Deel vs Oyster HR
HR/HRIS pricing comparison · 2026
Deel pricing ranges from $5–$899/contractor/month, while Oyster HR ranges from $0–$699/month. These products use different pricing models (Per-seat subscription vs ), so a direct price comparison isn't meaningful — costs depend on usage volume and mix.
Sources & confidence
Every dollar amount and contract clause below traces back to a sourced fact. We don't manufacture composite scores.
Plans at a glance
Every tier per product. Lock one to drive the cost row above and reveal a tier-specific outbound CTA.
What users say
Aggregated, with sample sizes. We use whichever review platform has data.
Deel and Oyster HR are both Employer of Record (EOR) platforms for hiring internationally, but they differ meaningfully on price and product breadth. Deel EOR costs $599/employee/month ($499 billed annually), while Oyster HR EOR costs $699/employee/month — making Deel the cheaper option for full-time international hires. For contractors, the math flips: Deel charges $49/contractor/month ($35 annual) versus Oyster's $29/contractor/month.
Beyond price, Deel operates a significantly broader product suite — covering global payroll ($29/employee/month), US PEO ($89/employee/month), Contractor of Record ($325/month), IT management, and a free HRIS layer. Oyster is a more focused offering: clean EOR, contractor management, and US PEO, with an emphasis on equitable compensation tooling and visa support. Deel covers 150+ countries via in-house infrastructure; Oyster covers 120+ countries but relies more heavily on in-country partners.
Both platforms launched 3-month free trials in recent years. Oyster additionally offers free EOR for up to 10 refugee employees — a differentiator for mission-driven companies. For most teams choosing between the two, the decision comes down to: do you need a broader workforce platform (Deel) or a simpler, compliance-first EOR with equitable pay tooling (Oyster)?
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Deel | Oyster HR |
|---|---|---|
| Deel HR | $5 /employee/month | Free /month |
| Deel Engage | $20 /employee/month | $699 /user/month |
| Global Payroll | $29 /employee/month | $29 /user/month |
| Contractors | $49 /contractor/month | $29 /user/month |
| US PEO | $125 /employee/month | $144 /user/month |
| Contractor of Record (COR) | $325 /contractor/month | — |
| Deel IT | $99 /month | — |
| EOR Standard | $599 /employee/month | — |
| EOR Enterprise | $899 /employee/month | — |
Market Intelligence
Deel
- Median annual cost
- $32,694
- Based on
- 41 deals
Oyster HR
- Median annual cost
- $588
- Based on
- 8 deals
Continue researching
Our Verdict
Choose Deel if you need a full global workforce platform — combining EOR, contractor payments, global payroll, US PEO, HRIS, and IT management under one roof. Deel's $599/employee/month EOR (or $499 annual) is $100 cheaper than Oyster per international hire, and its 24/7 multi-channel support (email, phone, WhatsApp, WeChat) is stronger. Deel is the better fit for teams hiring at scale across many countries who want a single vendor relationship.
Choose Oyster HR if you're a smaller remote-first team that values simplicity and equitable pay tooling. Oyster's contractor management at $29/contractor/month is meaningfully cheaper than Deel's $49, making it the better option for contractor-heavy hiring. Oyster's built-in salary benchmarking and location-agnostic pay policies are a genuine differentiator for companies that prioritize pay equity. Oyster also wins for companies hiring refugees, with free EOR for up to 10 qualifying employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is Deel or Oyster HR cheaper for EOR?
Deel is cheaper for Employer of Record services: $599/employee/month versus Oyster HR's $699/employee/month — a $100/employee/month difference. On annual billing, Deel drops to $499/employee/month. For a team of 10 international employees, that's a $12,000/year savings with Deel.
02 Is Oyster HR cheaper than Deel for contractors?
Yes — Oyster HR charges $29/contractor/month for global contractors, while Deel charges $49/contractor/month (or $35/month on annual billing). If your workforce is primarily contractors rather than full-time employees, Oyster's contractor pricing is more cost-effective.
03 How many countries do Deel and Oyster HR cover?
Deel covers 150+ countries for EOR and contractor services, backed largely by in-house infrastructure and 200+ legal specialists. Oyster HR markets coverage in 180+ countries but relies more extensively on in-country partner networks, with self-reported direct coverage closer to 120+ countries.
04 Which platform has better customer support: Deel or Oyster HR?
Deel offers 24/7 multi-channel support including email, phone, video calls, and WhatsApp/WeChat. Oyster HR operates on a formal SLA: response within 24 hours, resolution within 72 hours. For teams needing immediate help with payroll issues, Deel's always-on support is an advantage.
05 Does Deel or Oyster HR have a free plan?
Deel HR (the HRIS layer) is permanently free for up to unlimited employees, covering org charts, time-off tracking, and document management. Oyster HR does not have a permanent free tier but has offered 3-month free trials. Oyster uniquely provides free EOR services for up to 10 refugee employees for qualifying companies.
06 Which is better for a small remote team: Deel or Oyster HR?
For small teams primarily hiring international contractors, Oyster's $29/contractor/month beats Deel's $49. For teams hiring full-time international employees, Deel's $599 EOR (vs Oyster's $699) plus its free HRIS layer makes it the stronger value. Both work well for teams under 50 employees; Deel has a slight edge as you scale due to its consolidated platform.