Oyster HR vs Globalization Partners: Best EORs in 2026
Compare features, pricing, and capabilities side-by-side. I've analyzed both EOR providers to help you make the right decision for your global hiring needs.
Robbin Schuchmann
Co-founder, Employ Borderless
Oyster vs Globalization Partners: quick comparison
Short on time? Here are the key differences between Oyster and Globalization Partners at a glance.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | $599/per employee/month | — |
| Contractor pricing | $29/per employee/month | — |
| Payroll pricing | $25/per employee/month | — |
| Overall rating | 8.7/10 | — |
| Countries | 88+ | 189+ |
| Visit site | Visit site |
EOR pricing
$599/per employee/month
Contractor pricing
$29/per employee/month
Payroll pricing
$25/per employee/month
Overall rating
8.7/10
Countries
88+
EOR pricing
—
Contractor pricing
—
Payroll pricing
—
Overall rating
—
Countries
189+
Let me be honest: choosing between Oyster HR and Globalization Partners for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of feature comparisons, but what really matters is understanding that these platforms serve different market segments – Oyster charges $599/employee targeting mid-market companies with employee experience focus and user-friendly technology, while Globalization Partners charges $900-1,200+/employee for enterprises needing premium white-glove service and comprehensive consulting.
I’ve been analyzing EOR platforms for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: companies compare these two because both have strong reputations, then realize months later that one is built for tech-forward efficiency while the other is built for enterprise-grade consulting and support. Oyster built its reputation on employee-centric features with dedicated support teams and owned-entity infrastructure, while Globalization Partners positioned itself as the premium EOR with comprehensive global expansion consulting and hands-on account management. Both work really well, but they’re built for completely different company sizes and service expectations.
The real decision comes down to what matters most to you: Oyster works best when you need employee experience focus with modern technology at mid-market pricing, while Globalization Partners is better for enterprises that prioritize comprehensive consulting, premium support, and aren’t constrained by budget. Your company size, budget flexibility, and whether you need self-service efficiency versus full-service consulting will determine which trade-offs actually matter.
My goal is to help you understand how these platforms actually work in practice, so you can decide if Oyster’s $599/employee employee-centric platform with dedicated support or Globalization Partners’ $900-1,200/employee premium consulting service fits your expansion strategy and budget reality better.
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What is Oyster?
Oyster HR is an Employer of Record (EOR) and a global employment platform that allows companies to hire and manage international workers in more than 180 countries without setting up local legal entities. Founded in 2020, the company focuses on supporting distributed teams.
Oyster’s services include international employment contracts, payroll processing, benefits administration, and ongoing local compliance in each country where it operates.
Focus on employee experience
Oyster places more emphasis on the employee experience than traditional EOR providers.Alongside core employment services, the platform includes Oyster Academy for professional development, as well as tools designed to support onboarding and cross-cultural collaboration.
What it means for clients: Oyster acts as more than a compliance partner. The platform is designed to help companies build and maintain engaged global teams, not just employ them on paper.
Typical customers
Oyster primarily serves mid-market and enterprise companies with 50 or more employees, but I've also seen a few startups in their customer base.The limiting factor here is the higher rate for Employer of Record (EOR) services.
The platform attracts companies that value consistency, employee satisfaction, and long-term retention, even when that means paying more than low-cost EOR alternatives.
| Founded | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Charlotte |
| CEO | Tony Jamous |
| Employees | 501-1000 |
What is Globalization Partners?
Globalization Partners (G-P) is a leading global employment platform.
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Boston |
What are the key features of Oyster vs Globalization Partners?
When you're choosing between EOR providers, it comes down to what each one actually does for you. Some focus on payroll processing, others specialize in compliance management, and some offer better employee benefits. Here's what sets these two apart.
Oyster key features
Oyster creates employment contracts that match local labor laws. They also handle job postings, offers, and onboarding.
The platform calculates pay, taxes, and deductions, and pays employees in their local currency on schedule.
