Oyster HR EOR Review: Features, Pricing, and Comparisons

If you’re reading this, you’re probably exploring expanding your team globally or streamlining your international hiring process. You’ve heard about Employer of Record (EOR) services, and Oyster HR has caught your attention as a potential solution.

But you’re also probably uncertain about:

1. How Oyster HR’s features compare to other EOR providers in the market
2. Whether the platform can effectively handle compliance and payroll across multiple countries
3. If Oyster HR’s pricing structure aligns with your budget and offers good value
4. The quality of customer support and the user-friendliness of the platform
5. Whether Oyster HR is the right fit for your specific business size and industry

If that sounds familiar, this comprehensive review will answer every one of your questions.
It’s a 10-minute read that could save you hours of research and potentially thousands in operational costs as you navigate global hiring.

The key to understanding Oyster HR’s value proposition is recognizing its balance of comprehensive features, global reach, and user-friendly interface while also being aware of its pricing considerations.

Here’s what you’ll learn – table of contents:

1. Overview of Oyster HR (what it is and who it’s for)
2. Key features and benefits (what sets Oyster HR apart)
3. Pricing structure and value proposition (is it worth your investment?)
4. User experience and platform interface (ease of use in real-world scenarios)
5. Customer support quality (what to expect when you need help)
6. Security and compliance measures (how Oyster HR protects your data)
7. Comparisons with top competitors (how Oyster HR stacks up)
8. Ideal use cases (who should consider Oyster HR)
9. Potential limitations (when to look at alternatives)

Let’s dive in and explore whether Oyster HR is the right EOR solution to power your global workforce management strategy.

What is Oyster HR?

Oyster HR is a platform that helps companies hire and manage employees globally. It acts as an Employer of Record (EOR), which means it handles the legal and administrative tasks for employing people in different countries. Oyster HR is also an international payroll service that allows you to pay salaries and benefits across the world without additional hassle.

Using Oyster HR, businesses can stay compliant with local laws and regulations. It offers onboarding, payroll, and benefits tools, making global employment simpler and more efficient. The platform provides a user-friendly experience to streamline HR tasks, ideal for companies expanding their workforce across borders.

What are the Key Features of Oyster HR?

What are the Benefits of Using Oyster HR?

Using Oyster HR has several benefits that make managing a global workforce easier. I will list some key advantages of the platform below.

These features make Oyster HR an invaluable tool for managing a diverse, global workforce.

Working with Oyster HR

Working with Oyster HR gives businesses the tools to manage remote teams efficiently. Support options and flexibility through various integrations make it a practical choice for remote operations.

Customer and Technical Support

Oyster HR offers a solid level of customer and technical support, which is crucial for smooth operations. Their Customer Success team is available to assist you with any challenges. This includes help with setup, troubleshooting issues, and ongoing support queries. Many users also commend their professional communication.

Some users note that Oyster HR’s general support staff is not always equipped with the knowledge and insights to resolve support requests swiftly and accurately. Delays are common when support requests have to be escalated to customer service managers or other experts.

Integrations and Extensibility

Oyster HR is designed to work well with other tools. Integrations with popular platforms make it seamless to add automation to various tasks. This helps in managing different roles and workflows without much manual intervention.

They support various integrations, from payroll to performance management systems. This flexibility is essential for maintaining efficient operations in a remote working environment. Their platform’s extensibility allows businesses to tailor solutions to their specific needs, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks and increasing overall productivity.

Oyster HR Pricing

Oyster offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing for various global employment needs, ensuring compliance and competitiveness. Its structured pricing plans and the range of services included demonstrate cost-effectiveness and value.

Oyster’s pricing varies depending on the services chosen. Below is a breakdown of the main pricing plans:

Contractor services allow onboarding and managing contractors for $29 monthly after an initial free trial. EOR starts at $599 per employee per month if paid annually. The Scale plan offers reduced rates for hiring more than five full-time employees. Each plan includes payroll, compliance, and onboarding tasks, adding value.

Add-ons

Oyster HR also offers various paid add-ons to users, including pre-created benefits packages, access to salary bands for 130+ countries, and visa sponsorship. While potentially useful, other major EOR providers don’t exclude such services from their standard packages. This undermines the platform’s claim to transparent pricing. Costs for these add-ons are only visible after subscribing to one of its services.

User Data Security and Compliance

When it comes to User Data Security, I prioritize safeguarding sensitive information. Oyster HR implements encrypted data storage to protect user data from unauthorized access.

Compliance is a major focus. Oyster HR strictly follows GDPR guidelines, ensuring all user data is handled according to European Union standards. This includes obtaining explicit consent, minimizing data, and giving users the right to access or delete their data.

