rate only |
- Engage by HQ Simple
- up to 20 workers
- Deel
- Rippling
- Engage by HQ Simple
- Flat tier ($0 / $500 / $1,500)
- Deel
- Per-seat SaaS + ancillary fees
- Rippling
- Gated
- Engage by HQ Simple
- ~17% flat markup on wages
- Deel
- $599 Standard / $899 Enterprise per employee/mo
- Rippling
- $499–$799+ per employee/mo (Global PEO)
- Engage by HQ Simple
- $0 (included in markup)
- Deel
- Added on top
- Rippling
- Added on top
- Engage by HQ Simple
- No
- Deel
- Yes
- Rippling
- Yes
- Engage by HQ Simple
- Yes, included
- Deel
- No, software + payroll
- Rippling
- No, software + payroll
- Engage by HQ Simple
- 4 direct + transparent 40+ partner
- Deel
- 110+ countries (mostly partner-routed)
- Rippling
- 150+ countries (mixed direct + partner)
- Engage by HQ Simple
- $0 SaaS in partner markets
- Deel
- Full SaaS + fees on top of partner cost
- Rippling
- Full SaaS + fees on top of partner cost
- Engage by HQ Simple
- Deel
- Rippling
- Engage by HQ Simple
- Deel
- Rippling
- Engage by HQ Simple
- Deel
- Starting rate only
- Rippling
Need EOR service, not just software?
HQ Simple is the services arm that delivers Employer of Record directly in US, Canada, UK, Australia, and via partner network worldwide. Flat markup, no per-seat SaaS, no setup or onboarding fees.
Frequently asked questions
- Yes. Engage includes a fully-featured applicant tracking system at $0 with no seat limits. We make money when you choose to use HQ Simple for EOR or contractor management services, but that is your choice, and the ATS is free either way.
Get started with the free ATS.
We are onboarding early-access customers now. Request a spot and we will reach out to activate your account within two business days.