It is better to buy more stock than stock options when you seek long-term ownership, lower risk of total loss, and steady growth potential, as stocks have no expiration and offer dividends, unlike options which are riskier and time-sensitive.
Vesting is the process of earning an asset, like stock options or employer-matched contributions to your 401(k), over time. Companies often use vesting to encourage you to stay longer at the company. Unless your company allows early exercising, you can only exercise stock options that have vested.
Private limited companies especially companies in early stages of business or startups typically like to grant employee stock options (ESOPs) to part time employees, advisors, mentors, consultants and co-founders.
The short answer is yes. However, you have to ensure that your offering is compliant with all the relevant regulations in both your and your contractor's country.
Between these two main types of stock options, NSO and ISO, you want to know which one to use for your startup's requirements. Some important distinctions between NSO and ISO: NSO may be granted to employees and non-employees (advisors, consultants, board members), whereas ISOs can only be granted to employees.
The short answer is yes. However, you have to ensure that your offering is compliant with all the relevant regulations in both your and your contractor's country. In some regions, for instance, your contractor may be eligible to receive non-qualifying stock options, but your contractors in other countries may not.