Oyster is a well-established, distributed-first employer of record with generous programs for startups, nonprofits and refugees, and its pricing page is open about its deposit and currency-conversion terms. The headline rate is among the higher ones in the market, and a refundable deposit plus optional add-ons mean the cash you put in early is more than the monthly fee. It suits teams that value Oyster’s mission and ecosystem. Teams watching early-stage cash flow will often find that Gloroots delivers the same core service from a much lower starting price.
Some pricing pages read like a brochure. Oyster’s reads more like a conversation: it tells you the headline rate, then explains the deposit, the currency-conversion fee and the discount programs you might qualify for. That level of detail makes it easier to be a well-informed buyer.
This guide turns that detail into a practical picture. You will see what each Oyster product costs, what the fee includes, how Oyster compares with five other providers on price and G2 rating, and which costs sit outside the headline.
Gloroots EOR
Lower starting price, same compliance. EOR from $199 per employee.
What Is Oyster?
Oyster, also known as OysterHR, is a global employment platform for hiring employees through employer of record and engaging contractors in 180+ countries. It positions itself around distributed teams and offers specialist support through its local experts.
Oyster’s EOR covers compliant employment in 120+ countries and multi-country payroll in 120+ currencies. On G2 it holds a 4.4 rating.
How Much Does Oyster Cost at a Glance?
What Oyster publishes on its pricing page.
| Product | Starting price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Employer of Record (EOR) | $699 per employee per month | Compliant employment in 120+ countries, payroll in 120+ currencies, onboarding and offboarding specialists |
| Global Contractors | Free for 30 days, then $29 per contractor per month | Contracts in 180+ countries, payments in 120+ currencies, misclassification analyzer |
| People Partner Services | $300 per hour | Expert HR guidance by the hour |
Annual discounts on EOR are available. Oyster also lists programs such as Oyster for Startups, which it says can save up to $1,200 on EOR fees.
Global EOR Pricing Comparison: Oyster vs Top Competitors
Oyster’s $699 rate is the highest among the providers below. Here is how that looks beside five alternatives.
| Provider | Starting EOR price | Key features | G2 rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oyster | From $699 per employee per month | EOR, contractors in 180+ countries, 120+ payout currencies, misclassification analyzer | 4.4 |
| Gloroots | From $199 per employee per month | Local contracts, payroll, benefits and compliance; 3–5 working day onboarding; 24/7 support for employers and employees; crypto pay-ins | 4.9 |
| Deel | From $599 per employee per month | Own-entity payroll, EOR, contractors, Contractor of Record, US PEO, HR and IT tools | 4.7 |
| Remote | From $599 per employee per month (annual contract) | EOR, global payroll, contractor management, Contractor of Record, US PEO; Remote FX rate locked per cycle | 4.5 |
| Pebl (formerly Velocity Global) | From $399 per employee per month | EOR, global payroll, benefits, immigration support and AI guidance | 4.6 |
| Plane | From $499 per employee per month | Free HRIS, US payroll, contractors in 240+ countries, EOR, Plane Agent included | 4.6 |
Oyster’s published rate is at the high end of the range, but its discount programs may lower it for eligible teams.
Oyster Pricing Breakdown
Oyster’s pricing has a few moving parts. This is how they fit together.
EOR: $699 per employee per month
The EOR fee covers compliant employment, payroll, automated expenses, time off and reporting, plus onboarding and offboarding specialists.
- Coverage: 120+ countries
- Annual discounts available
- Refundable deposit required to start an engagement
The refundable deposit
Oyster requires a refundable deposit for EOR team members to start an engagement and to help ensure on-time payments. It is returned, but it is real cash out at the start of each hire.
Global Contractors: free for 30 days, then $29
Contractors get instant contracts in 180+ countries, payments in 120+ currencies, in-app identity verification and invoice management. The first 30 days are free, which is a good way to test the workflow.
Add-ons and special programs
Benefits packages, visa sponsorship, salary insights and Oyster Shell, a misclassification protection product covering up to $500,000, are optional extras. Oyster also runs programs for startups, nonprofits, B-corps and refugees, with discounts or reduced costs for eligible organisations.
