RemoFirst vs. Oyster

RemoFirst and Oyster are both Employer of Record providers that help companies expand globally by managing the legal, administrative, and compliance details of hiring international employees.

So, whether you’re comparing our products and services or considering making the switch from Oyster to RemoFirst, we’ve got you covered.

Trusted by the best

The Employer of Record (EOR) space has grown exponentially since Oyster was founded in 2020.

Despite advancements in global payroll and compliance, businesses continue to struggle with complex labor laws, long hiring delays, and overpriced EOR and global payroll services.
While Oyster played a key role in shaping the global HR space, they’ve also faced criticism for high service fees, slow response times, and uneven expertise across countries.
RemoFirst was founded in 2021 to offer more comprehensive coverage, fast and responsive customer support, and flexible pricing to make global employment more accessible for companies of all sizes.

Becoming the most cost-effective EOR on the market:

RemoFirst was founded to make EOR services more affordable and transparent, so any company can grow globally without the high price tag.

2021
2022

RemoFirst raises $14.1M in seed funding to grow its team and operations while keeping prices the lowest in the industry.

RemoFirst raises $25M in Series A funding to compete with Deel and other global HR platforms. Launches Visa and Work Permit support.

2024
2025

RemoFirst expands to EOR services in 185+ countries, adding background checks, healthcare, visas in 110+ countries, and more.

RemoFirst becomes the first AI-native Employer of Record with the launch of RemoAI, an AI platform and suite of intelligent agents for global hiring and HR.

Today

Where RemoFirst shines over Oyster

RemoFirst logo white
Employer of Record

Starts at $199 per person/month.

Starts at $699 per person/month.

Global contractors

Free tier:
Manage contractors, upload documents, generate contracts, and more.

Premium contractors:
$25 per person/month. Automatic payment processing across 150+ countries and in a wide range of currencies.

Free tier:
Free for 30 days.


$29 per contractor/month. Automatic payment processing in 140+ currencies.

Hidden fees

Fixed flat rate with no hidden fees. You’ll always know upfront what you’ll pay.

One-time fees or specific recurring charges are often not shared in advance. Currency conversion fees are higher than market average.

Country coverage

185+ EOR countries.
185+ contractor countries.

120+ EOR countries.
180+ contractor countries.

EOR operating model

Exclusive local partners with deep subject matter expertise. Partners have 20+ years experience managing global payroll, processing $15B+.

Operates in a mixed EOR model, with a few owned entities in certain countries and local partners for the majority.

AI features
Global Recruiter Agent
Task Manager Agent
Payroll Agent
RemoHire (Coming soon)

Purpose-built AI agents designed to take action across recruiting, payroll, and task management — not just answer questions.

Oyster AI

A virtual assistant that delivers tailored local insights to support smarter hiring decisions. Focused on guidance and recommendations rather than autonomous action across the HR lifecycle.

Customer support

Dedicated account manager for every customer. 24/7 support via live chat and email.

End-to-end support from local experts with country-specific onboarding managers. No publicly stated 24/7 availability or dedicated account manager for every plan.

Common themes from verified Oyster reviews on G2

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Customer support is the most frequently cited concern in OysterHR's G2 reviews, with users noting slow response times and gaps in country-specific expertise.
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Some users report delays in onboarding, document handling, and support response times that can add friction to the hiring process.
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Country-specific information has been noted as inconsistent at times, which has occasionally led to hiring delays and unexpected costs, according to user feedback.
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A number of users have reported invoicing inconsistencies, including tax-related errors and delays in reimbursement processing.
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Platform navigation and issue resolution can be time-consuming, including for straightforward tasks, as noted by several reviewers.

The above is a summary of factual insights listed online and commonly cited cons from verified G2 reviews of Oyster. Last updated June 2026.

Deel complaints
G2 Summer Easiest To Do Business With
2026 Top 100 Fastest Growing
G2 Summer Best EST ROI
Deel complaints

RemoFirst customers love our product and services

According to verified reviews and data on G2 here were some of the top reasons:
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Helpful
Our internal experts and partners provide subject matter expertise in 185+
countries. We’ll answer your questions and never charge you for ongoing
support.
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Ease of Use
Our platform and features are easy to navigate and use. Whether for Employer of Record or contractor needs, we designed everything to be simple.
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Customer Support
We go the extra mile every time to answer any and all of your questions. And, if we don’t have an immediate solution, we’ll keep working until we find one.
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Response Time
Getting answers about payroll, local laws, and employment status shouldn’t take weeks. Our team focuses on quick and timely responses, as well as being proactive and providing updates before you ask.
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Transparency
You’ll always know what you’ll pay for any of our services. No hidden fees, setup or offboarding costs, or surprise bills.

