Let me be honest: choosing between Oyster and Velocity Global for global hiring is trickier than most comparison articles make it seem. You’ll find plenty of country coverage statistics and service descriptions, but what really matters is understanding how each platform handles fundamentally different business needs – like when you need transparent $599/month pricing with a self-service platform versus when you require white-glove enterprise support with dedicated in-country specialists, or figuring out if Velocity Global’s 10+ years of experience and premium pricing actually justify the lack of transparent pricing upfront.

I’ve been helping companies navigate global expansion for the past few years, and I keep seeing the same thing: businesses compare these two because both offer EOR services in 180+ countries, then realize six months later they picked based on brand recognition rather than operational fit. Oyster built its reputation on modern, remote-first employment with transparent pricing and user-friendly design, while Velocity Global positioned itself around enterprise-grade compliance depth with 240+ in-country experts and comprehensive mobility services. Both approaches have merit, but they serve completely different company stages and budget realities.

The real decision comes down to your organizational maturity: Oyster works best when you need transparent, predictable pricing at $599/month with a modern self-service platform for scaling remote-first teams quickly, while Velocity Global delivers better results for mid-sized to large enterprises requiring high-touch support, dedicated account management, and comprehensive immigration services despite opaque custom pricing. However, your budget transparency requirements, need for hands-on guidance versus self-service tools, and whether you prioritize modern platform design over established enterprise expertise 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 transparent pricing and remote-first focus suit your startup or scale-up needs, or if Velocity Global’s premium enterprise services and decade of experience justify requesting custom quotes for your complex global expansion.

Quick overview

Key metrics Oyster HR Velocity Global
EOR pricing
$599 /month
$599 /month
Best for Scaling companies focused on remote team success Global workforce management solutions

Oyster HR

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

Velocity Global

Global Coverage 185++ countries
G2 Rating 4.6 ★★★★★
Starting from $599/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 Velocity Global?

Velocity Global Screenshot

Velocity Global is a comprehensive global employment solutions provider that enables businesses to hire, pay, and manage employees across 185+ countries without establishing local entities. Founded in 2014 by Ben Wright in Denver, Colorado, the company has experienced rapid growth, raising $500 million in funding and becoming one of the leading platforms in the expanding global employment market.

At its core, Velocity Global operates as an Employer of Record (EOR), serving as the legal employer for a client company’s international workforce. This co-employment relationship allows businesses to expand globally without navigating the complexities of entity establishment, which typically costs $15,000-$50,000 and takes 3-6 months per country.

The company’s platform handles the entire international employment lifecycle, from compliant onboarding and payroll processing to benefits administration and eventual offboarding. Their services extend beyond basic EOR functionality to include global contractor management, visa and immigration support, and access to international coworking spaces through partnerships with providers like WeWork.

Velocity Global differentiates itself through its expansive geographic coverage and technology-forward approach, with its platform offering integrations with major HR systems to create seamless workflows. Current CEO Frank Calderoni leads the company, with founder Ben Wright serving as Executive Chairman. The company announced crossing $200 million in annual recurring revenue in recent financial disclosures.

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What are the key features of Oyster HR vs Velocity Global?

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.

Velocity Global key features

  • Global Employer of Record (EOR) services: Enables companies to hire employees in 185+ countries without establishing local entities.
  • Comprehensive HR solutions: Offers end-to-end services including hiring, onboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration, and compliance management.
  • Proprietary technology platform: Provides a cloud-based solution for real-time data and analytics, streamlining global workforce management.
  • Talent acquisition services: Assists businesses in finding and hiring top talent globally, managing the recruitment process from sourcing to selection.
  • Global payroll solutions: Offers centralized payroll services for international workforces, handling different wage rules, deductions, and currencies.
  • Benefits management: Creates customized, competitive benefits packages designed to attract top talent in various markets.
  • Contractor management: Ensures proper classification and compliant payments for independent contractors and freelancers.
  • Access to international coworking spaces: Partnered with providers to offer access to over 10,000 workspace locations worldwide.

What benefits do Oyster HR and Velocity Global 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.

Velocity Global benefits

  • Rapid market entry: Allows companies to enter new markets up to 90% faster than traditional methods of establishing local entities.
  • Compliance assurance: Handles complex international labor laws, tax filings, and regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Cost efficiency: Reduces the time and resources required for international hiring and HR management.
  • Global talent access: Enables businesses to hire the best talent regardless of location, expanding their talent pool.
  • Scalability: Facilitates rapid business growth and expansion into new markets with flexible hiring solutions.
  • Risk mitigation: Reduces legal and compliance risks associated with international employment.
  • Centralized management: Provides a single platform for managing global workforce, payroll, and compliance.
  • Flexible work environments: Offers access to international coworking spaces, supporting distributed workforces.
  • Comprehensive support: Provides 24/7 customer service and access to local HR experts in various countries.
  • Customized solutions: Tailors services to meet specific business needs across different industries and company sizes.

