Pricing

About

Contact

Resources

Book a Demo

Pricing

About

Contact

Resources

Book a Demo

Pricing

About

Contact

Resources

Book a Demo

SigmaRemote vs Ontop — A Lean, Contractor-First Alternative

Q: What sets Sigma apart from other payroll platforms?

Unlike existing payroll services, Sigma is designed with the worker in mind. We provide unique financial tools, such as USD savings wallets and flexible payment options, ensuring that contractors not only get paid fast but also have the resources to thrive.

Q: How does Sigma ensure that workers receive local-like benefits?

Sigma’s model allows workers to maintain savings in USD and choose when to convert, protecting them from unnecessary FX losses and giving them more financial control.

Q: Is it easy to switch to Sigma?

Yes. Sigma offers a streamlined onboarding process that takes under 15 minutes, allowing teams to start sending payments almost instantly.

Ontop covers onboarding, contracts, and compliance—but paying contractors remains complex and costly. Learn why fast-moving teams prefer SigmaRemote for transparent fees, USD wallet payouts, and onboarding in under 15 minutes.

Book a Demo

4.8

5k Satisfied Customers

4.8

5k Satisfied Customers

Side-by-Side on What Really Matters

Ontop

$49/month per contractor + 1% payment commission

Currency conversion rates include 1% payment commission and a hidden markup on top of the mid-market rate.

May incur $0–45 in SWIFT/intermediary fees, depending on country and rail.

ACH to local bank takes 3–5 days; timing can vary by region and bank route.

No hidden wallet fees, but $10 inactivity fee after two months of inactivity.

Portal-based setup; sales consult required; billing/contract details locked pre-payment.

Inconsistent response times. Contractors report slow issue resolution and limited access to live help.

Sigma

$18/month per active contractor — reduced rates for teams of 20+

0% FX with USD wallets; ~1% FX only if converting to local currency

$0 with USD wallet (no forced conversions)

1-2 business days, or instant with USDC. Optimized infrastructure

Contractors hold USD wallet, choose when and how to convert

<15 min mobile onboarding

Fast, human‑first support optimized for contractor payouts

Pain Points with Ontop

What frustrates founders and contractors using Ontop for international payments:

Expensive contractor SaaS model: $49/month plus 1% commission on each payment; discounts only apply at scale.

Hidden FX behavior: Payment fees and FX markups embedded in unlabeled conversion rates—not clearly disclosed pre-payment.

Unpredictable bank fees: Contractors in some markets lose $0–$45 to SWIFT or intermediary deductions.

Delayed payout flow: Self-reported 3–5 day delay in fund arrival, even with nominal intra-US transfers.

Limited contractor control: No universal USD wallet; contractors rely on platform-directed payout methods.

Heavy onboarding friction: Sales-driven setup, manual contract/legal handling, slow quote cycle.

Inconsistent support experience: Delayed responses for payment issues, limited access to live help, and no dedicated account managers for small teams. Contractors may face long resolution times via email-only support.