# Rippling vs Oyster: global payroll compared

> Machine-readable page from Payroll Overview (https://payrolloverview.com/), the independent index of global payroll providers.
> Canonical page: https://payrolloverview.com/compare/rippling-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/).

## Side by side

| Field | Rippling | Oyster |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll price | Quote only | Quote only |
| Payroll countries | 83 | 146 |
| Pay cycles | bi-weekly | bi-weekly, semi-monthly, custom |
| Payout currencies | 27 | 4 |
| Rating | 4.7/5 (20,856 reviews) | 4.3/5 (1,968 reviews) |
| Founded | 2016 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, US | Charlotte, US |
| Services | eor, payroll, contractor_management | eor, payroll, contractor_management |
| Full review | https://payrolloverview.com/providers/rippling/ | https://payrolloverview.com/providers/oyster/ |

## Rippling pros and cons

- Pro: The 4.8-star average across 17,648 reviews is genuinely impressive. That's a huge sample size with consistently high ratings, which tells you the product delivers at scale
- Pro: They've been around since 2016 with over 10,000 employees, so you're working with a mature company that's not going anywhere
- Pro: The all-in-one approach actually works here. You can manage payroll, benefits, devices, and software access from one dashboard instead of logging into five different tools
- Pro: 53-country coverage hits the sweet spot for most internationally growing companies without overwhelming you with options you won't use
- Pro: Payment flexibility is excellent, from standard bank transfers to SEPA, SWIFT, Wise, PayPal, and even crypto options
- Pro: 24/7 support with dedicated reps means you're not stuck waiting when payroll issues pop up outside business hours
- Con: At $35 per employee, they're priced at the higher end of mid-range options. Deel and Remote both start at $29, Oyster ranges $29-59, so you're paying a premium
- Con: The platform does a lot, which means there's a steeper learning curve. Reviews mention it can feel overwhelming initially compared to simpler payroll-only tools
- Con: Only offers bi-weekly pay frequency, which could be limiting if your team needs weekly or monthly payment schedules
- Con: 53 countries is solid but not massive. If you're hiring heavily in Asia, Africa, or Latin America, you'll want to verify they cover your specific markets
- Con: Some reviews mention the setup process takes longer than expected, particularly when configuring the IT management components alongside payroll

## 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