When choosing between Remote and Oyster, I’ve done the research. These platforms are making waves in HR, but each has strengths. Remote offers a straightforward approach, ideal for companies focused on compliance and simplicity.
On the other hand, Oyster comes with a broader set of features, targeting those who want more than just the basics.
As someone who’s navigated both platforms, I can say that the choice isn’t always clear-cut. It depends on your specific needs. Are you prioritizing cost? Flexibility? Or maybe it’s about scaling quickly?
This showdown isn’t just about who wins—it’s about finding the right EOR service provider for your business in 2024. Let’s examine what sets these two apart.
Remote
Oyster HR
Overview of Remote and Oyster HR
Let’s examine the specifics of both platforms to help you decide which is best for your business needs.
Overview of Remote
Remote was founded in 2019 and is based in San Francisco, California. The company specializes in providing global HR solutions, particularly for businesses that manage employees across various countries without establishing local entities. Remote operations operate in over 200 countries and offer payroll, tax compliance, benefits, and more services.
Remote supports almost all currencies, which simplifies things a lot. You can pay your employees in dollars or euros, and Remote will convert it into their local currency.
Also, they own more than 60 entities, which streamlines the process of onboarding and managing employees across different regions. By owning these entities, Remote can directly handle employment contracts, benefits administration, and compliance issues, reducing the need for third-party intermediaries. This means fast, consistent, and reliable service in the regions in which they own the entities.
Remote is valued at $3B+ as of August 2024.
Also, read our in-depth Remote review
Overview of Oyster HR
Oyster HR was established in 2020 and is headquartered in London, UK. Like Remote, Oyster HR is designed to help companies manage international teams, but it strongly emphasizes ethical employment practices and provides competitive local benefits.
They operate in over 180 countries, supporting global payroll, local compliance, and benefits management. They support more than 140 currencies, which is quite impressive.
They do not own many entities, so they rely on a network of local partners or third-party providers to ensure compliance and manage operations in various countries. This can provide flexibility, but it also means that the quality and speed of service might vary depending on the region.
In a recent Series D funding round, Oyster HR secured $59 million, led by Silver Lake Waterman, raising the company’s valuation to $1.2 billion and total funding to $286 million. This funding will enable Oyster to expand its product suite, improve compliance, and assist companies in attracting top talent. Oyster provides services such as global payroll and visa sponsorships to support borderless teams and aims to democratize access to global employment. With more than 40% of its team based in emerging markets, Oyster operates in over 180 countries, simplifying global hiring for its clients.
Also, read our in-depth Oyster HR review
| EOR | Remote | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2019 | 2020 |
| Countries Supported | 200+ | 180+ |
| Currencies Supported | In most countries | 140+ |
| Entities Owned | 60+ | A few |
| Valuation | $3B+ | $1.2B+ |
Comparing Key Services of Remote and Oyster HR
When comparing Remote and Oyster HR, we’re comparing two powerhouses in global employment services. Each offers unique benefits designed to simplify managing a distributed workforce.
Remote excels in payroll management, ensuring your team gets paid accurately and on time worldwide. They also handle all the complexities of tax and legal compliance, owning entities in over 60 countries to keep your operations smooth and compliant.
On the other hand, Oyster HR stands out with its global hiring platform, making finding and hiring talent anywhere effortless. Their local compliance support and benefits administration are tailored to meet diverse regional standards, ensuring your team is happy and legally covered, no matter where they are.
Both platforms offer robust HR tools to streamline employee management, but their special services differentiate them. They offer solutions from equity management to upskilling programs. Let’s take a deep dive into each of their features.
Key Services of Remote
Global Payroll Management
Remote takes care of paying your team, no matter where they are. They manage payroll for employees in multiple countries, handling everything from currency conversions to local tax deductions. You don’t have to worry about getting the details right—they do it for you.