Regarding security deposits, Oyster HR uses secure, compliant methods to handle employee and employer deposits. These methods are regularly updated to maintain high-security standards.

Intellectual property protection is another key area. Oyster HR has robust measures to ensure that all corporate data and proprietary information remain secure. These include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits.

Compliance management is simplified through integrated tools that help monitor regulatory changes and updates. This ensures that all employees and processes adhere to the latest legal requirements.

Data security measures are:

• Encryption: Data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
• Access Controls: Strict access protocols to prevent unauthorized access.
• Regular Audits: Frequent security checks and audits to identify and fix vulnerabilities.

These robust security measures ensure user data remains safe and compliant with global standards.

Comparison with Other EOR Providers

Comparing what each can offer is essential when looking for an Employer of Record (EOR) provider. Here’s a quick comparison of Deel and other major EOR providers:

Each of these providers has unique strengths and pricing structures. When choosing the right EOR, consider your business priorities, such as cost, speed of onboarding, or specific feature needs.

Who do I Recommend Oyster HR to?

Oyster HR specializes in global employment solutions with a focus on fostering inclusive, diverse, and engaged distributed teams. The platform’s suitability varies based on a company’s commitment to remote work, global hiring strategies, and emphasis on employee experience. Let’s examine the ideal users for Oyster HR and situations where other options might be preferable.

Who do I recommend using Oyster HR to?

Oyster HR is particularly beneficial for remote-first companies, organizations committed to building diverse global teams, and businesses prioritizing employee wellbeing. Oyster HR excels in serving:

• Remote-First Organizations: Oyster HR’s platform is tailored for companies fully embracing the remote work model. Its features are designed to support the unique challenges of managing a distributed workforce, making it ideal for businesses committed to long-term remote operations.
• Companies Prioritizing Global Diversity: With its emphasis on enabling hiring from a broad range of countries, Oyster HR is well-suited for organizations looking to build truly diverse, global teams. The platform’s accessibility in numerous markets facilitates tapping into varied talent pools worldwide.
• Businesses Focused on Employee Experience: Oyster HR places significant emphasis on employee engagement and wellbeing. Its comprehensive onboarding tools, benefits administration, and cultural integration features make it an excellent choice for companies that view employee satisfaction as a key driver of success in a remote environment.

When to consider Oyster HR alternatives?

Alternative solutions to Oyster HR might be more appropriate if you require specialized regional expertise, advanced payroll functionalities, or are primarily focused on domestic hiring. Consider alternatives to Oyster HR in these scenarios:

• Rippling: If you need a platform that offers more extensive IT management features alongside HR and payroll services, especially for US-based employees.
• Gusto: For US-centric small businesses primarily seeking domestic payroll and HR solutions without significant international hiring needs.
• Papaya Global: If your organization requires more advanced global payroll capabilities and workforce analytics for strategic decision-making.
• Multiplier: For companies specifically targeting expansion in the Asia-Pacific region and requiring specialized local support in those markets.
• Deel: For companies needing more extensive support for freelancer and contractor management, especially in tech and creative industries.
• Atlas XHM: For mid-sized to large companies seeking a more comprehensive global workforce management solution with robust risk management features.

While Oyster HR offers a robust solution for many businesses looking to expand globally, it’s always wise to explore multiple options before deciding. If you’re interested in seeing how Oyster HR stacks up against other top employers of record, check out our comprehensive comparison of the best employers of record. Below, we’ve compared Deel to other providers to show how it measures up to the competition.

• Deel vs Oyster HR
• Oyster HR vs Remote
• Oyster HR vs Rippling
• Oyster HR vs Remofirst
• Oyster HR vs Horizons
• Oyster HR vs Atlas HXM
• Oyster HR vs Omnipresent
• Oyster HR vs Multiplier

Conclusion

Oyster HR offers a comprehensive solution for global hiring, particularly suited to remote-first organizations and companies looking to build diverse, globally distributed teams. Its user-friendly platform, smooth payroll process, and emphasis on employee wellbeing make it a strong choice for businesses focused on scaling internationally.

However, its higher pricing and limited analytics might deter smaller businesses or those needing more in-depth reporting. For organizations that require advanced payroll functionalities or region-specific expertise, alternatives such as Rippling, Deel, or Papaya Global may offer more specialized features. Overall, Oyster HR stands out for its commitment to fostering inclusive remote teams, but companies with simpler domestic needs or tighter budgets might find better value elsewhere. Exploring these alternatives can help ensure the best fit for your specific hiring and HR management goals.

Frequently Asked Questions