If you’re reading this, you’re probably exploring ways to expand your team internationally or streamline your global workforce management. You’ve heard about Employer of Record (EOR) services and are considering Oyster HR and Rippling as potential solutions for your business needs.
But you’re also probably uncertain about:
- How Oyster HR and Rippling 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 Rippling 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 Rippling lies in understanding their unique strengths and how they align with your specific business needs:
TLDR: Choose between Global Coverage vs Integrated Solutions
- Oyster HR: Offering an easy-to-use platform for global hiring and payroll, this EOR might be just right for your needs. Get to know the Oyster HR platform
- Rippling: Great choice for medium to large enterprises needing a complete HR and IT management solution, offering extensive integrations and customization options. Achieve your goals with Rippling
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Overview of Oyster HR and Rippling (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 Rippling, enabling you to choose the EOR solution that best fits your company’s global workforce 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
Rippling
Country Coverage: 185+
G2 Rating: 4.8/5
EOR Pricing: $500 per employee/month
Contractor Pricing: $25 per contractor/month
Overview of Oyster HR and Rippling
Oyster HR and Rippling are both designed to simplify global hiring, compliance, and HR management. Here’s a detailed comparison of their offerings:
Overview of Oyster HR
Oyster HR is a platform focused on enabling companies to hire, pay, and care for employees globally. It emphasizes compliance and ease of onboarding, making it a suitable choice for businesses expanding internationally.
- Global Coverage: Supports hiring in over 180 countries, providing extensive international reach.
- Compliance Focus: Offers tools and services to ensure local compliance with labor laws.
- Ease of Onboarding: Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires globally.
- User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive platform for managing HR tasks.
Oyster HR has raised $59 million in its latest Series D funding round, led by Silver Lake Waterman, bringing its valuation to $1.2 billion and total funding to $286 million. The company plans to use this capital to enhance its product offerings, reinforce compliance standards, and help businesses attract skilled professionals. Known for supporting borderless teams through services like global payroll and visa sponsorships, Oyster’s mission is to make global employment opportunities accessible to all. Over 40% of its workforce is in emerging markets, and it facilitates employment in over 180 countries.
Company Information
- Headquarters: San Francisco, California
- Founders: Tony Jamous and Jack Mardack
- Funding: Raised $286 million in multiple funding rounds
- Founding Date: 2020
You might be interested in our in-depth Oyster HR review.
Overview of Rippling
Rippling is a comprehensive HR platform that integrates various business functions, including payroll, benefits, and IT management, into a single system. It is designed for businesses looking for a unified solution to manage their workforce.
- Unified Platform: Combines HR, IT, and finance into one system.
- Automation: Automates HR tasks, reducing administrative burden.
- Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes.
- Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly connects with numerous third-party applications.
Company Information
- Headquarters: San Francisco, US
- Founders: Parker Conrad and Prasanna Sankar
- Funding: Over $1.4 billion
- Founding Date: 2016
You might be interested in our in-depth Rippling 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 Rippling
Rippling offers 10 key features that set it apart.
These key features include:
- Unified Platform: Integrates HR, IT, and Finance functions in one system, allowing seamless management of employee data, payroll, and company resources.
- Global Payroll Solution: Handles payroll processing in 185+ countries, supporting multiple currencies and tax regulations.
- Employer of Record (EOR) Services: Enables companies to hire internationally without setting up local entities, managing compliance and local regulations.
- Comprehensive HR Management: Streamlines onboarding, benefits administration, time tracking, and employee lifecycle events.
- IT and Device Management: Allows centralized control over company devices, software licenses, and security protocols.
- Benefits Administration: Offers locally aligned benefits packages with multiple tiers in most markets.
- Compliance Management: Continuously flags potential compliance risks and handles local tax filings and regulatory requirements.
- Reporting and Analytics: Provides centralized, granular reporting for workforce data to support informed decision-making.
- App Integrations: Easily integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Fast Onboarding: Enables quick employee onboarding, often within minutes, streamlining the hiring process.
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 Rippling
The benefits of using Rippling are:
- Time and Cost Efficiency: Significantly reduces the time and resources required for international hiring and HR management.
- Global Talent Access: Enables companies to hire talent from 185+ countries without the need to establish local entities.
- Compliance Assurance: Handles complex international labor laws and regulations, reducing legal risks for employers.
