Companies looking to take advantage of an increasingly globalised economy to expand into international markets have a wealth of options when it comes to employer of record (EOR) services.
EORs are robust platforms that facilitate international hiring, onboarding, and managing payroll by acting as a legal employer. This helps companies avoid the need to establish a legal entity locally when entering international markets.
Deel and Oyster are two leading solutions in this space, each offering a range of features designed to streamline the complexities of global hiring and managing local employment laws.
Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms may be vital to managing your employment responsibilities and compliance risks, throughout the recruitment process and beyond.
Deel is a leading global payroll and compliance platform that simplifies hiring and managing global talent for the client company.
Founded in 2018, their mission is to help businesses to hire anyone, anywhere, seamlessly and compliantly.
They provide tools for onboarding, payroll, performance management, and compliance challenges, removing the administrative burden of hiring international employees.
Oyster, established in 2019, is a comprehensive global employment platform that focuses on democratising access to job opportunities worldwide.
Oyster aims to make it possible for businesses to hire employees anywhere in the world, according to local laws, while also empowering workers with equal access to job opportunities.
The platform offers a range of services, including hiring, onboarding, international payroll, benefits management, and compliance, tailored to support remote and distributed teams.
Their History, Mission, and Target Audience
History
Deel: Founded by Alex Bouaziz and Shuo Wang in 2018, Deel quickly gained traction by addressing the pain points and legal responsibilities of the international hiring process. The company has raised significant funding, allowing it to expand its services and global reach rapidly.
Oyster: Oyster was founded by Tony Jamous and Jack Mardack in 2019, with the vision of creating a more inclusive global job market. The platform has also secured substantial funding and has seen rapid growth, driven by the increasing demand for remote work solutions.
Mission
Deel: To enable businesses to hire the best international talent, regardless of location, by simplifying the complexities of global employment and managing compliance risks.
Oyster: To empower companies to build a diverse and distributed workforce by providing the tools and support needed for global expansion and compliance.
Target Audience
Deel: Primarily targets startups, SMEs, and large enterprises looking to expand their workforce into new markets with top local talent. They're ideal for companies that need to manage payroll and compliance requirements across multiple countries without local legal entities.
Oyster: Focuses on businesses of all sizes that embrace remote work and want to explore international employment. Beneficial for companies aiming to build diverse, distributed teams.
Key Statistics
Deel
Number of Users: Over 10,000 companies.
Countries Covered: Supports hiring in over 150 countries.
Key Clients: Includes notable companies like Shopify, Dropbox, and Airtable.
Oyster
Number of Users: Serves thousands of businesses worldwide.
Countries Covered: Operates in more than 180 countries.
Key Clients: Trusted by companies such as Quora, Impala, and GoDaddy.
Features Comparison
Hiring and Onboarding
Processes for Recruiting International Talent
Deel: Deel provides a streamlined process for hiring international talent, offering templates for employment contracts compliant with local laws, and managing the entire employment lifecycle. Deel’s software platform helps companies post jobs, manage applications, and conduct interviews.
Oyster: Oyster offers a comprehensive hiring solution, including job posting, candidate sourcing, and interview scheduling. The platform provides tools to ensure a smooth recruitment process, including automated compliance checks and contract generation tailored to local employment laws.
Onboarding Tools and Resources
Deel: Deel’s onboarding process is designed to be user-friendly, with automated workflows that guide new hires through the necessary steps. The platform includes document management, e-signatures, and customised onboarding checklists to ensure compliance and a smooth transition for new employees into the global team.
Oyster: Oyster’s onboarding tools include personalised onboarding journeys, digital document signing, and compliance automation. The platform ensures that all necessary paperwork is completed, and employees are integrated into the team seamlessly, with resources tailored to their location and role.
Payroll and Compliance
Payroll Management Capabilities
Deel: Deel offers robust payroll services that handle multi-currency payroll processing, tax compliance, and benefits administration. The platform supports payments in over 120 currencies and ensures timely and accurate payroll for international teams.
Oyster: Oyster’s payroll system is designed to simplify payroll processing by automating salary calculations, tax deductions, and benefits payments for global employers. The platform supports multiple currencies and ensures compliance with local payroll regulations, allowing you to focus on global operations.
Compliance with Local Labor Laws and Tax Regulations
Deel: Deel’s platform is built to ensure compliance with local employment laws and tax regulations across different countries. The company maintains a team of legal experts to keep each employment contract and relevant processes up-to-date with the latest legal requirements, minimising risks for businesses.
