Softwr

Software · head to head

Homebase vs Oyster

Homebase logo

Homebase

Software

Scheduling, time tracking and HR for hourly teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Oyster logo

Oyster

Software

Hire globally, compliantly

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Homebase free Basic plan is capped at 10 employees and a single location; Oyster employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Homebase and Oyster actually diverge.

Attributes where Homebase and Oyster differ
AttributeHomebaseOyster
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
PlatformsWebWeb, Ios, Android
FoundedUnknown2020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 Homebase

Nothing recorded that Oyster does not also cover.

Only in Oyster

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

What people use each for

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

Homebase

No use cases recorded yet. See the Homebase review.

Oyster

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

Where each one falls short

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

Homebase

  • Free Basic plan is capped at 10 employees and a single location
  • Paid plans are billed per location per month ($30, $70 or $120), so a multi-location business pays the rate again for each site
  • Payroll is a separate add-on at $39 per month plus $6 per month per employee paid
  • Tip Manager and Task Manager are further add-ons billed per location per month on top of the base plan

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

Homebase

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Homebase review.

Oyster

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Homebase if

  • You want to start without paying.
Homebase 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 Homebase or Oyster better?
Neither clearly leads. Homebase starts at Free and Oyster at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Homebase or Oyster?
Homebase starts at Free and Oyster at Free.
Does Homebase or Oyster run on more platforms?
Homebase runs on Web. Oyster runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Homebase for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can Homebase do that Oyster cannot?
Oyster covers Global Employment, Payroll, Benefits, Compliance.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Homebase

More on Oyster

Keep looking

Other head to heads