Oyster HR

Oyster HR

Your global employment needs, all in one trusted place.

#4 dans Payroll
1 min read Β· Updated 10/3/2025
Oyster HR homepage screenshot

At a glance

Quick overview for Oyster HR: rating, pricing summary, key features, and highlights.

Ciroapp review

4.5
Global EOR and payroll made simple.

We find Oyster HR to be a powerful, centralized solution for managing distributed teams globally, backed by strong client satisfaction. It offers competitive EOR services and essential contractor management tools to ensure full compliance worldwide. Overall, we recommend Oyster highly for companies needing fast, compliant global scaling with excellent support.

Pros

  • Pro:Exceptionally quick and smooth employee onboarding processes (as fast as 48 hours).
  • Pro:Comprehensive Employer of Record (EOR) service available in 120+ countries.
  • Pro:The platform interface is consistently described as user-friendly and streamlined.
  • Pro:Highly responsive and polite customer support team, often handling queries quickly.

Cons

  • Con:The EOR plan is high-priced at $699 per employee/month.
  • Con:Some users experience delays in support response times due to global time zone differences.
  • Con:Benefits packages for lower-tier employees have received negative feedback.
  • Con:Clients need time to adapt to the required 'prefund' invoicing system.
Free trial
Yes β€” 30 days
Range: $29–$699/monthFree trial, Monthly subscription, Yearly subscription, Per seat pricing
This section is a summary. Detailed sections about features, use cases, pricing, and reviews follow below.

Oyster HR review, pricing, features, pros & cons

Expanding globally can feel daunting when dealing with complex compliance and legal pitfalls. Oyster HR removes this stress for HR leaders and founders. It’s an easy-to-use platform that handles global payroll, compliance, and full-time employment.

You can hire the best talent globally in 180+ countries without opening local offices. ✨

What is Oyster HR?

Oyster is an all-in-one trusted platform for global employment. It helps you build distributed teams worldwide efficiently and ethically. The platform offers essential Employer of Record (EOR) services and consolidated multi-country payroll management.

Oyster helps you hire full-time staff and contractors compliantly across the globe. You also get supportive employment experts offering guidance every step of the way. πŸ’‘

Oyster HR Key Features

✨ Rapid Global Hiring via Employer of Record (EOR) Services

You can hire the best talent globally fast without facing complex legal obstacles. Oyster acts as your certified Employer of Record (EOR), removing the need for local office or legal setup. This streamlined process lets you onboard international full-time employees quickly and compliantly. πŸš€

When you find the perfect candidate, we handle the hard work. You can onboard talent in as fast as 48 hours using our system. Skip months of company setup and entity registration, allowing you to build your distributed team efficiently and ethically. We make it easy to grow your team anywhere in the world.

✨ Built-In Global Compliance and Risk Mitigation

Total legal safety is guaranteed, giving founders and HR leaders peace of mind. Oyster provides built-in HR and payroll compliance across more than 180 countries. This ensures you avoid significant legal risks related to international employment.

You do not need to establish an expensive or complex local legal entity. The platform handles all essential compliance needs, from taxes to vital employee paperwork. We also help reduce risk by providing necessary confidentiality and IP assignment agreements for your full-time staff.

✨ Consolidated Multi-Country Payroll Management

Consolidate and automate payroll across dozens of markets using one platform. This service is designed for companies that need to manage multi-country payments efficiently. The system automates crucial calculations and complex workflows, making payroll easy to run.

We provide critical support through local payroll experts who offer guidance and help generate reports whenever you need them. You can run payroll in over 140 currencies, ensuring your global team is paid accurately and on time.

✨ Simplified International Contractor Management

Managing your international contractors should be simple and legally sound. Oyster guarantees compliant contracts and efficient management for your entire contractual workforce. You can onboard new contractors in minutes, simplifying your rapid scaling process.

The contractor tools ensure payment and administration remain compliant and centralized:

  • Create compliant contracts valid in 180+ countries.
  • Pay invoices seamlessly in over 140 currencies.
  • Manage time off and team expenses effectively.