Oyster: Oyster places a strong emphasis on compliance, offering automated legal compliance checks and updates. The platform provides localised employment contracts and handles tax registrations and filings, ensuring that companies adhere to all local regulations.
Benefits Administration
Health Insurance, Retirement Plans, and Other Employee Benefits
Deel: Deel provides access to a range of employee benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. The platform partners with local benefits providers to offer competitive packages tailored to the needs of international employees.
Oyster: Oyster offers comprehensive benefits administration, including health benefits, pension schemes, and other perks. The platform collaborates with global benefits providers to provide custom benefit packages that improve employee satisfaction and retention.
Contractor Management
Handling Freelancers and Independent Contractors
Deel: Deel excels in managing contract workers, providing tools for contract creation, compliance verification, and payment processing. The platform supports flexible payment schedules and methods, making it easy to manage a diverse contractor workforce with ongoing support.
Oyster: Oyster offers similarly robust tools. The platform ensures that contractors are paid on time and in accordance with local laws, simplifying the management of freelance talent in global markets.
User Interface and Experience
Ease of Use and Accessibility
Deel: Deel’s user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, designed to make global legal employment simple and efficient. The platform offers a clean layout, easy navigation, and comprehensive dashboards that provide valuable insights used to hire local talent.
Oyster: Oyster’s platform is known for its ease of use, with a modern design that facilitates quick access to essential features. The interface is designed to be accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise, ensuring a smooth user experience.
Mobile App Availability
Deel: Deel offers a mobile app that allows users to manage hiring, onboarding, payroll, and compliance tasks on the go. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices, providing flexibility and convenience for busy HR professionals and managers.
Oyster: Oyster’s mobile app provides access to the platform’s core features, enabling users to handle HR tasks from their smartphones. The app supports real-time notifications and updates, ensuring that users can stay connected and manage their global workforce efficiently, regardless of their location.
Pricing Structure
Detailed Comparison of Pricing Plans
Deel: Deel offers several pricing tiers based on the specific needs of the global employer:
Contractor Plan: £40 per contractor per month. This plan is designed for companies that primarily work with freelancers and independent contractors across international borders.
Employee Plan: £400 per employee per month. This plan is suited for businesses hiring full-time employees internationally, offering comprehensive HR support and compliance management.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. This plan is tailored for larger organisations with complex needs, providing additional features like dedicated account management and tailored solutions.
Oyster: Oyster provides a range of pricing options to accommodate various business sizes and requirements:
Lite Plan: £299 per employee per month. This entry-level plan includes basic hiring and payroll features.
Business Plan: £499 per employee per month. This plan offers more advanced features, including enhanced compliance support and additional HR tools.
Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. Designed for large enterprises, this plan includes all the features of the Business plan along with personalised support and bespoke solutions.
Cost-effectiveness for Different Business Sizes and Needs
Small Businesses and Startups
Deel: The Contractor Plan at £40 per contractor per month is highly cost-effective for startups and small businesses that primarily engage freelancers. The Employee Plan, while more expensive, offers comprehensive support for businesses starting to hire full-time international employees.
Oyster: The Lite Plan at £299 per employee per month is suitable for small businesses looking to expand internationally with basic HR needs. However, the higher cost compared to Deel’s Employee Plan is worth considering.
Medium-sized Businesses
Deel: The Employee Plan at £400 per employee per month provides a balanced solution for medium-sized businesses with both contractors and full-time employees. The plan’s comprehensive features justify the cost for businesses managing a moderate international workforce.
Oyster: The Business Plan at £499 per employee per month offers advanced features that are beneficial for medium-sized businesses with growing HR and compliance needs. The higher price reflects the additional tools and support provided.
Large Enterprises
Deel: The Enterprise Plan with custom pricing is ideal for large businesses with complex global employment needs. The flexibility and dedicated support ensure that all specific requirements are met.
Oyster: The Enterprise Plan with custom pricing is similarly designed for large enterprises, offering extensive features and personalised support to manage a significant number of employees across various countries.
Hidden Fees or Additional Costs
Deel
Deel is transparent about its pricing, but businesses should be aware of potential additional costs for specific services, such as expedited payments or additional compliance support in certain regions.
Integration with other HR or payroll systems may also incur extra fees.
