Oyster HR vs Globalization Partners: Best EORs in 2024

In today’s increasingly globalized business landscape, companies constantly seek ways to tap into international talent pools and expand their operations across borders.

Oyster HR and Globalization Partners are two prominent Employer of Record (EOR) providers that have emerged as go-to solutions for businesses looking to hire and manage international employees without the complexities of establishing local entities.

Oyster HR, founded in 2019, has quickly established itself as a user-friendly platform for global hiring and payroll management. Focusing on empowering distributed workforces, Oyster HR offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to simplify the process of hiring, onboarding, and managing international employees.

Globalization Partners, on the other hand, has been in the game since 2012 and has established itself as a leader in the global EOR space. Known for its extensive global reach and deep expertise in international employment law, Globalization Partners provides a robust platform for companies looking to expand their operations across multiple countries.

In this comparison, I’ll explore the key features, pricing structures, and use cases of both platforms, helping you understand which solution might best suit your organization’s global expansion needs.

Overview of Oyster HR and Globalization Partners

Overview of Oyster HR

Oyster HR is a modern, cloud-based global employment platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and manage employees and contractors worldwide. Founded in 2019 by Tony Jamous and Jack Mardack, Oyster HR has quickly gained traction in the market, raising $286 million in funding to date.

Key features of Oyster HR include:

• Global payroll support
• Hiring and onboarding tools
• Compliance management
• Benefits administration
• Time tracking and expense management
• Equity compensation support

Oyster HR’s strengths lie in its user-friendly interface, professional onboarding process, and support for global payroll. It also offers unique features like a hiring refugees program and easy document access for employees and contractors.

Recently, Oyster HR has raised $59 million in Series D funding led by Silver Lake Waterman. This investment boosts Oyster’s value to $1.2 billion and total funding to $286 million. Oyster plans to use the funds to expand its product offerings, enhance compliance, and help companies attract top talent. The company, which supports borderless teams with services like global payroll and visa sponsorships, aims to democratize access to global job opportunities. Over 40% of its workforce is in emerging markets, and it operates in over 180 countries, simplifying global employment for its clients.

Furthermore, read our in-depth Oyster HR review

Overview of Globalization Partners

Globalization Partners is a well-established global EOR provider that offers comprehensive solutions for companies looking to expand their international workforce. Founded in 2012, Globalization Partners has built a strong reputation for its extensive global coverage and deep expertise in international employment law.

Key features of Globalization Partners include:

• Global payroll and tax management
• HR compliance and risk mitigation
• Benefits administration
• Onboarding and offboarding support
• Time and expense tracking
• Reporting and analytics

Globalization Partners stands out for its extensive global reach, strong compliance focus, and robust support for new hires. It also offers integration capabilities with various HR and payroll systems, enhancing its versatility for businesses with complex HR needs.

Oyster HR vs Globalization Partners At a Glance

Before we dive deeper into the specifics, let’s take a quick look at how Oyster HR and Globalization Partners compare on key features and information:

Key Features of Oyster HR

Oyster HR offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to simplify global hiring and workforce management. Let’s explore some of its standout capabilities:

Global Hiring and Onboarding

Oyster HR excels in streamlining the hiring and onboarding process for international employees. Its platform provides country-specific hiring packages and offers templates, ensuring that you’re compliant with local labor laws from the start. The onboarding process is smooth and user-friendly, guiding new hires through necessary paperwork and benefit selections.

Compliance Management

One of Oyster HR’s core strengths is its focus on maintaining compliance across multiple jurisdictions. The platform tracks changing regulations and employment laws in various countries, helping you stay compliant without needing extensive in-house legal expertise.

Global Payroll Support

Oyster HR’s global payroll feature simplifies the complex task of paying international employees. It handles currency conversions and tax calculations and ensures timely payments in accordance with local regulations. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses managing employees across multiple countries.

Benefits Administration

The platform offers comprehensive benefits administration capabilities, allowing you to provide competitive packages to your global workforce. Oyster HR helps you navigate the complexities of benefits requirements in different countries, ensuring you meet local standards while remaining attractive to international talent.

Contractor Management

In addition to full-time employees, Oyster HR provides robust support for managing international contractors. The platform offers features for contract creation, automated invoicing, and payment tracking, making it easier to work with a global network of freelancers and contract workers.