Oyster monitors labor laws and tax rules in each country where you hire. Clients receive alerts when local laws change.
They offer health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits tailored to local requirements. Most markets include multiple-tier options.
Both worker types are handled on the same platform. Clients can convert contractors to employees if/when they need to.
Includes help with work permits and immigration paperwork in more than 60 countries.
Provides training courses for skill development. This is the main separator between Oyster and other providers.
What benefits do Oyster and Globalization Partners offer?
Features are one thing, but how do they actually help your business? Think faster onboarding, fewer compliance headaches, and smoother payroll runs. Here are the real benefits you'll get from each provider.
Oyster benefits
Hiring faster in new countries
Oyster clients can onboard employees within a few days instead of waiting three to six months to set up a legal entity.
Staying current with labor laws
The platform tracks regulation changes across countries so clients don't have to research employment requirements for each market.
Skipping entity setup costs
Avoiding entity setup can save $50,000 to $200,000 per country. At $699, Oyster monthly fee is easier to justify when hiring multiple employees in the same market.
Scaling without legal blockers
Add employees in new markets without setting up infrastructure first.
One dashboard for everyone
Oyster allows you to manage payroll, benefits, and compliance for all countries in one system.
How do Oyster and Globalization Partners compare on pricing?
Let's talk money. EOR pricing can be tricky - some providers quote low monthly fees but charge extra for setup, onboarding, or additional services. Here's what each provider charges for their main services.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Employer of record | $599/per employee/month | — |
| Contractor management | $29/per employee/month | — |
| Global payroll | $25/per employee/month | — |
Not sure which is right for you?
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What are the pros and cons of Oyster vs Globalization Partners?
No EOR provider is perfect - they all have their sweet spots and pain points. Getting honest about what works and what doesn't will save you from unpleasant surprises down the road. Here's the real talk on both providers.
Oyster
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Employee development
Oyster Academy includes training and professional development tools. This sets Oyster apart from EOR providers that focus only on compliance and payroll.
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Designed for remote teams
The platform is well-suited to distributed teams, particularly in collaboration across regions.
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Strong global coverage
Hiring is supported in more than 180 countries, with benefits aligned to local expectations. This allows Oyster clients to attract better talent.
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Simple compliance tracking
Labor law updates appear directly on the platform in real time. This reduces the need to monitor changes separately as the client company grows.
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Built-in cost calculator
Shows expected employment costs across different countries upfront.
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Ethical employment standards
Oyster’s focus on fair pay and responsible hiring supports companies planning for sustainable, long-term growth.
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Premium rates
EOR services cost $699 per employee per month. Some budget providers charge less for similar coverage (for example, RemoFirst at $199 per month).
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Add-on costs
Salary bands, visa sponsorship, and premium benefits cost extra.
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Limited self-service
Some routine workflows are less automated compared to platforms like Deel. In some cases, more human intervention can mean delayed hires.
Globalization Partners
What do customers say about Oyster vs Globalization Partners?
Don't just take my word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers on major review platforms.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.4 853 reviews | 4.6 313 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 4.5 240 reviews | — |
| Capterra | 4.5 68 reviews | 4.6 63 reviews |
Ratings sourced directly from each platform. Last updated February 2026.
Customer support: Oyster vs Globalization Partners
When things go wrong (and they will), you want to know someone's got your back. Great support can make the difference between a minor hiccup and a major disaster. Here's how these providers handle support.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Support availability | Business Hours | — |
| Dedicated account manager | Yes | — |
| Support languages | English | — |
| Self-service resources | Yes | — |
| Community forum | No | — |
How do Oyster and Globalization Partners compare on our ratings?
I've scored both providers across 10 categories based on hands-on testing, user feedback, and independent research. Here's how they stack up.