- Streamlined Operations: Centralizes management of global workforce, payroll, and IT in one platform, simplifying operations.
- Scalability Support: Facilitates rapid business growth and expansion into new markets with flexible hiring solutions.
- Automated Processes: Reduces manual work and potential errors in HR tasks, improving overall efficiency.
- Data Security: Ensures proper handling of sensitive employee information with robust security measures.
- Customization: Offers extensive customization options to tailor the system to specific business needs.
- Local Expertise: Provides access to experts with an average of 10+ years of local HR experience.
- Seamless Transitions: Allows easy transition from EOR to Global Payroll through your own entities as your business grows.
Pricing and Plans
Oyster HR Pricing
Oyster HR offers a flexible pricing model that adapts to the size and needs of your business. Their pricing structure accommodates companies of various sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Here is a detailed breakdown:
| 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 |
Oyster HR’s pricing structure makes it a versatile option for businesses of all sizes looking to hire globally. Whether you’re a small startup hiring your first international employee or a large corporation managing a global workforce, Oyster HR’s pricing can scale to meet your needs. Oyster HR offers a free trial to test their services. The platform’s pricing structure accounts for currency exchange rates, which is particularly relevant for businesses operating across multiple countries.
Rippling Pricing
Rippling takes a modular approach to pricing, allowing businesses to customize their package based on needed features:
- Core Workforce Platform: Starting at $8 per user per month
- Includes basic HR, IT, and Finance management tools
- Essential for using any of Rippling’s other modules
- Global Payroll: Custom pricing
- Pricing depends on the number of employees and countries
- Includes Employer of Record services for international hiring
Unlike Oyster HR, Rippling requires contacting their sales team for a custom quote for their global employment services.
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 Rippling
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: Highly intuitive and easy to navigate platform.
- Comprehensive Features: Manages payroll, benefits, global compliance, and more in one system.
- Extensive Customization: Offers numerous options to tailor the system to specific business needs.
- Seamless Integration: Compatible with many popular software applications.
- Effective Automation: Unity platform automates many tasks, saving time and reducing errors.
- Mobile Accessibility: Provides a mobile app for easy access to relevant information for employees.
Cons
- Non-Transparent Pricing: Lack of clarity regarding costs, especially for additional features.
- Premium Pricing: Services can be expensive, potentially too costly for smaller businesses.
- Steep Learning Curve: Users may need time to fully understand and utilize the extensive feature set.
- Potential Complexity: The extensive feature set may be overwhelming for businesses with simple HR needs.
Customer Reviews and Ratings
When comparing Oyster HR and Rippling’s ratings across G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot, the following scores and review volumes provide insight into user satisfaction levels:
| Review Platform | Oyster HR | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.4/5 (714 reviews) | 4.8/5 (3227 reviews) |
| Trustpilot | 4.6/5 (199 reviews) | 4.4/5 (1029 reviews) |
| Capterra | 4.5/5 (68 reviews) | 4.9/5 (3073 reviews) |
Oyster HR vs. Rippling: Summary
A detailed summary of the comparison of Oyster HR and Rippling:
| Feature | Oyster HR | Rippling |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Scaling Companies Focused on Remote Team Success | Companies Wanting One Platform for Global HR, IT & Finance |
| EOR Pricing | $599 per employee/month | $500 per employee/month |
| Contractor Pricing | $29 per employee/month | $25 per employee/month |
| Country Coverage | 180+ | 185+ |
| Support Channels | Email, Phone, Live Chat | |
| Support Availability | Business Hours | Business Hours |
| G2 Rating | 4.4/5 (714 reviews) | 4.8/5 (3227 reviews) |
| Capterra Rating | 4.5/5 (68 reviews) | 4.9/5 (3073 reviews) |
| Trustpilot Rating | 4.6/5 (199 reviews) | 4.4/5 (1029 reviews) |
| Partnership Discount | N/A | N/A |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Recommendations
When navigating the complex landscape of global employment solutions, Oyster HR and Rippling stand out as robust platforms, each with its unique strengths and focus areas. Choosing between these providers requires carefully evaluating your company’s needs, growth trajectory, and operational priorities.
When considering these platforms, assessing your current needs and long-term growth plans is crucial. Are you primarily focused on international expansion and building a global workforce? Oyster HR might be the better fit. Are you looking for a solution to manage your domestic and international employees while also handling IT provisioning and system access? Rippling could be the more suitable choice.