Key Features of Globalization Partners

Globalization Partners offers robust features designed to support businesses in their global expansion efforts. Here are some of its key offerings:

Extensive Global Reach

One of Globalization Partners’ most significant strengths is its extensive global presence. With services in over 180 countries, it provides businesses unparalleled access to international markets. This wide coverage is backed by local expertise in each region, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

Comprehensive Compliance Support

Globalization Partners places a strong emphasis on legal compliance. Their team of experts stays up-to-date with changing regulations across all their operating countries. This feature is particularly valuable for businesses expanding into multiple international markets, as it significantly reduces the risk of non-compliance with local labor laws.

Integrated HR and Payroll Solutions

The platform offers a fully integrated suite of HR and payroll solutions. This includes onboarding and benefits administration to payroll processing and tax filings. Integrating these functions within a single platform streamlines operations and reduces potential errors.

Customizable Reporting and Analytics

Globalization Partners provides robust reporting and analytics capabilities. Users can generate various HR and workforce-related reports and customize reports based on specific needs. The real-time data updates ensure you always have access to the most current information about your global workforce.

Employee Self-Service Tools

The platform includes self-service tools for employees, allowing them to access and manage their personal information, view pay stubs, and submit requests. This feature enhances employee satisfaction and reduces the administrative burden on HR teams.

Pricing and Plans for Oyster HR

Oyster HR offers a transparent pricing structure, although it may be on the higher end for some businesses. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing plans:

EOR Services

• Annual plan: $599/employee/month
• Monthly plan: $699/employee/month

Contractor Management

• Free for the first 30 days
• $29/contractor/month after the trial period

Global Payroll

• $50/month

While Oyster HR’s pricing is laid out, it’s important to note that these costs can add up quickly for businesses with many international employees or contractors. However, the comprehensive nature of their services may justify the cost for many organizations.

Oyster HR also offers customized pricing options for businesses with specific needs. If you’re considering using their services at scale, it’s worth reaching out to their sales team to discuss potential discounts or tailored plans.

Pricing and Plans for Globalization Partners

Globalization Partners takes a more customized approach to pricing, which can be both an advantage and a drawback, depending on your business needs. Here’s what we know about their pricing structure:

EOR Services

• Custom pricing, starting around $599/employee/month
• Pricing varies based on factors such as employee salary, country, and specific services required

Contractor Management

• Starts at $49/contractor/month

Globalization Partners’ pricing model allows for flexibility, potentially offering better value for businesses with unique requirements. However, the lack of transparent pricing on their website means you’ll need to contact their sales team for a detailed quote.

It’s worth noting that Globalization Partners offers a range of add-on services through their G-P Meridian Select suite. These include solutions for recruiting, background screening, visa support, and more. While these additional services can enhance the overall package, they also cost extra.

When comparing costs between Oyster HR and Globalization Partners, you must consider the specific services you need and the number of employees or contractors you’ll be managing.

While Globalization Partners’ starting price for EOR services is similar to Oyster HR’s, the final cost could vary significantly based on your unique circumstances.

Pros and Cons of Oyster HR

Let’s break down the main advantages and potential drawbacks of using Oyster HR:

Pros and Cons of Globalization Partners

Oyster HR vs Globalization Partners: Simulated Real-World Scenarios

To better understand how Oyster HR and Globalization Partners perform in practice, let’s consider a few hypothetical scenarios:

Scenario 1: Rapid International Scaling (Winner: Globalization Partners)

Imagine a fast-growing tech startup that needs to hire 50 employees across ten different countries within the next three months.

Globalization Partners would likely edge out Oyster HR in this scenario. Their extensive experience in multiple markets and robust compliance support would be invaluable for rapid scaling.

The integrated HR and payroll solutions would streamline managing a suddenly expanded workforce across various jurisdictions. Globalization Partners’ customizable reporting would also provide crucial insights for managing this growth.

While Oyster HR could certainly handle this expansion, their newer presence in the market might mean less depth of experience in managing such rapid scaling across multiple countries simultaneously.

Scenario 2: Small Business Going Global (Winner: Oyster HR)

Consider a small e-commerce business looking to hire its first five international employees, each in a different country.

In this case, Oyster HR might be the better choice. Their user-friendly interface and smooth onboarding process would benefit a small business new to international hiring. The transparent pricing structure would also make it easier for the business to budget for this expansion.

Oyster HR’s comprehensive compliance management would provide peace of mind for a small business without in-house international legal expertise.

While capable, Globalization Partners might be overkill for such a small-scale expansion. Their custom pricing model and potentially more complex interface could be less appealing to a small business taking its first steps into global hiring.

When to Consider Other EOR Providers

While both Oyster HR and Globalization Partners offer robust solutions, there may be situations where alternative EOR providers might be more suitable. Here are some scenarios where you might want to explore other options:

Specialized Industry Needs

If your business operates in a highly specialized industry with unique compliance requirements, you might want to consider an EOR provider with specific expertise.