Employee Benefits and Compliance
Whether you’re managing a smaller or larger company, offering benefits that make your employees happy is crucial. Remote helps you provide competitive packages tailored to each country’s standards. They ensure everything complies with local laws so you can focus on your business instead of navigating complex regulations.
Tax and Legal Compliance
Taxes and legalities can get complicated when you’re dealing with multiple countries. Remote handles this, too. They stay on top of each country’s tax codes and legal requirements, so you don’t have to. The best thing is that Remote owns 60+ entities and handles all aspects of employment directly through these entities. You’ll have peace of mind knowing your company is fully compliant everywhere.
HR Tools and Integrations
Remote’s HR tools make managing your team easier. They integrate with your existing systems, making it simple to track employee information, manage contracts, and keep everything organized in one place. Thus, you can focus on leading your team instead of getting bogged down by admin work.
Onboarding and Offboarding Processes
Bringing new employees on board can be time-consuming but Remote streamlines this process. They handle the paperwork and ensure every new hire gets up to speed quickly. When it’s time for someone to move on, Remote also takes care of the offboarding process so you can focus on finding the right replacement.
Key Services of Oyster HR
Global Hiring Platform
Oyster makes hiring across borders simple. You can find and onboard talent worldwide without worrying about the legal complexities. Their platform helps you manage everything from job postings to employment contracts, all in one place.
Local Compliance and Benefits Administration
Hiring in different countries means different rules. Oyster helps you navigate local compliance so you don’t miss a step. They also manage benefits, ensuring your team gets their deserved perks, regardless of location.
Payroll Management
Oyster simplifies payroll for your global team. They handle the calculations, payments, and tax withholdings, so you don’t have to. It’s all about ensuring your team gets paid on time and in the correct currency without any headaches.
Risk and Legal Compliance
When you hire globally, you face different risks. Oyster mitigates these risks by ensuring your company complies with local labor laws and regulations. They keep you informed and protected so you can focus on growing your business.
HR and Employee Management Tools
Oyster provides tools to help you manage your team efficiently. Everything is centralized in their platform, from tracking employee performance to managing contracts and payroll. You get to spend less time on administrative tasks and more on what matters—leading your team to success.
Special Services of Remote
One thing that stood out about Remote is its integrated equity management platform. If you’ve ever tried managing equity across different countries, you know it’s a nightmare. Remote simplifies it. They let you offer equity to employees worldwide without dealing with all the tax and legal headaches. For a growing company, that’s huge.
Then there’s the access to global talent hubs. Remote has built partnerships in various regions, making it easier to tap into new markets. If you’re expanding into Europe, Asia, or anywhere else, you can find qualified candidates without the usual hurdles. I found this particularly helpful when hiring quickly in multiple countries.
They also offer customizable benefits packages, meaning you can tailor benefits to fit local requirements and employee preferences. This flexibility allows your team to get what they need, no matter where they are.
Special Services of Oyster HR
Oyster HR offers a few unique features that impressed me. The first is their Oyster Academy. It’s a platform for upskilling employees, which I hadn’t seen from other EOR services. Investing in your team’s development is crucial, and Oyster HR makes it easy by offering courses that cater to different skill levels.
Oyster HR’s country-specific hiring guides are another standout. Understanding local labor laws and best practices is critical when hiring internationally. Oyster HR provides detailed guides for each country, helping you confidently navigate the complexities.
Moreover, Oyster HR automates the creation of contracts and other legal documents, ensuring they meet local standards. This eliminates much guesswork, especially when dealing with multiple countries and different regulations.
Here’s a comparison table:
| Service | Remote | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| Global Payroll Management | Manages global payroll, including tax and compliance | Simplifies payroll with automatic calculations and payments |
| Employee Benefits | Offers customizable benefits packages per country | Manages benefits, ensuring compliance with local laws |
| Compliance | Handles legal and tax compliance in 60+ countries | Ensures local compliance with automated legal documents |
| HR Tools | Provides tools for managing contracts and onboarding | Centralized platform for employee management and performance tracking |
| Onboarding/Offboarding | Streamlines onboarding and offboarding processes | Supports global hiring and smooth onboarding |
| Special Services | Integrated equity management and global talent hubs | Oyster Academy for upskilling and country-specific hiring guides |
Pricing and Plans
When it comes to pricing, both Remote and Oyster HR offer plans that can fit different business needs.
