When a company looks for someone to handle procurement, deliveries, and hardware recovery for remote teams, Allwhere often comes up in the comparison. It has a presence in the US/UK/EU and a clear pitch: taking the operational workload off of IT.
“Global coverage” means different things depending on the provider. In LATAM, that difference is quickly noticed.
First Plug was born to solve that problem. Own operations in LATAM, without outsourcing, with direct operations in each country where the client's team is located. It is an official Apple Reseller in the region and works with direct purchase: the company owns the hardware from day one.
This article compares the two across the axes that define which one is best suited depending on where your team is located.
Who they are
First Plug
It is a hardware acquisition and management service for remote teams, specializing in LATAM. It covers the entire cycle: procurement, pre-configuration, delivery, support, and retrieval during offboarding.
Born in Argentina, it has its own operations throughout the region. It does not outsource to local providers. It reaches more than 170 countries.
Allwhere
It is a hardware management platform for remote teams. It centralizes procurement, deployment, retrieval, and storage in a single dashboard. It integrates with BambooHR, Workday, and MDMs. Its direct operations are in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. In LATAM, it works with regional vendors.
The three key factors when choosing
1. Coverage in LATAM
Allwhere lists 10 LATAM countries on its page. Outside of its three direct markets, it sources through regional vendors. This adds a layer of intermediation to the cost and timelines.
First Plug operates directly in the region from the very first shipment. No intermediaries. A single chain of responsibility between the client and the one who resolves in the country.
Operating directly vs. outsourcing: Operating directly implies a single chain, with no layers that add margin or time. Outsourcing cuts visibility of the order during the handoff to the partner and adds margin to the cost of the device. |
2. Pricing Model and Hardware Ownership
Allwhere offers pay-as-you-go: fees for retrievals, deployments, and storage. No fixed subscription. They do not publish prices - everything goes through a quote.
First Plug works with direct purchase. The company owns the hardware from day one, with no monthly fee per device. No purchase minimums. If one month you hire three people and the next none, your cost reflects it.
The fundamental difference: with First Plug, the hardware is your own asset. You do not depend on a contract to operate.
3. Operating Model and Relationship Type
Allwhere handles procurement and onboarding well in its core markets. Its integrations with HRIS and MDM simplify the workflow. It is a solid proposal for teams in North America and Europe.
When the operation moves to LATAM, the model changes. A regional vendor enters the middle. That doesn't make it bad - it makes it a model designed for another geography.
First Plug operates end-to-end: delivery, repair, retrieval, donation, or resale. Without outsourcing. A direct relationship between the client and the one who solves it in the country - without intermediate layers.
When does each one make the most sense?
Allwhere | First Plug | |
|---|---|---|
LATAM Coverage | Via regional vendors | ✓ Own operation, no intermediaries |
US/UK/EU Coverage | ✓ Direct operation | ✓ Global reach (+170 countries) |
Hardware ownership | Depends on the plan | ✓ The company owns it from day one |
Variable headcount | Designed for stable operation | ✓ No minimums, adjusts month-to-month |
Pricing model | Pay-as-you-go per service | ✓ Direct purchase, no monthly fee |
Official Apple Reseller in LATAM | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
Chain of responsibility | Outsourced in LATAM | ✓ Single chain, end-to-end |
HR/MDM Integrations | ✓ Native (BambooHR, Workday) | Yes, via independent MDM |
First Plug vs. Allwhere: which one to choose?
Choose First Plug if…
Your team is in LATAM, or a good part of the headcount is growing there
You want to own the hardware without a monthly fee per device
Your hiring fluctuates and you do not want purchase minimums
You need an official Apple Reseller in the region
You are looking for a single chain of responsibility, with no vendor in the middle
Choose Allwhere if…
Your team is concentrated in the United States, United Kingdom, or Europe
Your HR stack runs on BambooHR or Workday and you prioritize native integration
Your headcount is stable and you do not operate in LATAM
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does First Plug charge a platform fee or require minimums?
A: No. No monthly cost per seat, no contract minimums. You pay per equipment and service used.
Q: Which one is better if my team is in the US and Europe?
A: If your headcount is concentrated there and you need native integrations with your HR stack, Allwhere handles it well. The question changes as soon as you start hiring in LATAM.
Q: Which one is better if I am expanding in LATAM?
A: First Plug. Having your own operations in the region - instead of an intermediary vendor - makes the difference in delivery times, support, and cost certainty.
Q: Does Allwhere have its own operations in LATAM?
A: Not in most of the countries it lists. Outside of its three direct markets, it works with regional vendors. This adds a layer to the cost and delivery times.
Q: What happens if my headcount in LATAM goes up or down from one month to another?
A: With First Plug there are no minimums or fixed fees. The cost adjusts to what you order each month. This is where the difference compared to a model with fixed commitments is most noticeable.
Conclusion
Allwhere has a solid product for operations in North America and Europe. If your team is there and you need native integrations with your HR stack, it is a real option.
But if your team is in LATAM - or is growing there - the model changes hands. Allwhere stops solving directly and starts relying on a third party.
First Plug was built for that problem. Our own operations from the very first shipment, direct purchase with no monthly fee, and official Apple Reseller in the region. If your company is growing in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, or Mexico, that is the difference you can feel in delivery times, support, and cost.
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