Oyster
Oyster aims to be upfront about pricing, but there may be extra costs associated with advanced features or bespoke solutions in the Enterprise Plan.
Additional services, such as legal consultations or enhanced compliance checks, might come with extra charges.
Customer Support and Resources
Availability and Responsiveness of Customer Support
Deel
Availability:
Deel offers 24/7 customer support through various channels, including email, live chat, and phone. They also provide a dedicated account manager for higher-tier plans.
Responsiveness:
Deel is known for its prompt and efficient customer support, with response times typically within a few hours. The dedicated account managers for enterprise clients ensure personalised and expedited support.
Oyster
Availability:
Oyster provides 24/7 customer support via email, live chat, and phone. Higher-tier plans include access to dedicated customer success managers who offer tailored assistance.
Responsiveness:
Oyster's customer support team is highly responsive, with average response times of a few hours. The customer success managers for business and enterprise plans ensure that clients receive proactive and tailored support.
Educational Resources
Deel
Blogs:
Deel maintains a comprehensive blog that covers various topics related to global hiring, payroll management, compliance, and HR best practices. The blog is regularly updated with insights and advice from industry experts.
Webinars:
Deel hosts webinars on a range of topics, including international hiring strategies, compliance updates, and platform features. These webinars are designed to educate users and keep them informed about industry trends.
Tutorials:
The platform offers detailed tutorials and how-to guides that help users navigate and maximise the features of Deel. These resources are accessible via their website and support portal.
Oyster
Blogs:
Oyster’s blog provides valuable information on remote work, global employment, compliance, and HR management. The blog features articles written by thought leaders and industry professionals.
Webinars:
Oyster conducts regular webinars to educate users on best practices for hiring and managing a global workforce. These webinars often feature guest speakers and cover a wide range of relevant topics.
Tutorials:
Oyster offers an extensive library of tutorials and guides that assist users in understanding and utilising the platform’s features. These resources are available on their website and through the customer support portal.
Community Support and Forums
Deel
Community Support:
Deel has an active online community where users can connect, share experiences, and seek advice from peers. This community is accessible through their website and social media channels.
Forums:
Deel hosts forums where users can post questions, participate in discussions, and find solutions to common issues. The forums are moderated by Deel staff to ensure accurate and helpful responses.
Oyster
Community Support:
Oyster fosters a strong community of users who can engage with each other through online groups and social media platforms. The community provides a space for networking, sharing insights, and mutual support.
Forums:
Oyster’s forums are designed to facilitate discussion among users, allowing them to ask questions, share tips, and troubleshoot issues together. The forums are monitored by Oyster’s support team to provide authoritative answers and guidance.
Pros and Cons
Deel
Pros:
Comprehensive Global Coverage: Deel supports hiring in over 150 countries, making it a highly versatile platform for businesses with a diverse international workforce.
User-Friendly Interface: The platform's intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and manage global HR tasks.
Robust Compliance Features: Deel excels in compliance management and navigating your legal responsibilities, with a strong focus on ensuring adherence to local labour laws and tax regulations.
Flexible Contractor Management: Deel offers excellent tools for managing freelancers and contract workers, including flexible payment options.
24/7 Customer Support: The service includes round-the-clock support, ensuring that users can get help with day to day operations whenever needed.
Cons:
Higher Cost for Employee Management: The £400 per employee per month plan can be costly for small businesses with a large number of full-time employees.
Additional Costs for Certain Services: Some advanced features and integrations may incur extra fees, which can add up for businesses with specific needs.
Limited Customisation for Smaller Plans: Some customisation options and premium support features are only available in the higher-tier plans.
Situations Where Deel is More Advantageous:
Businesses with a Significant Number of Contractors: Deel’s flexible and comprehensive contractor management tools make it ideal for companies that rely heavily on freelancers and independent contractors in any particular country.
Enterprises with Complex Compliance Needs: Deel’s strong focus on compliance ensures that client companies can confidently navigate the complexities of international labour laws and tax regulations.
Companies Seeking a User-Friendly Platform: Deel’s intuitive interface and user experience make it an excellent choice for businesses that prioritise ease of use.
Oyster
Pros:
Extensive Country Coverage: Oyster supports operations in over 180 countries, providing wide-ranging capabilities to expand globally.
Emphasis on Equal Employment Opportunities: Oyster’s mission to democratise job access globally aligns with companies that value diversity and inclusion.
