If you’re reading this, you’re probably exploring ways to expand your team internationally or streamline your global hiring process. You’ve heard about Employer of Record (EOR) services and are considering Oyster HR and Horizons as potential solutions for your business needs.
But you’re also probably uncertain about:
- How Oyster HR and Horizons compare in terms of features, pricing, and global reach
- Which platform offers better compliance management and risk mitigation across multiple countries
- The user experience and ease of implementation for each service
- Whether Oyster HR or Horizons is the right fit for your specific business size and industry
- The potential drawbacks or limitations of using either platform as your EOR
If that sounds familiar, this comprehensive comparison will provide the insights you need to make an informed decision. This detailed analysis could save you significant time in research and help you avoid potentially costly mistakes in your global expansion journey.
The key to choosing between Oyster HR and Horizons lies in understanding their unique strengths and how they align with your specific business needs:
TLDR: Compliance Focus vs User-Friendly Solutions
- Oyster HR: Best for mid-sized to large companies needing strong compliance management and extensive global coverage. Start using Oyster HR today
- Horizons: Best suited for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a cost-effective and intuitive platform for global hiring, with strong customer support. See Horizon’s plans here
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Overview of Oyster HR and Horizons (the essentials you need to know)
- Key features and benefits of each platform (what sets them apart)
- Pricing structures and value propositions (is the investment worth it?)
- User experiences and platform interfaces (because ease of use matters)
- Security and compliance measures (crucial for global operations)
- Pros and cons of each service (the good, the bad, and the noteworthy)
- Recommendations for different business types (who should choose which)
By the end of this comparison, you’ll understand the strengths and limitations of both Oyster HR and Horizons, enabling you to choose the EOR solution that best fits your company’s global hiring needs, compliance requirements, and overall business strategy.
Oyster HR
Country Coverage: 180+
G2 Rating: 4.4/5
EOR Pricing: $599 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing: $29 per contractor/month
Horizons
Country Coverage: 180
G2 Rating: 4.5/5
EOR Pricing: $299 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing: $49 per contractor/month
Overview of Oyster HR and Horizons
Oyster HR is known for its global reach and focus on compliance, making it a strong choice for businesses looking to expand internationally easily. On the other hand, Horizons offers a user-friendly platform with strong customer support, making it appealing for businesses that prioritize a seamless user experience.
Overview of Oyster HR
Oyster HR provides a comprehensive EOR solution simplifying international hiring and workforce management. The platform is designed to ensure compliance with local labor laws, offering extensive global coverage and a focus on easy onboarding.
- Global Coverage: Operates in over 180 countries, providing a broad international reach.
- Compliance Focus: Ensures adherence to local labor laws and regulations.
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed for easy navigation and management.
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.
Company Information
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California
- Founders: Tony Jamous and Jack Mardack
- Funding: Raised $286 million in multiple funding rounds
- Founding Date: 2020
Read more in our Oyster HR Review
Overview of Horizons
Horizons offers a streamlined EOR service that focuses on user experience and customer support. It is particularly well-suited for businesses that value a straightforward platform with robust support.
- User-Friendly Platform: Intuitive design for easy use.
- Strong Customer Support: Offers dedicated account managers and 24/7 assistance.
- Comprehensive Services: Includes payroll, compliance, and benefits administration.
Company Information
- Headquarters: Berlin, Germany
- Founders: Antoine Boquen, Tom Kussmann and Frank Xu
- Funding: Private funding (exact amounts not disclosed)
- Founding Date: 2001
Also, read our in-depth Horizons Review
Key Features of Oyster HR
Oyster HR offers 8 key features that set it apart.
These key features include:
- Global Hiring Platform: Simplifies hiring across borders, managing everything from job postings to employment contracts in over 180 countries.
- Compliance Management: Ensures adherence to local labor laws and regulations in each country, minimizing legal risks.
- Payroll Processing: Handles payroll calculations, payments, and tax withholdings in over 120 currencies.
- Benefits Administration: Offers locally aligned benefits packages with multiple tiers in most markets.
