Hire full-time abroad without a local entity.
Oyster is an Employer of Record (EOR) and contractor platform. Here is who it suits, who should skip it, and what it costs per person.
Last checked 10 October 2026 against the vendor’s website. General information, not professional advice.
Use it if
- You want to hire a full-time employee in another country without setting up a company there
- You also work with contractors abroad and want one platform
- You want a published per-person price to plan against
- You want help checking contractor classification risk
Skip it if
- You hire only in your own country
- You plan a big team in one country, where your own entity can cost less over time
- You need to pay a freelancer once: a simple invoice will do
- You want a flat all-in price with no per-person fee
What Oyster says it offers
- Employer of Record: hire, pay and manage full-time staff without an entity
- Global contractors: hire, pay and manage contractors
- A misclassification analyser for contractor risk
- Annual discounts, per its pricing page
Published prices
| Plan | Price | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Employer of Record | $699 per employee per month | A full-time hire abroad without an entity |
| Global Contractors | $29 per contractor per month (free for 30 days) | Contractors and freelancers abroad |
Read from Oyster’s pricing page on 10 October 2026 in US dollars; annual discounts are available and add-ons may apply. We make no claim that Oyster is cheaper than any other EOR: compare written quotes.
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Can you trust it?
- It becomes the legal employer: read the employment terms, termination process and who is liable in the country.
- Check the real total: add fees, taxes and benefits for 12 months, not just the monthly fee.
- Compare quotes: get written quotes from at least two providers before you choose.
Before your first overseas hire
- Confirm whether the person is an employee or a contractor.
- Pick the country and check notice periods and statutory benefits.
- Request a written quote and the employment terms.
- Compare the first-year total with one other provider.
- Sign only when termination and cost terms are clear.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating an employee as a contractor
- Comparing only the headline monthly price
- Ignoring local notice periods and benefits
- Starting before the contract is signed
FAQs
What is an Employer of Record?
A provider that becomes the legal employer of your hire in another country and handles payroll and compliance, while you direct the work.
How much does it cost?
Oyster lists $699 per employee per month for EOR and $29 per contractor per month. Check current prices.
Is it right for one hire?
Often yes for one or two hires; compare with your own entity for larger teams.
Decide with the facts. Start small.
Affiliate disclosure: this page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Facts come from the vendor’s website and may change. General information, not professional advice.