Who do I recommend using Oyster HR to?
Oyster HR is excellent for companies of any size that work heavily with international employees. If you’re looking to build a global workforce, Oyster HR’s platform streamlines hiring and paying employees from around the globe.
Its extensive global coverage and strong compliance focus make Oyster HR particularly attractive for:
- Small to medium-sized businesses looking for cost-effective global expansion
- Companies requiring broad global coverage (180+ countries)
- Businesses prioritizing user-friendly interfaces and dedicated customer support
- Organizations focusing on strong compliance management across multiple jurisdictions
Who do I recommend using Rippling to?
Rippling is ideal for companies focused on comprehensive HR, IT, and finance management, especially those requiring extensive integrations. If you’re a medium to large business needing to scale internationally with advanced features, Rippling simplifies operations across different countries.
Rippling also excels for companies that comprehensively manage salaries, benefits, and IT assets without dealing with multiple local providers. Here’s a quick list of the types of businesses that will find Rippling useful:
- Medium to large-sized businesses requiring comprehensive HR and IT management
- Companies needing extensive app integrations (500+ options)
- Businesses requiring advanced customization and workflow automation
- Organizations prioritizing strong data security and compliance measures
- Companies needing advanced reporting and analytics capabilities
Both platforms offer robust solutions for managing global workforces but cater to different business needs and scales. When choosing between Oyster HR and Rippling, consider your requirements, budget, and growth plans.
When to consider other EOR providers?
While Oyster HR and Rippling offer robust solutions, they may not perfectly suit every business. Depending on your specific needs, budget, and global expansion goals, consider exploring other EOR providers. Here are some scenarios where you might explore other options:
- Specialized Industry Needs: Companies in niche industries with unique compliance requirements might need a provider like Papaya Global, known for its strong compliance focus.
- Extensive HR Software Integration: Firms requiring seamless integration with a wide range of HR tools might consider Deel, which offers extensive integration options.
- Region-Specific Expansion: Businesses focusing on a specific region might benefit from a provider like Oyster HR, which has a strong presence in Europe.
- Advanced Analytics Needs: Companies needing in-depth workforce analytics might prefer a provider like Remote, known for advanced data analysis tools.
- Comprehensive Features: Businesses looking for an all-in-one solution encompassing HR, IT, and finance might find Multiplier the best fit.
- Large-Scale Operations: Huge multinational corporations might consider ADP Global, specializing in large-scale global workforce management.
| EOR Provider | Best For | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Hypergrowth startups | Blockchain-friendly with crypto payment options |
| Remote | IP-intensive industries | Own legal entities for enhanced IP protection |
| Papaya Global | Enterprise-level businesses | Advanced workforce analytics and insights |
| Multiplier | APAC-focused expansion | Specialized knowledge of Asian markets |
| Remofirst | Budget-conscious SMEs | Transparent, competitive pricing model |
| Atlas HXM | Companies needing guided expansion | Strong focus on human experience management |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Oyster HR and Rippling compare in terms of global coverage?
Oyster HR supports operations in over 180 countries, making it suitable for businesses with a broad global presence. Rippling supports over 50 countries, providing extensive global reach but less coverage than Oyster HR.
Which platform is more cost-effective for small businesses?
Oyster HR’s pricing for EOR services starts at $599 per employee per month, which may be more suitable for businesses hiring in multiple countries.
Rippling’s core platform starts at $8 per person per month, with additional costs for EOR services (typically $500-600 per employee per month).
For small businesses, the choice depends on the specific services needed and the number of countries involved.
How do Oyster HR and Rippling handle compliance across different countries?
Oyster HR strongly focuses on global compliance, offering tools and services to ensure adherence to local employment laws in its 180+ supported countries.
Rippling provides advanced security measures and compliance support across its supported jurisdictions, focusing on automating compliance processes.
Can I manage both contractors and full-time employees on these platforms?
Both Oyster HR and Rippling support managing contractors and full-time employees. Oyster HR provides tools for managing contractors, including time tracking and expense management. Rippling offers comprehensive HR management for both types of workers, including payroll and benefits administration.
What kind of customer support can I expect from Oyster HR and Rippling?
Oyster HR provides 24/7 assistance with dedicated account managers, offering personalized support for global HR needs. Rippling offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with extensive documentation available for troubleshooting.