Let me be honest: choosing between Oyster and RemoFirst for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of country coverage lists and feature breakdowns, but what really matters is understanding how each platform handles the messy realities of international employment – like when you need to hire someone in 48 hours but can’t afford $599 per employee, dealing with hidden add-on fees that undermine “transparent pricing” claims, or figuring out if premium employee experience features actually justify triple the monthly cost.

I’ve been helping companies scale internationally for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: businesses compare these two because one’s well-known and one’s affordable, then realize six months later they prioritized the wrong factor. Oyster built its reputation on employee-centric design and ethical employment standards, while RemoFirst positioned itself around accessible pricing and fast deployment for budget-conscious companies. Both approaches have merit, but they serve fundamentally different business stages and financial realities.

The real decision comes down to what matters most to you: Oyster works best when you can invest $499-$599 per employee monthly in exchange for comprehensive remote-first features, premium employee experience, and advanced compliance tools, while RemoFirst delivers better results for companies needing to keep costs down at $199 per employee while still accessing essential EOR services across 185+ countries. However, your budget constraints, growth stage, and whether you prioritize employee experience over cost savings will determine which trade-offs actually matter for your situation.

My goal is to help you understand how these platforms actually perform in practice, so you can decide if Oyster’s premium features and employee-centric approach justify spending 2-3x more per employee, or if RemoFirst’s 60-75% cost savings and fast 24-48 hour onboarding make it the smarter choice for your global expansion.

Quick overview

Key metrics Oyster HR RemoFirst
EOR pricing
$599 /month
$199 /month
Best for Scaling companies focused on remote team success Cost-conscious and tight budgets

Oyster HR

Global Coverage 180+ countries
G2 Rating 4.3 ★★★★★
Starting from $599/month
Get started View Details

RemoFirst

Global Coverage 185+ countries
G2 Rating 4.5 ★★★★★
Starting from $199/month
Get started View Details

What is Oyster HR?

Oyster HR Screenshot

Oyster is an Employer of Record (EOR) platform that enables companies to hire and manage international employees across 180+ countries without establishing local business entities. Founded in 2020, the company has raised over $150 million in funding and specializes in remote-first employment solutions.

Unlike traditional EOR providers focused purely on compliance, Oyster emphasizes the employee experience with features like Oyster Academy for professional development and cultural integration tools. The platform handles employment contracts, payroll processing, benefits administration, and local compliance while providing additional services for building engaged distributed teams.

Oyster primarily serves mid-market to enterprise companies with 50+ employees who prioritize employee satisfaction and long-term retention over minimal-cost hiring solutions.

What is RemoFirst?

RemoFirst Screenshot

RemoFirst is an Employer of Record (EOR) service that lets companies hire and pay international employees without setting up local legal entities. Founded in 2021 by Nurasyl Serik and Volodymyr Fedoriv, this San Francisco company has attracted smaller businesses and startups with $39 million in funding.

When you use RemoFirst, they technically “hire” through their local entities in 180+ countries. RemoFirst handles the legal employment paperwork, local tax compliance, payroll processing, and benefits administration, while you manage the day-to-day work. This setup saves the 3-6 months and $15,000-$50,000 usually needed to set up foreign entities.

The platform serves two main purposes:

  • Full EOR services for companies hiring employees internationally
  • Contractor management for businesses working with global freelancers

What makes RemoFirst different is their pricing – starting at $199 per employee per month, they charge much less than competitors like Deel and Remote (both $599/month). This aggressive pricing has helped them gain market share despite being newer than other players.

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What are the key features of Oyster HR vs RemoFirst?

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 HR key features

  • 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.

RemoFirst key features

  • Global employment services: RemoFirst functions as the legal employer in 180+ countries, handling all the paperwork and compliance so companies don't have to establish foreign entities. They generate compliant employment contracts, register employees with local authorities, and ensure adherence to local labor laws. RemoFirst maintains consistent pricing across all supported countries.
  • Multi-Currency payroll processing: RemoFirst calculates and processes payroll in 100+ currencies, handling tax withholdings, social contributions, and mandatory deductions based on local requirements. The system supports monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly payment cycles, with monthly being the standard for most countries.
  • Global contractor management: For $25 per contractor monthly, RemoFirst provides compliant contractor agreements, handles invoicing, and manages payments in local currencies. The contractor dashboard is separate from the employee section but follows a similar workflow.
  • Benefits administration:RemoFirst's RemoHealth program offers standardized health plans across all countries, with options to add dental and vision coverage. The platform also supports equipment provisioning, allowing companies to purchase and ship laptops and other tools to remote team members.
  • Compliance management: The platform automatically handles tax filings, statutory requirements, and employment law compliance across all countries. This includes managing paid time off policies, parental leave, termination requirements, and other country-specific regulations.
  • Time off management: Employees can request time off through the platform, with automatic calculations based on local entitlements. Managers receive notifications and can approve/deny requests directly in the system. The calendar view makes it easy to see team availability.

