Softwr

HR · head to head

Bonusly vs Oyster HR

Bonusly logo

Bonusly

HR

Employee recognition that builds culture

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Oyster HR logo

Oyster HR

HR

Global employer of record and contractor payments

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Bonusly has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Bonusly the free plan is capped at 8 users; Oyster HR no published pricing for Benefits package add-on
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Bonusly and Oyster HR actually diverge.

Attributes where Bonusly and Oyster HR differ
AttributeBonuslyOyster HR
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (HR).

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 Bonusly

  • Peer-to-peer recognition
  • Points-based rewards
  • Manager awards
  • Reward catalog
  • Automated milestones
  • Public recognition feed
  • Analytics & insights
  • Custom company values

Only in Oyster HR

Nothing recorded that Bonusly does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Bonusly

  • Peer-to-peer recognition with points employees give each othernot Oyster HR
  • Redeeming points for gift cards and rewardsnot Oyster HR
  • Recognition inside Slack or Microsoft Teamsnot Oyster HR
  • Tracking recognition patterns across teamsnot Oyster HR
  • Company-wide awards programmes on the top tiernot Oyster HR

Oyster HR

  • Global employment compliancenot Bonusly
  • Multi-country contractor managementnot Bonusly
  • International payroll processingnot Bonusly

Where each one falls short

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

Bonusly

  • The free plan is capped at 8 users
  • Reward funding is separate from the subscription: a $10 gift card costs $10 on top of the per-user fee
  • The Bizy AI assistant costs $2 per user per month more, at $5 against $3
  • SAML single sign-on, awards programmes and a dedicated success manager are on the quote-only Organization tier
  • Advanced analytics and automations start at the Team tier

Oyster HR

  • No published pricing for Benefits package add-on
  • No published pricing for Visa sponsorship
  • No published pricing for Salary Insights tool or Oyster Shell subscription
  • Add-on features require separate quotes

Pricing, plan by plan

Bonusly

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 8 users
    • Peer recognition
    • Slack and Teams integrations
  • Team + Bizy$5/month
    • Unlimited seats
    • Advanced analytics
    • Milestone celebrations
  • Team + Bizy$60/year
    • Annual plan saves 2 months
  • Team Without Bizy$3/month
    • Everything in Team + Bizy except Bizy AI

Oyster HR

On request
  • Employer of Record (EOR)$699/month
    • Per employee pricing
    • Compliant employment in 120+ countries
    • Multi-country payroll in 120+ currencies
  • Global Contractors$29/month
    • Per contractor pricing
    • First 30 days free
    • Instant contracts in 180+ countries
  • People Partner Services$300/hour
    • Project-based HR advisory
    • Support for EOR and own entities
    • Flexible scope from advice to full execution

Which should you pick?

Choose Bonusly if

  • You need peer-to-peer recognition.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want points-based rewards.
Bonusly review

Choose Oyster HR if

Nothing in the data separates Oyster HR from Bonusly on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Oyster HR review

Questions people ask

Is Bonusly or Oyster HR better?
Neither clearly leads. Bonusly starts at Free and Oyster HR at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Bonusly or Oyster HR?
Bonusly has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Bonusly and On request for Oyster HR.
Does Bonusly or Oyster HR run on more platforms?
Bonusly runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Oyster HR runs on Web.
Can I use Bonusly for free?
Yes. Bonusly has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Oyster HR starts at On request.
What is Bonusly best used for?
Bonusly is most often used for peer-to-peer recognition with points employees give each other, redeeming points for gift cards and rewards, recognition inside slack or microsoft teams, tracking recognition patterns across teams. Of those, peer-to-peer recognition with points employees give each other and redeeming points for gift cards and rewards are not what Oyster HR is typically brought in for.
What can Bonusly do that Oyster HR cannot?
Bonusly covers Peer-to-peer recognition, Points-based rewards, Manager awards, Reward catalog.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Bonusly: How much does Bonusly Team plan cost?

Bonusly Team + Bizy plan costs $5 per user per month with annual billing offering 2 months free. A Team plan without Bizy AI costs $3 per user per month ($30/year).

Source
Oyster HR: How much does Oyster EOR cost?

Oyster Employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month in USD. This includes compliant employment in 120+ countries, multi-country payroll, automated reporting, onboarding/offboarding, and local expert guidance. Annual discounts apply, and a refundable deposit is required.

Source
Bonusly: Is there a free Bonusly plan?

Yes, Bonusly offers a free plan for up to 8 users, including peer recognition, Slack and Teams integrations, and mobile apps. No credit card is required.

Source
Oyster HR: What is the cost of Oyster Global Contractors?

Oyster Global Contractors costs $29 per contractor per month after a free 30-day trial. Includes instant contracts in 180+ countries, multi-currency payments, identity verification, and invoice management. No minimum team size.

Source
Bonusly: What does the Bizy AI add-on cost?

Bizy AI add-on costs $2 per user per month separately from the Team plan subscription.

Source
Oyster HR: What currencies and payment methods does Oyster accept?

Oyster accepts USD, EUR, GBP, and CAD. Payment methods include direct debit and wire transfers. Currency conversion fees apply when paying in a currency different from the employment contract currency.

Source
Oyster HR: Does Oyster offer discounts for nonprofits or startups?

Oyster for Impact provides discounts for nonprofits and B-corps. Startups can save up to $1,200 on EOR subscription fees. Refugees receive no-cost or discounted access to employment services.

Source
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