Remote keeps things straightforward. They have a clear pricing structure that scales with your business. You won’t find hidden fees, and It’s all laid out from the start.
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Services Included |
|---|---|---|
| Employer of Record | $599/employee (annual plan) | Full global payroll, compliance, local benefits, equity management, and onboarding |
| Global Payroll | $50/employee | Payroll management across multiple countries, tax compliance, local expert support |
| Contractor Management | $29/contractor | Onboarding and paying contractors globally, localized contracts, automated invoicing |
Oyster HR takes a slightly different approach. They offer flexible plans that can be tailored to your specific needs. This can be great if you’re looking for something more customized. However, it might take a bit more time to figure out the best fit for your business.
| Plan | Monthly Fee | Services Included |
|---|---|---|
| Employer of Record | $599/employee (annual plan) | Hire and manage full-time employees globally, including onboarding, payroll, and compliance |
| Global Payroll | $25/employee | Multi-country payroll management, payslip generation, HRIS integrations |
| Contractor Management | $29/contractor | Onboarding contractors in minutes, and the first 30 days are free |
Pros and Cons
Pros and cons of Remote
Pros
Cons
Pros and Cons of Oyster HR
Pros
Cons
Who is Remote Best For?
Remote is best suited for companies that want to offer equity to their employees and provide customizable benefits. If your business values giving employees a stake in the company, Remote makes that process straightforward.
They have an integrated equity management platform, a big plus if you aim to attract and retain top talent. Offering stock options can be a game-changer for startups looking to compete with larger companies.
Another strength of Remote is how well it fits with tech-savvy, remote-first operations. Their platform feels modern and easy to navigate, which is important when managing a global workforce. Their tools are designed to streamline complex processes, and it shows. If you’re dealing with different countries’ laws and regulations, Remote excels at compliance support. They’ve got your back regarding staying on the right side of global employment laws.
Who is Oyster HR Best For?
Oyster HR is ideal for companies that need detailed guidance on international hiring. They provide comprehensive resources that cover everything from country-specific hiring practices to detailed legal compliance. They also offer country guides, which are incredibly helpful for expanding into new markets. For instance, understanding local labor laws can save you from costly mistakes.
Oyster HR also shines in employee training and development. They offer the Oyster Academy, which provides training programs for your team. This is a great resource if you’re focused on growing your employees’ skills.
Support Type and Quality
| EOR | Remote | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Live Online Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes |
Support can make or break your experience with a service. Let’s start with Remote. They offer multiple channels: chat, email, and phone. You can reach out anytime, which is quite helpful when needed. Also, the opinions are generally good when you look into their user reviews. Most users rave about quick responses and knowledgeable staff, although others have faced delays and less-than-ideal communication.
On the other hand, Oyster HR also covers the basics of chat, email, and phone support. Support ratings are slightly lower than Remote’s, with many customers highlighting the slow turnaround times. That is probably because Oyster HR outsources the support to its partners in countries where they don’t have their entities.
Top Industries That Use Them
When it comes to industries that frequently use Remote and Oyster HR, tech and IT companies are at the forefront. These platforms are particularly popular among companies that need to manage remote teams across various countries without establishing a physical presence.
Remote is widely used by startups and tech-heavy companies that require streamlined HR processes for hiring, managing, and paying employees globally. It’s especially beneficial for companies in industries like software development, cybersecurity, and digital marketing, where remote work is common and the need for global talent is high.
On the other hand, Oyster HR is favored by small to medium-sized businesses that are scaling up and entering new markets. Industries such as e-commerce, fintech, and digital services are drawn to Oyster HR’s focus on local compliance and benefits management. The platform’s emphasis on providing detailed hiring guides and compliance insights makes it an attractive option for businesses that are newer to international hiring but want to ensure they do it right.