Features
Country coverage
Pricing
User experience
Customer support
Integrations
Mobile app
Analytics & reporting
Security
Compliance
Third-party ratings average
Complete comparison table
Every detail that matters when choosing an EOR provider. Compare pricing, features, country coverage, and support options in one easy-to-scan table.
| Feature |  Oyster |  Globalization Partners |
|---|---|---|
| EOR pricing | From $599/mo | — |
| Countries | 88+ | 189+ |
| Overall rating | 8.7/10 | — |
| Mobile app | ||
| API available | ||
| Webhook support | ||
| Dedicated account manager | ||
| Self-service resources | ||
| Community forum |
Which provider should you choose?
Different companies have different needs. Your team size, budget, and where you're hiring all play a role in which provider will work best for you. Here's how to pick the right fit.
Choose Oyster if:
Choose Oyster HR if you prioritize employee experience and modern, user-friendly technology at mid-market pricing. Its employee-centric approach makes it particularly attractive for:
- Mid-market companies (50-500 employees) seeking balance between features and cost
- Remote-first startups that need strong employee engagement tools and benefits
- Tech companies scaling internationally that value modern software integrations
- Organizations prioritizing employee well-being with localized benefits packages
- Companies wanting dedicated support without enterprise-level pricing
Oyster HR’s strength lies in its focus on employee experience, owned-entity infrastructure for compliance security, and user-friendly platform at $599/employee. If your primary goal is to build an attractive global employer brand while maintaining compliance, Oyster provides a comprehensive, modern solution.
Choose Globalization Partners if:
Choose Globalization Partners if you need enterprise-grade support and comprehensive global expansion consulting. Its premium, full-service approach makes it particularly valuable for:
- Large enterprises and multinational corporations with complex compliance needs
- Companies entering high-risk or heavily regulated markets
- Organizations requiring dedicated account management and strategic consulting
- Firms in regulated industries needing specialized legal expertise and proactive monitoring
- HR teams managing large-scale expansions that benefit from centralized, hands-on support
Globalization Partners is built for organizations that need comprehensive compliance management and full-service support. It excels in high-risk markets where legal expertise and proactive monitoring are essential. Enterprises looking for a plug-and-play solution for global hiring, with minimal administrative involvement, will find G-P’s premium services at $900-1,200/employee invaluable despite the higher cost.
When to consider alternatives
Sometimes neither option is quite right. Maybe you need rock-bottom pricing, enterprise-level features, or coverage in a specific country these providers don't serve well. Here are some other EOR providers worth checking out.
RemoFirst
Small businesses making their first international hires who prioritize low pricing over advanced features.
Read review
Remote
Companies who want strong protection of intellectual property (IP) and legal risk coverage when hiring internationally
Read review
Hire With Columbus
Budget-conscious companies needing affordable EOR services across many countries, especially those hiring 5+ international employees where cost savings compound significantly
Read reviewNot sure which is right for you? Get a free, personalized recommendation based on your team and budget.
Frequently asked questions
Oyster HR offers a more transparent pricing model. Fixed rates for their EOR services start at $599 per employee per month on an annual plan. They also have a contractor management plan that starts free for 30 days and then costs $29 per contractor per month.
Globalization Partners, on the other hand, uses a custom pricing model that starts around $599 per employee per month but can vary based on factors such as employee salary, country, and specific services required. Their contractor management starts at $49 per contractor per month.
Both platforms offer strong compliance management features, but they have different strengths. Oyster HR provides comprehensive compliance management across 180+ countries, focusing on staying up-to-date with changing regulations.
With its longer market presence, Globalization Partners offers robust compliance support backed by a team of international legal experts, which can be particularly valuable in complex regulatory environments.
Yes, both platforms offer solutions for managing both full-time employees and contractors. Oyster HR provides a dedicated contractor management plan while
Globalization Partners offers contractor management as part of its comprehensive suite of services. Both platforms help international contractors with contract creation, payments, and compliance.
Globalization Partners offers customer support through multiple email, phone, and live chat channels. They also provide resources like documentation and webinars.
While specific details about Oyster HR’s customer support are not provided in the given information, the company is known for its professional support and user-friendly platform. When considering either platform, it’s advisable to inquire directly about the level and types of support offered.
Still not sure?
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