✨ Localized Benefits for Talent Retention

Offer competitive, meaningful benefits packages designed to attract and keep top talent globally. Oyster provides ready-made benefits tailored specifically to each local market. This means you do not need to spend time on legal review or extensive local research.

By offering localized benefits and supportive programs, you help your team feel valued wherever they live. This strong support encourages higher retention rates and strengthens the commitment of your best people.

✨ Expert Guidance and Seamless HR Integration

You don’t have to handle global employment laws alone. You can lean on employment experts who understand local employment laws, tax rules, and hiring norms in every country. This expert guidance is available every step of the way, from drafting compliant contracts to setting up international benefits.

Our platform integrates easily with your existing HR technology stack. This allows you to onboard all team membersβ€”full-time or contractorβ€”in days, not months, without switching tools. You also get access to valuable tools like the Employment Cost Calculator to help plan your global hiring budget.

Use Cases

✨ Hiring a Full-Time Employee Abroad Quickly

You’ve found a brilliant new team member in a country where you lack a local presence. Using Oyster's Employer of Record (EOR) service removes the complex legal barrier. You can onboard this crucial full-time employee compliantly in as fast as 48 hours. This allows you to skip months of entity setup and focus immediately on growth.

Oyster ensures critical agreements like IP assignment and confidentiality are automatically compliant. You receive guidance from global HR experts throughout the process. This speed enables you to hire the world's best talent faster than your competitors.

🀝 Onboarding and Managing International Contractors

Managing international freelancers must be done compliantly to avoid misclassification risk. Oyster makes working with contractors easy and legally protected in over 180 countries. You can quickly generate compliant contracts and onboard new contractors in just minutes.

Once they are onboarded, the platform centralizes management tasks. You can manage expenses, track critical time off, and pay invoices efficiently in 140+ currencies. This system saves significant administrative time, enabling scale.

πŸ’° Consolidating Multi-Country Payroll Workflows

If you already have established entities but use fragmented systems, Oyster’s Global Payroll plan streamlines operations. You can automate and manage all multi-country payroll processes from a single unified platform. The system handles complex calculations and workflows in 30+ countries.

Local payroll experts are available to provide guidance and support, ensuring total accuracy. You can generate payslips and reports easily, and the platform integrates with your existing tech stack.

πŸ’– Attracting and Retaining Global Talent with Localized Benefits

To keep your best people happy, you need to offer competitive and culturally relevant benefits. Researching localized packages and ensuring legal compliance can be costly and slow. Oyster provides ready-made benefit packages tailored to each market globally.

There is no legal review or extensive research required from your team. Offering this meaningful local support helps your team feel valued. This strategy is key to reducing turnover and driving business growth.

πŸ›‘οΈ Mitigating Legal Risks During Global Expansion

Growing into new territories exposes your business to complex employment laws and tax rules in 180+ countries. Oyster helps you avoid significant legal risks entirely by acting as your EOR. You do not need to set up a local legal entity of your own anywhere.

Oyster integrates built-in HR and payroll compliance across all supported countries. You lean on employment experts who understand specific local tax rules and hiring norms, guaranteeing peace of mind.

πŸ“ˆ Streamlining Bulk EOR Hiring for Scale

When you anticipate rapid, high-volume growth, planning ahead is wise. Companies hiring three or more full-time EOR employees annually should choose the Scale plan. This tier provides advanced financial efficiency, including reduced annual rates per seat.

It enables speedy bulk onboarding and offers the flexibility to reuse seats at no extra cost. Customers also gain access to a dedicated account manager, ensuring complex growth cycles are supported by robust expertise.

Pricing Overview for Oyster HR

Pricing range
$29–$699/month
Pricing types
Free trial, Monthly subscription, Yearly subscription, Per seat pricing

Oyster HR offers four tiered plans for global employment, priced per active team member or contractor typically on a monthly basis. Costs range from $29 per seat up to $699 per seat for the comprehensive Employer of Record service.

