Oyster HR vs Square Payroll

Oyster HR specializes in Employer of Record services across 120 countries, mitigating legal risk. It provides built-in HR and payroll compliance across 180+ regions globally. This means you skip the headache of establishing your own expensive local legal entities. Oyster HR handles all required IP assignment and confidentiality agreements for global staff. Square Payroll provides automated federal and state tax payments and filings within limited regions. It automatically handles W-2 and 1099-NEC preparation for US compliance. Square Payroll excels at accurately handling complex US multi-state payroll calculations. The core decision hinges on scale: Oyster HR solves international hiring problems for rapid expansion. Square Payroll simplifies domestic compliance for small businesses that operate locally. You pay a premium with Oyster HR for guaranteed safety when crossing international borders.

Oyster HR lets you hire full-time employees in 120+ countries without entity setup. You can onboard crucial talent compliantly in as fast as 48 hours. This EOR feature is Oyster HR's defining competitive edge for rapid, compliant global expansion. Square Payroll does not offer an Employer of Record service outside those specialized regions it supports. It is a traditional payroll processor focused on W-2 employees and 1099 US tax compliance. Square Payroll is strictly limited to traditional employer/employee relationships within specific local markets. If hiring outside the US is a necessity, Square Payroll simply cannot provide the required compliance framework. Oyster HR is practically mandatory for legally scaling a global team.

Oyster HR states it integrates with your existing HR technology stack for combined workflows. Specific partner names are not highlighted, implying standard API or data export compatibility. The focus is on consolidating complex multi-country payroll management workflows. Square Payroll seamlessly integrates all your timecards, tips, and commissions from Square POS tools. This integration makes payroll accurate and fast for retail and service businesses. Automatic data sync happens quickly right from your Square Dashboard. Square Payroll wins for ease of use if you are heavily invested in the Square ecosystem for operations. Oyster HR assumes you have a separate established international HR tech stack already in place.

Oyster HR EOR service costs $699 per employee per month, a substantial recurring investment. Its contractor plan is $29 per seat monthly, suitable for managing volume instantly. This comprehensive pricing reflects the high value of global compliance assurance. Square Payroll is significantly cheaper, utilizing a base fee of $35 plus $6 per person for full service. The Contractor-only plan is only $6 per person, ideal for lean budgets. Square’s pricing is clear and designed for US small business affordability. If you only pay US-based employees and contractors, Square Payroll provides vastly better value. Oyster HR costs are only justified by the significant EOR risk mitigation needed for global teams.

Oyster HR manages international contractors compliantly across 180+ countries globally. It allows payment in 140+ currencies and provides legally compliant contract generation. This is crucial for distributing payment worldwide seamlessly. Square Payroll offers a $6 per person contractor-only plan with digital 1099 filing and unlimited pay runs. It provides flexible payment options like Instant Deposit via Cash App for rapid payments. Square Payroll simplifies 1099 contractor payments for local businesses efficiently. Oyster HR is the necessary tool for global contractors paid in varied currencies. Square Payroll is the streamlined, affordable choice for US-based 1099 workers needing tax forms.

Square Payroll is built to handle complex payroll across multiple US states and localities easily. The system ensures correct tax calculations, including unemployment tax, for remote employees. This specialized focus simplifies compliance for US businesses with distributed teams. Oyster HR bypasses tricky multi-state issues by acting as the EOR in various countries worldwide. Its compliance focus is international, supporting rules in 180+ jurisdictions. Oyster HR’s compliance is broad but not optimized for niche US multistate differences. For US-only businesses with employees in different states, Square Payroll provides an automated, specialized, and accurate solution. Don't pay EOR prices for domestic tax issues.

Oyster HR offers ready-made, localized benefits packages tailored to specific global markets. This requires zero legal research or time-consuming setup by the employer. These competitive, quick packages help attract and retain international talent globally. Square Payroll offers optional add-ons like health insurance (medical, dental, vision) and 401(k) plans. These services are integrated but are primarily standard US-focused benefits solutions. Offering benefits syncs automatically with payroll deductions in Square Payroll. Oyster HR provides the compliant international benefits solution right out of the box for global scaling. Square Payroll allows you to add compliant, but optional, benefits for your local staff.