What benefits do Oyster HR and RemoFirst offer?

Features are one thing, but how do they actually help your business? Think faster onboarding, fewer compliance headaches, and smoother payroll runs. Let's look at the real benefits you'll get from each provider.

Oyster HR benefits

  • Accelerated market entry: Companies can hire employees in new countries within 48-72 hours through Oyster, compared to 3-6 months required for establishing local business entities.
  • Compliance assurance: Minimizes legal risks with continuous monitoring of local regulations across all operational countries.
  • Reduced expansion costs: Businesses save approximately $50,000-$200,000 per country by avoiding legal entity setup, though Oyster's $599 monthly fee per employee means it's cost-effective primarily for larger teams.
  • 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.

RemoFirst benefits

  • Major cost savings Companies save 60-75% on international employment costs versus premium EOR providers. A 10-person international team costs $1,990 monthly with RemoFirst versus $5,990 with other providers—saving nearly $48,000 annually.
  • Avoided expansion costs: Businesses avoid $15,000-$50,000 typically spent establishing foreign entities plus ongoing compliance costs of $20,000-$40,000 annually per country.
  • Faster market entry: Rather than spending 3-6 months setting up legal entities, companies can hire talent in new countries within a week. This rapid deployment capability helps businesses respond quickly to market opportunities.
  • Reduced compliance risk: Automated adherence to local regulations eliminates employment law violations that typically cost $10,000-$100,000 per incident plus business disruption.
  • Simplified global payroll: By automating payroll calculations and tax withholdings across multiple currencies, RemoFirst eliminates one of the most complex aspects of international employment. Companies save approximately 15-20 hours per pay period of manual calculation work.
  • Business flexibility: he pay-as-you-go model with no minimum commitments lets businesses scale their international workforce up or down as needed. This flexibility is particularly valuable for project-based businesses, seasonal operations, or companies testing new markets.
  • Benefits administration: Companies can offer comprehensive health benefits to employees worldwide through a single platform, enhancing recruitment competitiveness without the complexity of navigating multiple local providers.

How do Oyster HR and RemoFirst compare on pricing?

Let's talk money. EOR pricing can be tricky – some providers quote low monthly fees but charge extra for things like setup, onboarding, or additional services. Here's what each provider charges for their main services.

Plan type Oyster HR RemoFirst
EOR USD 599 /month USD 199 /month
Contractor USD 29 /month USD 25 /month
Payroll USD 25 /month —

What are the pros and cons of Oyster HR vs RemoFirst?

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 HR

Pros

  • Employee development focus: Oyster Academy provides upskilling platforms and career development resources, making it stand out from basic EOR providers focused only on compliance and payroll.
  • Remote-first platform design: Oyster's interface specifically caters to distributed teams with features like cultural integration tools and virtual onboarding workflows that competitors lack.
  • Global coverage: Oyster operates in 180+ countries with locally-aligned benefits packages, giving companies access to broader talent pools than regional EOR providers.
  • Transparent compliance management: Oyster's platform provides real-time updates on changing labor laws across all operating countries, reducing legal risks for rapidly scaling companies.
  • Integrated cost calculator: Helps businesses estimate employment costs in different countries.
  • Ethical employment standards: Oyster emphasizes fair compensation and social responsibility, appealing to companies prioritizing ethical global expansion over pure cost optimization.

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.
  • Hidden add-on costs: Oyster charges extra for salary bands, visa sponsorship, and premium benefits packages that other providers include in base pricing, undermining their "transparent pricing" claims.
  • Limited self-service options: Oyster requires more human intervention for routine tasks compared to platforms like Deel, potentially slowing down urgent hiring needs.

RemoFirst

Pros

  • Lowest EOR pricing available:RemoFirst charges just $199 per employee monthly, making it 60-75% cheaper than Deel ($599) and Remote ($599), saving companies up to $48,000 annually for a 10-person international team.
  • Fast employee onboarding: RemoFirst completes employee setup within 5-7 business days across 180+ countries, compared to 3-6 months needed for establishing independent legal entities.
  • Complete compliance handling: The platform manages all local employment regulations, tax filings, and statutory requirements in every country, eliminating compliance risks that cost companies $10,000+ in penalties per violation.
  • Affordable contractor management: Beyond EOR services, RemoFirst handles contractor payments for just $25 monthly per contractor, undercutting Deel ($49) by 50% and most other providers.
  • No surprise costs: Unlike many competitors who charge different rates by country or add unexpected fees, RemoFirst maintains flat global pricing with no setup fees, deposits, or minimum commitments.
  • Global benefits program: Companies can provide employees standardized health insurance (including vision and dental) across all countries through the RemoHealth program, boosting recruitment competitiveness without navigating multiple local providers.
  • Simple interface The platform uses clean, minimal design that requires little training for HR staff, with most users navigating core functions within their first session.

