What Links International does

Links International is an APAC-headquartered HR outsourcing, payroll, and recruitment firm founded in 1999 and operating as a subsidiary of Ascentium Group since approximately 2023. The company delivers multi-country payroll outsourcing, PEO/EOR services, visa processing, company formation, and recruitment services (Recruiter on Demand, contingent search, and retained Apex Search) to mid-market and enterprise clients across 20+ countries and 30 in-country delivery locations spanning APAC and the Middle East. Headquartered in Hong Kong with regional hubs in Singapore and additional offices in Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Cambodia, South Korea, Macau, and others, the company serves multinational clients including Shell, H&M, Emirates, NBA, Pernod Ricard, Moncler, Sephora, Nord Anglia Education, and Payoneer.

The company's core technology is the proprietary Links One HR platform, built on a microservices-based, mobile-first architecture that consolidates payroll, leave, and workforce management across countries. Links Integration Hub extends the platform by enabling data synchronization with enterprise HCM systems (Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM), and additional modules include Workforce Asia (time and roster management), HR Analytics, and On Demand Pay (earned wage access). AI capabilities include a Microsoft Teams-integrated chatbot for HR queries and ongoing AI-based payroll initiatives. Brand credibility is anchored by 11 consecutive years of Best Payroll Outsourcing Partner recognition at the Hong Kong and Singapore HR Vendors of the Year Awards and a 2025 Everest Group Star Performer designation in the Multi-Country Payroll Solutions PEAK Matrix Assessment.

The business model combines managed services revenue (payroll outsourcing, PEO/EOR, visa processing billed as service fees), professional services revenue (recruitment placements and retained search fees), and recurring SaaS subscription revenue (Links One and Links Integration Hub). Go-to-market is sales-led with regional business development managers, an inside sales team for mid-market clients, and a website-driven quote request and self-service content layer (labor law guides, salary guides, company formation guides) for top-of-funnel demand generation. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with customization by company size, headcount, countries of operation, and service scope.

Name

Links International

Legal name

Links International

Website

https://linksinternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Links International is an APAC-headquartered HR outsourcing, payroll, and recruitment firm serving mid-market and enterprise clients across 20+ countries and 30 in-country locations, delivering multi-country payroll, PEO/EOR, and recruitment services backed by its proprietary Links One platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HR Outsourcing Services

NAICS

Professional Employer Organizations (56133), Professional Employer Organizations (561330)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Help Supply Services (7363)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Employer of Record (EOR) Services (BPACAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Global Payroll & Multi-Country Payroll Coordination (EOR/PEO Interface) (BPAAAHAE), HRIS/HCM Implementation & EOR Platform Services (BPACAHAJ), Global/Multi-Country Payroll & Cross-Border Payments (BPACAIAD), Global Mobility, Immigration & Relocation (BPACAPAN)

Keywords

• Payroll outsourcing services
• HR outsourcing services
• PEO and EOR services
• Multi-country payroll
• Recruitment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hong Kong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. HR Outsourcing Services: Comprehensive HR outsourcing services including payroll outsourcing, PEO/EOR services, and visa application processing. Revenue is generated through service fees charged to clients for managing their HR functions across multiple countries.
2. Recruitment Services: Talent acquisition services including Recruiter on Demand, Contingent Search, and Apex Search (retained search). Revenue generated through placement fees or retainer arrangements.
3. Technology Platform Subscriptions: SaaS-based HR platform subscriptions for Links One and Links Integration Hub, providing ongoing access to payroll and HR management tools.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Links International provides HR outsourcing, payroll, recruitment, and PEO/EOR services to enterprises across 20+ countries in APAC and the Middle East, supported by its proprietary Links One HR platform. The company delivers 100% in-country payroll and HR services across 30 locations, enabling multi-country employers to manage payroll, workforce, and compliance through a single integrated platform with local in-country support.

Product overview

Links International offers a unified platform-plus-modules portfolio built around its Links One HR platform, supplemented by specialized add-on products. Links One serves as the central hub for multi-country payroll, leave, and workforce management across 30 APAC and Middle East locations, delivering 100% in-country services. The Links Integration Hub extends the platform by connecting it with third-party HCM systems (Workday, SuccessFactors, Oracle HCM) for consolidated cross-country reporting. Additional modules include Workforce Asia (time and roster management), HR Analytics (payroll data analytics), and On Demand Pay (earned wage access), all delivered with in-country local support from the core platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Links One: HR platform for payroll, leave and workforce management consolidating data using a single platform with in-country support
• Links Integration Hub
• Workforce Asia
• HR Analytics
• On Demand Pay

Products and services

• Links One Central HR platform providing payroll, leave, and workforce management features with 100% in-country delivery across APAC and the Middle East, consolidating data from multiple countries into a single platform with local support.
• Links Integration Hub Integration platform enabling consolidated payroll data reporting, comparison, and evaluation across multiple systems and countries, connecting Links One with Workday, SuccessFactors, and Oracle HCM.
• Workforce Asia – Time & Roster Management Time and roster management solution for Asia-based workforces, allowing employees to manage shifts, track attendance, and handle scheduling.
• HR Analytics Data analytics module providing reporting, comparison, and evaluation of payroll data across countries to support strategic HR decision-making.
• On Demand Pay Earned wage access solution allowing employees to access earned wages before scheduled pay dates.
• Payroll Outsourcing Services End-to-end payroll processing services delivered 100% in-country across 30 locations in APAC and the Middle East, enabling enterprises to centralize payroll data and ensure compliance.
• PEO / EOR Services Professional Employer Organization and Employer of Record services enabling companies to hire employees in under 48 hours across APAC and the Middle East without establishing a local legal entity.
• Recruitment Services Talent acquisition services including Recruiter on Demand, Contingent Search, and Apex Search (retained search) across industry verticals such as HR, banking, finance, IT, sales, and marketing.
• Visa Application Services Visa and immigration processing service supporting international employee assignments across APAC and the Middle East markets.
• Outplacement / Career Transition Outplacement and career transition services supporting employees leaving the organization with job search, coaching, and transition support.
• SAP SuccessFactors Implementation and Services Implementation and ongoing services for SAP SuccessFactors HCM platform, providing clients with comprehensive HR system integration capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47% growth in number of employees being payrolled year on year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Ascentium GroupflagshipOthersLinks International is a part of Ascentium Group, which acquired the company. This partnership provides expanded capabilities including complementary corporate services and integrated end-to-end HR and financial solutions for clients. The backing of Ascentium Group enables accelerated market expansion and technology enhancements.
• WorkdaycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology integration partnership providing seamless data synchronization between Links International's HR platform and Workday HCM system, enabling clients to consolidate HR data.
• SAP SuccessFactorscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology integration partnership offering SAP SuccessFactors implementation and services, providing clients with comprehensive HR system integration capabilities.
• Oracle HCMcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology integration partnership enabling seamless connectivity between Links International's payroll platform and Oracle HCM systems.
• Microsoft TeamscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Microsoft Teams providing AI chatbot functionality for HR inquiries, streamlining client communication and user experience.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Deel: Global EOR, payroll, and contractor management platform with rapid APAC expansion. Directly competes with Links International in multi-country payroll and EOR services, though Deel's tech-first, partner-network delivery model contrasts with Links' owned in-country approach.
• Remote: Global EOR and payroll provider serving companies hiring across borders, including APAC. Directly competes with Links International on multi-country employment and payroll, emphasizing technology-led delivery versus Links' high-touch in-country model.
• Globalization Partners:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/links-recruitment-limited
• Xx.com/Links_Asia
• Facebookfacebook.com/hongkonglinks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Links International