Comparison guide
Remote vs Oyster
A detailed comparison of pricing, features, country coverage, and more to help you choose the right global payroll provider.
Remote and Oyster are close on philosophy, both pitching simple global employment, but they separate on reach and price.
Quick verdict
Not sure which to pick? Here's a quick breakdown of when each provider shines.
Remote is best for:
- Companies hiring across 10+ countries who need both payroll and employer of record capabilities under one roof
- Remote-first businesses with distributed teams across multiple continents, particularly those expanding into less common markets
- Organizations that pay contractors and full-time employees internationally and want to manage both through a single platform
- Not ideal for US-only companies, domestic providers like Gusto offer the same features at $6-12 per employee versus Remote's $29
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 Remote and Oyster compare at a glance?
| Metric | Remote | Oyster |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.5(7,296) | 4.3(1,794) |
| Starting price | $29/mo | $29/mo |
| Countries supported | 186+ | 140+ |
| Currencies supported | 52 | — |
| Founded | 2019 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco | Charlotte |
| G2 rating | 4.5/5(4,030) | 4.4/5(1,436) |
| Capterra rating | 4.4/5(97) | 4.6/5(91) |
How does Remote 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 Remote and Oyster support?
Remote supports 46 more countries than Oyster.
Countries supported by both (135)
Only Remote (51)
Only Oyster (5)
How do Remote and Oyster compare on features?
Both providers offer a similar feature set.
| Feature | Remote | 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 Remote vs Oyster?
Both providers have similar trade-offs. Remote has 6 pros and 5 cons, while Oyster has 6 pros and 5 cons.
Pros
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 24/7 support with dedicated account reps. When you're running payroll across time zones, having someone available outside business hours is important.
- Their API access and HRIS integrations mean you can connect Remote to your existing HR tools rather than forcing everyone onto a new system.
Cons
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 Remote vs Oyster
Both are solid options. The right pick depends on what matters most to your team.
Choose Remote if:
- You need broader country coverage (186+ vs 140+ countries)
- User reviews matter to you (rated 4.5/5 across 7,296 reviews)
- Your priority is companies hiring across 10+ countries who need both payroll and employer of record capabilities under one roof
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 Remote 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.
Remote has broader country coverage. Remote supports 186+ countries, while Oyster supports 140+ countries.
Remote has a higher average rating. Remote is rated 4.5/5 (7,296 reviews), while Oyster is rated 4.3/5 (1,794 reviews).
This depends on your specific needs. Remote is best for: Companies hiring across 10+ countries who need both payroll and employer of record capabilities under one roof, Remote-first businesses with distributed teams across multiple continents, particularly those expanding into less common markets. 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.
Remote 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 Remote and Oyster offer free demos. Try them out to see which fits your team better.