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.

See our differences

Book a demo

They saved. So can you.

Discover how we help startups to Fortune 500 companies employ talent in 185+ countries while maintaining local compliance, payroll, and more. Join them to bring on top talent and eliminate high hiring costs.

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 build a more affordable and transparent EOR service, so all companies can grow globally without the high price tag.

2021

2022

RemoFirst secures seed funding of $14.1 Million to expand the team and operations, while maintaining the most affordable services in the industry.

RemoFirst secures Series A funding of $25 million to take on Deel and other global HR platforms. Launched Visa and Work Permit support in 85+ countries.

2024

Today

The evolution continues with EOR services in 185+ countries, background checks, healthcare, visas, and more. Supporting thousands of global customers.

Where RemoFirst shines over Oyster

Employer of Record

Starts at $199 per person/month.

Starts at $699 per person/month.

International contractor solution

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+ countries.

Appears to be 130+ countries for EOR, but it's not clear as the information available online varies.

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.

Book a demo

Common complaints from current and former Oyster customers, according to verified G2 data:

Customer support often lacks specific country expertise, responses are slow, and answers often miss the mark.

Long delays in onboarding, document handling, and getting questions answered puts a strain on customers.

Processes are unclear, country info is sometimes confusing or incorrect — leading to hiring setbacks and additional fees.

Invoicing and payment issues, from tax errors to delayed reimbursements, create unnecessary headaches.

Many aspects take too long — from navigating the platform, to obtaining customer support , and even resolving simple tasks.

G2 Best Software 2025 Top 100 fastest growing

RemoFirst customers love our product and services

According to verified reviews and data on G2 here were some of the top reasons:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.