Score on Trusted Review Platforms
| EOR | Remote | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| G2 – score (reviews number) | 4.5 (1811) | 4.5 (640) |
| Trustpilot – score (reviews number) | 4.7 (1492) | 4.5 (160) |
| Capterra – score (reviews number) | 4.7 (44) | 4.5 (68) |
I’ve tried Remote and Oyster HR, but to ensure an unbiased review, I also checked trusted platforms for user feedback and gathered insights from other users with hands-on experience with both services. This approach ensures you get a well-rounded perspective based on my experience and a broader range of user reviews and ratings.
Alternative EOR Providers to Have in Mind
If you’re exploring alternatives to Remote and Oyster HR, a few other EOR services are worth considering: Multiplier, Papaya Global, and Deel. Here’s a quick look at each:
Multiplier
- Overview: Multiplier is designed to simplify international hiring by offering an all-in-one payroll, compliance, and benefits platform.
- Key Features: It covers over 150 countries, provides seamless contract management, and integrates with popular HR systems.
- Best For: Companies looking for an easy-to-use platform with straightforward pricing and strong local compliance support.
Read our in-depth comparison and analysis of Multiplier vs Remote.
Papaya Global
- Overview: Papaya Global offers a comprehensive workforce management platform that handles payroll, payments, and workforce analytics.
- Key Features: It stands out with its advanced automation capabilities and strong analytics, making it easy to manage global teams.
- Best For: Businesses that need in-depth payroll management and analytics for large, diverse teams across multiple countries.
Read our in-depth comparison and analysis of Remote vs Papaya Global.
Deel
- Overview: Deel is another popular EOR service that simplifies international hiring with a focus on speed and ease of use.
- Key Features: It offers instant contracts, flexible payment options, and compliance support in over 150 countries.
- Best for: Startups and small—to mid-sized businesses that need a fast, scalable solution for hiring remote talent globally.
Read our in-depth comparison and analysis of Deel vs Remote.
Each of these platforms brings something unique to the table. Whether you prioritize ease of use, advanced features, or broad geographic coverage, there’s likely an option that fits your needs.
A Summary of Remote and Oyster HR
Each of these platforms offers unique strengths that cater to different business needs. Remote is straightforward, with a strong focus on global payroll and compliance. It’s the go-to for companies that prioritize simplicity and reliability.
Oyster HR, on the other hand, goes beyond the basics. It offers a broader range of HR management features and is ideal for businesses looking to scale while strongly emphasizing local compliance and employee benefits.
Choosing the right EOR platform is about understanding your business needs and how these platforms can meet them. There’s much to consider whether you’re focused on cost, flexibility, or growth. Below is a quick comparison of the key aspects of Remote and Oyster HR:
| Feature | Remote | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| Global Payroll | Comprehensive payroll management worldwide | Streamlined payroll with automated processes |
| HR Management | Strong focus on compliance and simplicity | Extensive features with an emphasis on local compliance |
| Pricing | Transparent, with scalable options | Flexible pricing, competitive for growing businesses |
| Coverage | Operates in 200+ countries | Covers 180+ countries with strong local partnerships |
Conclusion
After examining Remote and Oyster HR, I’ve reached a few clear conclusions. Remote excels if you need a solid, dependable payroll system that handles the complexities of global teams. It’s straightforward and gets the job done, especially if your focus is on tech or other remote-first industries. On the other hand, Oyster HR shines in terms of local compliance and employee training. If you’re navigating different legal systems and want robust support, Oyster might be your better bet.
For startups and tech-heavy companies, Remote’s simplicity might be precisely what you need to hit the ground running. But if your business is scaling and you’re looking for a cost-effective solution, Oyster’s services could save you a lot of headaches. Ultimately, the choice comes down to what your business needs most. Both have strengths, so it’s about matching those to your current priorities.