In the wake of a global shift in workplace culture, the future is shaping up to be the golden era of remote-first companies. Unlike remote-friendly organizations, which allow work-from-home occasionally, remote-first companies are built entirely around distributed workforces.
They don’t treat remote work as a perk. They treat it as a foundation. These organizations aren’t just embracing flexible work, they are pioneering new ways of operating in a globally connected world.
The best remote-first companies in 2025 are building systems, cultures, and tools that aren’t just reactive, they’re visionary.
This guide features the top remote-first companies to watch in 2025. Ideal for those exploring remote job opportunities, planning a career transition, or interested in the trailblazers reshaping the future of work,
What Defines a Remote-First Company?
Before diving into the list, it’s important to understand what makes a company truly remote-first:
Feature | Remote-Friendly | Remote-First |
Primary Work Model | Hybrid or optional remote | 100% distributed team |
Offices | Often HQ-centric | Fully optional or none |
Culture | In-person events prioritized | Inclusive of all time zones |
Tools & Infrastructure | Designed for office-first | Built for remote collaboration |
Hiring | Location-restricted | Hires globally, often across 50+ countries |
Remote-first companies are intentionally designed to support employees in different time zones, prioritize asynchronous communication, and offer benefits that fit global lifestyles.
Top Remote-First Companies to Watch in 2025
Below are the standout companies pushing remote work boundaries in 2025, categorized by sector, innovation, and remote culture.
1. GitLab
Industry: DevOps / Software Development
Headquarters: None, 100% remote
Employees: ~2,000 in 65+ countries
Why Watch:
GitLab is one of the earliest pioneers of the remote-first model. Its entire company handbook (over 2,000 pages) is open to the public, showcasing radical transparency in operations and remote culture.
Key Remote Perks
- Async-first communication
- Home office budget
- International co-working stipends
- Paid parental leave and learning budgets
Open Roles (2025)
- Frontend Engineer – Remote (Global)
- Product Designer – APAC/EMEA preferred
- Security Engineer – Global
2. Shopify
Industry: E-commerce / SaaS
Headquarters: Canada (remote-first since 2020)
Employees: ~10,000+
Why Watch
Shopify declared itself “Digital by Default” back in 2020. By 2025, they’ve refined their workflows, offering flexibility without sacrificing output.
Key Remote Perks
- $1,000 annual learning budget
- Work from anywhere in your time zone
- Generous equity grants and RSUs
- Remote-first onboarding & mentorship
3. Remote.com
Industry: HR Tech / Payroll / Global Employment
Headquarters: Fully distributed
Employees: 1,000+ in 70+ countries
Why Watch
Remote.com helps other companies manage global hiring, and practices what it preaches. In 2025, it’s at the heart of the global talent economy.
Key Remote Perks
- Home office budget: $500/year
- Co-working space allowance
- Paid sabbaticals after 5 years
- Global healthcare
4. Zapier
Industry: Automation / SaaS
Headquarters: None, Remote-only since founding
Employees: ~800 across 35+ countries
Why Watch
Zapier is automation made easy. But behind the product is a team run with extraordinary remote discipline, even for onboarding and performance reviews.
Key Remote Perks
- Profit sharing
- Unlimited PTO with minimums
- Sabbatical after 5 years
- Mental health support
5. DuckDuckGo
Industry: Search Engine / Privacy Tech
Headquarters: Remote-first
Employees: ~200
Why Watch
DuckDuckGo is building a privacy-first internet, and they’re doing it with a lean, remote-first team that values autonomy and deep work.
Key Remote Perks
- Flexible 4-day work week options
- No internal email policy
- No set hours or location
- Privacy-first hardware reimbursement
6. Toptal
Industry: Freelance Talent Marketplace
Headquarters: Remote-first
Employees: Fully distributed across 100+ countries
Why Watch
Toptal serves top-tier freelance clients, and its core team is fully remote. In 2025, it continues expanding its talent pool and in-house roles globally.
Key Remote Perks
- Global roles across sales, tech, and design
- Flexible hours and location
- Freelance-friendly onboarding
- Global retreats and networking events
7. Buffer
Industry: Social Media SaaS
Headquarters: Remote-first
Employees: ~80 people in 15+ countries
Why Watch
Buffer has built a reputation for transparency, remote-first ethics, and people-first values.
Key Remote Perks
- Transparent salaries for all roles
- 4-day work week
- Equity options for all team members
- Annual retreats and learning stipends
How to Land a Job at a Remote-First Company
Step 1: Optimize Your Remote CV
- Highlight tools you’ve used (Zoom, Slack, Notion)
- Emphasize self-management and asynchronous communication
- Include remote achievements (projects delivered across time zones)
Step 2: Apply Where They Recruit
- Most companies use Workable, Lever, or Greenhouse.
- Also explore We Work Remotely, Remote OK, and Otta.
Step 3: Prepare for Asynchronous Interviews
- You may be asked to submit video answers
- Time-delayed coding or task challenges are common
Step 4: Show Time Zone Awareness
- Mention your preferred working hours in UTC
- Show flexibility in collaborating across regions
Tools These Companies Use (Common Remote Stack)
Category | Tools |
Communication | Slack, Zoom, Loom |
Documentation | Notion, Confluence |
Project Management | Jira, Asana, ClickUp |
Collaboration | Google Workspace, Figma, Miro |
Onboarding | Deel, Remote.com, BambooHR |
Async Feedback | Loom, Threads, GitLab comments |
Guide for Freelancers and International Job Seekers
- Check country restrictions – Some roles are remote but still limited to EMEA, LATAM, or APAC due to tax or legal issues.
- Use global job boards – Try Jobspresso, Working Nomads etc to find remote-first listings.
- Stay competitive – These companies value autonomy, written communication, and strong portfolios over degrees.
Red Flags in “Fake” Remote Jobs
Remote-first companies invest in infrastructure, not just perks. Watch out for:
- “Remote” roles requiring relocation
- Micromanagement culture in disguise
- No support for equipment or onboarding
- Unclear communication channels
