Head to head

Oyster vs RemoFirst

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Oyster

$699/employee/mo 30 day free trial

Global EOR, payroll, and contractor payments. EOR is $699/employee/mo. Contractors are free for 30 days, then $29/mo.

Where Oyster fits

Companies hiring full-time staff in 120-plus countries
Teams that want a contractor 30-day trial
People ops that need Workday or BambooHR sync
Buyers who want a public developer API

RemoFirst

$199/employee/mo

Employer of record in 185+ countries. EOR starts at $199/employee/mo, with no setup fee or headcount minimum.

Where RemoFirst fits

Startups hiring their first overseas employees
Teams that want a published EOR fee under $200
Companies paying contractors in 150+ countries
Buyers who refuse setup fees and minimums

At a glance

Detail	Oyster	RemoFirst
Starting price	$699/employee/mo	$199/employee/mo
Free tier	–No	–No
Free trial	30 day free trial	Not on record
MCP server	–No	–No
Public API	✓Yes	–No
Listed under	EOR, HRIS	EOR
Capterra	4.6 from 91 reviews	Not enough reviews

Where they pull apart

Oyster

Stands out: Public EOR and contractor prices, plus a documented developer API and HRIS connections.

Watch out: EOR is $699 per employee. People Services advisory is $300 per hour. Annual discounts apply on EOR.

Not the right fit for

Startups shopping for a sub-$200 EOR fee
Teams that only need US payroll

RemoFirst

Stands out: A flat $199 EOR fee across most countries, plus a free contractor basics tier.

Watch out: Some countries cost more than $199. RemoHealth starts at $55/person/mo. Entities are partner-run, not owned.

Not the right fit for

Enterprises that require owned legal entities
Teams that need a deep native HRIS

Pros and cons

Oyster

Published EOR fee of $699/employee/mo
Contractors free 30 days, then $29
Public developer API

EOR is expensive vs low-cost rivals
People Services is $300/hour
EOR still starts with sales

RemoFirst

EOR from $199/employee/mo
No setup fees or headcount minimums
Free contractor basics, $25 for payments

Partner entities, not owned
Some countries cost more than $199
RemoHealth starts at $55/person

What each one costs

Oyster

$699/employee/mo

EOR is $699/employee/mo with annual discounts. Contractors are free for 30 days, then $29/contractor/mo. People Services is $300/hour. Global payroll is listed separately. The 30-day trial applies to contractors. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

RemoFirst

$199/employee/mo

EOR starts at $199/employee/mo. Some countries cost more. No setup, onboarding, or termination fees and no minimums. Contractor basics are free. Premium contractor payments are $25/contractor/mo. RemoHealth starts at $55/person/mo. Visas and equipment are quoted. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Oyster cheaper than RemoFirst?

RemoFirst starts lower, at $199/employee/mo against $699/employee/mo for Oyster. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.

Can you try Oyster or RemoFirst for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Oyster offers a 30 day free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Oyster alternatives All RemoFirst alternatives Every EOR tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?