- Contractor Management: Allows management of both employees and contractors on the same platform, with easy conversion options.
- Global Payroll Solution: Recently introduced for companies with existing entities, expanding service offerings.
- Visa and Immigration Support: Assists with work visa and immigration processes for international hires.
- Oyster Academy: Provides a platform for upskilling employees, enhancing talent development.
Key Features of Horizons
Horizons offers 7 key features that set it apart.
These key features include:
- Global Coverage: Operates in over 180 countries, providing extensive international reach for businesses.
- Comprehensive HR Management: Handles all aspects of employee lifecycle, from onboarding to offboarding.
- Global Payroll Processing: Manages payroll across multiple countries, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
- Compliance Management: Focuses on keeping businesses compliant with local labor laws and regulations in all operating countries.
- Benefits Administration: Offers tailored benefits packages aligned with local market standards and expectations.
- Recruitment Services: Provides support in talent acquisition and hiring processes across different markets.
- Visa and Immigration Support: Assists with navigating complex visa and immigration requirements for international hires.
Benefits of Using Oyster HR
The benefits of using Oyster HR are:
- Simplified Global Expansion: Enables quick entry into new markets without establishing local entities.
- Compliance Assurance: Minimizes legal risks with continuous monitoring of local regulations across all operational countries.
- Time and Cost Efficiency: Speeds up the international hiring process and eliminates the need for setting up legal entities in each country.
- Scalability: Supports rapid business growth and expansion into new markets with flexible hiring solutions.
- Centralized Management: Unifies global workforce management in one platform, improving oversight and efficiency.
- Risk Mitigation: Handles complex international labor laws and regulations, reducing compliance risks.
- Ethical Employment Practices: Focuses on promoting fair and ethical employment globally.
- Comprehensive Resources: Provides country-specific hiring guides and educational resources for navigating global employment.
Benefits of Using Horizons
The benefits of using Horizons are:
- Simplified Global Expansion: Enables quick entry into new markets without the need to establish local entities.
- Risk Mitigation: Strong focus on compliance reduces legal and regulatory risks associated with international employment.
- Cost Efficiency: Eliminates the need for setting up local subsidiaries, potentially reducing expansion costs.
- Time Savings: Streamlines HR processes, allowing businesses to focus on core activities rather than administrative tasks.
- Flexibility: Offers tailored solutions to meet specific business needs and adapt to different market requirements.
- Access to Global Talent: Facilitates hiring and managing international employees, broadening the talent pool.
- Local Expertise: Provides insights and guidance on local employment practices and cultural nuances.
- Scalability: Supports business growth with the ability to quickly hire in new markets as needed.
Pricing and Plans
Oyster HR Pricing
Oyster HR provides a flexible pricing structure to accommodate businesses of various sizes. Their EOR services include global compliance management, payroll processing, and benefits administration. The platform also offers a cost-effective solution for managing international contractors.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) Pricing | $599 per employee/month |
| Contractor Management Pricing | $29 per employee/month |
| Payroll Pricing | $25 per employee/month |
| Annual Discount | Available |
Horizons Pricing
Horizons offers competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses. Their services cover various HR needs, including compliance, payroll, and recruitment assistance.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) Pricing | $299 per employee/month |
| Contractor Management Pricing | $49 per employee/month |
| Annual Discount | Not available |
Pros and Cons of Oyster HR
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Offers an intuitive platform that’s easy to navigate and use.
- Extensive Global Coverage: Operates in over 180 countries, providing broad international reach.
- Comprehensive Compliance Management: Strong focus on keeping businesses compliant with local regulations.
- Ethical Focus: Emphasizes ethical employment practices and social responsibility.
- Integrated Cost Calculator: Helps businesses estimate employment costs in different countries.
- Third-Party Integrations: Offers integrations with various HR and business tools.
Cons
- Premium Pricing: Can be expensive compared to some competitors, with EOR services starting at $599 per employee per month.
- Feature Limitations: Some features require additional purchases, potentially increasing costs.
