As you start looking for winning solutions for distributed team management, you need to take many quality parameters into account. This relationship is going to be a long-term one, so you need to find the best payroll and global employment partner. It’s normal to be a bit confused amid a large number of offers in the present-day market, and this comparative article is aimed at guiding and simplifying your selection process.
Here is a detailed comparison of GEOR and another established provider of employer of record (EOR) services – Oyster HR. The Oyster HR vs. GEOR review highlights the main differences between these software options to help you make an informed decision.
| GEOR | Oyster HR | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of jurisdictions | 100+ | 130+ (contractors) 180+ (EOR) |
| EOR service pricing | $499 | $699 |
| Contractor management pricing | $45 (flat fee) | Start at $29 |
| Recruitment services | Yes | No |
| Legal entities in target jurisdictions | Yes | No (aggregator) |
| Customer support | 24/7 | 24/5 |
| Service range | EOR, AOR, global payroll, staffing, HR outsourcing, employee leasing, contractor management, PEO | EOR services, global payroll, contractor management, employee onboarding and management |
Main Details about Oyster and GEOR
What does Oyster HR do? This Charlotte-based company was founded in 2019 to help international businesses manage their distributed workforce. Oyster HR currently has offices in over 60 countries, enabling global employment and compliant workforce management. It currently offers a broad spectrum of services, spanning EOR, global payroll, contractor management, benefits administration, and compliance-driven solutions for staff hiring in various jurisdictions.
GEOR is headquartered in Alexandria; the company has been operating since 2010 in the field of global employment and payroll management. GEOR offers broad geographical coverage of 100+ jurisdictions and gives clients access to a large talent pool of 40,000+ pre-vetted IT professionals. Its service range covers all services in the Oyster HR portfolio and also includes recruitment assistance, comprehensive workforce management on a proprietary ERP platform and versatile staffing and HR outsourcing solutions.
Oyster HR vs. GEOR: Partnership Network
The number of partnerships and their essence make a real difference in terms of the provider’s flexibility and breadth of service coverage. Thus, companies looking for distributed workforce management solutions should always look into the number of jurisdictions in which the provider can render EOR and AOR services. Let’s take a look at how GEOR and Oyster compare on this parameter.
| GEOR | Oyster HR |
|---|---|
| GEOR has a first-hand, direct legal presence in 100+ jurisdictions, thus being able to deliver top-quality services without reliance on third parties. This arrangement removes unpredictability and risk from your relationship with an EOR provider. | Oyster HR has a network of partners in 130+ countries for contractor hiring and supports full-time staff employment in 180+ countries. However, the company doesn’t have its own network of legal entities and simply acts as an aggregator by relying on a distributed network of local agencies. |
The partner network comparison reveals that Oyster HR gives broader geographical coverage compared to GEOR, but the model of arranging a business relationship is different and less reliable. GEOR, in turn, operates a network of local firms that address the clients’ HR, legal, and payroll needs and provides access to over 50 payroll engines.
Oyster HR vs. GEOR: A Glimpse of Integrations
The ease and versatility of integrations is a vital aspect of top-quality EOR services. Every company paying for such a staffing solution should have access to various integrations that may automate, simplify, and speed up HR, payroll, and workforce management routines. How does GEOR handle these tasks, and what does Oyster HR offer in this regard?
| GEOR | Oyster HR |
|---|---|
| GEOR supports a wide range of integrations with software of all purposes and kinds. It offers frictionless integrations with accounting software and payroll tools, such as Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite. The GEOR platform also enables the creation of flexible payment schedules for different employees and creates advanced payroll reports. | Oyster HR supports only 15 integrations, which limits the setup of a global workforce management ecosystem. It doesn’t offer built-in integrations with accounting and payroll tools, thus giving clients limited freedom in customizing their payment schedules or configuring non-standard payroll terms. Reporting and analytics are also scarce in the Oyster HR functionality. |
This information suggests that GEOR does way better in terms of automation and integration. Thus, it can offer a more flexible, configurable user experience to businesses striving to set up custom payroll and HR management solutions.
How Does Oyster Compare to GEOR in Terms of In-House Support?
