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Marvel vs Oyster

Marvel logo

Marvel

Software

Rapid prototyping and design platform

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: Marvel pricing is not shown on the product pages; Oyster employer of Record is $699 per employee per month, with the discount tied to annual billing
  • They diverge on capability: Marvel covers Drag-and-drop prototyping, Oyster covers Global Employment.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Marvel and Oyster actually diverge.

Attributes where Marvel and Oyster differ
AttributeMarvelOyster
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20132020

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (subscription), 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 Marvel

  • Drag-and-drop prototyping
  • User testing
  • Animations
  • Interactions
  • User research
  • Analytics
  • Handoff tools
  • Feedback

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.

Marvel

  • Wireframing and clickable prototypesnot Oyster
  • User testing on a prototype before buildnot Oyster
  • Developer handoff with automatic design specsnot Oyster
  • Sharing prototypes with stakeholders for feedbacknot Oyster

Oyster

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

Where each one falls short

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

Marvel

  • Pricing is not shown on the product pages
  • User research capability comes through Ballpark rather than being native to Marvel

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

Marvel

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 1 project
    • Unlimited screens
    • Basic prototyping
  • Professional$12/month
    • Unlimited projects
    • Unlimited screens
    • Advanced prototyping
  • Team$80/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • Unlimited users
    • Team workspace

Oyster

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Marvel if

  • You need drag-and-drop prototyping.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want user testing.
Marvel 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 Marvel or Oyster better?
Neither clearly leads. Marvel 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, Marvel or Oyster?
Marvel starts at Free and Oyster at Free.
Does Marvel or Oyster run on more platforms?
Marvel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android. Oyster runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Marvel for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Marvel best used for?
Marvel is most often used for wireframing and clickable prototypes, user testing on a prototype before build, developer handoff with automatic design specs, sharing prototypes with stakeholders for feedback. Of those, wireframing and clickable prototypes and user testing on a prototype before build are not what Oyster is typically brought in for.
What can Marvel do that Oyster cannot?
Marvel covers Drag-and-drop prototyping, User testing, Animations, Interactions. Oyster covers Global Employment, Payroll, Benefits, Compliance. Both handle Slack.
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