- Limited Analytics: Reporting and analytics capabilities may be less comprehensive than some competitors.
- Potential Overkill for Small Teams: The comprehensive nature of the platform may be more than necessary for very small businesses.
Pros and Cons of Horizons
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Offers an intuitive platform that’s easy to navigate and use.
- Extensive Global Coverage: Presence in over 180 countries provides broad international reach.
- Tailored Benefits Packages: Customizes employee benefits to align with local standards and expectations.
- Strong Compliance Focus: Emphasizes keeping businesses compliant with local regulations.
- Flexible Pricing Model: Offers competitive pricing with options to suit different business needs.
- Dedicated Support: Provides personalized assistance through dedicated account managers.
Cons
- Potentially Higher Costs for Scaling: May become more expensive for rapidly growing businesses with increasing employee numbers.
- Limited Regional Coverage: Despite broad global presence, coverage might be limited in certain specific regions.
- Possible Overwhelm for Small Businesses: The comprehensive nature of services might be more than necessary for very small companies or those with simple needs.
User Data Security and Compliance
When comparing Oyster HR and Horizons, both platforms prioritize user data security and compliance, but they have some distinct approaches and certifications.
Oyster HR implements strong security measures to protect sensitive data. It complies with GDPR and SOC 2 Type II standards, ensuring robust data protection and privacy practices. Oyster HR utilizes advanced encryption protocols for data in transit and at rest, and it conducts regular third-party security audits to maintain the highest levels of security.
Horizons also emphasizes data security and compliance in its global employment solutions. It adheres to GDPR regulations and implements ISO 27001-certified information security management systems. Horizons employs end-to-end encryption and maintains strict access controls to safeguard client and employee data.
| Feature | Oyster HR | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Advanced encryption for data in transit and at rest | End-to-end encryption |
| GDPR Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| SOC 2 Type II Compliance | Yes | No |
| ISO 27001 Compliance | No | Yes |
| Regular Security Audits | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-factor Authentication | Yes | Yes |
Both platforms take data privacy seriously, implementing strict policies to handle user information carefully. They both use multi-factor authentication to provide additional security for user accounts.
Key Points:
- Oyster HR is SOC 2 Type II compliant, while Horizons is ISO 27001 certified.
- Both platforms offer strong encryption methods to protect data.
- Regular security audits and assessments are integral to both companies’ security protocols.
The choice between Oyster HR and Horizons may depend on your organization’s specific compliance requirements and which security standards align best with your industry regulations or client expectations. Both platforms offer robust security measures, but their different certifications may be a deciding factor for some businesses.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
When comparing Oyster HR and Horizons’s ratings across G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, the following scores and review volumes provide insight into user satisfaction levels:
| Review Platform | Oyster HR | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.4/5 (714 reviews) | 4.5/5 (134 reviews) |
| Trustpilot | 4.6/5 (199 reviews) | 3.9/5 (15 reviews) |
| Capterra | 4.5/5 (68 reviews) | 0/5 (0 reviews) |
Oyster HR vs. Horizons: Summary
A detailed summary of the comparison of Oyster HR and Horizons:
| Feature | Oyster HR | Horizons |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Scaling Companies Focused on Remote Team Success | Asia-Pacific Focused Companies Requiring Local Expertise |
| EOR Pricing | $599 per employee/month | $299 per employee/month |
| Contractor Pricing | $29 per employee/month | $49 per employee/month |
| Country Coverage | 180+ | 180 |
| Support Channels | Email, Phone, Live Chat | |
| Support Availability | Business Hours | Business Hours |
| G2 Rating | 4.4/5 (714 reviews) | 4.5/5 (134 reviews) |
| Capterra Rating | 4.5/5 (68 reviews) | No Reviews |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.6/5 (199 reviews) | 3.9/5 (15 reviews) |
| Partnership Discount | N/A | N/A |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Recommendations
When navigating the complex landscape of global employment solutions, Oyster HR and Horizons emerge as distinct options, each with strengths and focus areas. Choosing between them requires carefully evaluating your company’s needs, growth trajectory, and operational preferences.