What Oyster Costs Over a Year for a Growing Team
To make the starting rate concrete, here is the annual service fee at Oyster’s published $699 per employee per month next to Gloroots’ $199. It counts the platform fee only, before salaries, statutory contributions and any add-ons, which are extra at every provider.
| Team size | Oyster (service fees) | Gloroots (service fees) | Yearly difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 employee | $8,388 | $2,388 | $6,000 |
| 5 employees | $41,940 | $11,940 | $30,000 |
| 10 employees | $83,880 | $23,880 | $60,000 |
| 25 employees | $209,700 | $59,700 | $150,000 |
What Does Oyster Pricing Include?
Oyster says it does not add extra charges for essentials such as setup and onboarding.
Included in the quoted price
- Compliant employment and payroll in the selected country
- Automated expenses, time off and reporting
- Onboarding and offboarding specialists
- End-to-end support by local experts
- Contractor contracts and payments in 120+ currencies
Not included, or quoted separately
- Refundable deposit for each EOR team member
- Currency-conversion fee when you pay in a currency other than the contract currency
- Benefits packages and visa sponsorship
- Misclassification protection through Oyster Shell
- Salaries and employer contributions
Hidden Costs to Consider When Choosing an EOR Provider
Oyster is upfront about most of its extras. These are the ones to model before you commit.
Refundable deposit
A refundable deposit is not a cost in the end, but it is cash tied up for the life of the engagement. Ask how it is sized and how quickly it is returned.
Currency conversion
Oyster charges a conversion fee only when you pay in a currency different from the contract currency. If you can fund in the contract currency, you can avoid it.
Add-on stacking
Benefits, visa support and misclassification protection are each priced separately. Together they can raise the monthly cost per person well above $699.
Hourly expert support
People Partner Services at $300 per hour are optional, but teams that rely on them for policy work should budget for it.
See our guides on employer of record cost and hidden EOR fees for more questions to ask.
Is Oyster Pricing Really Worth It?
Oyster is worth its price if its ecosystem suits you: eligible startups, nonprofits and refugee-focused organisations get real discounts, and the local-expert support model is well regarded. A 4.4 G2 rating is solid, if not the highest in the field.
If you are a growth-stage company without a qualifying program, the $699 starting rate and refundable deposit raise your cost of entry. Compare the all-in cost for your first three hires before deciding; a provider with a $199 starting rate can change that maths quickly.
Which EOR Provider Offers the Best Value for Your Business?
Strong value means competitive pricing, quick onboarding and support that responds. Oyster delivers on some of those. This is how it compares with Gloroots.
| What to weigh | Oyster | Gloroots |
|---|---|---|
| Starting EOR price | From $699 per employee per month | From $199 per employee per month |
| Countries covered | 120+ (EOR) | 150+ |
| Upfront cash needed | Refundable deposit per EOR team member | Add-ons agreed up front |
| G2 rating | 4.4 | 4.9 |
One platform as you grow
Employees, contractors, payroll and recruiting sit in one place, and crypto pay-ins are supported for teams that move money that way. You can start with one hire and add markets, contractors and payroll without changing vendors.
Pricing you can plan around
Gloroots lists employer of record from $199 per employee per month, contractor of record from $99 and contractor payments from $29, and you only pay for contractors who are active. Because the headline number is low and the add-ons are agreed in advance, the figure on your proposal is much closer to the figure on your invoice.
Fast, compliant hiring without an entity
Gloroots becomes the legal employer in 150+ countries and prepares localized agreements, payroll, statutory contributions and compliance documents so a new hire can start in three to five working days. You pick the person; Gloroots handles the paperwork.
Gloroots EOR
Start hiring for less. See Gloroots EOR pricing.
Conclusion: Weigh the Whole First Month, Not Just the Fee
Oyster brings credibility, a clear pricing page and thoughtful programs for mission-driven organisations. Its rate is high, and deposits and add-ons make the first month’s outlay larger than the sticker price.
If those programs apply to you, Oyster deserves a place on the shortlist. If not, run the numbers against a lower-priced provider before committing. See our list of Oyster alternatives, or read Oyster reviews for the customer view.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Oyster cost per employee?
Oyster’s EOR is $699 per employee per month, with annual discounts available.
How much does Oyster charge for contractors?
Global Contractors is free for 30 days, then $29 per contractor per month.
Does Oyster charge a deposit?
Yes. Oyster requires a refundable deposit for EOR team members to start an engagement and ensure on-time payments.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Oyster?
Gloroots offers EOR from $199 per employee per month in 150+ countries and holds a 4.9 G2 rating.