How do Oyster HR and Velocity Global 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 Velocity Global
EOR USD 599 /month USD 599 /month
Contractor USD 29 /month —
Payroll USD 25 /month —

What are the pros and cons of Oyster HR vs Velocity Global?

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.

Velocity Global

Pros

  • Extensive global coverage across 185+ countries: Velocity Global offers one of the industry's widest geographic footprints, enabling companies to hire virtually anywhere without establishing legal entities or navigating complex local regulations.
  • Robust technology platform with advanced integrations: The cloud-based platform seamlessly connects with major HR systems like Oracle HCM and BambooHR, creating efficient workflows for managing international teams through existing tools.
  • Comprehensive compliance management: Velocity Global handles proper worker classification, tax requirements, and employment law across jurisdictions, significantly reducing legal risks for companies operating internationally.
  • Fast employee onboarding capabilities: The platform enables companies to hire international talent within 48 hours in many locations, dramatically accelerating global expansion compared to traditional entity establishment.
  • Centralized multi-currency payroll processing: Businesses can manage payroll across multiple countries and currencies through a single invoice, simplifying financial operations for global workforces.
  • Tailored benefits administration by country: The service provides locally competitive benefits packages adapted to each country's norms and requirements, helping companies attract top international talent.

Cons

  • Reliance on third-party providers in some regions: Unlike competitors with fully-owned entities, Velocity Global uses partner networks in certain countries, potentially causing service inconsistencies or delays.
  • Limited customization for specialized industries: Companies in highly regulated or niche sectors may find the standardized approach insufficient for their specific compliance requirements.
  • Required 30-day notice period for offboarding: The mandatory notice period for removing employees from the platform creates less flexibility compared to some competitors with shorter termination timelines.

What do customers say about Oyster HR vs Velocity Global?

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 Velocity Global
G2
4.3 ★★★★☆ (1180 reviews)
4.6 ★★★★★ (467 reviews)
Trustpilot
4.4 ★★★★☆ (254 reviews)
2.9 ★★★☆☆ (3 reviews)
Capterra
4.6 ★★★★★ (91 reviews)
☆☆☆☆☆

Last updated: November 2025

Customer Support: Oyster HR vs Velocity Global

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 Velocity Global
Support Channels Email, Live Chat Email, Phone, 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 Velocity Global
Best For Scaling companies focused on remote team success Global workforce management solutions
EOR Pricing $599 per employee/month $599 per employee/month
Country Coverage 180 185+
Support Channels Email, Live Chat Email, Phone, 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 transparent pricing, modern platform design, and self-service capabilities over white-glove enterprise support. Its remote-first approach makes it particularly attractive for:

  • Startups and scale-ups (10-200 employees) needing transparent, predictable pricing at $599 per employee monthly without requesting custom quotes
  • Remote-first companies building distributed teams where modern platform design and employee experience drive talent attraction and retention
  • Cost-conscious organizations requiring upfront pricing visibility for budget planning and financial forecasting without sales negotiations
  • Tech companies and digital agencies comfortable with self-service platforms and documentation rather than dedicated account management
  • Companies hiring primarily in major markets where Oyster’s 180-country coverage and streamlined processes enable fast 48-hour onboarding

Oyster HR’s transparent pricing model and user-friendly platform make it well-suited for businesses that value speed and cost predictability over enterprise-grade hand-holding. The platform’s modern design and focus on employee experience appeal to remote-first organizations building globally distributed teams. If your primary goal is scaling international hiring with clear costs and minimal complexity through a self-service platform, Oyster provides a straightforward solution at $599 per employee.

Choose Velocity Global if:

Choose Velocity Global if you prioritize deep compliance expertise, dedicated support, and comprehensive mobility services over transparent pricing and self-service platforms. Its enterprise-grade approach makes it particularly attractive for:

  • Mid-sized to large enterprises (200-1,000+ employees) with complex global expansion needs requiring dedicated account management and in-country expertise
  • Organizations in heavily regulated industries needing 240+ local compliance specialists and 10+ years of proven enterprise EOR experience
  • Companies requiring comprehensive immigration and mobility services beyond basic EOR employment contracts and payroll processing
  • Businesses expanding into complex or emerging markets where local expert guidance provides significant risk mitigation value
  • Enterprises comfortable with custom pricing models and willing to invest in premium white-glove service for strategic global workforce management

Velocity Global’s extensive network of in-country experts and comprehensive service offerings make it particularly attractive for enterprises with complex international operations. The platform’s decade of experience and focus on high-touch support provide confidence for organizations where compliance mistakes carry serious consequences. If your primary goal is enterprise-grade global workforce management with dedicated expert guidance and you can justify premium custom pricing, Velocity Global provides comprehensive services across 185+ countries.

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 →

RemoFirst

Cost-conscious and tight budgets

$199/mo 185+ countries
RemoFirst Review →

Rippling

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

$499/mo 185+ countries
Rippling Review →

Frequently asked questions