Payroll software · ranked #11 of 12
Oyster: review, pricing and alternatives
Global employment platform with published employer-of-record and contractor prices, built for remote-first teams hiring abroad rather than for domestic payroll.
Oyster at a glance
- Rank
- #11 of 12 in Payroll software
- Best for
- Remote-first teams hiring abroad
- Pricing
- Per employee / month
- Free option
- None
- Headquarters
- Charlotte, United States
- Key features
- Employer of record, Contractor payments, Multi-currency payroll, Compliant employment in 120+ countries, Global HR tools
- Last checked
- 2026-11-11
Where Oyster wins
- Oyster ranks eleventh because it is mainly an employment platform, not a payroll tool you run yourself.
- Its site describes compliant employment in more than 120 countries, multi-country payroll in more than 120 currencies and contract generation in more than 180 countries.
- Creating an account is free, and fees apply once you engage a contractor, an employer-of-record employee or a payroll employee.
- A remote-first company hiring a handful of people abroad can set up quickly without opening entities.
Where it falls short
- The entry price for employer of record is high, at USD 699 per employee per month, and payroll alone for entities you own is not priced on the pages we read.
- The platform is less useful for a company that wants to run domestic payroll.
- Compare Remote and Deel closely before choosing, because their published prices and scope overlap.
- A company that owns entities in each country should use payroll-only tools, not an employer of record.
Our verdict on Oyster
Oyster ranks eleventh because it is mainly an employment platform, not a payroll tool you run yourself. Its site describes compliant employment in more than 120 countries, multi-country payroll in more than 120 currencies and contract generation in more than 180 countries. Creating an account is free, and fees apply once you engage a contractor, an employer-of-record employee or a payroll employee.
A remote-first company hiring a handful of people abroad can set up quickly without opening entities.
Where Oyster falls short
The entry price for employer of record is high, at USD 699 per employee per month, and payroll alone for entities you own is not priced on the pages we read. The platform is less useful for a company that wants to run domestic payroll. Compare Remote and Deel closely before choosing, because their published prices and scope overlap.
Who should look elsewhere
A company that owns entities in each country should use payroll-only tools, not an employer of record. A US-only employer should choose Rippling or Paychex.
Oyster pricing
Employer of record from USD 699 per employee per month; contractors from USD 29 per month.
Pricing as published by the vendor on the date above; check the vendor's pricing page before you buy.
Oyster fact sheet
| Rank | #11 of 12 in Payroll software |
|---|---|
| Category | Payroll software |
| Best for | Remote-first teams hiring abroad |
| Pricing model | Per employee / month |
| Free option | None |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, United States |
| Company | Oyster HR, Inc. |
| Address | 307 W. Tremont Avenue, Suite 200, 28203, Charlotte, United States |
| Vendor size | Independent or mid-sized vendor |
| Website | www.oysterhr.com |
| Last checked | 2026-11-11 |
Key features
- Employer of record
- Contractor payments
- Multi-currency payroll
- Compliant employment in 120+ countries
- Global HR tools
- Salary insights
- Expenses and time off
- Misclassification coverage
Alternatives to Oyster
PaycomUS payroll and HR in one database. Quote only.
PaychexUS payroll, HR services and PEO. Quote only.
DATEVPayroll built around German tax advisers. Quote only.Also ranked in
- #11 of 12 in Payroll software
Sources checked
- Pricing page: employer of record from USD 699 per employee per month; contractors from USD 29; free to create an account, fees apply once you engage people Source
- Privacy policy: Oyster HR, Inc., 307 W. Tremont Avenue, Suite 200, Charlotte NC 28203, USA Source
- Compliant employment in 120+ countries; multi-country payroll in 120+ currencies; contracts in 180+ countries Source
Oyster: common questions
What is Oyster?
Oyster is global employment and payroll for remote teams. Global employment platform with published employer-of-record and contractor prices, built for remote-first teams hiring abroad rather than for domestic payroll.
How much does Oyster cost?
Employer of record from USD 699 per employee per month; contractors from USD 29 per month.
Does Oyster have a free plan?
None. Employer of record from USD 699 per employee per month; contractors from USD 29 per month.
What is Oyster best for?
Oyster is best for remote-first teams hiring abroad. Global employment platform with published employer-of-record and contractor prices, built for remote-first teams hiring abroad rather than for domestic payroll.
Where is Oyster based?
Oyster is published by Oyster HR, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, United States.
Who should not use Oyster?
A company that owns entities in each country should use payroll-only tools, not an employer of record. A US-only employer should choose Rippling or Paychex.
What are the best alternatives to Oyster?
In our Payroll software ranking the closest alternatives are Paycom, Paychex, DATEV. See the full ranking for the other options.