Deel vs Oyster: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Deel and Oyster side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Deel leads on higher user rating and lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Deel
Hire globally, pay compliantly, and manage payroll worldwide
Best for you if:
- • You want global coverage
Oyster
Hire globally, compliantly. We handle international employment
Best for you if:
- • You want global employment simplified
| At a Glance | Deel | Oyster |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $19/employee/mo, billed monthly Deel US Payroll plan | From $29/mo, billed monthly Contractor plan |
Category | HR & Recruiting Payroll | HR & Recruiting Compliance |
Rating | 4.7/5 Trustpilot 4.6 · G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.9 20,580 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 · Trustpilot 4.4 1,610 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | Global Payroll has a $1,000 setup fee. | n/a |
Choose Deel or Oyster?
Choose Deel if
- You want global coverage
- You want compliance handled
- Budget matters ($19/employee/mo, billed monthly vs $29/mo, billed monthly)
Choose Oyster if
- You want global employment simplified
- You want good UX
In-Depth Analysis
Deel
Hire globally, pay compliantly, and manage payroll worldwide
Deel's pricing structure is generally fair, offering a free HR platform which is generous.
Watch out
Global Payroll has a $1,000 setup fee.
Strengths
- Pro: Global coverage
- Pro: Compliance handled
- Pro: Fast payments
Weaknesses
- Con: Can get expensive
Key features
Oyster
Hire globally, compliantly. We handle international employment
Oyster's pricing is fair for its comprehensive global employment solutions.
Strengths
- Pro: Global employment simplified
- Pro: Good UX
- Pro: Transparent pricing
- Pro: Benefits included
- Pro: Growing platform
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Some country limitations
- Con: Fewer features than Deel
- Con: Newer platform
- Con: Enterprise features limited
Key features
Plans and prices: Deel vs Oyster
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Deel |
| deel.com/pricing read Sep 29, 2026 |
| Oyster |
| oysterhr.com/pricing read Oct 27, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Deel pricing and Oyster pricing.
Key Takeaways
Deel
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Lower entry price: $19/employee/mo, billed monthly vs $29/mo, billed monthly
- Has a free plan
Oyster
- Choose if you want hire globally, compliantly. We handle international employment
What the data shows
On the data below, Deel leads on higher user rating and lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Deel has the higher user rating (4.7/5 from 20,580 reviews for Deel, 4.4/5 from 1,610 reviews for Oyster).
- Deel has the lower entry price: $19/employee/mo, billed monthly (Deel US Payroll) against $29/mo, billed monthly (Contractor) for Oyster.
- Only Deel has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Deel and Oyster compare in 2026?
On the data below, Deel leads on higher user rating and lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Deel has the higher user rating (4.7/5 from 20,580 reviews for Deel, 4.4/5 from 1,610 reviews for Oyster). Deel has the lower entry price: $19/employee/mo, billed monthly (Deel US Payroll) against $29/mo, billed monthly (Contractor) for Oyster. Only Deel has a free plan.
What are Deel and Oyster used for?
Deel: Hire globally, pay compliantly, and manage payroll worldwide. Oyster: Hire globally, compliantly. We handle international employment.
What does Deel cost vs Oyster?
Deel's cheapest paid plan is Deel US Payroll at $19/employee/mo, billed monthly. Oyster's cheapest paid plan is Contractor at $29/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 27, 2026.
What's the main difference between Deel and Oyster?
Deel's main strength: global coverage. Oyster's main strength: global employment simplified.