Looking for an affordable alternative to Oyster? Make the switch to RemoFirst.

We’ve had several companies successfully make the transition from Oyster to RemoFirst with our free migration service. We manage every aspect — compliance, data integrity, and employee satisfaction — while ensuring operational continuity.

Our custom approach minimizes disruption and optimizes cost and efficiency, so you can focus on business growth.

RemoFirst customers love our product and services:

RemoFirst helps to increase flexibility in the hiring process to ensure remote teams can be successfully onboarded anywhere in the world. Customer service is quick to respond to any queries. Positive onboarding experience. Would recommend to others. Makes hiring smooth and hassle free for remote workers.
Emma T.
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Program Lead EMEA
@
TrustLab

Migration service offerings

Ready to move on from Oyster? Here’s our migration approach at RemoFirst.

Employer of Record (EOR) Compliance

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Regulatory Analysis
Assess and ensure compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations.
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Contract Review & Migration
Adapt employment contracts from Oyster to RemoFirst in line with legal requirements.
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Work Permit & Visa Transfers
Facilitate necessary adjustments for international employees.
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Risk Mitigation
Identify legal risks and implement strategies to mitigate them.

Employee Data & Payroll Transition

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Secure Data Migration
Ensure accurate transfer of employee records and payroll information.
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Payroll Setup & Testing
Configure payroll on RemoFirst, ensuring timely salary payments.
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Banking & Payment Updates
Manage transition of payment methods and tax structures.
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Benefits & Perks Continuity
Guarantee seamless transfer of healthcare, pensions, and additional benefits.

Employee Communication & Support

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Personalized Onboarding
Guide employees through the transition with detailed walkthroughs.
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Dedicated Support Channels
Provide real-time assistance via chat, email, and phone.
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Training & FAQs
Deliver training sessions and educational materials.
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Employee Satisfaction Monitoring
Collect feedback to address concerns promptly.

Project Management & Execution

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End-to-End Migration Planning
Develop a detailed roadmap with clear milestones.
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Stakeholder Coordination
Serve as a liaison between your company, Oyster, RemoFirst, and employees.
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Status Tracking & Reporting
Provide real-time insights into migration progress.
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Compliance & Audit Documentation
Maintain thorough records for regulatory compliance.

Post-Migration Optimization

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Process Optimization
Identify areas for operational improvement post-migration.
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Performance & Payroll Audits
Verify correct payroll setup and contract adherence.
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Ongoing Support & Compliance Checks
Offer continued guidance to ensure stability.

Why choose RemoFirst?

Expertise in Global Employment

Minimized Risk & Compliance Assurance

Dedicated Support for Employers & Employees

Simple, Hassle-Free Migration

Frequently Asked Questions About RemoFirst vs. Deel

Which is more affordable: RemoFirst or OysterHR?

RemoFirst starts at $199/month per employee compared to OysterHR's $699/month, making RemoFirst over 65% more affordable for EOR services. For contractor management, RemoFirst offers a permanent free tier plus $25/month per premium contractor, while OysterHR offers a 30-day free trial before charging $29/month per contractor. Both platforms cover 120+ countries for contractors, though RemoFirst extends EOR coverage to 185+ countries versus OysterHR's 120+.

Can I switch from OysterHR to RemoFirst?

Yes, you can migrate from OysterHR to RemoFirst. The transition involves exporting employee data, setting up new contracts, and coordinating payroll cutover dates. RemoFirst's support team assists with migration planning to ensure minimal disruption.

Do both platforms support contractors and employees?

Yes, both RemoFirst and OysterHR support international contractors and full-time employees without needing a local entity. RemoFirst covers 185+ countries for EOR compared to OysterHR's 120+, and offers a permanent free tier for contractor management rather than a time-limited trial. RemoFirst also launched RemoAI in 2026 as the first AI-native Employer of Record, while OysterHR's AI offering is currently limited to a hiring-focused virtual assistant.

Does OysterHR have AI features?

OysterHR currently offers Oyster AI, a virtual assistant that provides tailored local insights to support hiring decisions. RemoFirst launched RemoAI in 2026, becoming the first AI-native Employer of Record, with purpose-built agents across recruiting, payroll, and task management already available to all customers.

Which platform is better for small businesses and scaling companies?

For small businesses and growing teams, RemoFirst starts at $199/month per employee versus OysterHR's $699/month, with broader EOR coverage across 185+ countries. Purpose-built AI agents handle recruiting, payroll, and task management as you scale — all backed by human global employment experts available whenever you need them.

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Get premium Employer of Record services, without the premium fees.
Schedule your demo today to ensure a smooth transition from Oyster to RemoFirst.
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