# Remote vs Oyster for global payroll

> Machine-readable page from Payroll Overview (https://payrolloverview.com/), the independent index of global payroll providers.
> Canonical page: https://payrolloverview.com/compare/remote-vs-oyster/
> Methodology: every figure carries a source and a date in our database; ratings are averages of third-party platforms (https://payrolloverview.com/methodology/).
> Disclosure: Payroll Overview is free to use. We may earn a referral fee from some providers; this never affects inclusion or order (https://payrolloverview.com/disclosure/).

Remote and Oyster compete on the same three services, EOR, payroll, and contractor management, and they open at the same published entry price for EOR. Where they split is on country coverage and reviewer sentiment: Remote maps a broader country footprint and carries a higher blended rating from third-party reviews. The figures behind each axis sit in the matrix below.

## Side by side

| Field | Remote | Oyster |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll price | from $29/employee/month | Quote only |
| Payroll countries | 186 | 146 |
| Pay cycles | weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly | bi-weekly, semi-monthly, custom |
| Payout currencies | 52 | 4 |
| Rating | 4.5/5 (8,004 reviews) | 4.3/5 (1,912 reviews) |
| Founded | 2019 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US | Charlotte, US |
| Services | eor, payroll, contractor_management | eor, payroll, contractor_management |
| Full review | https://payrolloverview.com/providers/remote/ | https://payrolloverview.com/providers/oyster/ |

## Remote pros and cons

- Pro: The 186-country coverage is genuinely impressive. Most competitors cap out around 100, so if you're hiring in less common markets, Remote likely has you covered.
- Pro: Over 7,000 reviews averaging 4.6 stars tells you they've processed payroll for thousands of companies. That's the kind of volume that surfaces and fixes edge cases.
- Pro: They handle everything from payroll to visa support to equipment shipping. One vendor means one invoice and one support contact instead of coordinating multiple services.
- Pro: Crypto payment option is rare in this space. If you're paying digital nomads or employees in countries with currency volatility, having that flexibility matters.
- Pro: 24/7 support with dedicated account reps. When you're running payroll across time zones, having someone available outside business hours is important.
- Pro: Their API access and HRIS integrations mean you can connect Remote to your existing HR tools rather than forcing everyone onto a new system.
- Con: At $29 per employee, they're 4-5x more expensive than domestic providers like Gusto. If your team is US-based, you're paying for global capabilities you don't need.
- Con: Some reviews mention slower response times during payroll deadlines when support volume spikes. If you hit an issue on payday, you might wait longer than you'd like.
- Con: The platform tries to do everything from payroll to equipment procurement. Some users report the interface feels cluttered compared to tools that focus solely on payroll.
- Con: Setup for new countries can take 2-3 weeks according to user feedback. If you need to hire and pay someone quickly, that timeline might not work.
- Con: While they cover 186 countries, payment method availability varies by region. Some locations are limited to bank transfers without faster options like Wise or PayPal.

## Oyster pros and cons

- Pro: At $25 per employee, they're priced below Deel ($29-49) and Remote ($29) while offering similar country coverage and features
- Pro: They cover 88 countries with full compliance management, which hits the sweet spot for most global companies without being overwhelming
- Pro: 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
- Pro: 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
- Pro: 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
- Pro: Their mobile app and employee portal are well-reviewed, making it easier for distributed teams to access payslips and tax documents on their own
- Con: 88 countries is solid but not exceptional. Competitors like Remote cover 186 countries, which matters if you're hiring in less common markets
- Con: Some reviews mention the compliance dashboard can be confusing for first-time users, with a learning curve to understand local tax requirements
- Con: Custom pay frequencies are available, but several reviews note that setup requires back-and-forth with support rather than self-service configuration
- Con: While they offer API access, some users report the documentation could be more detailed for companies building custom integrations
- Con: The $25/employee pricing is still 2-4x higher than US-focused providers if you don't actually need international coverage