HR · head to head
Oyster HR vs Zoho People
The short version
- Only Zoho People has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Oyster HR no published pricing for Benefits package add-on; Zoho People slow response times and slow loading on the platform affecting user efficiency
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Oyster HR and Zoho People actually diverge.
| Attribute | Oyster HR | Zoho People |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | Unknown | 1996 |
Identical on both: platforms (Web), 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 Oyster HR
Nothing recorded that Zoho People does not also cover.
Only in Zoho People
- Employee Database
- Time Off
- Time Tracking
- Attendance
- Performance
- Onboarding
- Self-Service
- Zoho CRM
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Oyster HR
- Global employment compliancenot Zoho People
- Multi-country contractor managementnot Zoho People
- International payroll processingnot Zoho People
Zoho People
- Automating recruitment workflows from application through onboardingnot Oyster HR
- Managing performance evaluations and compensation decisions centrallynot Oyster HR
- Tracking employee time, attendance, and leave in real-timenot Oyster HR
- Generating HR analytics to measure employee satisfaction and retentionnot Oyster HR
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Zoho People
- Slow response times and slow loading on the platform affecting user efficiency
- Limited customization options for leave and performance management workflows
- Mobile app is missing key features available in desktop version, like timesheets and reporting
- Customer support is ticket-based only with no live chat unless on premium plan
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Zoho People
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Zoho People review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Oyster HR if
Nothing in the data separates Oyster HR from Zoho People on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Choose Zoho People if
- You need employee database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want time off.
Questions people ask
- Is Oyster HR or Zoho People better?
- Neither clearly leads. Oyster HR starts at On request and Zoho People at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Oyster HR or Zoho People?
- Zoho People has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Oyster HR and Free for Zoho People.
- Does Oyster HR or Zoho People run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- Can I use Zoho People for free?
- Yes. Zoho People has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Oyster HR starts at On request.
- What is Oyster HR best used for?
- Oyster HR is most often used for global employment compliance, multi-country contractor management, international payroll processing. Of those, global employment compliance and multi-country contractor management are not what Zoho People is typically brought in for.
- What can Oyster HR do that Zoho People cannot?
- Zoho People covers Employee Database, Time Off, Time Tracking, Attendance.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceZoho People: Does Zoho People have a free tier?
Yes, the Free plan supports up to 5-10 users with essential HR tools, email support, and 30-day free trial available on all paid plans with no credit card required.
SourceOyster 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.
SourceZoho People: What is the pricing for Zoho People?
Pricing starts at $1.25 per user per month when billed annually. The Essential HR plan costs $1.50 monthly per user, dropping to $1.25 annually with five tiers available: Free, Essential HR, Professional, Premium, and Enterprise.
SourceOyster 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.
SourceZoho People: Does Zoho People work with other Zoho applications?
Yes, Zoho People integrates with the Zoho ecosystem including Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and other Zoho applications for unified business management.
SourceOyster 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Zoho People
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