Compare/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.

Starting price

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

DetailOysterRemoFirst
Starting price$699/employee/mo$199/employee/mo
Free tier–No–No
Free trial30 day free trialNot on record
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underEOR, HRISEOR
Capterra4.6 from 91 reviewsNot 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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 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 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?