Cons

  • Basic reporting tools: RemoFirst's analytics tools lack the depth found in enterprise options like Rippling, offering only fundamental workforce data without customizable dashboards or visualization options. Companies need separate tools for advanced workforce analytics.
  • Few integration options: The platform supports fewer third-party integrations than established competitors, potentially creating manual work when connecting with popular HRIS, accounting, and payroll systems. Users report difficulties connecting with some project management software.
  • New platform limitations: As an EOR provider founded in 2021, RemoFirst is still developing features that older competitors already offer, including multi-country payroll consolidation and tax planning tools.
  • Limited country customization: The platform offers limited localization options for employment contracts and policies, potentially creating challenges for companies with highly specialized regional requirements or those operating in highly regulated industries.

What do customers say about Oyster HR vs RemoFirst?

Don't just take our word for it. Here's what actual users say about working with these providers – the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Review Platform Oyster HR RemoFirst
G2
4.3 ★★★★☆ (1180 reviews)
4.5 ★★★★★ (209 reviews)
Trustpilot
4.4 ★★★★☆ (254 reviews)
3.9 ★★★★☆ (37 reviews)
Capterra
4.6 ★★★★★ (91 reviews)
5 ★★★★★ (2 reviews)

Last updated: November 2025

Customer Support: Oyster HR vs RemoFirst

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 when you need them most.

Support Feature Oyster HR RemoFirst
Support Channels Email, Live Chat Email, Live Chat
Support Availability Business Hours 24/7

Support features are based on publicly available information and may vary by plan or contract. Contact providers directly for specific support details.

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.

Oyster HR RemoFirst
Best For Scaling companies focused on remote team success Cost-conscious and tight budgets
EOR Pricing $599 per employee/month $199 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing $25 per contractor/month $25 per contractor/month
Country Coverage 180 185
Support Channels Email, Live Chat Email, Live Chat
Support Availability Business Hours 24/7
EOR Services ✓ ✓
PEO Services ✗ ✗
Global Payroll Management ✓ ✓
Contractor Management ✓ ✓
Compliance Support ✗ ✓
Benefits Management ✓ ✓
Multi-Country Support ✗ ✗
Annual Discount Available Not available
Visit Website Visit Website Visit Website

Which one is right for you?

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 HR if:

Choose Oyster HR if you prioritize employee experience, comprehensive remote-first features, and ethical employment standards over cost savings. Its premium platform approach makes it particularly attractive for:

  • Established companies (50-200 employees) with the budget to invest $499-$599 per employee monthly for superior employee experience
  • Remote-first companies building strong employer brands where employee engagement and retention are critical competitive advantages
  • Tech scale-ups and professional services firms expanding into multiple international markets simultaneously with complex hiring scenarios
  • Organizations offering equity compensation and premium benefits packages to attract top global talent
  • Companies prioritizing ethical employment practices and fair compensation standards aligned with their corporate values

Oyster HR’s robust compliance features, extensive country coverage, and focus on employee experience make it well-suited for businesses that prioritize building a strong, engaged global workforce. The platform offers advanced tools for managing complex international hiring scenarios, making it particularly valuable for companies in fast-growing sectors or those entering multiple new markets simultaneously. If your primary goal is building a globally distributed team with best-in-class employee experience and you can justify the premium pricing, Oyster provides a comprehensive solution at $499-$599 per employee.

Choose RemoFirst if:

Choose RemoFirst if you prioritize affordability, fast deployment, and transparent pricing for your global hiring needs. Its cost-effective approach makes it particularly attractive for:

  • Early-stage startups (5-50 employees) making their first international hires with limited budgets and tight cash flow constraints
  • Small businesses and bootstrapped companies needing EOR services at $199 per employee monthly without sacrificing essential features
  • Fast-growing startups requiring quick 24-48 hour onboarding to capture talent opportunities without lengthy setup processes
  • Cost-conscious organizations expanding globally where budget efficiency directly impacts runway and growth trajectory
  • Companies hiring primarily contractors and full-time employees in straightforward scenarios without complex equity or premium benefits requirements

RemoFirst’s transparent pricing model and straightforward platform make it particularly attractive for businesses new to international hiring or those with modest global expansion plans. The platform’s 60-75% cost savings compared to premium providers and no-hidden-fees approach provides budget predictability for startups and small businesses. If your primary goal is accessing reliable EOR services across 185+ countries without the premium price tag, RemoFirst provides essential features at $199 per employee.

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 if these two don't hit the mark.

Explore these alternatives:

Remote

Companies prioritizing risk-free international hiring

$599/mo 186+ countries
Remote Review →

Deel

Fast-growing companies needing global hiring at scale

$599/mo 150+ countries
Deel Review →

Multiplier

Companies Looking for Same-Day Global Hiring & Payments

$400/mo 150+ countries
Multiplier Review →

Rippling

Tech-forward companies with 50-1000 employees needing integrated HR and IT management

$499/mo 185+ countries
Rippling Review →

Frequently asked questions