Comparison guide
Deel vs Oyster
A detailed comparison of pricing, features, country coverage, and more to help you choose the right global payroll provider.
Choosing between Deel and Oyster? You're looking at two of the most popular global payroll providers, each with distinct strengths.
Both start at $29/month, though total costs depend on your specific requirements. Deel covers 154+ countries compared to Oyster's 146+ countries.
This comparison breaks down pricing, features, country coverage, and the trade-offs of each platform to help you make the right choice for your team.
Quick verdict
Not sure which to pick? Here's a quick breakdown of when each provider shines.
Deel is best for:
- Companies hiring internationally across multiple continents who need both payroll and employer of record capabilities in one platform
- Businesses paying remote workers in cryptocurrency or requiring alternative payment methods beyond standard bank transfers
- Mid-sized companies with 20-200 employees spread across 5-10 countries looking for dedicated support at a reasonable price
- Not ideal for US-only companies with simple domestic payroll needs, where providers like Gusto at $6-12 per employee offer better value
Oyster is best for:
- Companies hiring in 5+ countries who need both payroll processing and employer of record services bundled together
- Businesses paying remote workers in cryptocurrency or wanting that option for international contractor payments
- Mid-sized companies (50-200 employees) looking for 24/7 support without enterprise-level pricing
- Not ideal for US-only companies, where domestic providers like Gusto ($6-12/employee) offer better value
How do Deel and Oyster compare at a glance?
| Metric | Deel | Oyster |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.7(19,688) | 4.3(1,794) |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $29/mo |
| Countries supported | 154+ | 146+ |
| Currencies supported | — | — |
| Founded | 2019 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco | Charlotte |
| G2 rating | 4.7/5(6,550) | 4.4/5(1,436) |
| Capterra rating | 4.9/5(4,276) | 4.6/5(91) |
How does Deel compare to Oyster on pricing?
Both providers start at the same price point ($29/mo). Compare their features and services to find the best value.
💡 Tip: Prices vary based on country, employee volume, and contract terms. Request quotes from both providers to get accurate pricing for your team.
Still comparing? Get personalized pricing
Request a quote from both providers to compare costs for your specific needs.
What countries do Deel and Oyster support?
Deel supports 8 more countries than Oyster.
Countries supported by both (135)
Only Deel (19)
Only Oyster (11)
How do Deel and Oyster compare on features?
Both providers offer a similar feature set.
| Feature | Deel | Oyster |
|---|---|---|
| Services offered | ||
| Global payroll | ||
| Employer of Record (EOR) | ||
| Contractor management | ||
| PEO services | ||
| Payroll features | ||
| multi-currency | ||
| automated-tax | ||
| tax-filing | ||
| payslip-generation | ||
| employee-portal | ||
| api-access | ||
| hris-integration | ||
| compliance-dashboard | ||
| dedicated-support | ||
| 24-7-support | ||
| Total features | 13 | 13 |
What are the pros and cons of Deel vs Oyster?
Both providers have similar trade-offs. Deel has 6 pros and 4 cons, while Oyster has 6 pros and 5 cons.
Pros
- They cover 88 countries across every major region, which handles most international hiring scenarios without being overkill for mid-sized companies
- The 4.8-star rating across nearly 24,000 reviews is genuinely impressive. Most payroll providers struggle to maintain ratings above 4.5 at this review volume
- Crypto payment support sets them apart if you're paying contractors or employees who prefer digital currency, something almost no other payroll provider offers
- Their API access and HRIS integrations let you connect payroll data to your existing tools without manual data entry
- 24/7 support at the $29 price point is a real advantage. Many competitors reserve round-the-clock access for enterprise customers
- The mobile app and employee portal give workers direct access to payslips and tax documents without bothering HR for every request
Cons
- At $29 per employee, they're more expensive than US-focused options like Gusto at $6-12. Companies with only domestic payroll needs will pay a premium for international features they don't use
- With 88 countries covered, they fall short of some competitors who support 100+ countries. Companies with employees in less common locations should verify coverage first
- Some reviews mention that the platform can feel complex when you're only using it for basic payroll, since it's built to handle EOR and contractor management too
- Custom pay frequencies require setup work, and a few users report the initial configuration takes longer than expected compared to selecting standard options
Pros
- At $25 per employee, they're priced below Deel ($29-49) and Remote ($29) while offering similar country coverage and features
- They cover 88 countries with full compliance management, which hits the sweet spot for most global companies without being overwhelming
- Cryptocurrency payment support sets them apart. If you're paying contractors in crypto or want that flexibility, this is one of the few platforms that handles it natively
- The 4.5-star average across 1,161 reviews shows they're delivering consistently. That's a lot of feedback pointing in the same positive direction
- You get both payroll and EOR in one system. This means onboarding an employee in Brazil or Poland doesn't require coordinating between different vendors
- Their mobile app and employee portal are well-reviewed, making it easier for distributed teams to access payslips and tax documents on their own
Cons
- 88 countries is solid but not exceptional. Competitors like Remote cover 186 countries, which matters if you're hiring in less common markets
- Some reviews mention the compliance dashboard can be confusing for first-time users, with a learning curve to understand local tax requirements
- Custom pay frequencies are available, but several reviews note that setup requires back-and-forth with support rather than self-service configuration
- While they offer API access, some users report the documentation could be more detailed for companies building custom integrations
- The $25/employee pricing is still 2-4x higher than US-focused providers if you don't actually need international coverage
When to choose Deel vs Oyster
Both are solid options. The right pick depends on what matters most to your team.
Choose Deel if:
- User reviews matter to you (rated 4.7/5 across 19,688 reviews)
- Your priority is companies hiring internationally across multiple continents who need both payroll and employer of record capabilities in one platform
- Your priority is businesses paying remote workers in cryptocurrency or requiring alternative payment methods beyond standard bank transfers
Choose Oyster if:
- Your priority is companies hiring in 5+ countries who need both payroll processing and employer of record services bundled together
- Your priority is businesses paying remote workers in cryptocurrency or wanting that option for international contractor payments
- Your priority is mid-sized companies (50-200 employees) looking for 24/7 support without enterprise-level pricing
Both are solid choices for global payroll
Get started with a free demo to see which platform fits your team better. Most companies can be onboarded within days.
Frequently asked questions about Deel vs Oyster
Both providers have the same starting price of $29/month per employee. Actual costs may vary based on your specific requirements and contract terms.
Deel has broader country coverage. Deel supports 154+ countries, while Oyster supports 146+ countries.
Deel has a higher average rating. Deel is rated 4.7/5 (19,688 reviews), while Oyster is rated 4.3/5 (1,794 reviews).
This depends on your specific needs. Deel is best for: Companies hiring internationally across multiple continents who need both payroll and employer of record capabilities in one platform, Businesses paying remote workers in cryptocurrency or requiring alternative payment methods beyond standard bank transfers. Oyster is best for: Companies hiring in 5+ countries who need both payroll processing and employer of record services bundled together, Businesses paying remote workers in cryptocurrency or wanting that option for international contractor payments. Consider factors like pricing, minimum employee requirements, and the countries you need coverage in.
Yes, you can switch payroll providers. Most providers offer migration assistance to help transfer employee data and payroll history. The transition typically takes 30-60 days depending on complexity. Contact your target provider's sales team to discuss the migration process and timeline.
Deel offers: Employer of Record (EOR), Global payroll, Contractor management. Oyster offers: Employer of Record (EOR), Global payroll, Contractor management. Both can handle global workforce management, but their specific service offerings differ.
Compare with other providers
Ready to get started?
Both Deel and Oyster offer free demos. Try them out to see which fits your team better.