Plans & Pricing

Contractor

Monthly$29
Priced per contractor/month
  • Free for 30 days
  • Generate compliant contracts in 180+ countries
  • Onboard contractors in minutes
  • Pay invoices in 140+ currencies
  • Manage expenses, time off, and more

Global Payroll

Monthly$29
Priced starting per employee/month
  • Run multi-country payroll from one platform
  • Automate payroll calculations and workflows
  • Receive support from local payroll experts
  • Generate payslips and reports
  • Integrate payroll with your tech stack

Employer of Record

Monthly$699
Yearly$699
Priced per employee/month. Annual subscription saves $1200 USD year.
  • Hire full-timers compliantly in 120+ countries
  • Onboard talent in as fast as 48 hours
  • Run payroll in 140+ currencies
  • Receive guidance from global HR experts
  • Reduce risk with confidentiality and IP assignment agreements

Scale

Contact for pricing
Volume requirement: 3+ EOR hires annually
  • Annual plan for 3+ EOR hires
  • Enjoy reduced annual rates
  • Reuse seats at no extra cost
  • Benefit from speedy bulk onboarding
  • Access dedicated account manager, robust customer support, and success resources

Oyster HR costs between USD 29 and USD 699 per month with four plans: Contractor starting at USD 29/month, Global Payroll starting at USD 29/month, Employer of Record at USD 699/month, and Scale with custom pricing. Here are the details for each tier to help you determine the best fit for your global employment needs.

Contractor

Price: Free for 30 days, then USD 29 per contractor/month Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Hire, pay, and manage contractors Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features: Generate compliant contracts in 180+ countries, Onboard contractors in minutes, Pay invoices in 140+ currencies, Manage expenses, time off, and more

If you are primarily focused on engaging international freelancers, this plan is perfect. You get essential compliance tools and quick onboarding, allowing you to pay your global workforce efficiently. The 30-day free trial lets you test out the full platform risk-free.

Global Payroll

Price: Starting at USD 29 per employee/month Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Pay your direct employees Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features: Run multi-country payroll from one platform, Automate payroll calculations and workflows, Receive support from local payroll experts, Generate payslips and reports, Integrate payroll with your tech stack

This plan is designed for companies that already have established entities but need to consolidate and automate their multi-country payroll. Starting at a low monthly rate, you benefit from local expertise and reporting, ensuring total compliance across all payroll processes.

Employer of Record

Price: USD 699 per employee/month (billed annually or monthly) Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Hire, pay, and manage full-timers Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features: Hire full-timers compliantly in 120+ countries, Onboard talent in as fast as 48 hours, Run payroll in 140+ currencies, Reduce risk with confidentiality and IP assignment agreements, Receive guidance from global HR experts

This EOR plan is your all-in-one solution for quickly hiring full-time employees without setting up local entities. It includes everything needed to manage global personnel, from rapid onboarding to vital risk mitigation. Customers often choose this popular plan when prioritizing speed and comprehensive compliance protection.

Scale

Price: Custom pricing Websites Supported: Not explicitly stated Best For: Annual plan for 3+ EOR hires Refund Policy: Not explicitly stated Other Features: Enjoy reduced annual rates, Reuse seats at no extra cost, Benefit from speedy bulk onboarding, Access dedicated account manager and robust support

If you are consistently growing and plan to hire three or more full-time EOR employees annually, the Scale plan offers valuable volume discounts. This tier provides advanced support and financial benefits, including the flexibility to reuse seats, which is great for high-volume recruitment cycles.

It is totally free to create an account and explore the platform's global HR tools and resources. Oyster offers a free 30-day trial specifically for the Contractor plan, letting you test out the service before deciding. Oyster does not charge any setup or cancellation fees, although a refundable security deposit is typically required to initiate the engagement. 🌐

User Reviews

Oyster HR maintains an impressive 4.4/5 rating on Trustpilot across hundreds of reviews, highlighting strong user satisfaction with its global employment platform. A clear recurring theme is the exceptional customer support; users frequently note the team is helpful, polite, and responsive, often addressing queries quickly.

Customers repeatedly praise the smooth and fast onboarding process, sometimes citing completion in just a few days. The system itself is consistently described as very user friendly, clear, and streamlined, making global compliance feel less complex.

However, balancing this positive feedback, a few users expressed concern about the quality of localized benefit packages offered to lower-tier employees. Another minor drawback mentioned is that communication responsiveness can sometimes be delayed due to differences in international time zones.