Alternative: Papaya Global focuses on compliance across various industries and has experience dealing with complex regulatory environments.

Extensive HR Software Integration

An EOR provider with broader integration capabilities might benefit businesses heavily invested in specific HR software ecosystems.

Alternative: Rippling offers extensive integration capabilities, combining global payroll with IT management and other HR functions.

Advanced Analytics Needs

Companies requiring more sophisticated data analysis and reporting capabilities might benefit from a provider with advanced analytics features.

Alternative: Deel offers advanced analytics and reporting features, providing deeper insights into global workforce management.

Comprehensive IT and Finance Integration

For businesses looking for a solution that goes beyond HR and payroll to include IT and finance management, a more comprehensive platform might be necessary.

Alternative: Remofirst offers a wide range of services, including IT management and financial tools, alongside its EOR services.

Who I Recommend Oyster HR To

Based on my analysis and experience, I recommend Oyster HR for the following types of businesses:

1. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to expand globally: Oyster HR’s user-friendly interface and transparent pricing make it an excellent choice for SMEs taking their first steps into international hiring.
2. Startups with a distributed workforce: The platform’s focus on remote work and its comprehensive contractor management features make it ideal for startups embracing a global, distributed team structure.
3. Companies prioritizing user experience: If ease of use is a top priority, Oyster HR’s intuitive platform and smooth onboarding process are significant advantages.
4. Businesses with a strong focus on social responsibility: Oyster HR’s unique features, such as the hiring refugees program, make it an attractive option for companies that want to align their hiring practices with their social values.
5. Organizations needing flexibility in employee and contractor management: Oyster HR’s ability to handle both full-time employees and contractors on the same platform provides valuable flexibility for businesses with diverse hiring needs.

In summary, Oyster HR is best suited for growing businesses that value simplicity, transparency, and flexibility in their global hiring processes. Its modern approach to global employment makes it particularly appealing to tech-savvy companies and those embracing remote work cultures.

Who I Recommend Globalization Partners To

Based on my assessment, Globalization Partners is an excellent fit for:

1. Medium to large enterprises with complex global hiring needs: Globalization Partners’ extensive experience and robust compliance support make it well-suited for larger organizations with multi-country expansion.
2. Companies expanding into countries with complex labor laws: The provider’s strong focus on compliance and a team of international legal experts make it ideal for businesses entering challenging regulatory environments.
3. Organizations requiring comprehensive HR and payroll solutions: Globalization Partners’ integrated approach to HR, payroll, and benefits administration benefits companies looking for a one-stop solution.
4. Businesses prioritizing customizable reporting and analytics: The platform’s robust reporting capabilities are particularly valuable for companies that rely heavily on workforce data and insights.
5. Enterprises needing scalability: Globalization Partners’ extensive global reach and experience in managing rapid scaling make it a strong choice for businesses with ambitious international growth plans.

In essence, Globalization Partners is best for established or rapidly growing companies that require a comprehensive, compliance-focused solution for their global expansion efforts. Its depth of experience and extensive feature set make it particularly suitable for complex, multi-country hiring initiatives.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In comparing Oyster HR and Globalization Partners, it’s clear that both offer robust solutions for businesses looking to expand their global workforce. Still, each has unique strengths that make it more suitable for different organizations.

Oyster HR stands out for its user-friendly interface, transparent pricing, and modern approach to global employment. It’s particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and companies prioritizing ease of use and flexibility in their global hiring processes. Its comprehensive contractor management features and unique offerings, like the hiring refugees program, also set it apart.

Globalization Partners, on the other hand, shines with its extensive global reach, strong compliance focus, and depth of experience in managing complex international hiring scenarios. It’s an excellent choice for larger enterprises, companies expanding into challenging regulatory environments, and organizations requiring comprehensive, integrated HR and payroll solutions with robust reporting capabilities.

When deciding between the two, consider your business size, growth plans, budget, and specific needs regarding compliance, reporting, and integration capabilities. Oyster HR might be the better choice if you’re a smaller company just starting your global expansion or if you prioritize user experience and transparent pricing.

Globalization Partners could be more suitable for a larger organization dealing with complex multi-country hiring or requiring extensive compliance support and customizable reporting.

Ultimately, Oyster HR and Globalization Partners are strong contenders in the global EOR space. Your choice should align with your company’s unique requirements, growth trajectory, and challenges in your international expansion efforts.

Oyster HR vs Globalization Partners FAQs