The availability of in-house support that can provide timely, competent assistance on a variety of glitches and issues is a critical quality parameter for software provider selection. In a world of digital-only solutions, every client wants to have an infallible reference point that will be accessible 24/7 from any part of the globe. Here’s what Oyster and GEOR offer in this regard.
| GEOR | Oyster HR |
|---|---|
| GEOR has a large, distributed in-house team of experts exceeding 1,300 members. The company operates from its U.S. headquarters and has a solid geographical presence in five regions. Therefore, GEOR provides solid omnichannel support to clients and their distributed teams 24/7. Support team members are trained in-house to deliver professional and quick assistance on all issues, from platform usage to payment glitches and UI issues. | Since Oyster HR is an aggregator and not a standalone EOR provider with its own team and legal entity network, the company offers limited in-house support to clients. The platform offers 24/5 customer support, with no access to support staff on weekends. Users need to contact local firms directly via the provider’s channels and resolve all issues themselves. |
These details shed light on the degree of reliability you may enjoy at GEOR and Oyster HR. While the latter is mostly about giving access to the workforce management platform with no strings attached, the former assigns a dedicated support manager to the client and handles all customer issues quickly and competently, thus simplifying your customer journey.
Versatility of Payment Options: Oyster HR vs. GEOR
The flexibility of payment options is another decisive criterion that distinguishes the good from the great in the world of EOR services. All companies want to enjoy some degree of flexibility and freedom in international payments. Here is how Oyster HR vs. GEOR handle this service aspect.
| GEOR | Oyster HR |
|---|---|
| GEOR allows 10+ payment methods for contractor payments, including such popular options as Payoneer, PayPal, Wise, Coinbase, debit banking cards, etc. It also supports wire transfers and bank transfers via ACH and SEPA pathways. Over 120 currencies are supported, with a fully customizable payroll system. | Oyster HR has a more limited spectrum of supported payment methods. It also supports multi-currency payroll and gives a certain degree of flexibility in this area. |
Definitely, GEOR wins in the area of payment versatility and flexibility. Thus, it should be your go-to choice in case you want to enjoy real freedom in setting up your payment methods and giving your hired staff freedom of choice.
Oyster HR vs. GEOR: HRIS Platform Availability
An HRIS platform is a pleasant addition to the core service package that you can usually get from an EOR provider. How do GEOR and Oyster HR compare in this aspect?
| GEOR | Oyster HR |
|---|---|
| GEOR offers a proprietary ERP solution that simplifies workforce management and empowers businesses to organize all routine tasks in one place. | Oyster HR doesn’t offer a proprietary ERP or HRIS solution and proposes that its clients integrate theirs with the Oyster payroll system. |
While an HRIS solution is not a must-have for EOR providers, its absence is a sizable bummer in the highly competitive market. Thus, GEOR outperforms Oyster in this regard by offering an all-in-one digital space for hassle-free staff and payroll management.
A Sneak Peek into Pricing
The financial aspect of partnering with an EOR provider is also significant for many companies. That’s why it makes sense to analyze the pricing structure as well. How do GEOR and Oyster HR compare in terms of pricing their services? Here is a comparison:
| GEOR | Oyster HR |
|---|---|
| GEOR’s standard pricing model presupposes a monthly fee of $499 per employee per month (EOR) and $45 per contractor per month (payroll services). | Oyster HR charges $699 per employee per month and $29 per contractor per month (a 30-day free trial is available for contract management solutions). Companies that order EOR services for over three employees and purchase an annual plan are eligible for custom pricing and discounts. |
This way, you can see that Oyster HR is more expensive in terms of EOR services, but it offers more affordable prices for global payroll and contractor management solutions. Thus, you should make the final decision based on who you’re planning to hire.
Our Oyster HR vs. GEOR Verdict
As you can see from our in-depth review, GEOR is a more reliable and comprehensive option for customers striving for an all-in-one HR management solution. The cost of EOR services is more affordable compared to Oyster HR, and the software package is more diverse and comprehensive to meet a variety of business management needs. A sizable comparative advantage is the availability of recruitment support and various staffing outsourcing solutions. Thus, we recommend taking a closer look at GEOR as your gateway to fully automated and centralized international staffing in compliance with local jurisdictional requirements.
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