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Google Workspace vs Oyster

Google Workspace logo

Google Workspace

All industries

Everything you need to get work done, all in one place

From
€3.4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Oyster logo

Oyster

Payroll & Benefits

Hire globally, compliantly

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Oyster has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Google Workspace starter tier storage limited to 30 GB per user, requiring upgrade to Standard or higher for adequate document storage; Oyster employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing
  • They diverge on capability: Google Workspace covers Gmail business email, Oyster covers Global Employment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Workspace and Oyster actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Workspace and Oyster differ
AttributeGoogle WorkspaceOyster
Starting price€3.4/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryAll industriesPayroll & Benefits
Founded20062020

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Workspace

  • Gmail business email
  • Google Drive storage
  • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • Google Calendar
  • Google Meet video conferencing
  • Google Chat
  • Google Forms
  • Google Sites

Only in Oyster

  • Global Employment
  • Payroll
  • Benefits
  • Compliance
  • Contractor Management
  • Time Off
  • Expenses
  • BambooHR

Both cover

  • Slack

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Workspace

  • Business email and calendar managementnot Oyster
  • Collaborative document editingnot Oyster
  • Video conferencing and meetingsnot Oyster
  • Secure document storage and sharingnot Oyster

Oyster

  • Hiring employees abroad without setting up a local legal entitynot Google Workspace
  • Onboarding and paying international contractorsnot Google Workspace
  • Getting country specific employment compliance advice for distributed teamsnot Google Workspace

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Workspace

  • Starter tier storage limited to 30 GB per user, requiring upgrade to Standard or higher for adequate document storage
  • Starter and Standard tiers both capped at maximum 300 users per organisation
  • Video meetings limited to 100 participants on Starter tier, 150 on Standard tier
  • Recording capabilities only available on Standard tier and above
  • eDiscovery, Vault, and advanced security features only available on Plus and Enterprise tiers

Oyster

  • Employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing
  • A refundable deposit is required before an EOR engagement starts
  • Contractor management is free for 30 days then $29 per contractor per month
  • HR advisory through People Partner Services is billed at $300 per hour on top of the subscription
  • A currency conversion fee applies when you pay Oyster in a currency other than the contract currency
  • Payments are accepted only by direct debit or wire in USD, EUR, GBP or CAD

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Workspace

€3.4/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Workspace review.

Oyster

Free
  • Contractor$29/month
    • Contractor Payments
    • Compliant Contracts
    • Invoicing
  • Employee$599/month
    • Global Employment
    • Payroll
    • Benefits

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Workspace if

  • You need gmail business email.
  • You also want google drive storage.
Google Workspace review

Choose Oyster if

  • You need global employment.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want payroll.
Oyster review

Questions people ask

Is Google Workspace or Oyster better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Workspace starts at €3.4/month and Oyster at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Workspace or Oyster?
Oyster has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at €3.4/month for Google Workspace and Free for Oyster.
Does Google Workspace or Oyster run on more platforms?
Google Workspace runs on Web. Oyster runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Oyster for free?
Yes. Oyster has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Google Workspace starts at €3.4/month.
What is Google Workspace best used for?
Google Workspace is most often used for business email and calendar management, collaborative document editing, video conferencing and meetings, secure document storage and sharing. Of those, business email and calendar management and collaborative document editing are not what Oyster is typically brought in for.
What can Google Workspace do that Oyster cannot?
Google Workspace covers Gmail business email, Google Drive storage, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Calendar. Oyster covers Global Employment, Payroll, Benefits, Compliance. Both handle Slack.
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Related pages

More on Google Workspace

More on Oyster

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