Overall, users find Oyster to be a reliable and professional service for hiring and paying international staff 🌎.

What users say elsewhere

Alex D.
Β· Trustpilot
5.0 / 5

Support was quick for me, always polite and patient. They answered all my questions within a day usually. The experience seems very good so far.

Milo B.
Β· Trustpilot
5.0 / 5

I've been using Oyster for over a year and it's really good and easy to use. The platform is clear, and the staff is always available to answer any questions.

No reviews yet.

Write a Review

Write a Review for Oyster HR
0/100 characters
0/2000 characters

Why use Oyster HR?

Scaling your workforce fast requires simplifying global complexity and ensuring total legal safety. Oyster is built for high growth and guarantees peace of mind. This platform helps you hire, pay, and support your global team compliantly. βœ…

  • Hire talent faster by skipping complex legal setup. You can onboard full-time people globally in as little as 48 hours.
  • Run compliant multi-country payroll automatically in 30+ countries. You receive guidance from local payroll experts.
  • Avoid significant legal risks with built-in HR and payroll compliance across 180+ countries. No local legal entity is required.
  • Attract and keep great people by offering meaningul localized benefits packages. These are ready-made and require no research or legal review.
  • Manage all payments and agreements for international contractors efficiently. Oyster keeps these critical arrangements compliant.
  • Onboard all team members in days, not months, using a system that integrates easily with your existing HR stack.

Ready to transform your workflow with Oyster HR?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which specific plan includes the 30-day risk-free trial?

The 30-day free trial is available for the Contractor plan only, letting you test essential payment and compliance tools. You are free to create an account anytime to explore the general platform and global HR tools.

Is there a minimum number of employees or a contract commitment required to start?

No, you don't need a minimum commitment for team members. The Oyster fee is charged monthly per active Team Member or contractor, allowing you to scale your usage exactly as needed.

How does Oyster handle setup costs or fees if we decide to cancel service?

Oyster does not charge any setup fees or cancellation fees. However, when you initiate a new engagement, a refundable security deposit is required.

What payment methods and currencies does Oyster accept?

Oyster accepts wire transfers and direct debits, including ACH for USD, BACS for GBP, and SEPA for EUR. Currently, payments are only accepted in USD, EUR, or GBP.

Will I be charged a fee for currency conversion when processing global payments?

Yes, Oyster does charge a fee for currency conversions. This fee only applies if you pay Oyster using a currency that is different from the currency listed in your contract.

What is the key difference between the standard EOR plan ($699/month) and the Scale package?

The Scale plan is designed for volume needs; it offers custom pricing and reusable seats for companies hiring three or more EOR team members annually. It also includes reduced annual rates and a dedicated account manager.

Can I switch an existing EOR employee from monthly billing to the discounted annual subscription?

Yes, it is possible to migrate an existing monthly EOR hire to the annual subscription rate. To start this process, you need to reach out directly to your Account Manager or submit a request to the Help Center.

Does my compliance coverage (180+ countries) mean I can use EOR services everywhere?

No. While Oyster provides compliance and contract generation in over 180 countries, the full Employer of Record (EOR) service is specifically available for hiring full-time staff in 120+ countries.

What kind of systems are included when Oyster says it 'integrates with your existing HR stack'?

Oyster states generally that it integrates with your existing HR stack, especially for consolidating payroll workflows. Specific partner names or integration types (e.g., API, webhook) are not explicitly listed on the official site.

How quickly can I onboard a new full-time EOR employee?

Using the Employer of Record service, you can onboard new full-time talent very quickly. Oyster states that this process can be completed in as fast as 48 hours.

Where can I find details about Oyster's data security protocols or certifications (like SOC 2)?

Not explicitly stated on the official site. Oyster heavily emphasizes built-in compliance and legal risk reduction, but specific public security certifications are not detailed in the provided content.

Does Oyster guarantee support response times for customers?

Not explicitly stated on the official site. While client reviews repeatedly praise the support team as highly responsive and quick, a formal Service Level Agreement (SLA) is not published in the provided content.

Ready to try Oyster HR? Check out the official site or pricing.