Advanced Payroll and Benefits Administration: The platform offers comprehensive payroll processing and benefits administration, tailored to the needs of international employees.
Responsive Customer Support: Oyster’s dedicated customer success managers and 24/7 support ensure that users receive timely and personalised assistance.
Strong Educational Resources: Oyster provides a wealth of educational content, including blogs, webinars, and tutorials, to help users stay informed and optimise their use of the platform.
Cons:
Higher Entry-Level Costs: The starting price of £299 per employee per month for the Lite Plan may be prohibitive for smaller businesses with tight budgets.
Potential for Additional Charges: Certain advanced features and bespoke solutions in the Enterprise Plan may come with extra costs.
Complexity for Basic Needs: The extensive features and capabilities of Oyster may be overwhelming for businesses with simple or straightforward HR requirements.
Situations Where Oyster is More Advantageous:
Businesses Focused on Diversity and Inclusion: Oyster’s commitment to equal employment opportunities makes it an ideal choice for companies that prioritise diversity and inclusion in their hiring practices.
Medium to Large Enterprises with Advanced Needs: The platform’s advanced features and comprehensive support make it well-suited for medium to large businesses with complex HR and compliance requirements.
Companies Looking for Extensive Educational Resources: Oyster’s robust library of educational content and resources can be highly beneficial for businesses that value continuous learning and development.
Integration and Scalability
Integration with Other HR, Accounting, and Project Management Tools
Deel:
HR Tools: Deel integrates seamlessly with popular HR platforms such as BambooHR, Workday, and Gusto. This ensures that businesses can synchronise employee data across multiple systems, streamlining HR processes.
Accounting Software: Deel offers integration with leading accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite, enabling automated payroll accounting and financial reporting.
Project Management Tools: The platform also supports integration with project management tools like Asana, Trello, and Jira, facilitating efficient collaboration and project tracking.
API Access: Deel provides API access, allowing businesses to develop custom integrations tailored to their specific needs.
Oyster:
HR Tools: Oyster integrates with various HR systems, including BambooHR, SAP SuccessFactors, and ADP, ensuring seamless data flow between platforms.
Accounting Software: Oyster supports integration with accounting solutions such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage, which simplifies payroll accounting and tax compliance.
Project Management Tools: The platform can be connected with project management tools like Monday.com, Trello, and Asana, enhancing team collaboration and project management efficiency.
API Access: Oyster offers API capabilities, enabling businesses to create custom integrations that fit their unique requirements.
Ability to Scale with Your Business Growth
Deel:
Scalability: Deel is designed to scale with businesses as they grow, offering flexible pricing plans and features that accommodate companies of all sizes. The platform can handle a growing number of employees and contractors, ensuring that businesses can continue to manage their workforce effectively as they expand.
Global Reach: With support for over 150 countries, Deel provides the infrastructure necessary for businesses to scale internationally, offering the tools and resources needed to hire employees and manage a global workforce.
Custom Solutions: For larger enterprises, Deel offers custom solutions that include dedicated account management, tailored workflows, and bespoke integrations, ensuring that the platform can meet the evolving needs of growing businesses.
Oyster:
Scalability: Oyster is built to support businesses through various stages of growth, from startups to large enterprises. The platform’s tiered pricing plans and comprehensive feature set make it adaptable to the changing needs of businesses as they scale.
International Expansion: With operations in over 180 countries, Oyster provides the capabilities required for businesses to expand their global footprint, offering localised support and compliance management.
Enterprise Solutions: Oyster’s Enterprise Plan includes personalised support and custom solutions that cater to the specific needs of large organisations, ensuring that the platform can scale in line with business growth and complexity.
Conclusion
Deel and Oyster both offer comprehensive solutions for international hiring, onboarding, payroll, and compliance, but each has its unique strengths as a global employment platform.
Both platforms provide extensive support for entering new markets, from customer service to educational content, ensuring that users can navigate the complexities of global employment with confidence.
Whether you're a small start-up looking to hire your first international employee or a large enterprise managing a diverse global team, understanding the specific features, pricing, and support structures of Deel and Oyster will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business needs.
Ultimately, the choice between Deel and Oyster will depend on your company's unique requirements and growth strategy.
By leveraging the strengths of either platform, you can streamline your global HR processes, ensure compliance, and focus on what matters most: building a thriving, productive workforce.
To discuss the advantages of a HR platform for global talent, reach out to the team at Employer of Record SA.