Who do I recommend using Oyster HR to?
Oyster HR is excellent for companies of any size that work heavily with international employees and require strong compliance support.
If you want to build a global workforce focused on equity management and comprehensive benefits, Oyster HR’s platform streamlines hiring and paying employees worldwide.
Oyster HR’s extensive global coverage and robust compliance features make it particularly attractive for mid-sized to large businesses looking to expand into multiple international markets.
The platform’s ability to handle complex compliance across various jurisdictions is valuable for companies expanding into diverse global markets.
Here’s a quick list of the types of businesses that will find Oyster HR useful:
- Mid-sized to large businesses looking for comprehensive global expansion
- Companies requiring strong compliance support across multiple countries
- Organizations offering equity compensation to international employees
- Businesses managing a mix of international contractors and full-time employees
Who do I recommend using Horizons to?
Horizons is ideal for companies focused on user-friendly HR management and seeking cost-effective solutions for global hiring.
It provides a straightforward platform for hiring, onboarding, and managing international employees, with added benefits like recruitment assistance.
Horizons is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses expanding globally on a budget.
Its competitive pricing and comprehensive support make it an attractive option for companies new to international hiring or those prioritizing ease of use in their HR operations.
Here’s a quick list of the types of businesses that will find Horizons useful:
- Small to medium-sized businesses looking for cost-effective global expansion
- Companies prioritizing user-friendly interfaces and strong customer support
- Businesses requiring assistance with international recruitment
- Organizations new to global hiring and needing guidance through the process
When to choose another EOR provider?
While Oyster HR and Horizons offer robust solutions, there are scenarios where another EOR provider might be more suitable.
| EOR Provider | Best For | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Companies hiring globally across multiple countries | Extensive international compliance expertise and user-friendly platform |
| Multiplier | Businesses focusing on Asia-Pacific expansion | Streamlined compliance and strong presence in APAC region |
| Papaya Global | Large enterprises with complex global payroll needs | Advanced payroll automation and workforce analytics |
| Remote | Organizations seeking end-to-end global employment solutions | Owned legal entities in 100+ countries for enhanced compliance |
| Remofirst | Budget-conscious SMEs new to international hiring | Cost-effective global employment with transparent pricing |
| Rippling | Tech-forward companies needing integrated HR and IT management | All-in-one platform for employee systems and workforce management |
| Atlas HXM | Businesses requiring customizable global HR solutions | Flexible platform with strong emphasis on human experience management |
These providers offer different strengths and specializations that could better align with specific business needs. Consider factors such as the countries you’re targeting, the size of your international team, and whether you need additional services beyond basic employment and payroll management.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do the pricing structures of Oyster HR and Horizons compare?
Oyster HR’s pricing for EOR services starts at $599 per employee per month, while Horizons offers a more competitive rate starting at $299 monthly.
Oyster HR provides contractor management at $29 monthly after a 30-day free trial, whereas Horizons charges $49 per contractor.
What are the key differentiators between Oyster HR and Horizons?
Oyster HR stands out with its strong focus on global compliance, equity management features, and extensive benefits administration. Horizons differentiates itself with a more user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, and integrated recruitment services.
Which platform is better for small businesses or startups?
Horizons is generally more suitable for small businesses and startups due to its lower pricing and user-friendly interface.
However, if a small business requires advanced compliance features or equity management, Oyster HR might be the better choice despite the higher cost.
How do Oyster HR and Horizons compare in terms of global coverage?
Oyster HR and Horizons offer services in over 180 countries, providing extensive global coverage. The choice between them may come from specific country expertise or the depth of services offered in particular regions.
What types of businesses are best suited for each platform?
Oyster HR is best suited for mid-sized to large businesses with complex compliance needs, those offering equity compensation, and companies expanding into multiple international markets.
Horizons is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking for cost-effective solutions, those new to international hiring, and companies that value straightforward, user-friendly platforms with integrated recruitment support.